Gus & Call at Slowdown Jr. back in March.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

The news yesterday that Gus & Call (former members of Bear Country) will have a residency at Slowdown throughout the month of December was, by itself, a big deal.

Add to that the band’s announcement that the first night of its residency, Dec. 1, will also be a CD release show for Will Wait ‘Til the Weather Breaks, their debut album recorded and mixed by AJ Mogis at ARC Studios in spring 2011.

If that wasn’t enough, the band’s residency will actually be a weekly concert series curated by Gus & Call, featuring some of the best bands in the area. Each night will have a different theme, which will influence Gus & Call’s set. Here’s the sched:

Dec. 1: Gus & Call CD release show, featuring InDreama and Honeybee & Hers.

Dec. 8: Surf & Sand, featuring Gus & Call with Capgun Coup and Sun Settings.

Dec. 15: Carmina Novum, featuring Gus & Call, Dim Light, Laura Burhenn (of The Mynabirds) and Howard.

Dec. 22: Light it Up, featuring Gus & Call, Ladyfinger, UUVVWWZ and comedy.

Dec. 29: By the Hearth & Vocalise, featuring Gus & Call, Simon Joyner & The Parachutes and one more TBA band.

And if that still wasn’t enough, famed DJ Tyrone Storm will be on hand each evening to fill the void when the stage is empty. Want a sneak peek of the new Gus & Call record? Check out classic boot-gaze Low-flavored droner “Suey,” below:

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/24551056″]

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Speaking of concert series, the fine folks at Black Heart Booking are dead set on turning The Sandbox, 2406 Leavenworth St., into a regular option for rocks shows. They’ve got gigs booked there throughout the rest of the month, including tonight, when local boys Sun Settings take the stage with Chicago indie pop band Pet Lions, and a couple Omaha acts I’ve never heard of: Guts and Bones (described as “noise/spoken word”) and Smiths Guilty. All ages, 8 p.m., $8.

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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.