Inspired by its beauty, Iowa musician wants to give back to Yellow River State Forest
Moved to music ... Musician Brandon Propes of Webster City says Yellow River State Forest in Allamakee County felt familiar from the first time he visited, bringing back happy memories of trout fishing with his dad. The State Forest has inspired some of the music that he writes and performs. Submitted photo.
View inspires musician to want to give back ... Brandon Propes, a musician from Webster City, found inspiration this foggy summer morning at the Paint Creek Overlook at Yellow River State Forest in Allamakee County. He ended up composing and recording an original song, “Lookout Point: Early Morning,” reflecting how that experience made him feel and has declared he will donate, to the Friends of Yellow River State Forest, revenue generated from people listening to the song through online streaming services. Submitted photo.
Brandon Propes of Webster City is a musician who plays guitar, bass, piano and drums. He records his own original instrumental songs, and he recently found inspiration at the Yellow River State Forest in rural Allamakee County.
“For inspiration through the pandemic, I turned to hiking and writing a composition to audibly describe how I felt in that moment,” Propes said. “I have grown proud of these songs. One song in particular was inspired by the Scenic Overlook of Big Paint Campground. I put the album cover for that single as the picture I took that morning. I have the songs under my old band’s name, The Coming Tides, and they are available on all platforms.”
Propes was born in northwest Indiana. His parents split up when he was young, and he ended up moving to Iowa.
“One of my fondest memories as a kid was fishing for trout in Indiana. We lost my dad too young, he was just 48,” Propes explained.
About six years ago, the first place Propes heard there was trout fishing in Iowa was at Yellow River State Forest.
“I went and checked it out... and I felt so much weight off my shoulders,” he shared. “It felt familiar during a very unfamiliar time. It holds a big piece of my heart. I have been going there ever since, at least twice a year. My wife and two daughters love the place as well.”
In the summer of 2020, Propes witnessed a beautiful morning from the Paint Creek Overlook in the State Forest, off Larkin Road. He recalls, “It was surreal, mystical. We stood over the fog as if we were above the clouds.”
After returning home from that trip, he composed an instrumental song he titled, “Lookout Point: Early Morning.” The song can be found on most online streaming services by either searching the song’s title or going to https://linktr.ee/thecomingtides.
Propes has decided to give back to Yellow River State Forest by donating any revenue generated from people listening to the song through the above-mentioned streaming services to the Friends of Yellow River State Forest organization. He says he hopes his contribution can help to preserve this special place for future generations.
