Where Music Meets Community: Stories From Golden Bear Records
On any given day at Golden Bear Records, Bryan Vanderpool might be adjusting the microphone for a debut artist, working as a sound engineer or playing his guitar with other musicians in Greater Des Moines (DSM). But everything Bryan does at Golden Bear Studios has a common denominator: connecting people through music in DSM.
For those who’ve recorded at Golden Bear Studios or worked with Bryan, it’s not just the records they’ve made; it’s about DSM – it’s the community, the support and a reason to stay.
Read on for the stories of the "Midwest Wrecking Crew," a group of musicians who have played hundreds of records with popular artists like Deb Talan, Bo Ramsey, Dickie, Annie Kemble and hundreds more.
Kathryn Fox – Utility Player
Photo Credit: Gotproof Studios/Josh Harper
When Kathryn moved to DSM from Miami for her husband’s job, she wasn’t expecting the music scene to be so welcoming. “The Des Moines music scene feels like family – there's real support from musicians and the community,” she shared.
Kathryn first got connected with the Golden Bear community when a singer asked if she would play strings on a record being made there. Since then, her relationship with Bryan and the rest of the Golden Bear family only grown.
Robert Espe – Violin and Saxophone
After moving to DSM from Northeast Iowa, Robert quickly found his place in the music scene. Bryan was one of the first people that he met and before long, Robert felt like part of the Golden Bear family.
“I think what makes Des Moines so special is that there’s a desire for so many different types of music and the community is small enough, that if you want to do it, you can,” Robert said. “If you go to a bigger city, you tend to have to specialize, but here, you can try it all.”
Jay Schnider – Keys, Guitar and Vocalist
Photo Credit: Gotproof Studios/Josh Harper
As a lifetime local, Jay’s favorite thing about the music scene is that it’s a tight knit community. “Knowing everybody allows us to lean on each other and feel like we have a friend anywhere we go,” Jay shared.
After several missed meetings, Bryan and Jay finally met at an event at xBk Live. “I got to know him, and we played together in a band and naturally, I started recording at Golden Bear.”
Aaron Ehrlich – Reeds Player
Photo Credit: Gotproof Studios/Josh Harper
From jazz and rock bands to church groups, Aaron has done it all in DSM. “There's a lot of support here,” Aaron explained. “It's a very happy, cooperative, busy and creative music scene here – it’s been a ton of fun to be a part of it.”
Aaron first connected with Bryan during church services through the COVID-19 pandemic. “Bryan worked on the recordings for the church where I played, and when Golden Bear opened, I started recording projects there.”
Steph Graham – Upright Bass
Photo Credit: Gotproof Studios/Josh Harper
Steph’s journey took her from St. Louis to Minneapolis to Nashville, Tennesee, — and finally, to DSM for love. “My husband grew up here, so when we met we were dating long distance. He was in St. Paul, and I was in Nashville, so something had to give,” she explained.
For Steph, she was surprised by how amazing the DSM music community is and how tied together everyone is. “It’s not just the musicians, it’s the people who come out. I’ve started to know a lot of people who are regulars and it just feels like a really good community of positive people.”
One day, a friend of Steph’s called her and asked if she wanted to come along to meet a new musician to town and record at the studio. “I was like, ‘heck yeah, I love to meet new people.’ So we went to Golden Bear Records, met Bryan and instantly hit it off.” Since then, Bryan has often called Steph when one of his clients needs an upright bass. “Bryan’s just the great connector of all of us,” she said.
Seth Hedquist – Guitar
Seth was born and raised in central Iowa, but he wouldn’t trade the DSM music scene for another. “I feel fortunate that I’ve been able to grow up with this scene and I feel very cared for and nurtured by it,” Seth shared.
When it comes to Golden Bear Records, it’s Seth’s favorite place to record. “I like the hours. I have two little ones at home, so I like coming in on a morning and putting in a few hours.”
Blake Van Houten – Guitar, Bass, Producer and Sound Engineer
Photo Credit: Gotproof Studios/Josh Harper
Even as someone born and raised in the DSM region, Blake is still surprised by the music scene. “In Des Moines, everyone kind of plays with everyone, and it’s cool because when I don’t have a gig, I can go see someone else I know playing.”
Like many others, Blake met Bryan through some friends and reached out to get into the studio to record. “The studio wasn’t fully open to the public yet, but he let us come anyways,” Blake explained. “I fell in love with recording there and then I just kept bugging Bryan to hang out and we’ve been best buds ever since.”
Allie Crummy – Vocalist, Piano, Guitar, Banjo, Producer and Sound Engineer
“I recorded my first album with Bryan,” Allie shared with a smile. But her music career didn’t end there. “Every time I went into the studio, I was always creeping over Bryan’s shoulder and asking him a hundred thousand questions. Then one day, he asked if I wanted to learn about producing – so I did.” Now, Allie can be found in the studio using one of her natural talents or putting her new producing skills to work, thanks to Bryan’s encouragement.
Ben Mars – Bass
Photo Credit: Gotproof Studios/Josh Harper
“The music scene has changed a lot in the time I was gone,” Ben shared, a DSM native who moved to NYC and eventually returned. “The scene here is so inclusive and everyone is so supportive of everyone.”
Ben first got involved with Golden Bear when Jay Foote, whom he originally met in NYC, asked him to fill in on a session with Bryan. “Ever since then, I’ve been working at Golden Bear a lot.”
Tanner Taylor – Keys and Synthesizers
After moving back to DSM from the Twin Cities, he wasn’t sure what to expect of the music scene, but now, he’s recording more than he did anywhere else – especially at Golden Bear.
“I was working with a group that works at xBk Live on Monday nights for Monday Night Live, and I became affiliated with Bryan through doing some of those sessions,” Tanner explained.
Dave Ducharme-Jones – Guitar
Photo Credit: Gotproof Studios/Josh Harper
After living in both San Francisco and Austin, Texas, for nearly 30 years, Dave and his wife made the decision to move to DSM, where he’s originally from. “We played a show here, made the decision to move and have not looked back,” he said.
Through gigs, events like Monday Night Live at xBk Live and more, Dave has met some really talented musicians, including Bryan. “The musicians in Austin have nothing on the players we have in Des Moines,” Dave admitted.
Jameson Malone – Audio Engineer
“There’s something here for everybody,” Jameson said. “It’s diverse with lots of fluidity and genre and a lot of very dedicated musicians.”
Two years ago, Jameson started her musical journey with apprenticeships as an audio engineer around DSM. “I met Bryan at a couple of different gigs,” Jamison explained. “He had me sit in on a few different sessions at Golden Bear, then asked me if I wanted to join him. Now, here we are.”
Christopher Hansen – Drummer
Photo Credit: Gotproof Studios/Josh Harper
“I would consider my music home Des Moines,” said Christopher, who lives an hour west in Wiota. “The Des Moines music scene is so full of talent and there’s a lot happening behind the scenes – the art is incredible.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Christopher and a friend decided to put together an EP and had Bryan mix it. “He did such a good job that I told other people that they needed to check Golden Bear out.” Ever since, Christopher has been shouting the Golden Bear brand loud and proud.
Jay Foote – Bass
After years of living in New York City — playing on Broadway and appearing on late-night talk shows — Jay returned to his roots in DSM during the pandemic after meeting his partner. While helping a friend open a bar called The Cave, he met Bryan. “We really hit it off,” Jay shared. “He’s really talented and a great connector. I’m not sure I would still be playing music without him.”
Despite spending years among some of the best musicians in NYC, Jay said, “some of the best piano players, drummers, guitar players and songwriters I know live in Des Moines.”
Bryan Vanderpool – Owner of Golden Bear Records
Bryan moved to DSM from Los Angeles, right before the pandemic. “I asked myself why I was living in Los Angeles when I could be living somewhere where I could afford a house and I wanted to build my own space,” Bryan shared. He originally considered Kansas City, Missouri, or Minneapolis, but after discovering DSM’s vibrant scene, he fell in love with it. “I knew that this is the place – these are my people.”
Having played in both Los Angeles and New York City, Bryan says that DSM is one of the most inclusive and vibrant art communities he’s been a part of. “On the coast there’s a lot of people talking about making music and not a lot of people actually making it,” he explained. “Out here, there’s so many artists and bands actively writing, recording and performing, so much – it's infectious.”
Bryan’s home studio, Golden Bear Records, sits in his basement and offers artists a unique recording experience. “It’s a comfortable little house, and you would never know there’s a studio inside, but I want people to be as relaxed and calm as possible so they can focus on their art,” Bryan said. With the studio booked 300 days last year, Bryan is adding a garage control room designed as a space for artists to play and connect.
What began as Bryan’s dream of building his own space has become a place of community – where DSM artists come together to create.
Find Your Greater
Ready to join the thriving music scene of DSM? Request a free relocation guide to learn more about the region or reach out to a MVP with questions.