Greater Des Moines Partnership Presents Des Moines Embassy at SXSW

The Greater Des Moines Partnership — an economic and community development organization — is taking Greater Des Moines (DSM) to the heart of the SXSW scene for the first ever Des Moines Embassy, a four-day music showcase in the heart of Downtown Austin. The Partnership is working in collaboration with Des Moines-based Sonic Factory Studios. 

 “The Des Moines Embassy provides a unique opportunity that gives us a new, larger audience to showcase the arts and culture, and particularly the music scene in Greater Des Moines,” said Mary Bontrager, Executive Vice President of Workforce/Education for the Partnership. “The music culture of a community is important to many people, whether it is how they make a living or how they live their passion. Showcasing musicians from Des Moines and being part of the music scene at SXSW supports this and helps tell our story.”

Des Moines’ History with SXSW

The Partnership has been involved with SXSW for more than seven years. This year, the Des Moines Embassy will make a bold statement that Des Moines is a proud thriving region to an unexpected audience that could choose to make Des Moines home.

The Des Moines Embassy, located at E. 6th Street and Red River in Austin, will feature music showcases from CAA, Artery, Def Jam, House of Blues, LiveNation, Photo Finish and Sound Rink, from Wednesday, March 18 through Saturday, March 21. In addition, a special Des Moines: Hell Yes Showcase will feature all Des Moines musicians on Friday, March 20 from noon to 6 p.m. All showcases at the Des Moines Embassy are free with RSVP at desmoinesembassy.com.

Des Moines Accolades

The accolades for Des Moines, Iowa, keep rolling in — #1 Best City for Young Professionals (Forbes, 2014), #1 City with an Up-and-Coming Downtown (Fortune, 2014), #1 Wealthiest City in America (TODAY show, 2014). Des Moines is also ripe to rake in the accolades for its growing music scene.

Well-Known Acts Participate in Des Moines Embassy Event

Aside from the Central Iowa bands featured at the Des Moines: Hell Yes Showcase, acts scheduled to perform at the Des Moines Embassy include Ryan Cabrera, Dead Sara, Beartooth, Bat Sabbath, Frnkiero andthe Cellabration, Secondhand Serenade, Tribe Society, Myka Relocate, and a TBA surprise showcase on Saturday, March 20. View the full schedule of showcases at desmoinesembassy.com.

SXSW’ers are invited to experience the Des Moines Embassy in Austin. The official Des Moines Embassy hashtag is #HellYesDM. Follow us on Twitter at @HellYesDM and Instagram at @HellYesDM.

Sponsors

The Des Moines Embassy is brought to you by Greater Des Moines Partnership, Sonic Factory Studios, Greater Des Moines Convention & Visitors Bureau, Live Nation Entertainment, House of Blues, Def Jam Recordings, CAA, Sound Rink, Photo Finish, New England Metal & Hardcore Festival, Artery, Love On Revolution and Templeton Rye.

Learn more about the Des Moines community at DSMpartnership.com.

Media inquiries should be directed to Amy Baker at (515) 286-4919 or abaker@DSMpartnership.com. 

Des Moines Embassy
March 18 - 21, 2015
with CAA, Artery, Def Jam, House of Blues, LiveNation, Photo Finish & Sound Rink
E. 6th & Red River
Austin, TX 78701

Schedule of Events
Des Moines: Hell Yes Showcase Friday, March 20, 2015
Noon – 12:30 p.m.	William J. Locker
12:40 – 1:10 p.m.	James Biehn
1:20 – 1:50 p.m.	Max Jury
2 – 2:30 p.m.	Gloom Balloon with Christopher the Conquered
2:40 – 3 p.m.	Grant Ganzer
3:10 – 3:40 p.m.	Canby
3:50 – 4:20 p.m.	The Maytags
4:30 – 5:05 p.m.	Holy White Hounds
5:15 – 6 p.m.	Bonne Finken
Proper DJ Sets by Des Moines' MAIDS Between Each Set