Azure Ray at The Slowdown, Nov. 3, 2010.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

I fully intended to see Azure Ray last night at Slowdown. In fact, I even went down to Slowdown for the show, but unfortunately something came up and I had to leave shortly after taking the above photo during their first song. What very little I heard was, as you’d expect, lovely.

I was disappointed with the crowd size. Maybe 200? Maybe more. The balcony was closed and only about half the floor was filled. Slowdown never seemed so enormous. I guess Maria was right — maybe people don’t know that they’ve got a new album out, even though there were stories in all the usual print media.

I did get to see opener Tim Fite, which was an experience. Fite is a one-man performer who sang along with pre-recorded tracks and a video presentation, all the while doing everything he could to engage the audience (and doing a good job of it). His music is acoustic folk in sort of the Randy Newman vein (pretty stuff) blended with low-bass-beat hip-hop (which was just OK). There’s something about his style that recalls Devo/Talking Heads AV and the childish humor of Daniel Johnston. I haven’t met Fite, but I have to believe that he’s playing a character up there. No one could be that whimsical and fun in real life, but you never know.

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Column 295 was a slight recasting of my review of Bad Luck Charm at The 49’r. You can read the original here. There’s no reason to repost it. However, if you want to see the changes (new lead, new ending) check it out on The Reader‘s website, here (or better yet, pick up a copy of the paper). How long until the wrecking ball makes its first appearance?

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Big show tonight at O’Leaver’s. The headliner is Dapose, who is, of course, Dapose from the Faint rolling out songs from his new record, just released on blank.wav. Marijuana Death Squads is experimental electronics and percussion featuring dudes from Gayngs and Song of Zarathustra. Slapping Purses is, according to the show’s Facebook listing, “one-man beatstorm with suitcases full of electronics and a crazy microphone covered in switches. He opened for the Faint last time at First Ave.” $5, 9:30 p.m.

Also tonight, Wu Tang’s Ghostface Killah is at The Waiting Room with Sheek Louch, Frank Dukes, & Maxilla Blue. $25, 9 p.m.

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Read Tim McMahan’s blog daily at Lazy-i.com — an online music magazine that includes feature interviews, reviews and news. The focus is on the national indie music scene with a special emphasis on the best original bands in the Omaha area. Copyright © 2010 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.