Daytrotter is one of the most respected indie music sites in the country. Owner Sean Moeller, along with his dedicated staff, have built a loyal Internet following from their studio headquarters in Rock Island, Illinois. They have even taken the show on the road with the Barnstormer tours. The first installment of the tour occurred last summer with intimate indie shows in barns and attics across Iowa and Wisconsin.
The second Barnstormer tour is slated for October 8th through October 13th with Iowa, Milwaukee (Thursday) and Lodi, Wisconsin (Friday) stops. The Lodi show is at the Treinen Farm, home to a popular corn maze and features indie artists Dawes, Suckers, Maritime and Christopher Denny. We caught up with Sean and asked him a few questions about the tour.
Why did you decide to hit the road and put on the Barnstormer shows in the first place?
In the nearly four years that Daytrotter's been around, we've not spent any money on advertising or marketing -- one because we didn't have it and two because that's not how we wanted to attract people. We wanted people to find out about Daytrotter on their own, in a very natural, tripped upon, what's that at their feet and in front of their eyes sort of way. We like that people find it and tell other people about it, so excited in what they found. It's the best way -- that element of self-discovery.
So, because that's the way we've always been, we thought it would be great to get out to some spots that maybe don't get rock and roll shows that often -- Madison excluded -- and see if we can have some more new fans bump into and see/hear first-hand what we're doing at Daytrotter. I have this romantic view of trying to transform small-town Midwestern cities back into places that can be excited about bands paying them some mind and bringing the show to them. And the barns -- well, what's not great about the atmosphere of an old ass barn?
What’s in store for Madison indie music fans at the Treinen Farm show in Lodi?
I personally feel like that might be the most epic night of the entire tour. We have a corn maze featuring a mermaid. There will be plenty of hot apple cider -- an autumn must. There's a pumpkin patch, some sort of corn kernel swimming pool/roller rink. And there is a beautiful old barn where we'll be bringing the goodness of Dawes, Suckers, Maritime, Christopher Denny and a couple possible surprises. If it's anything like the first Barnstormer shows, the air will be filled with diamonds and smiles. It's just a truly special night that will have you excited for a number of days on end. I hope all of Madison comes to check it out.
Schedule info:
October 8
7 pm -- Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Turner Hall Ballroom: 1032 N. 4th St. (Performing -- Dawes, Christopher Denny, Suckers, Maritime)
Dawes Daytrotter Session
Christopher Denny Daytrotter Session
Suckers Daytrotter Session
Maritime Daytrotter Session
Maritime Encore Session
Snowblink Daytrotter Session
Paleo Daytrotter Session
October 9
6 pm -- Lodi, Wisconsin (15 mintues north of Madison, WI): PUMPKIN PATCH!! Treinen Farm Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch , W 12420 Highway 60 (Performing -- Dawes, Christopher Denny, Suckers, Maritime)
Dawes Daytrotter Session
Christopher Denny Daytrotter Session
Suckers Daytrotter Session
Maritime Daytrotter Session
Maritime Encore Session
Snowblink Daytrotter Session
Paleo Daytrotter Session
October 10
6 pm -- Maquoketa, Iowa: BARN SHOW #1: Codfish Hollow Barn, 3437 288th Ave. (Performing -- Dawes, Christopher Denny, Suckers, Snowblink, Paleo)
Dawes Daytrotter Session
Christopher Denny Daytrotter Session
Suckers Daytrotter Session
Snowblink Daytrotter Session
Paleo Daytrotter Session
October 11
6 pm -- Green Island, Iowa (Near Bellevue, IA): BARN SHOW #2: Mooney Hollow Saloon Barn, 12471 Highway 52 (Performing -- Dawes, Christopher Denny, Suckers, Snowblink, Paleo)
Dawes Daytrotter Session
Christopher Denny Daytrotter Session
Suckers Daytrotter Session
Snowblink Daytrotter Session
Paleo Daytrotter Session
October 12
6 pm -- West Liberty, IA: BARN SHOW #3: Secrest 1883 Octogonal Barn, 5750 Osage St. (Performing -- Dawes, Christopher Denny, Suckers, Snowblink, Paleo)
Dawes Daytrotter Session
Christopher Denny Daytrotter Session
Suckers Daytrotter Session
Snowblink Daytrotter Session
Paleo Daytrotter Session
October 13
6pm -- Johnston, Iowa: BARN SHOW #4: The Simpson Barn, 6169 Northglenn Dr. (Performing -- Dawes, Christopher Denny, Suckers, Snowblink, Paleo)
Dawes Daytrotter Session
Christopher Denny Daytrotter Session
Suckers Daytrotter Session
Snowblink Daytrotter Session
Paleo Daytrotter Session
