by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Well, after Sunday it’s back to five-day work weeks for most of us as we try to navigate through this long, cold, dark January. Let’s try to make the best of it, because we’re all stuck here together…

Top show of the weekend is tonight at The Waiting Room where former Nebraskan Maria Taylor returns. Her latest Saddle Creek Records release, Something About Knowing, is an ode to motherhood, or as she said, it was influenced by “the life-changing joy and newfound responsibility of being a first-time parent.” Taylor said she recorded it during her son’s naps and that it’s brimming with “bliss and contentment.” Opening is New Jersey’s PJ Bond, whose Elliott Smith-influenced acoustic style blends well with Taylor’s own laid-back ways. $10, 9 p.m.

If case you forgot (and I know I did), it’s Benson First Friday.

Also tonight, Lincoln indie-dance-rock act Life Is Cool headlines at Slowdown Jr. with The Brigadiers and All Young Girls Are Machine Guns. $7, 9 p.m.

Tomorrow night, Omaha’s favorite C&W band, The Electroliners, hosts a CD EP release party at The Waiting Room. Opening is none other than Mariachi Zapata (that’s right, a full-blown mariachi band) and The Love Technicians. $7, 9 p.m.

Meanwhile fabulous O’Leaver’s boasts a 3-band bill Saturday night with headliner Timecat, Lodgings and Manic Pixie Dream Girls. $5, 9:30 p.m.

And that about does it for the weekend. If I missed something, put it in the comments area. Have a good weekend and try to stay warm…

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Lazy-i Best of 2013

We’re still taking entries in the drawing for a copy of the Lazy-i Best of 2013 compilation CD! The collection includes songs by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, The Gardenheads, Destruction Unit, Lloyd Cole, Pet Shop Boys, Daft Punk, Jack Bugg and a ton more.  The full track listing is here. Entering has never been easier: To enter either: 1. Send an email with your mailing address to tim.mcmahan@gmail.com, or 2) Write a comment on one of my Lazy-i related posts in Facebook, or 3) Retweet a Lazy-i tweet. You also can enter by sending me a direct message in Facebook or Twitter. Hurry, contest deadline is midnight Jan. 6!

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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 © 2014 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.