The Nadas Acoustic Duo w/ Mitchell Walsmith
With their roots in Ames, celebrated folk-Americana act The Nadas have amassed a loyal and dedicated following over the past three decades for their engaging live shows and distinctive ’70s-meets-’90s sound. Blending twangy, Stones-era “country honk” with raw, alt-rock energy and wistful, folk-leaning melodies, their music is as alive as it is authentic. Over 30 years of making music together, The Nadas have shared the stage with The Beach Boys, Bon Jovi, Big Head Todd and Barenaked Ladies, been inducted into the Iowa Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame, sold over 300,000 albums (even in a time when you can’t buy a CD player), earned praise from a wide range of major publications (including Playboy), and written the theme song for their hometown—twice.
Old friends and music industry veterans Mike Butterworth and Jason Walsmith founded The Nadas in the early ’90s, bonding over a shared mixtape while students at Iowa State University. Initially playing the folk circuit as an acoustic duo, they added drums and bass as the band moved toward a grittier alt-rock sound. By the mid-2000s, their songwriting began to embrace more radio-friendly, pop-leaning territory, laced with anthemic choruses, compelling guitar riffs, and a refreshing sense of humor.
They return to the M-Shop stripped back down to the original duo, featuring Mike and Jason for an intimate evening of music from one of Iowa’s most famed groups, back in Ames, where it all started. Des Moines-based singer/songwriter Mitchell Walsmith will open the show.
