Stef Chura’s new album, Midnight, comes out on Saddle Creek Records June 7.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Stef Chura, one of Saddle Creek Records’ more recent signings, announced this morning her new album, Midnight, will drop June 7. The album was produced by Will Toledo of Car Seat Headrest and is likely to be much more rough-hewn than Chura’s 2017 Creek debut Messes. Certainly the first track, “Method Man,” seems to support that theory. 

You can order the limited-edition blue glow-in-the-dark splatter vinyl at the Saddle Creek store.

Chura also announced an Omaha date for her summer tour — Aug. 6 at Reverb Lounge. 

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Musician Dereck Higgins (DHX, R.A.F., ex-Digital Sex) is the subject of a new mini-documentary about Nebraska from filmmaker Brad Barber. 

“States of America” is a series of documentary shorts, featuring one person in each of the 50 states. New state episodes are released once a month until all 50 are complete. Higgins said he doesn’t know how his name got submitted for the project. “They interviewed me on the phone. About a month later they called back saying I was chosen,” he said. “I have no idea who suggested me.”

In the 5-minute video, Higgins talks about living in Nebraska and the role music plays in his life. There’s also some tasty footage of Higgins performing in R.A.F. Check it out 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 © 2019 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

Dirt House at O’Leaver’s Dec. 2, 2017. The band opens tonight for Rayland Baxter at Slowdown Jr.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Never heard of Rayland Baxter, but a lot of people have. The dude has 1.4 million monthly Spotify listeners. Butch Walker produced his 2018 album Wide Awake, released on ATO Records. Rolling Stone called the album “a catchy collection of pop hooks that mix Beatles melodies with a bottom-end groove torn from the Stax Records playbook.” Pretty spot-on, based on the tracks below.

He plays tonight at Slowdown Jr. Our very own Dirt House opens at 8 p.m. $15.

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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 © 2019 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

MiWi La Lupa at Dundee Days at Dario’s, Aug. 25, 2018. He plays tonight at The Sydney for #BFF.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Damn, I’ve been missing out on a lot of shows. Porcupine last night, Kurt Vile earlier this week. It’s not due to lack of interest so much as work stuff, which for now is dominating my time. So I’m living vicariously through all of you.

Anyway, the weekend…

We’ll start off with the fact that it’s Friday, March 1, which means Benson First Friday. As per usual, The Sydney has the marquee #BFF show tonight with Bed Rest, Miwi La Lupa and Field Club kicking it off at 10 p.m., $5.

Since you’ll be in Benson anyway, you might as well stop in The Little Gallery, located in the east bay of the Masonic Lodge building just east of The Sydney on Maple. This month’s featured artist is Joe Liebentritt (who old-school Omaha music fans might remember from the band The Still). Swing by, have a beer, check out the art and say hello. We’re there from 6 to 9 p.m.

Also tonight, singer/songwriter multiple Grammy winner Iris DeMent plays at The Waiting Room with Pieta Brown. $30, 8 p.m. This has been postponed due to illness.

Tomorrow night Burger Records artist Thelma and the Sleaze are at fabulous O’Leaver’s. The Nashville trio plays gritty garage rock that isn’t afraid of hooks. This should be fun. Joining them are Muscle Cousins and CatBarat. $10, 10 p.m.

Also Saturday night, Mike Silverman a.k.a. That 1 Guy brings his home made one-man show to The Waiting Room. He’s all by himself, literally, as in there’s no opener. 9 p.m., $15.

And then Sunday night…

Pageturners is turning into a popular stage for touring acts. Sunday Norwegian folk-rock duo Darling West headlines. Just gorgeous stuff. Omaha superstar Gram Ulicny (Thick Paint) opens along with Bach Mai. It’s free (Do you believe it?) and starts at 8 p.m.

Also Sunday, LA by way of NYC indie rocker Lucy Arnell plays at The Sydney with Des Moines’ Odd Pets and DJ Need a Stack (Pavement’s Bob Nastanovich, seriously). $5, 9 p.m.

And 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 © 2019 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.