PHOTOS: Thankful Dirt Plays Garden Party in Iowa City

Thankful Dirt has its roots in Iowa City, so it wasn't at all out of character for when the band kicked off their Midwestern tour at a local garden party yesterday on a pleasant, sunny afternoon.

The husband and wife duo who started the band, Molly and Darren Matthews, met in Iowa City in the late 90s when Darren Matthews was in full force, rocking the local music scene as part of High and Lonesome, which started in 1992.

The couple got serious about their music in 2008, playing their soulful, Americana Indie Rock in coffee shops, bars and other Iowa venues, and released their self-titled debut album last year.

"It was my first experience with any kind of band," said Molly Matthews. The two have been playing ever since, both as a band and as a duo at Iowa City mainstays like The Mill and Blue Moose Tap House, along with many venues in Des Moines, where the Matthews now live. 

Bassist Ryan Bernemann has lived in Iowa City for 12 years and has been playing in different bands with Darren Matthews for about 6 years. Lead and slide guitarist Randall Davis also lives and has played the Iowa City music scene with Darren.

"They started out as a husband and wife duo and then they asked the rest of us to go in the studio and make their album with them," he said. 

The drummer, Adam Bernemann, and violist, Laura Goddard, also lives in Iowa City.

Thankful Dirt is about to branch out to Wisconsin, Minnesota and beyond, after a few Des Moines shows, including the 80-35 Festival July 2 and 3. Visit their website for upcoming shows.