Mogwai at The Slowdown May 11, 2009.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

I’ll make this simple: Digital Leather is one of my favorite bands. They’re playing for the first time in Omaha since last November this Saturday night at O’Leaver’s. Expect to hear plenty of new material from upcoming releases. Joining them will be Millions of Boys and Baby Tears. The cherry on the cake: The first 25 paid through the door will receive a copy of the Digital Leather/Cola Freaks split 7″ courtesy of Vice Records and Scion A/V. $5, 9:30 p.m. Do Not Miss This One.

I jumped ahead of myself.  What about tonight? The most interesting show this evening, unfortunately, is in Lincoln, where West Plains, Missouri natives Ha Ha Tonka play at the Bourbon Theater. Their latest album, Death of a Decade, was released on Bloodshot Records. Foodies may recognize them from their recent appearance on Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations show on The Travel Channel. They take alt country to a whole new level. Headlining is Kris Lager Band. $10, 9 p.m.

Also tonight, Damon Dotson plays at Slowdown Jr. with Zach Short. $8, 9 p.m.

In addition to the return of Digital Leather, Saturday night is Mogwai at The Slowdown, with Errors opening. This will be the first time that a baseball game at the new TD Ameritrade Park will overlap a big show at Slowdown, but let’s face it, it’s just Creighton Vs. Bradley, and does anyone really care about Creighton baseball? The game, which starts at 6:30, will probably draw a few thousand, which should leave plenty of parking in and around the Slowdown compound. Now if this was CWS… but who am I kidding? Slowdown will be turned into a giant beer tent (and money printing operation) for those two weeks of June. Anyway, Mogwai is freaking amazing live, and if I wasn’t going to see Digital Leather, I’d be down there getting my ears blown off with you (don’t forget your earplugs, seriously…). Here’s my review of their May 2009 show at Slowdown. $20, 9 p.m.

Finally, Sunday night is the return of The Good Life, who haven’t played around here in a long, long time. They’re playing at Slowdown with Conduits, Honeybee and Hers and Fortnight. The 5-star line-up is a benefit for Omaha Girls Rock!, a camp for young girls to learn and play music. All bands performing have members who will be teachers and contributors in the program, and all proceeds will go toward the camp. Find out more about OGR! right here and read Hilary Stohs-Krause’s feature on the program (including perspective from OGR! founder/executive director Stefanie Drootin) at Hear Nebraska, right here. Great show for a great cause. $12, early start time of 8 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 © 2011 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.