Iowa City native Kelly Pardekooper is a singer/songwriter currently based in Madison, Wisconsin. He has toured all over the United States and Europe. He has showcased at SXSW in Austin. He has released 4 albums on various independent record labels in the U.S. and Europe. Jim Beam Whiskey gave him an emerging artist grant.... He just finished album number 5 with Teddy Morgan producing in East Nashville...to be released by Sonic Rendezvous in Europe Winter 2006. Kelly Pardekooper writes songs and tries to treat people well....

Press

Not in Iowa suggests a sinuous atmospheric spaghetti-western shootout between Dire Straits and Calexico. “ -No Depression

"Loaded with hooks, high energy, and hummable melodies. Pardekooper is a first-rate vocalist." -All Music Guide

"The sleeper could be the catchy and to-the-point ditty “21st Century Trailer Park” that is a toe-tapper, as is the Blue Rodeo-ish “Down”.” -PopMatters

"Memo to Tim McGraw: Pardekooper's 'Draw the Line' is a hit just waiting to happen. And there's even a harmony part for Faith." -No Depression

"A moody alt-country original." -Nashville Scene

"Folk This is a straight slap in the face at John Mellencamp and others who try to jump on the folk-roots bandwagon." -Freight Train Boogie

"This Iowa Singer-Songwriter plays a loose combination of narrative songs that range in presentation from stark, acoustic guitar Folk to loud, endearingly sloppy Country Rock." -RollingStone.com

"Apparently his name - which means 'horse buyer' in Dutch - doesn’t sound as funny to Amsterdam fans, who have embraced him as a prodigal son." -No Depression

"Kelly Pardekooper’s opening tune “Not to Iowa” has a dark, moody tone to it that is somewhere between Tarbox Ramblers, The Mavericks and Handsome Family. The singer nails the niche format to a tee on the first song with a bit of bolero mixed with accordion." -PopMatters

"He must be good if he was featured in the German Glamour magazine!" -the Onion