A screen grab from “Let Me Teach You How To Heat,” the latest from The Rev. Horton Heat.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Brad Hoshaw issued a press release Monday announcing he’s releasing a new record with his band, The Seven Deadlies. The album, Funeral Guns, is a collection of new material recorded at The Music Factory Productions in Omaha and mixed by Ben Brodin at ARC Studios. ” Funeral Guns touches on the subjects of Love, Loss and Revenge as well as the death of Brad’s father in 2009,” says the press release.

Hoshaw is self-releasing the recording on CD (though I’m sure digital files will be available). No vinyl. Seems like vinyl is becoming the medium of choice for a lot of other local musicians, though for the life of me, I don’t know how they afford it without label support or a lengthy Kickstarter campaign. Hoshaw, in fact, already hosted a Kickstarter for this release. Ironically, his music is tailor-made for a vinyl LP.

The CD is set to drop Feb. 21 at a release show at The Waiting Room. Opening is Nebraska ex-pat Kyle Harvey, who I’m told will be walking barefoot from his home in Fruita, Colorado. Better get started, Kyle.

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Tonight at The Waiting Room it’s the big-daddy rockabilly stylings of The Rev. Horton Heat. The Reverend, a.k.a. Jim Heath, has a new record coming out on Victory Records next Tuesday called “The Rev.” Check out the first video from the album below. You can bet he’ll be playing it tonight. Opening is Nekromantics & Deke Dickerson. $25, 8 p.m.

Also tonight, Vic Padios of The Brigadiers is doing a solo set along with Vern Fergesen of The Travelling Mercies at MarQ Manner’s Songwriter’s Night at The Library Pub, 5142 No. 90th St. Show starts at 8 and is absolutely free.

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In this week’s column, language-skills smartphone app Duolingo: Will my quest to learn Spanish finally be realized? It’s in this week’s issue of The Reader and online right here at thereader.com.

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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.

Llewyn Davis and cat on the move again…

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Well I’m happy you asked. I saw it last weekend at Film Streams. This one won’t drive a resurgence of interest in folk music the way the Coen Brother’s O Brother, Where Art Thou? drove a resurgence in traditional blue grass, because the music heard in the film isn’t much different than modern-day indie folk. I never felt like I was listening to “old fashioned” music. And while Oscar Isaac does a fine job in the lead role (I can’t imagine Conor Oberst playing this part, and in the end, neither could Conor), nothing about his musical performance stood out. But maybe it wasn’t supposed to, as this is a story about a folk musician struggling to make it during the Greenwich Village folk scene circa 1961, and ultimately failing while others around him (except for the character played by Girls star Adam Driver) were catching fire.

Not so strangely I found a lot of similarities between the ’60s folk world depicted in the movie and the current-day local indie music scene. Both showed musicians struggling to get attention, get gigs, get people to pay attention to their albums. When Llewyn saves a case of his unsold records from a trash bin I couldn’t help but think of all the local acts who have basements full of unsold vinyl and CDs. Throughout the film, Llewyn struggles just to get by, not unlike a lot of musicians I’ve known over the years living on the fringes.

Favorite song in the film is Justin Timberlake and Carey Mulligan doing a cover of “500 Miles.” Best cameo is John Goodman as burned out (and probably dying) jazz man Roland Turner who Llewyn finds himself trapped with on a cross-country trip from NYC to Chicago. Turner has no love for folk music, and his non-stop insults are funny and disturbing. Another favorite scene is Llewyn, Timberlake and Adam Driver recording a novelty pop tune.

Beyond those scenes, there’s a lot of walking around New York and driving from place to place. This is one of those Coen films where nothing much happens. It’s a character study of both a time period and a musician trapped within it, struggling to make a mark while pondering if it’s even worth the effort. It’s a story that’s all too familiar, and definitely worth seeing.

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A footnote to the above: I suffered through what can only be described as the most annoying film-going experience in my life during this screening. Some guy sat right behind me and spent the first half of the film eating something wrapped in a crinkly-crunkly package the noise of which was only drowned out by the sound of his saliva-ocean chomping. Add to that his severe case of halitosis and you’ve got a rather grisly two hours on your hands. Halfway through the film he finished his packaged treat, only to go to the concessions and buy a jumbo tub of popcorn, which he gorged on the remainder of this rather quiet film. Rather than bitch, I moved to the front of the theater.

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Footnote Two: I also saw Her this past weekend and rather liked it. It’s kind of like The Shop Around the Corner or You Got Mail except the main characters never meet each other. I couldn’t get over how much Joaquin Phoenix in this film resembles Omaha artist Justin Beller. We call it “the Justin Beller movie.”

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Footnote Three: Her was directed by Spike Jonze, who had the best three minutes of acting in The Wolf of Wall Street, a film rife with cartoony over-acting. Not exactly Scorsese’s finest moment.

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And now back to our regularly scheduled programming

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One national show tonight for heavy metal fans: Pantera’s Phil Anselmo brings his solo project (with his band The Illegals) to The Waiting Room tonight. Opening is Author & Punisher & Hymns (no idea who this is). $20, 8 p.m.

I like these 8 p.m. start times.

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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.

The Front Bottoms at The Waiting Room, Jan. 12, 2014.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Please note: I knew nothing about The Front Bottoms prior to last night’s show. I got a cold-call email from one of the opening band’s publicists asking if I wanted on the list. It was an early show, so I figured why not? Being the pompous, egotistical prick that I am, I figured if I hadn’t heard of these guys, chances are no one else has. Plus, it was an early show. So what if it’s a Sunday night, why not drop by for a cold Rolling Rock and a quiet, relaxing evening at The Waiting Room?

Well, needless to say, I was wrong again. There was a line to get in when I arrived just before 8. The same ol’ question: Where and how did all these folks (the youngest crowd I’ve seen at TWR in a while) hear about these guys when their music isn’t played on local radio? Oh the power of the Internet.

The Front Bottoms is centered around frontman Brian Sella, who led the proceedings with nothing but an acoustic guitar and his sterling voice. Their sound was reminiscent of some of my favorite humor-inflected bands of the ‘90s and ’00s — Atom and his Package, Fountains of Wayne, Too Much Joy, Mountain Goats, Dismemberment Plan, The Hold Steady, The Decemberists — bands that write smart, funny, self-referential lyrics that anyone can relate to. And Sella’s delivery was completely mumble-free — you could understand every clever word he sang. Needless to say, so did the crowd, which sang every word right back at him.

Despite his acoustic attack, the music was high-energy bordering on emo-punk. Stage diving and crowd surfing were the norm. Stage right looked like a conveyor belt launching kids into the crowd, while a giant blow-up snowman yard sculpture danced in the background, joined by a trio of day-glow “air dancers” — those huge skinny blow-up things you see outside of tire stores.

What more to say about this band other than I liked every song. Sella is a master songwriter and a funny guy who kept the crowd laughing between tunes, stopping once mid-song as a crowd surfer slammed head-first into the stage right in front of his feet. “If you’re going to push someone off you, push them away from me.”

Interestingly, their Bar/None debut full-length — released last May — got no mentions on Album of the Year or Pitchfork. In fact, there’s little info about Front Bottoms anywhere on the interweb. They’re still under the radar… for now, though they just got a glowing write-up in Brooklyn Vegan and played a sold-out Bowery Ballroom show a few weeks ago.

It’s only a matter of time until the indie press discovers what they’ve been missing. The Front Bottoms could be the next Matt and Kim, albeit with smarter lyrics and better songs (Yeah, I’m not a big Matt & Kim fan, though I respect the energy they put into their live show). Front Bottoms are the sort of about-to-be-discovered act that Maha should look into booking for this year’s festival (which according to their twitter feed, they’ve already booked a headliner for). I have no doubt that everyone at last night’s show would buy tickets to see them again. I certainly would.

The Wild at The Waiting Room, Jan. 12, 2014.

Opening band The Wild was a 5-piece rock band whose emo-esque songs reminded me of Titus Andronicus minus the 8+-minute songs. Instead, their rural punk got a touch of twang via a smokin’ banjo, which I wish they would play on all their songs. Who would have thought banjo could rock so hard?

Second opener You Blew It was pure ‘90s/‘00s anthem/emo, though their sound was harder and less self-absorbed than the schlock I remember from those decades…

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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.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

A brief follow-up to yesterday’s story about record sales and collecting. The original draft was about 500 words longer (cut for space). Left on the cutting room floor was a point that another Lazy-i reader also pointed out yesterday: There could be a future when all hard-asset releases — vinyl or CD (but especially vinyl) are marketed as “limited edition,” with a press run of a few hundred or a few thousand. You want to just listen to it? Stream it or download the digital files. You want to own it? Buy the limited edition, collectable version. And as that wise reader pointed out, in turn prices will go up. He says they already have for vinyl releases — be they limited or not.

One more thing: Mike Fratt emailed to clarify that his comment about vinyl being a fad was meant in jest. With the way vinyl is blowing up — and the improvements he’s making in his store to cater to vinyl buyers — I’m sure Mike is laughing all the way to the bank.

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Lots of local shows this weekend.

Tonight, The Whipkey Three opens for newcomers The Last Draft at Slowdown Jr. The Toppings also are on the bill. $5, 9 p.m.

Tomorrow night Thunder Power headlines a show at fabulous O’Leaver’s with Seer States and newcomers Relax, It’s Science, a trio featuring Jeremy Stanosheck (ex-Thunder Power). $5, 9:30 p.m.

Also Saturday night there’s a hip-hop show at The Hideout — yes, that bar that used to be E’s Hideway on south 72nd St. The line-up: Articulate/DJ CMB, Conchance/Kethro and Artillery Funk. $7, 9 p.m.

Sunday The Front Bottoms headline a show at The Waiting Room. The New Jersey band’s latest album, Talon of the Hawk (Bar/None) sounds like the second coming of Too Much Joy. If you liked Too Much Joy, you’ll probably like these guys for their acerbic humor (and chiming guitars). Opening is You Blew It! and The Wild, whose new album Dreams Are Maps, was recorded by Against Me!’s Laura Jane Grace. $10, 8 p.m.

Have a good 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 © 2014 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

In this week’s column, a discussion about 2013 music sales and industry trends with Mike Fratt, general manager of Homer’s Records. While national album sales were down, Homer’s enjoyed a double-digit increase in business vs. 2012. Read about it in this week’s issue of The Reader or online right here at thereader.com. Or, since the column is centered on music, you can read it below…

by Tim McMahan

After spending the last two weeks writing about the current state and predicted future of the music industry, it’s time for a dose of reality in the form of the 2013 Nielsen SoundScan numbers.

Billboard Magazine reported last week that album sales suffered an 8.4 percent decline in 2013, CD sales declined 14.5 percent, even digital music sales declined last year for the first time since the iTunes store swung wide its online doors in 2003. Digital track sales fell 5.7 percent, while digital album sales fell 0.1 percent, all according to SoundScan.

The Billboard story said industry executives concede that “ad-supported and paid subscription services were indeed cannibalizing digital sales.” Call it the Spotify effect. Those same execs went on to say growth in streaming revenue offset the decline in digital sales.

But what about brick-and-mortar? That’s where Mike Fratt comes in. Fratt is the General Manager and buyer at independent record store Homer’s Music, 1210 Howard St. In the face of all the doom and gloom, Fratt said 2013 was a good year for Homer’s.

“Sales were up 10 percent, vinyl was again a big driver, up 40 percent for the year,” Fratt said. “DVDs, gift, accessory and lifestyle sales were also up.” It’s a trend that began in 2010. But it wasn’t all good news for Homer’s. Fratt said CDs saw their first sales decline at his store since 2009, slipping 3 percent.

So is it time to go all-in with vinyl? Not so fast. According to SoundScan, vinyl sales indeed rose from 4.55 million in 2012 to 6 million last year, but that’s only enough to make vinyl 2 percent of all U.S. album sales. CDs are still king of the mountain commanding a whopping 57.2 percent of the market, while digital albums sales comprised 40.6 percent.

Still, Fratt says Homer’s business plan is to continue to focus on vinyl and lifestyle/gift items. “We embarked on a project to replace all our vinyl browsers in 2013 to increase space efficiency and improve merchandising of 7-inch singles,” Fratt said.

In addition, Homers will continue to broaden its CD selection. “We have been adding new distributors that stock imports, budget and rarities,” Fratt said. “Despite potential declining sales (in CDs), customers will still expect a large selection.”

Fratt said streaming services such as Spotify and Pandora actually have driven his sales numbers. Customers often come into his store asking to buy an album that’s streaming on their phone.

He said overall, consumers’ buying habits are shifting. “As mall music stores have disappeared and mass merchants (Target, Walmart, Best Buy) reduce selection to below 1,000 different titles, music buyers are forced online to buy CDs,” he said. “This has also helped the indies.” Billboard reported that indie merchants as a whole saw a nearly 12 percent decline in album sales last year. Fratt said that number was wrong, and closer to a 5 percent decline.

“Right now, SoundScan only pulls sales data from about 60 indies nationwide and attempts to determine total national sales for indies,” he said. “Record Store Day website lists 1,000 stores in the U.S.” Fratt thinks vinyl sales were probably closer to 10 million last year. We won’t know the real numbers until a new media company begins tracking physical and digital sales this year.

I told Fratt I noticed another shift in consumer buying. More and more, record buyers are following a model similar to comic book collectors — they’re buying vinyl and limited edition hard product based on collect-ability (and maybe investment).

I speak from personal experience, as both a record and comic book collector. There is certain vinyl I collect just because I want to own it — Factory Records stuff, early copies of Smiths albums with unique cover art, for example. These are albums I probably will only listen to once, but will display in my house or just want to have. If I want to listen to the actual music, I listen to a digital version.

The amazingly successful Record Store Day in some ways supports my idea — it’s a great way for collectors to find and buy cool collectible limited-edition pieces. But I wonder how many people who buy rare or limited edition stuff actually play the recordings, especially if the music is already available online via Spotify?

The old arguments about purchasing physical seem to be dying away. The “need for a back-up” argument will disappear when people become familiar/comfortable with cloud computing. The “inferior audio quality” argument will eventually fade when technology provides a better, flawless audio file type (which is inevitable). Spotify gives access to nearly everything now, and if you’re a paying user (as I am) you can even listen when you’re away from a wi-fi/cellular connection.

So why buy hard assets like vinyl? Because you want to own it. You collect it. It’s finite. It’s physical in a world where fewer and fewer entertainment options involve physical things. If the above is true, than records stores will become like comic shops. Maybe they already are?

“Collectors certainly make up a strong customer group for us and play a large roll in RSD, but vinyl has become so big, it draws all kinds of customers, both casual and hard-core collector, young and old,” Fratt replied.

He said cloud computing, streaming and cars with internet will impact how people collect and access music, but early adopters (like me) remain a minority. “Over the last few years I’ve read that CD is dead, is dying and will be gone. Yet it is still 60 percent of album sales. So, a lot of people are still buying CDs to listen to and load onto their phone or PC.

“Vinyl is a fad,” Fratt added. “Yet, even a recent iPhone commercial started with the image of a record spinning on a turntable only to have an iPhone set down next to it. It’s 10 million new (vinyl albums) being bought (per year) and another 30 million used trading hands. Somebody’s playing this stuff, not just collecting.

“Collecting occurs in so many categories anymore. What you’re saying is not untrue. I think only a small minority sees it the way you do. Right now. We’ll see how that evolves. Ask me again next year.” I’m sure I will.

Over The Edge is a weekly column by Reader senior contributing writer Tim McMahan focused on culture, society, music, the media and the arts. Email Tim at tim.mcmahan@gmail.com.

First published in The Reader, Jan. 8, 2014. Copyright © 2014 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

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Tonight at Pageturners Lounge, 5004 Dodge Street, it’s a homecoming of sorts for Nebraska’s favorite wandering musical soul, Jake Bellows. On a brief tour through the Midwest, Jake is taking a evening between gigs to play a show in his hometown. If you have yet to check out Pageturners (and I haven’t, even though it’s been open for more than a year) tonight might be the perfect opportunity. The show is free and starts at 9:30.

Also tonight, Lincoln blues rock guy Josh Hoyer and his band The Shadowboxers are playing at The 21st Saloon, located way the fuck out on 4727 96th St. (south of L on 96th). This is their International Blues Challenge send-off show before they head to Memphis for a battle royale. $10, 6 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 © 2014 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Drum roll please!!!

The winners of the drawing for a copy of the Lazy-i Best of 2013 Comp CD are:

Nick Blaylock, KC
Adam J, Omaha
Marty Maxwell, Plano TX

Congratulations! Your limited-edition collectable audio CDs will be sent tomorrow. Thanks to all for entering. Response to this year’s “drawing” was the lowest I’ve ever had. The reasons for that could be a reflection of the site’s readership numbers or my taste in music, but more likely reflects the shift in format preference and listener behavior. As I said in the liner notes, someone suggested simply making a Spotify playlist and call it good. Yeah, I could do that, but what fun is that? On the other hand, I’ve had more people then ever on “the list” ask where their copy is (It’s coming, it’s coming…), so someone still likes these. I’ll keep doing it until I can’t do it no mo’.

Speaking of music format issues, check out tomorrow’s column, an interview with Homer’s GM Mike Fratt about 2013 sales inwhich we talk a lot about music formats. Online tomorrow. Fun!

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Onto less seemly matters…

I was asked by a couple readers if I was going to report or address a currently controversial topic involving a certain local musician. The answer is no. And in the words of the much over-rated Forrest Gump: That’s all I have to say about that.

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Who remembers The Get-Up Kids? The last time I spoke to that band’s frontman Matt Pryor was waaay back in 2002 when GUK played with Hey Mercedes at Sokol Auditorium. Since then, Pryor’s put out a couple more records with Get-Up Kids and even more with his other project, The New Amsterdams. as well as four solo albums including his most recent, 2013’s Wrist Slitter (on Rory Records, a label run by Say Anything’s Max Bemis and distributed by Equal Vision in the U.S.), which I assume he’ll be playing tonight when he headlines a solo gig at The Waiting Room. Opening is Moses Prey. $12, 9 p.m.

Check out a live performance of a song off his latest album, below:

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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.

Maria Taylor at The Waiting Room, Jan. 3, 2014

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Maria Taylor sounded amazing Friday night at The Waiting Room despite being under the weather. She announced from stage she was fighting some sort of illness and that she was losing her voice, though no one in the 150+ sized audience would have noticed if she hadn’t told them.

Taylor mixed old and new, backed by a band that included her brother Macey on bass and Mike Shackleford on drums (who opened the night with a brief solo set on guitar). The band was rounded out by a terrific guitarist whose name I didn’t catch. The ever-versatile Maria switched between drums, guitar and keyboards throughout the evening.  Songs off her new album, Something About Knowing, were feathered with Maria chestnuts such as “Lady Luck,” “Tunnel Vision,” and set closer “Clean Getaway.”

She came back for three more songs, including the wonky “Bad Idea,” a tune about growing old alone, which she said seems funny to her now (that she’s married with a son). That was followed by a solo version of “Good Start,” and a short take on “Folk Song Melody” off the new album.

I thought maybe we’d be inundated with stories about new motherhood (and who could blame her if she did talk about such a life-changing event?) but Taylor only mentioned her infant son once during the show. She said touring with him wasn’t much different than touring with any other guy. “I caught him peeing in a trash can, and when I wasn’t looking he tried to follow another woman into her hotel room.” Big laughs. Great show.

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The thing on the left is a dog sculpture created by local artist Julie Jenowe. The thing on the right is my dog, Evie.

We’re down to the last day to enter the drawing for the Lazy-i Best of 2013 Compilation CD give-away. Judging by the number of entries up to now, you’re chances of winning a copy have never been better.

The collection includes songs by Jack Bugg, Daft Punk, Arcade Fire, Tim Kasher, Destruction Unit, Foxygen, Desaparecidos, Duke Dumont even Paul frickin’ McCartney.  The full track listing is here.

To get your name in the hat, merely send an email with your mailing address to tim.mcmahan@gmail.com. You also can comment on a Lazy-i related posts in Facebook, or retweet a Lazy-i tweet. Hurry, contest deadline is midnight tonight!

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I just looked at the temperature — it’s warmed up to -2, so I guess that means (as Cursive would say) the worst is over. Stay warm!

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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.

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.

Little Brazil circa 2004. Back then the band was (clockwise from left) drummer Corey Broman, bassist Danny Maxwell, guitarist/keyboardist Austin Britton and vocalist/guitarist Landon Hedges. A new line-up takes the stage tonight, 10 years later…

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

So what day is it again? Monday? Wait, what? Thursday? Huh? This is the strangest holiday season that I can remember… but I like that what feels like Monday is actually Thursday.

I also like the fact that tonight is the return of Little Brazil to O’Leaver’s.

The big news here is that guitarist Greg Edds quit Little Brazil a number of weeks ago — the reason for his departure I cannot say, but he’ll be missed. Filling his rather monstrous shoes is none other than one of the city’s best guitarists, Mike Friedman, last seen on stage bent over a pedal-steel guitar accompanying Simon Joyner. Friedman is a rock veteran who’s history includes stints in The Movies (with Matt Whipkey), Reagan and The Rayguns, and his other current gig playing alongside the local heroes who make up The Lupines.

Greg’s not the only one who flew the Little Brazil coop. Drummer Oliver Morgan took flight last year, replaced by one-man wrecking crew Matt Baum (Desaparecidos). Ollie now drums with Saddle Creek band Twinsmith, and according to this story in Hear Nebraska, will be playing with LB for the last time ever tonight.

Of course the core of LB remains the same: Danny Maxwell on bass alongside frontman/guitarist Landon Hedges. Both were kept busy with other projects last year — DMax with New Lungs and Landon touring as a member of Desaparecidos.

The 4-band bill tonight at O’Leaver’s (yes, four bands, who knows why so many) include Love Drunk mastermind Django Greenblatt-Seay’s new band The Gramps followed by travelers Dan Mariska and the Boys Choir (from Minnesota), then the amazing See Through Dresses, and finally Little Brazil closing out the night.

This should be a rather huge show if the brutal below-zero temps don’t keep people from venturing out. $5, 9:30 p.m.

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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 © 2013 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.