Other Brothers cooks up the blues

11/5/2025

Seven years ago, the Other Brothers received a second-place finish in the Central Iowa Blues Society’s Iowa Blues Challenge. As “life happened” throughout the years, the band competed again in October 2025. This time, they won the best band award.

They will represent Iowa in the 2026 International Blues Challenge in Memphis. Also representing Iowa for a solo/duo act is the Weary Ramblers. 

The Other Brothers is a three-piece, Des Moines-based band that consists of Eli Clark, Johnny Parrish and Jason Kadiwhompus. 

Instead of the band identifying with just one genre of music, they play a unique combination of rock and roll, blues, rockabilly and country. Clark says throughout the years they have developed into a “Midwestern rock and roll, downhome sensibility.” 

“We play 1970s sounds on 1960s money,” he says. “Our music is all about kicking back and having a good time. We want to get people dancing as much as we can. We don’t play grandpa’s blues. We want to cook a little bit.” 

The Other Brothers play all original music with songs written by Clark, who also sings and plays both the guitar and harmonica. Clark and Larry Enos formed the band in 2013. As Larry passed away and COVID hit, the band stopped in its tracks to regroup and find a new band member. 

“When Jason came in, we wrote two or three songs that night and offered it to him on the spot,” Clark says.

The revamped band rehearsed three times a week before performing. 

“We were gung ho,” he says. “I hashed out a harmonica rig, so we can offer a different sound than the lead guitar.” 

Clark began writing when he was 16 years old. He explains he was a “brooding 16 year-old writing poetry” when a friend set him straight. 

“He said these are songs, not poetry. I never stopped after that,” he recalls. “I’ve been writing ever since.”

He began singing and playing the harmonica. Eventually, he learned how to play the guitar.

Band members are “weekend warriors,” playing numerous gigs, such as the Iowa State Fair, Dallas County Fair, Madison County Covered Bridges Festival, and other venues. 

“We cast a wide net and want to play as much as we can for a variety of audiences,” he says. 

With five recorded albums, the band is currently working on a sixth. As they competed in the Iowa Blues Challenge, the band members questioned, “Are we blues enough?”

“These are our own songs. They’re bluesy,” he explains. “They (judges) saw the virtue in how bluesy it is.” 

Clark says the CIBS continually supports their musical efforts. 

“They give us encouraging words. It’s an equal playing field. The organization is accommodating for all walks of blues life,” he says.

The band is excited to travel to Memphis in January 2026 for the competition. 

“We’re happy to go and represent Iowa and to compete internationally. We hope to have a great first time playing in Memphis,” he says.

Meanwhile, the band is fortunate to play at weddings, parties, funerals and bars. 

“We’re something for everyone,” he says. “We’re lucky Des Moines has a good thing going, where people want to go out and discover music.”

Clark says their music helps to sell beer at a venue and get people dancing. 

“Our blues is the foot-stomping variety. We want people to have a good time. Life is hard, and we can all come together at the end of the day through music.” 

Catch the Other Brothers at xBk Live on Nov. 29 for the Seventh Annual Dipsos Blowout concert, which includes performances by 10 Watt Robot, Dipsos and Soulcage. They also perform Dec. 26 at the Greenwood Lounge and Feb. 13-14 at the Winter Blues Festival in Des Moines.