by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

A quick follow-up on yesterday’s “Best of” lists, The Reader‘s “Next 15 of ’12” went online yesterday afternoon, here.

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Rollingstone.com posted a couple early tracks from two upcoming Saddle Creek Records releases.

The jolly guys in Ladyfinger take a load off.

“Dark Horse” is the first sounds off Ladyfinger’s upcoming album, Errant Forms, out on the Creek Feb. 5. You can download the track fer free right now right here. The album was produced by that crazy mofo who produced their last record, Matt Bayles (Mastodon, Minus the Bear, Isis), at ARC Studios, with mixing at Bayles’ Red Room in Seattle. Says frontman Chris Machmuller at the ‘stone website: “Simply put, Dark Horse is about growing up: A departure from selfishness and moral ambiguity. Despite the overwhelming urge to escape, the convivial main character, upon reflection, realizes he wants to stay with his pregnant girlfriend. Two months after I finished writing the song I found out my wife was pregnant with our first child.” What a coincidence, Mach.

Also at Rolling Stone, right here, is “Open Sign,” the first song off UUVVWWZ’s next Saddle Creek release, The Trusted Language, also out Feb. 5. Get it.

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BFF

Benson’s First Friday (BFF) event is going on tonight, which means art and music to be seen and heard all along Maple Street. One red hot show that’s part of this event is at Sweatshop Gallery 2727 No. 67th St. (just south of The Barley Street Tavern) where Digital Leather headlines with Killer Blow and the debut of Pleasure Adapter, a brand new band featuring some familiar faces: Jeff Ankenbauer (ex Shanks, Saudi Arabia) on bass/vocals; Annie Dilocker (ex-Digital Leather) on keys; Ben Allen (Watching the Train Wreck) on guitar and newcomer Joey DeRosa. An arm wrestling tourney will be going on between bands. Should be a real David Lynch-ian moment. Admission is free and so is the beer with a $5 donation. Facebook says start time is 8, but the bands tell me that they won’t get rolling until 9. Take your chances.

Also part of BFF, Rock Paper Dynamite headlines at The Sydney with HERS and Goon Saloon. $5, 10 p.m.

Meanwhile, down at The Slowdown, it’s the return of Of Montreal. I can tell you first-hand that if the show is anything like their last one a year ago last May, it’ll be well worth the $20 ticket price. Opening is the disco stylings of Brooklyn’s French Horn Rebellion. Show starts at 9.

On Saturday, Lincoln heroes Domestica return to Slowdown Jr. with The Sons of The Slowdown. $7, 9 p.m.

Also Saturday, Envy Corps returns to The Waiting Room with Field Club. $7, 9 p.m.

Meanwhile, down at The Barley Street Tavern Saturday night, Dirty Fluorescents plays along with Robo Dojo and Earlytown. $5, 9:30 p.m.

Have a damn fine weekend.

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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 © 2012 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.