Agrimusic: A Historic Evening of Song in Downtown Des Moines

Historian and Composer Seth Hedquist combined education, empathy and excellence to create a moving live music experience in the lush, listening room environment of Noce

Friday night inside Noce was simply special. Now, in its 10th year, Noce continues to bring inventive and innovative musical acts to the stage in downtown Des Moines enhancing the local arts scene. Known primarily for jazz music, Noce is not afraid to open its doors to all genres—especially for Iowa artists seeking an environment where the listener plays an integral role by absorbing the art on stage through the time-honored traditions of listening and thinking.

Seth Hedquist’s Agrimusic: A History in Song was the perfect match with the Noce ambiance and I had the benefit of a front row seat for this performance that paired Hedquist’s painstaking research of the music scene in Iowa from 1909-1937, that earned him Iowa History Center’s “Outstanding Master's Thesis Award” in 2016, with the incredible talents of professional Iowa musicians as the backing Agrimusic Orchestra.

The all-star cast of local musicians across several genres is pictured above (Left to Right): Kathryn Severing Fox, violin, viola, mandolin, and vocals; Shanda Fordyce, alto saxophone and clarinet; Bryan Vanderpool, guitar and vocals; Zane Gedler, drums; Seth Hedquist: guitar and vocals; Gary Goudelock, euphonium and trombone, Steph Graham, bass and vocals; Ellis Dix, piano; Scott Davis, trumpet.

Little Village accurately previewed the show as such, “Seth Hedquist combines his background in history and music to tell a unique story about Iowa agricultural musicians in the early 20th century, in an all original, twelve-song cycle.

Hedquist earned a BS in History (2009) and an MA in History (2015), both from Iowa State University. His work focuses on rural Iowa musicians who played at state and county farm bureau events in the 1920s and 30s. He investigates who these musicians were, and what needs they fulfilled for the organization, and for themselves, by participating in those events. His work further examines to what extent the styles they played measured up to farm bureau and Country Life leaders’ expectations for rural music at that time. Broadly, this topic focuses on questions of identity, and the complexities of playing music for organizations during trying times of heightened pressure, like the 1920s and 30s.”

You can find his 97-page Chronicles of Agrimusic thesis here to better understand the enormity of this project. And, by the sounds of it, there’s more work to come on this topic as Hedquist brings more history to life through sound and story. Unfortunately, very recent budget cuts of the arts instigated by the current Administration are already disrupting plans for this show to reach a larger audience in our state and beyond. Perhaps there’s a patron of the arts and history, especially projects benefiting the livelihood of working musicians with original composition and story of Iowa history, that would like to help this project find a larger audience. If so, here’s the link to contact Seth Hedquist.

One of my favorite treats in life now is when a stranger expertly curates an experience. That server that shows up and knows exactly the journey to take on the menu from start to finish. A tour guide that brings the right amount of energy and intrigue. When passion is present, expertise seems to follow. Watching someone cook around a core competence is treasure. And, from the first moments of Friday’s show, you knew you were in the curated hands of a storyteller that was bringing to life an ambitious and meaningful experience through narrative, notes and knowledge.

The storylines were varied yet chronicled through an intuitive timeline. Seth sang lead on the majority of tracks with Steph Graham and fellow Iowa Writers’ Collaborative contributor

Kathryn Severing Fox

each magnificently taking leads on a song.

Kathryn sang “God Bless Our Home” as the tenth of eleven songs in the night, which Hedquist prefaced with an intimate story about the life of ethnomusicologist Sidney Robertson, who was working for the Library of Congress in the summer of 1937, and on assignment in Iowa to capture the rumored tales of a hammered dulcimer player living outside of Adel. Inspiration for the song and story came from Hedquist’s research and the discovery of a series of letters from Robertson to a friend back in D.C., expressing her frustration with the process and whether the music would be captured and shared.

Kathryn’s performance of the song was mesmerizing taking this listener on a journey to the past with Ms. Robertson now in the room on the stage before us. I reached out to her afterwards with my Iowa Writers’ Collaborative credentials to ask about the experience and her inspiration in the role and she kindly shared the following insights about the project.

“I have so much respect and admiration for Seth as an artist and a human, so being a part of a project he invested deeply in was a no brainer for me. I was even more honored when he asked me to sing lead on one of the songs for his project! Upon reading Sidney Robertson's words, I had to do double takes several times. I honestly felt like there were so many portions of the lyrics that were my own journal entries. As a woman in the music industry, reading her experience stirred mixed emotions in me.

In a way, I felt a sense of encouragement in regard to the growth we've had with equality in the arts. But we have a long way to go, and Sidney's words shine light on an ever-present issue that shouldn't be overlooked. Being so connected to her message made it easy to step into that character. It was a privilege to bring her words to life with Seth's beautiful musical addition.”

Understanding history is important. And art is uniquely capable of bringing it to life. Iowans should take great pride in such undertakings happening in our backyard. It’s intelligent, insightful and inspiring. Independent art is meaningful, and Seth Hedquist with his Agrimusic Orchestra proved this once again over the weekend.

Speaking of great independent art coming to life, congrats to the Weary Ramblers (Kathryn’s duo with fellow IWC collaborator

Chad Elliott

), announcing today that they made their Kickstarter goal for album #2 that will create art Iowans of the future will surely look back on with pride. Click here to join the cause by pre-ordering their second album.

To find more stories and insights across the state of Iowa, please consider following and supporting the many talented journalists and storytellers of the Iowa Writer’s Collaborative.

You can stream my original music on all platforms and at www.chipalbrightmusic.com. My next show in Des Moines is at xBk on Sunday, April 27 at 5pm with fellow IWC collaborator and talented songwriter Maxwell Schaeffer opening the night. Tix are just $10 for an evening of stories and original music that will now also include a special appearance from 2021 US Air Guitar National Champion Flying Finn. Hope to see you there!

Also, here is the Zoom link for this month’s Office Lounge for paid subscribers to the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative. It’s a lively conversation always held on the last Friday of the month at noon, except for November and December, and hosted by Robert Leonard.