Relax, It’s Science at Lookout Lounge, April 30, 2016. The band celebrates its debut album release Friday at Reverb Lounge.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Three Bandcamp releases to bring to your attention today.

First, Relax, It’s Science will be celebrating the release of their debut EP this Friday at Reverb Lounge, but you can check out the tracks now, right here. The 5-song EP was recorded by Bryce Hotz at Archetype Recordings and mastered by the master himself, Doug Van Sloun.

The instrumental-only trio consists of Pat Mcilvain and Craig Hoffman, each playing electric bass, surrounding veteran drummer Jeremy Stanosheck, who you may remember from Coast of Nebraska and Kite Pilot. As you’d expect from a trio with two bass players, it’s heavy shit, but there’s melodies under all that fuzz.

The Kiez is a new project that features Lincoln’s Eli Mardock, former frontman of Eagle Seagull and a success in his own rite as a solo artist. As the story goes, Eli met Hamburg, Germany-based drummer/producer Lucas Kochbeck via email from a mutual friend. After exchanging songs, Eli flew to Kochbeck’s Hamburg studio for three weeks of recording that resulted in 17 songs.

They call their project The Kiez (pronounced Keetz), the name of the local Red Light District, as well as a slang term in German that means “The ‘hood.” They describe their sound as Hamburg garage pop, though it sounds as American as anything (and it’s sung in English, in Mardock’s usual pleading voice). Only two songs here. Where’s the rest of it?

Finally, here’s a Bandcamp project with no local roots. Blue Thunder, a Tribute to Galaxie 500 is exactly what it sounds like, a collection of Galaxie 500 covers from bands who love their music. Among them Thrushes, Cantalouper, The John Candy and 13 other acts you’ve never heard of.

I typically frown upon tribute projects, be they live or otherwise, but I point this one out because I’ve always been a fan of Galaxie 500 and this non-profit project is simply a celebration of that band’s music. Maybe it’ll generate new interest in Dean, Naomi and Damon’s genius.

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Tonight at Milk Run, it’s Mild High Club, the project from LA’s Alexander Brettin, who you may remember from his work in Ariel Pink, R Stevie Moore and Silk Rhodes. His debut LP was released on Circle Star (an imprint of Stones Throw Records). Opening is Ojai and the always intriguing Sam Martin, who has a new album of his own. $8, 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 © 2016 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.