Thank you to everyone who came out to support NAMI at the benefit at Walker Homestead. About 200 people attended, raising over $2500 for community mental health services. Wonderful event for a wonderful organization!
Welcome
MUSIC WITH A MISSION!
HomeBrewed is “Music with a Mission”–a fun filled, multi-generational group, based in Iowa City, playing a mix of originals and covers in a Bluesy Rock’n Roll style. Our “mission” is to play music in support of non-profit organizations who are helping those in need in our society. So far, we have participated in over 60 benefit concerts for groups such as those who are assisting the homeless, victims of domestic violence, new immigrant communities, food banks and animal shelters. We released our first album in 2023 “Devil in My Soul” which is available on Spotify and Apple music (https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/hb-devil-in-my-soul-full-cd/pl.u-4ZRBTJoDXd) . We try to respect the roots of the blues and the influence of blues on other types of music with the selection of our songs. Our original songs and covers are varied, including traditional blues, modern blues, Gospel, Rockabilly and Country. Our covers include classics by the likes of Jimmy Rogers, Johnny Cash, Stray Cats, and Eric Clapton, to current bands such as Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats, Kaleo, and JJ Grey and Mofro. We use our music to give back for all the blessings we have had in life. Please let us know if you had a fundraiser in the Iowa City area that would benefit from having live music.
Iowa Blues Challenge
HomeBrewed was honored to participate in the 2025 Iowa Blues Challenge @ Lefty's in Des Moines, sponsored by the Central Iowa Blues Society. What a great experience, playing with so many outstanding other musicians. Taking home the bronze was special for our first competition while the responsive crowds were extra special. Great job team HomeBrewed!
Happy 25th to UI Center for Human Rights
Walker Homestead was the perfect setting for 125 people to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the UI Center for Human Rights, a unit within the UI College of Law. The event raised over $1600 to support student programming. Thanks to all who attended and supported online!
Immigrant Welcome Network benefit was great fun!
The James was a great venue for a fun evening promoting the great work of the Immigrant Welcome Network of Johnson County. The crowd was very responsive to the music (which we of course enjoyed!).
Please consider donating to the Immigrant Welcome Network of Johnson County.
Woof Wine Walk a great success!
Thank you to everyone who supported the Iowa City Animal Shelter via our Woof Wine Walk at the Walker Homestead Winery. We raised $6000 that will help with future needs of the shelter, such as when they needed to assist with rescuing the 131 dogs from the puppy mill. Much appreciated!
Album review in @LittleVillageMag "Devil in My Soul"
Thank you Little Village Mag for the unsolicited review of IC Homebrewed’s album “Devil in my Soul”. We appreciate the kind words, both about our music and our efforts to provide “Music with a Mission” for the community. Little Village is a great resource to the Iowa City/Cedar Rapids area, filling a niche by covering news and current events in their unique and important way.
"If you are planning a fundraiser in the CRANDIC area and are thinking about just putting on a Spotify playlist and calling it a day, please don’t. Ask HomeBrewed to play instead.
HomeBrewed describes themselves as a “fun filled, mixed generational group, playing bluesy rock and roll and rockabilly.” The band performs primarily at benefit shows for nonprofits around the area. Recent benefactors include CommUnity Food Bank, Penfield Children’s Center and Shelter House. Back in December, HomeBrewed’s debut album release party at Wildwood Saloon raised over $3,500 to support Elizabeth Tate High School families during the costly holiday weeks, according to the band’s blog.
That album was Devil In My Soul (https://youtu.be/dTV6NQ4wZTI) , an ambitious first record consisting of four original tunes and three covers. Recorded by the incomparable Luke Tweedy out at Flat Black Studios, the album is an eclectic assortment of horn-and-harmonica-driven rock and electric blues tunes. As far as audition tapes go, this is an impressive sampling of what the band brings to their live performances.
The band’s bio says that by day, most of the members either work repairing instruments at local music stores or in the dental field. But make no mistake: Devil In My Soul is an exciting record by serious musicians unafraid of taking chances.
Opening with the title track, backed by ominous boogie piano lines and several searching saxophone parts, lead vocalist and harmonica player Pete Damiano sets the tone early. “Spirit of Hope” is a rockabilly tribute penned to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that finishes off with a ripping guitar solo, while “Loss in My Life” features a full-out jazz clarinet breakdown with a distinct Dixieland-bent.
Along with original tunes, the band proves it is equally adept at taking on more modern fare by covering “No Good” from Icelandic blues rockers Kaleo. They swing for the fences here, pouring several straight-gas guitar solos into the mix. As fearless as this one is, the band continues the streak by taking on two tunes from a pair of iconic and unique vocalists: Roy Orbison and Nathaniel Rateliff. “Pretty Woman” stays as true to Orbison’s as it can. It also gets as damn close to Billy Sanford’s original guitar tone as humanly possible. And with the horn section that HomeBrewed has assembled, it feels inevitable that they might try a Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats number. HomeBrewed get’s the jubilant horns and driving drum beat of “I Need Never Get Old” right.
It’s as simple as this: the band is making good music in support of good causes in the area. So check out HomeBrewed if you see them in a lineup somewhere this summer. And in the meantime, be sure and check out Devil In My Soul. (https://youtu.be/dTV6NQ4wZTI)"
This article was originally published in Little Village’s May 2023 issues.
Thank you KCCK-“daBluesapalooza”
KCCK “daBluesapalloza” was a great success
Thank You to KCCK, the Cedar Rapids-based blues/jazz station for the invitation to play at daBluesapalooza again this year on Saturday Feb. 18, 2023. It was an honor to join an impressive line-up of Iowa Blues Hall of Famers, playing to a packed house at the Olympic South Side Theater, raising money to keep the blues on the air in eastern Iowa and beyond. Particularly special was having our good friend and International Blues champion Kevin Burt join us on guitar.
New Album “Devil in My Soul” Now Streaming
Our first album, Devil in My Soul, is now streaming on the following services:
This album is a mix of HomeBrewed originals:
Devil in My Soul: The deep personal challenges within us all
Spirit of Hope: A tribute to Dr King and encouragement to stay positive
Beer Brought Me to the Blues: A tribute to life-long friends
Loss in My Life: Reflection and pain for those we’ve lost
And three of our favorite songs from other artists:
Pretty Woman-Roy Orbison,
No Good-Kaleo,
I Need Never Get Old-Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats
A special thank you to Luke Tweedy at Flatblack Studio for a tremendous recording experience!
Album Release party a success
A belated thank you to all who supported the release party for our first album “Devil in my Soul”. 150 people came out to Wildwood in Iowa City to help us raise $3500 to provide families from Tate Alternative High School with food over the holidays. It was both fun and rewarding. A great example of our Music with a Mission. We greatly appreciate the support of family and friends- new and old, on behalf of those less fortunate than ourselves. Thank you to the staff at Tate High School for their endearing effort to teach, mentor and support the students and families associated with their school. Happy New Year!
First Album Recorded!
Our band had a great time and learning experience recording our first album at Flat Black Recording Studios July 17-19. Luke Tweedy, owner/operator of Flat Black was fantastic to work with. We are in the process of mixing the 9 songs we recorded. They will be released over the next few months as part of an album with the title song: Devil in my Soul. More to come as the songs are released.
Latest News
UpComing Gigs
Free reservations now available for: Benefit Concert for Open Heartland June 14 @ Tavern Blue
Location: Tavern Blue, 805 2nd Street, Coralville, Iowa 52241 ⏰Time: Sunday June 14 4:00-6:30 $$: Free Will Donation 🔗 Tickets: Reservations (complimentary) available through Tavern Blue 🎶 Live Music Featuring HomeBrewed playing fun bluesy rock'n roll (originals and covers) 🔥 Dinner menu from Tavern Blue is available for purchase ✨Can't make it! Donate to Open Heartland HERE:
Open Heartland cultivates a strong, inclusive community by supporting immigrants who face barriers. We empower individuals by providing access to vital resources, fostering meaningful connections, and celebrating the diverse cultures that enrich our society. Thank you to our co-sponsors:
MADE Community The Dental Lounge AB Mauri All proceeds support Open Heartland
Admission: Free Will Donation