Lizzo plays at The Waiting Room tonight…

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

The notable news about tonight’s line-up at The Waiting Room is that the opener is named Darren Keen. Not Touch People; not The Show Is the Rainbow, just Darren Keen.

“I am just releasing all my solo music as ‘Darren Keen’ now, and have a whole new set of really future, footwork influenced dance music,” Keen wrote, adding that he also recently completed a remix for The Faint. He had other news, too, but I can’t tell you what it is, yet.

So go to The Waiting Room tonight and welcome Darren Keen to the stage. He’s opening for Minneapolis indie hip-hop artist Lizzo a.k.a. Melissa Jefferson. the founding member of hip-hop groups The Chalice, Grrrl Prty and The Clerb. Also on the bill is fellow Twin Cities band Marijuana Deathsquads, who are on the road supporting their latest, Oh My Sexy Lord

, released last year by Memphis Industries. $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 © 2014 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

Fat Whites are playing at Sweatshop Gallery tonight with Skeleton Man and Sam Martin…

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

The final entry of my SXSW coverage went online at thereader.com yesterday. You can read it right here.

It features Cate Le Bon, Protomartyr, EMA, Angel Olson, Eros & the Eschaton, Urge Overkill and Mark Kozelek.

For those who missed the earlier posts, here they are, in order:

SXSW Day 1 – John Moreland, Deerpeople, Boyfrndz, Sour Notes, Those Howlings…

SXSW Day 2- Tragedy on Red River; Protomartyr, Coachwhips, Destruction Unit, Twinsmith, Kurt Vile…

SXSW Day 3 – Eagulls, Future Islands, Jeremy Messersmith, Total Bathing Culture, Classixx…

SXSW Day 4 – Cate Le Bon, EMA, Angel Olsen, Urge Overkill, Eros & The Eschaton and Mark Kozelek…

As for the photos from SXSW, simply scroll down and see all four days worth of images, posted on Lazy-i.com.

It’s good to be back in Omaha.

Throughout the festival, there was a lot of talk about the “commercialization” of SXSW, specifically centered around the exclusive showcases for mainstream acts like Lady Ga Ga and various hip-hop icons. There may be truth to the claims, but I couldn’t tell you because I don’t go to SXSW to see mainstream pop stars. SXSW didn’t feel much different than the first time I went in 2009. Same crowds, same chaos (except this year when a drunk murdered innocent bystanders).

For the first time ever I didn’t step foot in Mohawk or Stubb’s during the entire festival. Mohawk was beset with marathon-long lines every time I walked past it. As was Stubb’s, though to be honest, Stubb’s is a lousy place to see a band at SXSW — it’s hard to get anywhere near the stage unless you show up hours in advance, and who wants to waste an afternoon waiting in line outside of Stubb’s?

Another criticism thrown at SXSW is that it no longer has the ability to break an unknown independent band. But did it ever? Most bands that perform in Austin already have label deals and have done moderate touring or else they wouldn’t have been selected by the SXSW star chamber selection committee. It is what it is. As Mark Kozelek said during his set last Friday night, there are two types of bands who come to SXSW: The ones that are thrilled to be there, and the one’s that can’t figure out how they got talked into coming back. I saw plenty of both…

Will I be coming back next year? I’m not as certain as I was when I returned from Austin in 2012. The whole routine is beginning to grow old. And the festival itself seems to be flattening out. As we drove to the Austin airport, our cab driver told me he thought there were a lot fewer people in Austin this year than last year, for both the Music and the Interactive conferences. Maybe it’s time SXSW got back to its roots, though I doubt that’ll happen.

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I’ll be enjoying a pint of Guinness at The Dubliner this afternoon. You should join me.

As for music, the Sweatshop Gallery will be hosting London’s Fat Whites tonight. Joining them is Skeleton Man,  Telepathy Problems. and Sam Martin. $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 © 2014 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

STOP: First read the Day 4 South by Southwest summary/diary online at thereader.com.

All done? Then please enjoy these photos from the Day 4 events…

Cate Le Bon on the Waterloo Records stage March 14, 2014.

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We stuck around for a second dose of Protomartyr.

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Caulfield Records represent!

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The legendary Urge Overkill at Maggie Mae’s Gibson Room.

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EMA captivated the fans in the pews at Central Presbyterian Church.

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Angel Olsen’s country twang was that much more heavenly…

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Destruction Unit at Red 7 Patio. Brutal, loud, angry.

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Eros and the Eschaton brought the drone to Valhalla.

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Mark Kozelek closed out my SXSW 2014 with a dream-like performance back at Central Presbyterian Church.

Check back later for a link to the summary, and pick up next week’s issue of The Reader for a recap of the entire week.

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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 © 2014 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Read my Day 3 SXSW recap/journal right now at thereader.com!!!

Now onto yesterday’s photos…

The Eagulls landed at French Legation Park for the Pitchfork Day Party. They were snarly lads.

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Not a lot of LOL-ing going on during Jerome LOL’s set (that lady ain’t Jerome, btw)…

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No home runs for this Mark McGuire.

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Future Island’s Sam Herring in full shimmy mode.

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Classixx had the beats that kept people dancing.

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The endless mic check at massive Butler Park Stage at Lady Bird Lake.

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The Pi in the Sky planes circled all afternoon.

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Pure Bathing Culture at Hype Hotel.

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Nina Nesbitt at Swan Dive.

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The incomparable Jeremy Messersmith and his band were messer-merizing at Swan Dive.

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Happy Pi Day

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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 © 2014 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

It’s good to be alive, people. Read my Day 2 SXSW Journal right here at The Reader.com, with some perspective on the Red River tragedy.

And now, here’s your pics from yesterday.

Protomartyr at French Legation Park / Pitchfork Day Party. Among the best thing I’ve heard so far at this year’s SXSW.

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A wide shot of the stage and a look at one of the buildings at French Legation Park during Protomartyr’s set.

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Coachwhips played on the grass in front of the big stage. The crowd crept closer and closer…

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Empress Of does their thing, not quite like St. Vincent.

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The insanely long line of lunatics waiting outside this auditorium to view a taping of the Jimmy Kimmel show. They were standing there all day.

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Eternal Summers inside Cheer Up Charlie’s.

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The amazing Jessica Lea Mayfield outside at Cheer Up Charlie’s.

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Those Darlin’s at Cheer Up Charlie’s.

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The legendary Bob Wallers inside Beerland.

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Destruction Unit goes wild on the Beerland patio.

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Dinner at Sandy’s. Wish I could tell you the food was good.

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Black Top Demons played an impromptu set outside of a food court area on Red River. This was just before the lead guy lit his guitar on fire and them beat it with a mic stand.

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Twinsmith rocks the crowd at Bar 512.

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Kurt Vile performed his set sitting down on a stage with poor sightlines to begin with. What were you thinking, Kurt?

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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 © 2014 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

First, read this week’s column that provides a preview of this year’s South By Southwest Festival. It’s in this week’s issue of The Reader and online right here.

Then, go RIGHT HERE and read my Day 1 report from SXSW featuring the bands pictured below. All my day journals will be posted at The Reader website, but will be linked from Lazy-i, where all photos will be displayed, with a bit of commentary, as below.

Folkie John Moreland had the honor of being the first performance I took in at SXSW 2014. Here he is on The Buffalo Lounge Stage playing a song used in the TV show Sons of Anarchy.

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Cute, precocious Stillwater band DEERPEOPLE may be familiar to folks who attended Lincoln Calling over the years as they’re a regular festival staple, as they are at SXSW. Also at The Buffalo Lounge.

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Austin noise band Boyfrndz were brutal and loud at 512 Club.

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Austin power pop band The Sour Notes had pretty lights and pretty melodies at Cheer Up Charlie’s.

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Those Howlings had the local hipsters doing The Frug from the shitty indoor stage at Cheer Up Charlie’s.

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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 © 2014 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

It was warmer in Omaha than in Austin yesterday. That’s supposed to change over the next 24 hours. Until then it’s hoody weather and a chance of rain this afternoon. Doesn’t matter since I’ll be cooling my heels in hotel conference rooms all day anyway, enjoying the Interactive portion of the South by Southwest conference. The Music portion of SXSW doesn’t start for a day or so, and by then, the sun should be shining again (but you’ll probably still need a hoodie).

Look for SXSW coverage beginning Wednesday.

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He was wearing these glasses…

A brief story: While enjoying some delicious chicken curry at Mai Tai 2 in Aksarben village this past weekend, I glanced over at the table next to ours and recognized what I thought was a familiar face. “Pssst. Is that Matthew Sweet sitting at the table next to us?”

Teresa didn’t remember who Matthew Sweet was so I had to sing a few lines off Girlfriend and look up his picture on my iPhone. I passed it over to her. We couldn’t say for sure. But after I found yet another photo with Sweet wearing the very same glasses as the guy next door, well, it had to be him. I will never know for sure because we didn’t ask, but…

After I got home I discovered an article on the ‘net — an interview with Sweet, where he talks about moving to Omaha and building a home studio where he’s currently working on the followup to 2011’s Modern Art. Someone else confirmed the story on Sunday. So Sweet is back in Nebraska (but not in his hometown of Lincoln). Now all we need is  someone to book him at one of our local clubs. Surely he has to try his new material out on someone before he lays it down in his studio…

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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 © 2014 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

It’s the last weekend before the South By Southwest Music Festival in Austin, which partially explains why we have a number of good bands coming through town, many of whom are headed down south afterward.

For example, Denver’s The Photo Atlas, who is slated to perform at SXSW, is playing at fabulous O’Leaver’s tonight with local boys The Sharks and John Klemmensen and The Party. If you haven’t seen The Photo Atlas before, do yourself a favor — their live set is pure electro-dance-rock chaos. $5, 9:30 p.m.

Speaking of O’Leaver’s, did anyone see the Omaha.com write-up on The Club? Somehow while putting together her pithy descriptions the writer left out the part about all the staggering drunks hustling to get one last shot of Rumplemintz before passing out in a heap beneath the tiki bar, or that time someone threw a bass drum near at Whipkey… Ah, but that was way back in 2005. Things have changed a lot since then, haven’t they? O’Leaver’s, where your world could explode at any moment…

Also tonight (but not related to SXSW) The Big Deep is celebrating the release of their new album, Echoes on Little Blue, at The Waiting Room with Rock Paper Dynamite and Michael Wunder & the Uninspired. Your $10 cover also pays for a download of the new record. Show starts at 9.

Also tonight, Saturn Moth plays at The Barley Street Tavern with MPDG (Manic Pixie Dream Girls), Carl Miller and John Wilwerding. No idea on the cover, show starts at 9.

Saturday night singer songwriter Scott Severin waves goodbye to Omaha during a farewell performance from the Barley Street stage. Don’t worry, Scott’s only going down the road to Lincoln. Helping send him off is Mark Irwin and Two Shakes. No idea on the cover, show starts at 9.

Then on Sunday it’s a mammoth show at The Slowdown featuring Against Me, Laura Stevenson and The Cans, Cheap Girls and Saintseneca. All four bands are playing showcases at SXSW next week but you can see them here for a mere $15. NOTE: This is an early show — 7:30 start time.

Of course I’ll miss that fantastic Slowdown show as I’ll already be in Austin, attending the SXSW Interactive Conference prior to the Music Conference. I still haven’t figured out which bands I’m going to see on which nights. But like the last time I went to SXSW, expect to see plenty o’ tweets and photo updates on Lazy-i. Full coverage will appear in The Reader (They’re supplying my badge!) and/or at thereader.com, which also will include reports from fellow music critic Chris Aponick.

Let the games begin… Have a good 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 © 2014 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

In this week’s column, I contemplate the spate of musicians who have flown the coop (Jenna Morrison, Laura Burhenn, Kasher, etc.) and ask if the recent creative “brain drain” is a trend we should be concerned about. The column is in this week’s issue of The Reader or online right here.

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Just noticed (via itsadigitalworld blog) that Speedy Ortiz has been booked to play Sweatshop Gallery March 21 with Digital Leather and Pile. I mention this because SO’s 2013 album, Major Arcana, was nothing less than amazing, and her new EP, Real Hair, is equally sublime. I can’t miss them this time…

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King Buzzo tour poster

Roger “Buzz” Osborne a.k.a. King Buzzo is headlining tonight at The Waiting Room with Filter Kings’ frontman Gerald Lee, Jr. opening. For those of you who may not have grown up with their delicious noise, Buzzo is a member of seminal ’80s punk band Melvins, who have been credited as germinating a style of punk that evolved (or devolved, depending on your point of view) into ’90s grunge. Melvins put out a new album late last year that also featured original members Dale Crover and Mike Dillard called Tres Cabrones.

Tonight’s Buzzo show will be a change of pace as he’s out on the road supporting his new acoustic solo EP This Machine Kills Artists. This review from mxdwn.com of a recent King Buzzo show will give you a taste of what you’re in for tonight: 

“Headliner King Buzzo did a mix of classic material from The Melvins’ back catalog and newer material from his upcoming, as-yet-untitled, all-acoustic album coming out this summer. True to form and reputation—see some of his appearances on Fox News’ Red Eye—Buzzo is a total card, cracking jokes at every possible turn. ‘Suicide in Progress’ and Stag’s ‘Captain Pungent’ both show the musical finesse The Melvins material is famous for, and because the songs are being rendered for the first time without drums or bass, how crucial Dale Crover’s drumming is to each track’s arrangement. On ‘Captain Pungent’ numerous crowd members take to singing the drum fills while Buzzo is silently counting the absent spaces to keep in time.”

Sounds like a riot. $13, 9 p.m.

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And then there’s Miley Cyrus tonight at The CLink. Driving into work this morning, I saw her fleet of tour busses — at least a half dozen — parked along the south side of the DoubleTree, along Capitol Ave. I looked but didn’t see Miley getting out of one of the rigs.

The controversy over her live show is… amusing. Maybe people make a big deal about her crotch-grab antics because she comes from the Disney cabal, I don’t know. She’s not doing anything that Madonna didn’t do two decades ago. Back then, people were up in arms about ol’ cone-tits and MTV and yes, there was a sense that pop music had died a little with every vogue, becoming that much more marginalized.

These days Madonna’s core discography is respected more than it was back then, if only for the sheer production value. Madonna had (has) a shitty voice, but it was pure gold compared to Britney’s ear-bleeding caw. Miley’s voice is a step up from her Disney sister, but it’s still pretty bad, while her music is as equally trite. In the end it doesn’t matter. The kids who are headed to Miley tonight are going for the foam-fingered spectacle, not the music. Let them have their fun…

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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 © 2014 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Roam – I Just Had the Weirdest Dream, March 2014

Remember David Matysiak? He’s the guy behind music project Coyote Bones and CoCo Art. David used to live here in Omaha. You might have seen him carrying sound recording equipment in Nik Fackler’s new film Sick Birds Die Easy. One of his many projects these days is ROAM, a monthly podcast he curates engineered by Mason Brown with ideas by Devin Brown and design by Jordan Noel.

This month’s ROAM (the 7th installment) includes contributions by Matysiak, Mason and seven others including Orenda Fink of Azure Ray. The theme, well, let David tell you: “For this 7th installment of the ROAM podcast series we challenged our incredible collection of contributors to compose a piece of sound art that is the encapsulation of a dream, a vision, a nightmare that is so compelling and concretely manifested as to render obsolete this cliche about the pointlessness of narrating our dreams.”

It’s pretty friggin’ trippy. Check it out here or below (but put your headphones on first). All past ROAM transmissions are online here, including last month’s, which featured a contribution by Tim Kasher. Check ’em out.

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Interesting show tonight at Slowdown Jr. Dead Meadow headlines a bill that includes Snake Island, Dim Light and Swamp Walk. Dead Meadow released three records on Matador before moving on to Xemu Records. This should be a good one. $12, 8 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 © 2014 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.