Erika Owen, 21, founded the site dsmbandbombshell.wordpress.com and does marketing for locusic.com.
Q: What prompted you to start Band Bombshell?
I started hanging out with a bunch of people down at the Vaudeville Mews and got to know people in the local music scene. I’m interested in music writing — it’s pretty much my dream job — working for Rolling Stone or Spin or something like that. I used to think it would be just a fun thing to do, but it keeps me updated on what is going on.
Q: You recently got back from a summer in New York. Are there lessons you think Des Moines could learn from there, other than “Have eight million more people”?
I actually think the Des Moines music scene is so much cooler than New York. The venues here are so much more intimate and there’s not really a scene for regulars. Different people are at the shows each night. Some people might like that, but I didn’t.
Q: Were there any shows you regret missing while you were gone?
80/35 (music festival), I’ve actually never been. Last summer my family had a big reunion over the Fourth of July weekend, and this summer I was in New York. I also missed The Films of John C. Reilly and The Mynabirds when they came through again. They were in New York, but sold out before I noticed they were going to be there.
