DES MOINES, IA — Local musician and noted man-with-an-unreasonably-chill-vibe Blake Van Houten has done the unthinkable: formed an alliance with the most unpredictable crew in the Midwest—Raccoon Engineering.
“It started when I heard scratching noises in the studio wall,” said Blake, sipping an oat milk latte and adjusting his denim jacket. “Next thing I knew, Buddy the raccoon had crawled out of the ductwork, tuned my mandolin, and rewired the mixing board. Honestly, it sounded better.”
Blake, known for his smooth voice, impeccable guitar work, and secretly being able to play many instruments (most of them tuned by wild animals at this point), has embraced his new bandmates: a misfit group of raccoons who specialize in wiring, welding, and rhythmically slapping trash can lids in 4/4 time.
“They’re not housebroken,” Blake admitted, “but they’ve got excellent ears and a surprising knowledge of mid-century folk arrangements.”
Meet the Band:
• Buddy: Lead engineer and triangle enthusiast. Wears a tool belt at all times.
• Toby: Welding specialist and backup screamer. May be rabid.
• Nibbles: Their accountant. Also chews cables.
• Rusty: Built a banjo entirely out of old spark plugs and heartbreak.
The Music:
Their first EP, “Unhinged & Unplugged (Mostly Because We Chewed the Wires),” has taken the indie scene by storm. Critics call it “chaotic,” “strangely beautiful,” and “possibly illegal in four states.”
Tracks include:
• “This Ain’t My Dumpster (But I’m Gonna Play It Anyway)”
• “Love in a Junkyard (Ballad of the Broken Radiator)”
• “Sawdust and Tears (Live from the Tool Shed)”
The Tour:
Blake and the raccoons are now hitting the road in a solar-powered van named “The Trash Rocket.” Tour stops include:
• The back alley behind Golden Bear Records
• Des Moines’ only hardware store with a stage
• A farmer’s market in Ames (pending health department approval)
• And one accidental show at a wedding they weren’t invited to but attended anyway
Final Thoughts:
“I used to dream about playing Red Rocks,” Blake says. “Now I dream about not waking up with raccoon footprints on my face. Life’s weird. But it’s good.”
Blake Van Houten and Raccoon Engineering: Proving that with enough duct tape, determination, and semi-domesticated wildlife, even a humble musician can build something great—probably out of car parts.
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