The new Omaha Performing Arts live music venue would cost a cool $109 million.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

By now you’ve probably seen the press release wherein Omaha Performing Arts announces plans to build a $109 million music venue located from Dodge Street to Capitol Avenue between 11th and 12th streets in downtown Omaha. If not, go here now. We’ll wait…

The facility, with a capacity of 1,500 to 3,000 and no fixed seats is slated to open in 2023. According to Kevin Coffey’s article in the Omaha World-Herald, the venue “could accommodate a standing-room crowd for a rock concert or a thrust stage and seating risers for an immersive opera performance.”

A few questions come to mind:

— Who exactly is the target audience for this facility? Is it classical music aficionados or rock fans? Is OPA going to book it? Do they know anything about booking rock shows?
— What hole does this fill that the current arenas as well as the already-announced 1% indoor-outdoor music venue in La Vista doesn’t fill? (Kevin does a great job at the end of his article listing all the existing / coming facilities).
— Why does it cost $109 million?

Seems a bit crazy, but I guess downtown developers are eager to figure out ways to get people to come downtown? And there are plenty of local millionaires (billionaires?) with money burning a hole in their pockets.

From the OPA press release: “We believe the Live Music Venue will significantly improve music opportunities available in Omaha, especially for the key audience demographic of 21 to 45 years old. This proposed O-pa campus expansion provides an excellent fit with the renovations underway along the Riverfront, and will further enhance Omaha’s downtown entryway.”

There’s an argument that this new venue will also somehow help keep young people in our fair city (or attract more young people). As someone aptly put it in one of the many Facebook threads about this topic: Maybe they should take $1 million of the $109 million and apply it to developing the talent that’s already here. Because, folks, we’ve lost a shitload of talented folks over the past couple years, more than than I can remember losing in the past decade. And I don’t think they left because they didn’t have a $109 million venue to perform at.

Anyway, read the OPA press release here.

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David Nance Group returns to The Brothers Lounge tonight and they’re bringing along some Third Man Records label-mates: Long Hots form Philly. You won’t want to miss it, and it’s just $5. Starts at 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 © 2019 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

A screen-cap from the new video for “Kittybear” by Betty Rubble.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Local musician and filmmaker Aaron Gum (Glow in the Dark, InDreama) has a new project called Betty Rubble that features Chelsea Balzer (Vital Organs) on lead vocals and superstar rock veteran Craig Dee on drums.

Their first track, “Kittybear,” is a sassy, kick-drum-driven rocker with an ’80s New Wave sheen. “Drawing from elements of riot grrrl, synthpop, and punk movements, Kittybear is a feisty, danceable anthem which exemplifies the duo’s no-holds-barred, infectious sound,” says Gum.

The track was recorded at Gum’s home studio with drums recorded at Make Believe Studio. So when are we going to be able to catch them live?

Maria Taylor, who you might remember as half of Saddle Creek Records act Azure Ray, is recruiting some mighty big names for backing vocals on her recordings these days. On her latest track, “Waiting in Line,” Counting Crows’ Adam Duritz brings the harmonies (But never rips into “Round Hereeee!!!“).

Pretty song. Taylor’s new self-titled LP comes out Nov. 11 (Yes, that’s 11/11 for those paying attention) on her very own Flower Moon Records label.

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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.

Jeffrey Lewis and Los Bolts at Reverb Lounge, Nov. 15, 2016. Lewis and his band plays tonight at The Brothers Lounge.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

The last time I spoke to Jeffrey Lewis was right before Trump was elected president. We did an extended Q&A in two parts, because he was willing and because I dig his music and his writing (and his comics). It’s interesting to look back on that interview. I think we were both were in denial. I certainly was.

Here’s part one, which focused exclusively on the 2016 election, posted the day after.

Here’s part two, where talks about his music, his comicbooks and art, all kinds of stuff.

Anyway, Jeffrey and his band are playing tonight at The Brothers Lounge and if you get a chance you should go see them. Lewis is an amazing performer and his new album, Bad Wiring (2019, Don Giovanni), is another keeper (Gad, is that the best you can say about an album? Well, these days, if you’re “keeping” a record, it must be pretty damn good).

I wish I would have looked back to these interviews when I found out Lewis was returning. I would have scheduled another interview to get his take on Trump four years later. I think both of our worst fears have been realized.

Sean Pratt and the Sweats and the always amazing Anna McClellan open. $10, 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 © 2019 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

Twin Peaks at The Waiting Room, June 29, 2016. The band returns to The Waiting Room tonight.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Just like last weekend, it’s a loaded Friday night and a sorta thin rest of the weekend. Why can’t we get promoters to spread these shows over the entire weekend? I know, I know, it’s out of their hands. Anyway, choose wisely.

The biggest show of the night (Friday) is at The Waiting Room where Twin Peaks returns in support of their latest, Lookout Low. Yesterday the band shared the latest track from the album, the Beatle-esque “Our World.” Joining them tonight is a stacked line-up that includes Post Animal and OHMME. $20, 9 p.m.

Meanwhile, just across the street and down a ways, indie pop band Uh Oh is among the five bands playing a #BFF/OEAA show at Burke’s Pub. In addition to Uh Oh you get Liz Gre, Diego Danger, Rey Styles, Chad Stoner, Mace Hathaway and Names Without Numbers. Uh Oh goes on at 8:40. It’s part of the OEAA Fall Nominee Showcase. Your $10 entry gets you into all the participating venues (What those are, I’m not certain).

Check out the just-dropped new Love Drunk video for Uh Oh’s “Time Zones,” shot at Joslyn Castle.

Did I mention it was Benson First Friday? If you’re wandering around Benson tonight taking in the art, drop on into the Little Gallery, 5901 Maple St. (the east bay of the Masonic Lodge Building), for the opening of Bill Hoover’s one man show, Lost and Found and Lost. Bill’s exploring the use of collage, paper sculpture and other materials. We’ll be there from 6 to 9 p.m. Come say hello!

What about outside of Benson tonight?

Well there’s a banger of a show at fabulous O’Leaver’s Friday night with Omaha’s favorite stoner-metal band Ocean Black and Omaha’s favorite alt-country band Clarence Tilton. That’s two favorites in one for $7. Starts at 10 p.m.

Meanwhile, downtown is a real sleeper of a show — freak folk singer/songwriter Devendra Banhart headlines in the main room at The Slowdown. Joining him is one of Saddle Creek Records’ brightest new acts, Black Belt Eagle Scout. Tickets range from $26 to $36, and showtime is 8 p.m.

Holy shit that’s a lot of stuff going on in one night. Tomorrow (Saturday) you’re down to two shows.

Back down at The Slowdown, punk band The Menzingers headlines in the main room with Tigers Jaw and Culture Abuse. Tickets are $20-$25; show starts at 8 p.m.

Also Saturday night O’Leaver’s has Conny Franko, Satanic Abortion and Jocko. $5, 10 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.