by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Another festival going on under our noses is the Nebraska Pop Festival, which returns to Benson with a week’s worth of shows from bands you very likely never heard of.

“The Nebraska Pop Festival, is a multinational music festival showcasing true independent pop bands from around the world.  Those attending can expect to hear an eclectic variety of music and a little something for everyone.” said founder/festival organizer Christopher Beiermann.

Tonight’s lineup, which hits the PS Collective stage at 7 p.m., includes Family Picnic (Omaha), Murakami (Lincoln), Mint Wad Willy (Omaha), Met City (Indiana), Gabe Cahill (Omaha) and Platte River Rain (Omaha). Cover is $7 and proceeds go to Arts for All, Inc.

The festival bounces between PSC and The Barley Street all week, and closes at The Side Door Lounge Sunday afternoon. Go to the Nebraska Pop Fest website for a full schedule.

Also tonight, Omaha ex-pat Cass Brostad returns to The Barley Street Tavern with Austin co-horts Mandy Rowden and Charlie Mason in what’s being billed as the Guided By Vices Tour. Also on the bill are Bad Country, The Fergusons and Cass’s other band, The Family Gram. Should be quite a homecoming. Show starts at 9 p.m., $5.

Finally, traveling troubadour Paleo returns to Omaha tonight, this time at The Side Door Lounge, 3530 Leavenworth. According to Wiki, Paleo “is notable for writing a song every day for 365 days using a ‘half-size children’s guitar’ while living out of his car and being essentially homeless.” Hasn’t he played O’Leaver’s a few times? 8 p.m., no cover.

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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.