Central Standard Time

Genre: Acoustic
Secondary Genre: Folk Iowa City, Iowa USA Contact

Central Standard Time is an acoustic duo based in eastern Iowa. They play original folk music and a handful of covers. Meaningful lyrics, tight harmonies and intertwining guitar arrangements are hallmarks of CST's music. Their sound has drawn comparisons to Storyhill and John Denver.

Artist Information

Biography

Squeaky floorboards, curtains faded with years of sunlight, a dog-eared songbook on the coffee table… An old front porch with a few creaky rocking chairs, a half-full glass of lemonade, lightning bugs flashing and crickets chirping as the summer sun drops below the horizon… A crackling fire holding back the cool air of an autumn evening, friends with faces lit by the fire’s soft glow, songs rising into the night…

The warm resonance of an acoustic guitar folds perfectly into so many scenes. Maybe some of those scenes are from your own memory. Central Standard Time’s music evokes those same memories. Though the songs are new, they are steeped in the American folk tradition. They are new songs woven from old threads.

Central Standard Time is an acoustic duo from Iowa City. Matt Hibbard and Charlie Rod met at camp, where their friendship grew strong. From that friendship sprouted a musical collaboration, born of many summer nights singing and playing around a campfire, winter days singing and playing by a fireplace, and countless days and nights in a college dorm room, making music with friends. That collaboration has continued for more than 15 years, spawning five albums of original music and performances throughout the Midwest.

CST’s music is influenced by Simon & Garfunkel, Peter, Paul & Mary, John Denver, John Prine, The Beatles, Storyhill and others. The music features intertwining acoustic guitars and swirling vocal harmonies. The songs are honest and unpretentious, and listeners are drawn in by their humble sincerity and simplicity.

In December of 2010 Central Standard Time was named to the Iowa Arts Council's Performing Artist Roster, “a juried resource of experienced performers who are recognized for the quality of their work.” Inclusion on this roster is a testament to CST's artistic excellence. For more information or to learn how your organization might qualify for grant funding to hire an IAC-rostered artist, visit www.iowaartscouncil.org.

Instrumentation

Matt Hibbard: vocals, guitar
Charlie Rod: vocals, guitar

Depending on the show, we might add a pianist, drummer, bass player...

Discography

Whisper of Wind (1995)
Second Whisper (1997)
Folksinging (1999)
Lord, Look Down (2002)
What I Know Now (2007)

CST has released a total of five full-length CDs. The first, Whisper of Wind, was very much a home-grown effort. Second Whisper was essentially a re-release of their first disc. 1999's Folksinging displayed CST's growth as songwriters. Lord, Look Down is a compilation of the duo's more overtly religious songs. Their newest release, What I Know Now, is now available at shows or on CST's web site via CD Baby. CST's music has received airplay on public and college radio.

Links

Audio

Lyrics

Video

Photo Gallery

  • Central Standard Time

  • CST at Luther College

  • Central Standard Time at the Mill in Iowa City, Iowa

  • CST at Wartburg College, Waverly, Iowa

  • Central Standard Time: Charlie Rod (left) and Matt Hibbard

  • An interesting, multimedia-esque shot of CST in a coffeehouse in NE Iowa

  • CST and some of the crowd at Camp Courageous of Iowa

  • Photogenically kickin' it by the barn

  • CST performing at EWALU Bible Camp

  • CST at the Mud River Music Festival

Press

  • Thoughts on "What I Know Now" [+ Show ]

    "There is a magnetic, appealing humility in [their] storytelling--without even a whiff of pretense--...

  • Mud River Music Festival promo [+ Show ]

    "This aspiring folk duo will surprise you with how easy they make it look. Matt and Charlie display ...

  • 8/29/07 concert at Kent Park [+ Show ]

    Thanks so very much to you for an absolutely wonderful concert at Kent Park last night! Your flawle...

Setlist

A typical CST set includes mostly original tunes and a handful of covers, usually including a song or two by Storyhill, John Denver, John Prine or others.

A typical CST show runs approximately 2 hours with one break. CST is able to perform up to a three hour set (with break).

Basic Requirements

Calendar

DateTimeVenueCity
Jun 7, 2012 Thursday 12:00 PM UIHC Rooftop Concert Series Iowa City, IA, US
Jun 23, 2012 Saturday 9:00 AM Iowa City Farmers' Market Iowa City, IA, US
Jul 7, 2012 Saturday 7:30 AM Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers' Market Cedar Rapids, IA, US