Steve Pedersen, left, and Tim Kasher of Slowdown Virginia circa 1993.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

A little bit of catching up on a rainy Wednesday…

Our old pal Jake Bellows (originally of Neva Dinova fame) was a featured artist on rollingstone.com’s “Download of the Week” last Thursday. The site featured track “I Know You,” off his upcoming Saddle Creek Records debut New Ocean (out in August). Quite a sonic upgrade from Jake’s solo acoustic and low-fi tape recordings, but still the same fine songwriting.  Check it out.

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The latest release from Kronch’s Trout Tune archives is a performance by none other than Slowdown Virginia. The performance was recorded April 12, 1993, at the Howard St. Tavern (RIP). We all remember the line-up, right? Tim Kasher on guitar and lead vocals, Matt Maginn on bass and vocals, Steve Pedersen on guitar and Casey Caniglia on drums. It’s Kasher as you’ve never seen him before, and likely never will again. See below. What else does Kronch have hiding in his video attic?

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In this week’s column, the final chapter in the 4-part “house saga” wherein I discuss the pains and pleasures of a massive home remodeling. You can read it in this week’s issue of The Reader or online right here.

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There have been a couple secret/special shows the past couple days, neither of which I attended — Cursive at O’Leaver’s Tuesday night and the band that supports She & Him last night at Pageturners. Ah, in the old days I might have made it to both, but lately it’s become too much of a struggle to attend weeknight shows and then get up the next morning at the crack of dawn.

Anyway, if you missed She and Him’s band last night, you can catch them tonight at Harrah’s Stir Cove, where the full band (including both She and Him) will be performing. Opening are local heroes Tilly and the Wall. Tickets are $35, and the show starts at 8.

Also tonight, at The Waiting Room, Well Aimed Arrows headlines a show that also features up-and-coming punks The Dad (Unread Records) and Co-Axed (no idea who this is). If the weather holds out, this will be another opportunity to ride my bike to Benson. $7, 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 © 2013 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.