In 1987, photographer Sandra Dyas moved to Iowa City and began documenting one of the Midwest’s most vibrant music communities. Over the next twenty years, she photographed the musicians, venues, and performances that helped define Iowa’s folk, blues, roots, Americana, and rock traditions.
Down to the River brings together sixty striking photographs of artists including Greg Brown, Bo Ramsey, Pieta Brown, David Zollo, Dave Moore, Joe Price, and many others whose work shaped the Iowa music scene. From intimate portraits to energetic live performances, Dyas captures the personalities, friendships, and creative spirit behind the music.
Featuring an essay by Chris Offutt and a companion CD with eighteen tracks by Iowa musicians, Down to the River is both a visual documentary and an essential record of Iowa’s cultural history. For readers interested in music photography, Americana, Midwest culture, Iowa City history, and roots music, it offers a rare and deeply personal portrait of a remarkable artistic community.

CD Tracks
1.     Iowa Crawl, Joe Price
2.     Poor Back Slider, Greg Brown
3.     Parnell, David Zollo
4.     #807, Pieta Brown
5.     Wheels of Steel, Radoslav Lorkovic
6.     Down to the River, Dave Moore
7.     Lucy and Andy Drive to Arkansas, Kevin Gordon
8.     Chuck Brown, Mike and Amy Finders
9.    Nobody But You, Joe Price
10.     Earleton, BeJae Fleming
11.     Ceremonial Child, High and Lonesome
12.     Sidetrack Lounge, Bo Ramsey
13.     On the Edge, Pieta Brown
14.     One Wrong Turn, Greg Brown
15.     Not in Iowa, Kelly Pardekooper
16.     Living in a Cornfield, Bo Ramsey
17.     ’57 Chevy, Tom Jessen’s Dimestore Outfit
18.     Roll on John, the Pines