by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Who remembers The White Octave, a band fronted by Criteria’s Stephen Pedersen before he formed Criteria? Well, believe it or not, they’re back. From a press release received this morning:

The White Octave emerged in Chapel Hill and Durham, NC in 1998 from demos recorded by guitarist and songwriter Stephen Pedersen, formerly of Omaha, NE band Cursive. Material came together quickly for The White Octave, as the trio’s chemistry became evident to all who saw the band perform. Bob Weston was enlisted to record the group in the fall of 1999 at Mitch Easter’s brand new Fidelitorium in Kernersville, NC. The gentlemen read Chunklet and dined on Prissy Polly’s BBQ, and the record that resulted was quite good. It was issued by the Deep Elm label in the year 2000.

The product, the band’s debut Style No. 6312, is now being rereleased on vinyl by Broken Circles. “In addition, the track sequencing has been restored with ‘Looking Past Sky’ being added, letting the album be heard as the band originally intended for the first time. Also, the LP will feature reinterpreted artwork by band member Lincoln Hancock.”

Vinyl and digital out September 16, 2014, on Broken Circles. If that wasn’t enough, The White Octave also will be reuniting to play Hopscotch Fest in Raleigh, NC, on September 6.

* * *

A little travel tip: There’s nothing going on in Austin on a Monday night in July. Nothing. Figured maybe there would be some gig at one of the 6th St. haunts that are on fire during South By Southwest, but it was a ghost town. Beerland was doing karaoke. Mohawk was closed “for cleaning.” A glance at the austin360 website showed zero activity Monday night. But what did I expect?

Anyway…

Contrast that with what’s going on in Omaha tonight.

On my list is Matthew Sweet at O’Leaver’s. This show has been sold out for months. Opening is The Lupines. I’m seeing two listings for start times — 9 and 9:30. Be on the safe side and get there at 9. I’ve been told that this gig was purposely undersold to make for a comfortable show-going experience (Is there any other kind at O’Leaver’s?). See you there.

Stir Cove’s website doesn’t list any openers for tonight’s Arctic Monkeys show, which starts at 7:30. Odd, but maybe typical. I’ve never been to a Stir Cove show. I’ve also never been an Arctic Monkeys fan. But I know there are a lot of them around here. Weather should be perfect.

It also should be perfect for the inaugural showcase of the Hear Nebraska Live at Turner Park series. A joint effort by HN and mid-century lifestyle boutique Hutch, the summer concert series “proudly presents authentic, original Nebraska music at Midtown Crossing’s Turner Park, Wednesdays, July 30-Aug. 20, 2014.” Tonight’s concert features Skypiper and Life is Cool.  The free concert  runs from 6 to 8 p.m.

Also happening tonight is a special benefit concert for tornado-ravaged Pilger, Nebraska, at The Waiting Room. Performing are Matt Whipkey + Band, Monday Mourners, Clarence Tilton and The Sons of The Waiting Room. $8, 8 p.m.

* * *

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.