Lincoln Calling is happening all week.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Lincoln Calling, the annual multi-day multi-venue fest held in the Star City, actually kicked off yesterday with a limited slate of shows. The real deal begins tonight with more than 100 bands playing in 10 Lincoln venues over the course of the week and into Sunday.

This is Year 12, if you can believe it. Whoda thunk it would still be around and would have gotten so big? It’s arguably the biggest music festival in Nebraska and continues to maintain its tradition of actually paying the bands that perform, which is not only amazing but magnanimous.

An all-access pass which gets you into all the venues all week is a mere $30. Day passes are available for the following prices: Wednesday: $10; Thursday: $10; Friday: $15; Saturday: $15. Or you can pay the cover for wherever you’re going.

The full schedule is in the event’s Facebook event listing. Tonight’s sched is below.

Someone yesterday asked me if I could only drive to Lincoln for one day of the festival, which day would it be. The answer is Friday, which is stacked with performances by Oquoa, Twinsmith, Head of Femur, Domestica, McCarthy Trenching, See Through Dresses, Halfwit and Gordon. You’d be hard-pressed to find that many quality bands playing in one city on one night. The problem, of course, is that many of their sets overlap. Decisions, decisions…

Here’s tonight’s LC sched:

Lincoln Calling for Wednesday, September 30

Bodega’s Alley
10 p.m. – Bassthoven w/ JMNM
no cover, 21+

Duffy’s Tavern
9 p.m. – Shark Week
10 p.m. – MC TEACH & Trev Taylor
11 p.m. – BOTH
12 p.m. – The Palmer Squares/The Rapper Chicks
1 a.m. – Psalm One
$7, 21+

Knickerbockers
9 p.m. – The Gov’t
10 p.m. – Clementine
11 p.m. – The Inner Party
12 a.m. – Bandit Sound
$6, 18+

Tower Square
6 p.m. – The Wildwoods
7 p.m. – CJ Mills
no cover, all ages

Zoo Bar –
(early show)
6 p.m. – Josh Hoyer and Soul Colossal
$6, 21+
(late show)
8:30 p.m. – The Bottle Tops
9:30 p.m. – Jack Hotel
10:30 p.m. – Joshua Powell and the Great Train Robbery
11:30 p.m. – The Mezcal Brothers
$6, 21+

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Meanwhile, back in Omaha, Wet Nurse is headlining a show tonight at fabulous O’Leaver’s. The Orlando band who counts Taco Cat and The Vivians among its influences has a new album out on Recess Records. Opening is The Ridgways, The Morbs and Ebony Goddess Wanted. $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 © 2015 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

The Renderers are playing tonight at fabulous O’Leaver’s.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

When The Sweatshop announced it was closing its doors, I was told that a new owner was taking over the venue who had no interest in continuing the gallery’s live performances that were held in the garage out back.

Whoever told me that was wrong.

Last week the folks who run Petshop, the gallery right next door to Sweatshop at 2725 N 62nd Street, announced that “Starting Oct. 1, the Sweatshop space at 2727 will become one with the Petshop space at 2725, all under the name Petshop.”

In addition, the newly merged gallery will continue to book live music. From the Petshop statement:

“Although the well-associated name Sweatshop will be leaving, Petshop will continue to honor the name’s legacy and role in the local and national music and art scenes.  Local musician and artist, Nick Holden will be taking over the music calendar for Petshop, with plans to curate shows for the space.  Expect the return of live music to the space starting on Benson First Friday Nov. 6.  Details TBA. For booking inquiries, please email petshopbooking@gmail.com

“Sam Parker and partner Chris Aponick, of Perpetual Nerves, have also been long-time contributors on the music side of the space, most notably for their role in organizing Sweatfest (July 2015).  They will continue to book music for the space, working through Holden.”

Aponick confirmed the above. It’s great news as Sweatshop has become a go-to venue for all-ages “house show”-type indie and punk shows featuring notable national touring bands.

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A week or so ago, Andrew Stellmon of Hear Nebraska reached out via email asking for an interview on the topic of what bands and musicians need to do to get covered in the press. The article went online last Thursday and includes comments from Kevin Coffey of the Omaha World-Herald, Caroline Borolla of press agent Riot Act Media and local music manager Emily Engles, who in addition to managing Rock Paper Dynamite and Matt Cox (among others) also is the President of the Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards Board of Directors.

Check out the story here. It became pretty obvious after reading the story and seeing who else was interviewed that I blew the assignment. I thought the article was targeting bands trying to get national press, not local bands trying to get local press — in that instance, everything will work, from press releases to sending Soundcloud links, etc.

Anyway, as result, a lot of (actually most) of what I sent Stellmon didn’t make it into the article, but being a completest and because I hate seeing anything I’ve written go unread, here are the comments I sent Stellmon, for the record:

Q: Why is it important for the press and musicians/bands to understand their relationship with each other?

Lazy-i: Not sure I understand the question. I’m not sure it is important from the standpoint of a musician as an artist or the standpoint of a journalist trying to get a story. The way they act toward each other is how they define their relationship.

Q: For an aspiring musician/band, what comprises an effective approach to seeking coverage?

Lazy-i: Depends on what the musician/band is trying to accomplish. If the goal is to create art, the musician will continue to create art regardless of the coverage s/he receives. If you believe in your music — and you’re making quality music — the press will find you.

Q: When approaching a media outlet for coverage, especially by email, what are three things that a band should include in its communication? Alternatively, if you receive communication from a band seeking coverage, what three things do you look for in an email, etc?

Lazy-i: The answers to both questions are likely the same. I don’t have time to listen to all the Soundcloud/Bandcamp links that I receive via email. However, if the band sends me a complete download of their recording, I’m more apt to listen to it because I can add it to my iTunes for listening wherever I’m at. If the band sends me a CD in the mail, I’m even more likely to listen to it; and if they send me a vinyl copy of their record I feel almost obligated to listen to it and comment.

These days time permits me to only listen to submissions from local bands I’m already familiar with or national bands that are either signed to a known label or are associated with a band that’s I’ve heard of or is signed to a known label. If I’ve never heard of the band or its label, the odds of me listening to or even finishing reading their email is remote.

An exception is made for touring bands that are playing at venues that I like or respect and that book the style of music I listen to. Clubs like The Waiting Room, Reverb, Slowdown, O’Leaver’s, MAS, Sweatshop (now defunct) are prime examples. I’m apt to listen to the music just to see if it’s something I might want to cover.

Q: Is there anything else you would add?

Lazy-i: On one hand, technology has made it easy and cheap for bands to record and distribute their music. On the other hand, because almost anyone can record their own music on a laptop and upload it to a website, there literally are thousands of people trying to get their music heard and written about. That glut of online music is making it nearly impossible for bands to get their music heard beyond their circle of friends and family. Just like it’s always been, the only way to break through is by touring and live performances because no one has time to listen to all the anonymous music being uploaded to Soundcloud/Bandcamp/Youtube, especially in an era when all music is virtually free via Spotify/Apple Music.

That being said, because of the enormous glut of available music, the role of the music critic has never been more important. Sure, anyone can listen to anything online at any time virtually for free, but that doesn’t mean they have the TIME to listen to it. Critics help listeners decide what they should spend their time listening to.

An addendum to the above: Just this past weekend I discussed this very topic with a couple musicians who have toured nationally at some point in their careers, and they agreed that –despite the advent of technology — touring is the only effective way to get your music heard by an audience outside of your community. It’s common sense.

* * *

There’s another big show tonight at fabulous O’Leaver’s. The Renderers will be in the house. The band from Christchurch, New Zealand, was formed in 1989 by Maryrose Crook and her husband Brian (of The Terminals). They have released records on Flying Nun Records, Merge Records, Ajax Records, Siltbreeze Records, among others. Simon Joyner has toured with The Renderers. As Joe Biden would say, this is a big fucking deal. Hopefully Ian will have the tapes rolling, as I’d love to see this band represented in Live at O’Leaver’s.  Headlining the show is a reunion of The Subtropics. Also on the bill is Vegetable Deluxe, a new project by ex-Brimstone Howl guitarist Nick Waggoner. $5, 9:30 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 © 2015 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

Gordon at The Sydney, Sept. 25, 2015.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Nice turnout for the Sidney Buchanan art show at The Little Gallery Friday night. You can check out the show anytime this week before 5 p.m., just swing by the gallery. It’s located right across the street from The Sydney in Benson. Sidney’s work is amazing, and affordable. Maybe too affordable.

I spent Friday night hanging out with Sidney’s son, Patrick, who you may remember from the classic ’90s punk band Mousetrap. Patrick lives in Miami these days. We talked about music, what’s been going on in Omaha over the past few years and how Benson and the rest of the city’s changed.

As the art show came to a close at 9, I mentioned that I was headed to The Sydney later that night to see Gordon, a band I thought he’d like, and to my surprise, Patrick said he’d meet there at midnight. After I left the art show I began to feel anxious about Gordon. Did I oversell the band? Just that sort of thing has happened to me in the past — I talk too highly of a band or compare them to another band and inevitably, the person I’m talking to sees them and they either 1) suck, or 2) sound nothing like what I compared them to.

I got to The Sydney just before midnight, as A Ferocious Jungle Cat was still doing their set. Patrick had already arrived. It’s safe to say The Sydney has the worst PA I’ve heard since, well,  I saw bands play at the old Down Under last November. The Sydney’s PA is on par with what you’d find at a typical house show. Overblown, flat, noisy. Pretty awful, and much worse than I remembered the last time I saw a band play there. My anxiety grew.

Arm Wrestling during Art Bazaar at The Sydney, Sept. 25, 2015.

Friday night’s event at The Sydney was a fundraiser for Benson First Friday, which recently attained a 501(c)3 non-profit status. A pair of super-tall drag queens strolled around in wigs and high heels, having performed earlier in the evening.  After Jungle Cat finished a table was set up for the Finals of the evening-long arm wrestling content. Fun. After that, the hosts announced a number of raffle ticket winners of lovely gift baskets.

And then Gordon came on. I’ve seen the four-piece a few times, most recently playing outside behind The Sweatshop Gallery as part of Sweatfest this past summer. Despite the PA, Gordon did not disappoint, though their set did start off rather tenuous, sounding different than I remembered them, with two guitars playing laid-back indie stuff.

Things really got rolling when frontman Aaron Parker put down his guitar and walked off the front of the Sydney’s small platform stage with microphone in hand and did his best Ian Curtis impression on songs that sounded clearly influenced by Joy Division. Buchanan asked me if I thought Gordon knew who they were, and I said I didn’t know, but that the music’s resemblance couldn’t have been a coincidence.  But then again, another of their songs reminded me of a Mousetrap tune, a band that likely played its first show before Parker was born.

Leaning over, yelling into the mic while patrons strolled past to and from the bathroom, Parker pushed as hard as he could, making the most out of that crappy PA, looking up and following people with a bug-eyed stare as they walked back to their tables while has band continued to shred from the stage. I glanced over at Buchanan and could tell he liked what he heard. These guys were making Nebraska proud, having no clue that they were performing in front of one of the city’s Golden Age legends.

Buchanan gave the ultimate compliment after the set: “I’d definitely see them again.” No band can ask for anything more.

Your next chance to see Gordon is this Sunday when they open for Cheap Girls at Slowdown Jr.  along with Eric in Outspace and The Lupines. Do not miss it.

* * *

Speaking of things not to miss, there’s a no-miss show at The Brothers Lounge this very night. Chicago punk bands The Funs headline. Formed in 2009, the duo released their first LP, S/T, in 2013, and have opened West Coast dates for The Breeders. Opening is Nathan Ma & The Rosettes and Dumb Beach. $5, 10 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 © 2015 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

Beach House plays tonight at The Slowdown. The show is sold out.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

The show of the weekend is, of course, Beach House tonight at The Slowdown, and it’s SOLD OUT. Get there early for opener Jessica Pratt, whose most recent album, On Your Own Love Again (Drag City, 2015), got a rousing 8.1 in Pitchfork. 9 p.m.

Meanwhile back uptown, Pro-Magnum headlines tonight at fabulous O’Leaver’s. Also on the bill are Mike Schlesinger, Sean Pratt and the Sweats. $5, 9:30 p.m.  Check out Schlensinger’s cover of “Look at Miss Ohio” by Gillian Welch recorded live at O’Leaver’s as a preview of what you’ll hear tonight:

Don’t forget about the event I told you about yesterday, Art Bazaar is happening in Benson capped off with a show at The Sydney headlined by Gordon with A Ferocious Jungle Cat. Bands start at 11. $5.

There ain’t a whole helluva lot going on Saturday night. Carson City Heat is playing at O’Leaver’s with Rothsteen and Tara Vaughn. $5, 9:30 p.m.

Actually, what could really end up being the show of the weekend is Sunday afternoon when O’Leaver’s hosts one of its Summer Socials. Food (sausages and sides) starts at 2 p.m. The music starts at 5:30 with Omaha ex-pat now LA scenester Jake Bellows, his pals Whispertown and the inimitable  McCarthy Trenching. $7.

That’s all I got. If I missed your show, put it in the comments section. Have a great 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 © 2015 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

Artist extraordinaire Sidney “Buzz” Buchanan, left, and son Patrick Buchanan of the legendary Omaha band Mousetrap. Sidney’s art show opens tomorrow at The Little Gallery.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

The photo above is of Omaha artist/sculptor Sidney “Buzz” Buchanan with his son, Patrick Buchanan, who you might remember as the frontman of legendary indie/punk band Mousetrap. Sidney is having a one-man art show opening tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 25, at The Little Gallery in Benson, 5917 Maple St. (right across the street from The Sidney), and you are invited.

Some background on Sidney….

If you’ve lived in Omaha for any length of time, you’ve seen the work of Sidney Buchanan. The explosion of black metal tubes that towers over the west side of the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s Dodge Street campus like a giant robotic ballet dancer? That’s a Buchanan. The intersection of white steel pieces that lie on the ground like a mammoth pipe-cleaner at rest on the edge of One Pacific Place? That’s a Buchanan. The walking treehouse made of red girders that looms alongside the 10th Street Bridge in Gene Leahy Mall? That’s a Buchanan.

No other sculptor epitomizes Nebraska art like Sidney Buchanan. He just turned 83 earlier this month and has shifted his efforts from sculptures to two-dimensional art, at least for the show opening Friday night. Swing by and wish him a happy birthday and check out the work of a local master.

Afterward, swing by The Sydney for Art Bazaar, which benefits Benson First Friday. The line-up:

— 6:30 Acoustic Set by Ian Aeillo
— inter-gender arm wrestling w/ our mascot & referee Sarah Wafflez
— 8:30 p.m. — Comedy sets
— 10 p.m. — Drag performances (and we’re not talking drag racing)
— 11 p.m. — A Ferocious Jungle Cat.
— Midnight — Gordon

More info about Art Bazaar here. This isn’t tonight, it’s tomorrow night (Friday). I’m putting it out there now so it doesn’t get lost in the usual weekend stew.

* * *

There’s also more info about the above at Hear Nebraska (right here) where they’ve also reported that Christine Fink and her band High Up yesterday released their first single, “Two Weeks.” From the HN story: “High Up also announced a handful of upcoming performances that include a three-day jaunt with Conor Oberst in mid-October, sandwiched by three dates in Omaha. The band plays Slowdown Nov. 28 with fellow Omaha band The Good Life.”

Something tells me High Up is going places. Check out the track below.

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Rock band Rock Paper Dynamite continues its month-long residency at fabulous O’Leaver’s tonight. Joining them are Kait Berreckman and Moses Prey. $5, 9:30 p.m.

And Satchel Grande is playing a fundraiser tonight at The Slowdown for Justice For Our Neighbors-Nebraska (JFON-NE) is a nonprofit organization welcoming immigrants into our communities by providing free, high quality immigration legal services, education and advocacy for low-income individuals and families in Nebraska and western Iowa. More info here.

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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 © 2015 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

The Vibrators play at The Brothers Lounge tonight.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Seems like I’ve been writing a ton about O’Leaver’s lately. It’s not by design (and I’m certainly not getting paid for it!). It’s merely the fact that the bulk of local indie music news is emanating from O’Leaver’s these days, whether it’s their programming, or in this case, Live at O’Leaver’s, which yesterday released three more live-session recordings from three of the hottest national touring indie bands.

All three sessions are remarkable in their own way. The Speedy Ortiz songs capture the band better then what they’ve laid down in the studio. We hear why Cursive is so ga-ga over Beach Slang. And we get a look inside the madness that is The Hussy on a recording that captures that evening’s madness.

I was at two out of the three shows that were captured below, missing only the Beach Slang gig, which it looks like I’ll get a chance to make up for as Beach Slang is headed back to O’Leaver’s Nov. 5 (with Tim Kasher, Lithuania (members of Dr. Dog) and Worried Mothers).

Check out the new Live at O’Leaver’s sessions below:

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Tonight legendary ’70s British punk band The Vibrators are playing at legendary Omaha club The Brothers Lounge. Opening is Tiananmen Squares and Heavy Lungs. $8, 9 p.m. Slap on your Doc Martins and go.

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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 © 2015 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

Digital Leather at O’Leaver’s, Sept. 19, 2015.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

I have little to add to what I’ve already said about O’Leaver’s new beer garden. It will be a game changer for the club if this past weekend’s crowds are any indication. I think the word is just starting to leak out about how nice it is. It was shocking how the main club emptied between bands, and how quickly the room filled once the music started. To give people more room tables were removed in front of the “stage,” allowing for more people to throw their devil horns right in bandmembers’ faces.

Dumb Beach sounded brutal as ever. Looks like they’ve had a personnel change since the last time I saw them (Ian Aeillo was back at the soundboard instead of playing guitar). When will we get a formal recording from these boys?

The Lupines at O’Leaver’s, Sept. 19, 2015.

Lupines played their usual stellar set, throwing in a couple new songs that frontman John Ziegler said will appear on a upcoming 7-inch single.

Finally (for me anyway, since I left before M34N STR33T) Digital Leather crushed the place, playing a heavy dose of songs off their new album, All Faded. The band will be opening for a string of Desaparecidos dates in late November, a tour that’s bound to see their fan base grow, especially if they play with the ferocity heard Saturday night. For this performance the band had three synth players — I’m not sure who joined Todd Fink and Ben VanHoolandt behind keyboards. They closed as they always seem to do these days with a blistering version of “Studs in Love.” I’ve heard them play this live at least a dozen times — no two performances sounding the same. It never gets old. I’d love to see how the Desa crowds react when Foree pines about his love of hairy asses and Wrangler butts.

* * *

Last minute news just hit my in-box from Simon Joyner.

Joyner has a book of selected lyrics coming out (yes, book) called Only Love Can Bring You Peace from Magic Helicopter Press. The publisher is taking pre-orders through today and anyone who orders gets their choice of a broadside of one of the “Blues” titled songs for free. There’s also a collector’s edition, which is signed by Mr. Joyner and comes with all eight broadsides, plus an mp3 of an unreleased outtake from his latest album, Grass, Branch & Bone. More details and pre-order info here.

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It’s back to O’Leaver’s tonight for Philly psych band Ecstatic Vision. The band counts Hawkwind, Aphrodites Child, Olatunji, Can and early Amon Duul ll among their influences, though Pitchfork mentions Sabbath and Zeppelin in this 7.6 rated review of their new album, Sonic Praise (Relapse, 2015). Swampwalk and Megaton open. $5, 9:30 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 © 2015 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

O’Leaversfest is this weekend…

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

It’s another O’Leaver’s weekend…

The Club is celebrating the grand opening of its new beer garden (pictures of which you saw right here) with a three-day “festival” that kicks off tonight with music by Bonehart Flannigan, Brad Hoshaw, McCarthy Trenching and Rebecca Lowry. The usual $5, 9:30 p.m.

Then tomorrow the real festival kicks off with a beer and sausage party (Isn’t it always a sausage party at O’Leaver’s?) beginning at 11 a.m. in the beer garden. Methinks this will be O’Leaver’s take on the classic Oktoberfest, but with professional drinkers as participants. Expect things to get rather sloppy by 7:30 p.m. when the music begins inside The Club with M34N STR33T, Digital Leather, Lupines, Dumb Beach, Worried Mothers and Stephen Nichols. $7.

O’Leaversfest closes out Sunday with a Sunday Social featuring sausages and veggies from The French Bulldog at 2 p.m. and bands lighting up the stage at 5 p.m., including Members of the Press, Bloodcow and Baltimore band Darsombra (featuring Brian Daniloski from Meatjack). $5.

Yes, there are other things happening this weekend.

There’s a rock show tonight (Friday) at Slowdown Jr. headlined by Gordon with Powers and No Getter. $5, 9 p.m.

The Sydney is hosting a Country & Western show tonight with Western Automatic, The Willards and The Electroliners. $5, 9 p.m.

One Percent Productions has Kris Lager at The Waiting Room Saturday night with AZP ($8, 9 p.m.) and Universe Contest at Reverb with The Philistines & Tenderness Wilderness ($7, 9 p.m.).

That’s what I got. If I missed your show, put it in the comments section. Have a great weekend.

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BTW, that Desaparecidos show slated for O’Leaver’s Nov. 22 I told you about yesterday? It’s sold out. You snooze, you lose…

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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 © 2015 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

Head of Femur at Sokol Underground, Sept. 11, 2003. #TBT

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

This week’s #TBT Moment (above) is Head of Femur at Sokol Underground, Sept. 11, 2003. From the review:

You have to see this band to believe it. People who really dug the Bright Eyes orchestra last year will be the most entertained, although I think this ensemble is far superior. Bright Eyes thing was to create this dense, rhythmic experience (there was something like three percussionist in Oberst’s orchestra). Femur’s is more about creating an almost vaudeville-ian noise. I talked about their sound in the article, but the guy next to me put it more concisely. He turns to me, smiling, and yells “They sound like a 21st Century version of ELO.” Not bad. In fact, pretty damn close. Not quite the same melodies, but a similar intensity. Everyone is on top of each other during the songs, bouncing off one another both physically and musically, creating these large-scale, intricate pop songs that wander from different time signatures and keys and dynamics. For added effect and chaos, two small bubble machines haphazardly made bubbles during a few songs, sending glistening bits of soap around the band a la everyone’s favorite waltzmaster Lawrence Welk.–Lazy-i, Sept. 19, 2003.

If you missed that show, no worries. Head of Femur is scheduled to play at O’Leaver’s Oct. 4, just 12 years after the above show took place. I’m sure nothing has changed.

* * *

You didn’t really think that was the last time you’d see Desaparecidos on an Omaha stage, did you? The band just announced one more gig, this time at fabulous O’Leaver’s Nov. 22 with So-So Glos and Digital Leather. All for a mere $20. I suggest you buy your tickets now to this very limited engagement.

* * *

Tonight at The Slowdown (main stage) it’s the return of The Mynabirds, performing songs off their new album, Lovers Know (reviewed here). Opening is Minneapolis band Bad Bad Hats (Afternoon Records) and the amazing High Up. $10, 9 p.m. Expect a crowd.

Also tonight, Rock Paper Dynamite continues its month-long residency at O’Leaver’s. Opening for them tonight is Matt Cox and Sidewalkers. $5, 9:30 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 © 2015 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

O’Leaver’s new patio / beer garden, looking from the back benches toward the new bar and patio entrance. The door from inside O’Leaver’s that leads to the patio is on the far left at the end of the concrete ramp.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

I had a chance to snap a few photos of O’Leaver’s new patio when I was at The Club the other evening. I’ve had lots of people ask what the new beer garden — which is now open for business, just in time for this weekend’s O’Leaversfest — looks like. Instead of describing it, see for yourself. It’s huge.

A look at O’Leaver’s new patio / beer garden from the new bar looking toward the back benches.

I’m told the patio’s new bar will be manned on Friday and Saturday nights, and the occasional special event. I could see people hanging out there all night, smoking and getting blasted. I’ve used the phrase “game changer” to describe this patio before. I think it fits.

Check it out tonight if for no other reason than the fact that there’s nothing else going on and it’s gorgeous outside.

* * *

Speaking of O’Leaver’s, another batch of Live at O’Leaver’s recordings hit their website yesterday. The new batch includes Eli Mardock, Sam Martin, Once a Pawn, Roman Polanski’s Baby, Miwi La Lupa and Gordon. Check out the tracks below.

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CORRECTION to yesterday’s post: I said yesterday in the section that included my review of the new Mynabirds album Lovers Know that The Mynabirds show at The Slowdown was Wednesday when in fact it’s tomorrow (Thursday). Ooops. Sorry. Thanks to Nayef for pointing this out!

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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 © 2015 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.