by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

A brief follow-up to yesterday’s story about record sales and collecting. The original draft was about 500 words longer (cut for space). Left on the cutting room floor was a point that another Lazy-i reader also pointed out yesterday: There could be a future when all hard-asset releases — vinyl or CD (but especially vinyl) are marketed as “limited edition,” with a press run of a few hundred or a few thousand. You want to just listen to it? Stream it or download the digital files. You want to own it? Buy the limited edition, collectable version. And as that wise reader pointed out, in turn prices will go up. He says they already have for vinyl releases — be they limited or not.

One more thing: Mike Fratt emailed to clarify that his comment about vinyl being a fad was meant in jest. With the way vinyl is blowing up — and the improvements he’s making in his store to cater to vinyl buyers — I’m sure Mike is laughing all the way to the bank.

* * *

Lots of local shows this weekend.

Tonight, The Whipkey Three opens for newcomers The Last Draft at Slowdown Jr. The Toppings also are on the bill. $5, 9 p.m.

Tomorrow night Thunder Power headlines a show at fabulous O’Leaver’s with Seer States and newcomers Relax, It’s Science, a trio featuring Jeremy Stanosheck (ex-Thunder Power). $5, 9:30 p.m.

Also Saturday night there’s a hip-hop show at The Hideout — yes, that bar that used to be E’s Hideway on south 72nd St. The line-up: Articulate/DJ CMB, Conchance/Kethro and Artillery Funk. $7, 9 p.m.

Sunday The Front Bottoms headline a show at The Waiting Room. The New Jersey band’s latest album, Talon of the Hawk (Bar/None) sounds like the second coming of Too Much Joy. If you liked Too Much Joy, you’ll probably like these guys for their acerbic humor (and chiming guitars). Opening is You Blew It! and The Wild, whose new album Dreams Are Maps, was recorded by Against Me!’s Laura Jane Grace. $10, 8 p.m.

Have a good weekend….

* * *

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, a discussion about 2013 music sales and industry trends with Mike Fratt, general manager of Homer’s Records. While national album sales were down, Homer’s enjoyed a double-digit increase in business vs. 2012. Read about it in this week’s issue of The Reader or online right here at thereader.com. Or, since the column is centered on music, you can read it below…

by Tim McMahan

After spending the last two weeks writing about the current state and predicted future of the music industry, it’s time for a dose of reality in the form of the 2013 Nielsen SoundScan numbers.

Billboard Magazine reported last week that album sales suffered an 8.4 percent decline in 2013, CD sales declined 14.5 percent, even digital music sales declined last year for the first time since the iTunes store swung wide its online doors in 2003. Digital track sales fell 5.7 percent, while digital album sales fell 0.1 percent, all according to SoundScan.

The Billboard story said industry executives concede that “ad-supported and paid subscription services were indeed cannibalizing digital sales.” Call it the Spotify effect. Those same execs went on to say growth in streaming revenue offset the decline in digital sales.

But what about brick-and-mortar? That’s where Mike Fratt comes in. Fratt is the General Manager and buyer at independent record store Homer’s Music, 1210 Howard St. In the face of all the doom and gloom, Fratt said 2013 was a good year for Homer’s.

“Sales were up 10 percent, vinyl was again a big driver, up 40 percent for the year,” Fratt said. “DVDs, gift, accessory and lifestyle sales were also up.” It’s a trend that began in 2010. But it wasn’t all good news for Homer’s. Fratt said CDs saw their first sales decline at his store since 2009, slipping 3 percent.

So is it time to go all-in with vinyl? Not so fast. According to SoundScan, vinyl sales indeed rose from 4.55 million in 2012 to 6 million last year, but that’s only enough to make vinyl 2 percent of all U.S. album sales. CDs are still king of the mountain commanding a whopping 57.2 percent of the market, while digital albums sales comprised 40.6 percent.

Still, Fratt says Homer’s business plan is to continue to focus on vinyl and lifestyle/gift items. “We embarked on a project to replace all our vinyl browsers in 2013 to increase space efficiency and improve merchandising of 7-inch singles,” Fratt said.

In addition, Homers will continue to broaden its CD selection. “We have been adding new distributors that stock imports, budget and rarities,” Fratt said. “Despite potential declining sales (in CDs), customers will still expect a large selection.”

Fratt said streaming services such as Spotify and Pandora actually have driven his sales numbers. Customers often come into his store asking to buy an album that’s streaming on their phone.

He said overall, consumers’ buying habits are shifting. “As mall music stores have disappeared and mass merchants (Target, Walmart, Best Buy) reduce selection to below 1,000 different titles, music buyers are forced online to buy CDs,” he said. “This has also helped the indies.” Billboard reported that indie merchants as a whole saw a nearly 12 percent decline in album sales last year. Fratt said that number was wrong, and closer to a 5 percent decline.

“Right now, SoundScan only pulls sales data from about 60 indies nationwide and attempts to determine total national sales for indies,” he said. “Record Store Day website lists 1,000 stores in the U.S.” Fratt thinks vinyl sales were probably closer to 10 million last year. We won’t know the real numbers until a new media company begins tracking physical and digital sales this year.

I told Fratt I noticed another shift in consumer buying. More and more, record buyers are following a model similar to comic book collectors — they’re buying vinyl and limited edition hard product based on collect-ability (and maybe investment).

I speak from personal experience, as both a record and comic book collector. There is certain vinyl I collect just because I want to own it — Factory Records stuff, early copies of Smiths albums with unique cover art, for example. These are albums I probably will only listen to once, but will display in my house or just want to have. If I want to listen to the actual music, I listen to a digital version.

The amazingly successful Record Store Day in some ways supports my idea — it’s a great way for collectors to find and buy cool collectible limited-edition pieces. But I wonder how many people who buy rare or limited edition stuff actually play the recordings, especially if the music is already available online via Spotify?

The old arguments about purchasing physical seem to be dying away. The “need for a back-up” argument will disappear when people become familiar/comfortable with cloud computing. The “inferior audio quality” argument will eventually fade when technology provides a better, flawless audio file type (which is inevitable). Spotify gives access to nearly everything now, and if you’re a paying user (as I am) you can even listen when you’re away from a wi-fi/cellular connection.

So why buy hard assets like vinyl? Because you want to own it. You collect it. It’s finite. It’s physical in a world where fewer and fewer entertainment options involve physical things. If the above is true, than records stores will become like comic shops. Maybe they already are?

“Collectors certainly make up a strong customer group for us and play a large roll in RSD, but vinyl has become so big, it draws all kinds of customers, both casual and hard-core collector, young and old,” Fratt replied.

He said cloud computing, streaming and cars with internet will impact how people collect and access music, but early adopters (like me) remain a minority. “Over the last few years I’ve read that CD is dead, is dying and will be gone. Yet it is still 60 percent of album sales. So, a lot of people are still buying CDs to listen to and load onto their phone or PC.

“Vinyl is a fad,” Fratt added. “Yet, even a recent iPhone commercial started with the image of a record spinning on a turntable only to have an iPhone set down next to it. It’s 10 million new (vinyl albums) being bought (per year) and another 30 million used trading hands. Somebody’s playing this stuff, not just collecting.

“Collecting occurs in so many categories anymore. What you’re saying is not untrue. I think only a small minority sees it the way you do. Right now. We’ll see how that evolves. Ask me again next year.” I’m sure I will.

Over The Edge is a weekly column by Reader senior contributing writer Tim McMahan focused on culture, society, music, the media and the arts. Email Tim at tim.mcmahan@gmail.com.

First published in The Reader, Jan. 8, 2014. Copyright © 2014 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

* * *

Tonight at Pageturners Lounge, 5004 Dodge Street, it’s a homecoming of sorts for Nebraska’s favorite wandering musical soul, Jake Bellows. On a brief tour through the Midwest, Jake is taking a evening between gigs to play a show in his hometown. If you have yet to check out Pageturners (and I haven’t, even though it’s been open for more than a year) tonight might be the perfect opportunity. The show is free and starts at 9:30.

Also tonight, Lincoln blues rock guy Josh Hoyer and his band The Shadowboxers are playing at The 21st Saloon, located way the fuck out on 4727 96th St. (south of L on 96th). This is their International Blues Challenge send-off show before they head to Memphis for a battle royale. $10, 6 p.m.

* * *

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

Drum roll please!!!

The winners of the drawing for a copy of the Lazy-i Best of 2013 Comp CD are:

Nick Blaylock, KC
Adam J, Omaha
Marty Maxwell, Plano TX

Congratulations! Your limited-edition collectable audio CDs will be sent tomorrow. Thanks to all for entering. Response to this year’s “drawing” was the lowest I’ve ever had. The reasons for that could be a reflection of the site’s readership numbers or my taste in music, but more likely reflects the shift in format preference and listener behavior. As I said in the liner notes, someone suggested simply making a Spotify playlist and call it good. Yeah, I could do that, but what fun is that? On the other hand, I’ve had more people then ever on “the list” ask where their copy is (It’s coming, it’s coming…), so someone still likes these. I’ll keep doing it until I can’t do it no mo’.

Speaking of music format issues, check out tomorrow’s column, an interview with Homer’s GM Mike Fratt about 2013 sales inwhich we talk a lot about music formats. Online tomorrow. Fun!

* * *

Onto less seemly matters…

I was asked by a couple readers if I was going to report or address a currently controversial topic involving a certain local musician. The answer is no. And in the words of the much over-rated Forrest Gump: That’s all I have to say about that.

* * *

Who remembers The Get-Up Kids? The last time I spoke to that band’s frontman Matt Pryor was waaay back in 2002 when GUK played with Hey Mercedes at Sokol Auditorium. Since then, Pryor’s put out a couple more records with Get-Up Kids and even more with his other project, The New Amsterdams. as well as four solo albums including his most recent, 2013’s Wrist Slitter (on Rory Records, a label run by Say Anything’s Max Bemis and distributed by Equal Vision in the U.S.), which I assume he’ll be playing tonight when he headlines a solo gig at The Waiting Room. Opening is Moses Prey. $12, 9 p.m.

Check out a live performance of a song off his latest album, below:

* * *

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.

Maria Taylor at The Waiting Room, Jan. 3, 2014

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Maria Taylor sounded amazing Friday night at The Waiting Room despite being under the weather. She announced from stage she was fighting some sort of illness and that she was losing her voice, though no one in the 150+ sized audience would have noticed if she hadn’t told them.

Taylor mixed old and new, backed by a band that included her brother Macey on bass and Mike Shackleford on drums (who opened the night with a brief solo set on guitar). The band was rounded out by a terrific guitarist whose name I didn’t catch. The ever-versatile Maria switched between drums, guitar and keyboards throughout the evening.  Songs off her new album, Something About Knowing, were feathered with Maria chestnuts such as “Lady Luck,” “Tunnel Vision,” and set closer “Clean Getaway.”

She came back for three more songs, including the wonky “Bad Idea,” a tune about growing old alone, which she said seems funny to her now (that she’s married with a son). That was followed by a solo version of “Good Start,” and a short take on “Folk Song Melody” off the new album.

I thought maybe we’d be inundated with stories about new motherhood (and who could blame her if she did talk about such a life-changing event?) but Taylor only mentioned her infant son once during the show. She said touring with him wasn’t much different than touring with any other guy. “I caught him peeing in a trash can, and when I wasn’t looking he tried to follow another woman into her hotel room.” Big laughs. Great show.

* * *

The thing on the left is a dog sculpture created by local artist Julie Jenowe. The thing on the right is my dog, Evie.

We’re down to the last day to enter the drawing for the Lazy-i Best of 2013 Compilation CD give-away. Judging by the number of entries up to now, you’re chances of winning a copy have never been better.

The collection includes songs by Jack Bugg, Daft Punk, Arcade Fire, Tim Kasher, Destruction Unit, Foxygen, Desaparecidos, Duke Dumont even Paul frickin’ McCartney.  The full track listing is here

.

To get your name in the hat, merely send an email with your mailing address to tim.mcmahan@gmail.com. You also can comment on a Lazy-i related posts in Facebook, or retweet a Lazy-i tweet. Hurry, contest deadline is midnight tonight!

* * *

I just looked at the temperature — it’s warmed up to -2, so I guess that means (as Cursive would say) the worst is over. Stay warm!

* * *

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

Well, after Sunday it’s back to five-day work weeks for most of us as we try to navigate through this long, cold, dark January. Let’s try to make the best of it, because we’re all stuck here together…

Top show of the weekend is tonight at The Waiting Room where former Nebraskan Maria Taylor returns. Her latest Saddle Creek Records release, Something About Knowing, is an ode to motherhood, or as she said, it was influenced by “the life-changing joy and newfound responsibility of being a first-time parent.” Taylor said she recorded it during her son’s naps and that it’s brimming with “bliss and contentment

.” Opening is New Jersey’s PJ Bond, whose Elliott Smith-influenced acoustic style blends well with Taylor’s own laid-back ways. $10, 9 p.m.

If case you forgot (and I know I did), it’s Benson First Friday.

Also tonight, Lincoln indie-dance-rock act Life Is Cool headlines at Slowdown Jr. with The Brigadiers and All Young Girls Are Machine Guns. $7, 9 p.m.

Tomorrow night, Omaha’s favorite C&W band, The Electroliners, hosts a CD EP release party at The Waiting Room. Opening is none other than Mariachi Zapata (that’s right, a full-blown mariachi band) and The Love Technicians. $7, 9 p.m.

Meanwhile fabulous O’Leaver’s boasts a 3-band bill Saturday night with headliner Timecat, Lodgings and Manic Pixie Dream Girls. $5, 9:30 p.m.

And that about does it for the weekend. If I missed something, put it in the comments area. Have a good weekend and try to stay warm…

* * *

Lazy-i Best of 2013

We’re still taking entries in the drawing for a copy of the Lazy-i Best of 2013 compilation CD! The collection includes songs by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, The Gardenheads, Destruction Unit, Lloyd Cole, Pet Shop Boys, Daft Punk, Jack Bugg and a ton more.  The full track listing is here. Entering has never been easier: To enter either: 1. Send an email with your mailing address to tim.mcmahan@gmail.com, or 2) Write a comment on one of my Lazy-i related posts in Facebook, or 3) Retweet a Lazy-i tweet. You also can enter by sending me a direct message in Facebook or Twitter. Hurry, contest deadline is midnight Jan. 6!

* * *

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.

Little Brazil circa 2004. Back then the band was (clockwise from left) drummer Corey Broman, bassist Danny Maxwell, guitarist/keyboardist Austin Britton and vocalist/guitarist Landon Hedges. A new line-up takes the stage tonight, 10 years later…

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

So what day is it again? Monday? Wait, what?

Thursday? Huh? This is the strangest holiday season that I can remember… but I like that what feels like Monday is actually Thursday.

I also like the fact that tonight is the return of Little Brazil to O’Leaver’s.

The big news here is that guitarist Greg Edds quit Little Brazil a number of weeks ago — the reason for his departure I cannot say, but he’ll be missed. Filling his rather monstrous shoes is none other than one of the city’s best guitarists, Mike Friedman, last seen on stage bent over a pedal-steel guitar accompanying Simon Joyner. Friedman is a rock veteran who’s history includes stints in The Movies

(with Matt Whipkey), Reagan and The Rayguns, and his other current gig playing alongside the local heroes who make up The Lupines.

Greg’s not the only one who flew the Little Brazil coop. Drummer Oliver Morgan took flight last year, replaced by one-man wrecking crew Matt Baum (Desaparecidos). Ollie now drums with Saddle Creek band Twinsmith, and according to this story in Hear Nebraska, will be playing with LB for the last time ever tonight.

Of course the core of LB remains the same: Danny Maxwell on bass alongside frontman/guitarist Landon Hedges. Both were kept busy with other projects last year — DMax with New Lungs and Landon touring as a member of Desaparecidos.

The 4-band bill tonight at O’Leaver’s (yes, four bands, who knows why so many) include Love Drunk mastermind Django Greenblatt-Seay’s new band The Gramps followed by travelers Dan Mariska and the Boys Choir (from Minnesota), then the amazing See Through Dresses, and finally Little Brazil closing out the night.

This should be a rather huge show if the brutal below-zero temps don’t keep people from venturing out. $5, 9:30 p.m.

* * *

Lazy-i Best of 2013

We’re still taking entries in the drawing for a copy of the Lazy-i Best of 2013 compilation CD! The collection includes songs by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, The Gardenheads, Destruction Unit, Lloyd Cole, Pet Shop Boys, Daft Punk, Jack Bugg and a ton more.  The full track listing is here. Entering has never been easier: To enter either: 1. Send an email with your mailing address to tim.mcmahan@gmail.com, or 2) Write a comment on one of my Lazy-i related posts in Facebook, or 3) Retweet a Lazy-i tweet. You also can enter by sending me a direct message in Facebook or Twitter. Hurry, contest deadline is midnight Jan. 6!

* * *

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 © 2013 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

by Tim McMahan

It’s time once again to gaze darkly into my crystal Fender Stratocaster and behold what miracles and wonders lie before us music-wise in the year 2014. But before we begin, let’s recap and score last year’s music predictions:

2013 Prediction: The number of indie shows booked at larger clubs will decline, making way for more commercial fair — cover bands, pop acts, etc.

Reality: The trend started in 2012 and continued last year. In addition to pop acts and cover bands, comedy nights became a staple at almost every music venue in the city.

2013 Prediction: Shows hosted at alternative venues — including hall shows, house shows and temporary one-off venues — will become more commonplace.

Reality: Sweatshop Gallery (and West Wing) stepped up to fill that niche in ‘13.

2013 Prediction: Bands will give away music as free downloads to spark interest in vinyl and merch sales.

Reality: Almost every new recording is now available to stream for free via Bandcamp or Soundcloud, though actual downloads will still cost you.

2013 Prediction: The number of touring indie bands will dwindle as it becomes nearly impossible for even nationally known bands to make a living solely from their music.

Reality: There were as many bands touring last year as ever, but fewer stopped in Omaha.

2013 Prediction:  A new digital music file format will emerge that will make mp3 and AAC formats obsolete.

Reality: Not yet.

2013 Prediction: A new social web app will emerge to promote upcoming rock shows, replacing Facebook invitations, which have become more annoying than useful.

Reality: Unfortunately, no.

2013 Prediction: A new music-based TV competition will debut, but instead of focusing on performers it’ll focus on singer/songwriters.

Reality: What decent songwriter would ever sign away his/her publishing rights for a chance to be on TV?

2013 Prediction: Rolling Stone will follow SPIN and discontinue print publication to become an online-only music website, while Pitchfork will debut the first issue of a new monthly print publication.

Reality: Instead, Pitchfork diversified by launching a new online movie website, The Dissolve.

2013 Prediction: A stellar headliner will force Maha Music Festival to make a format change from past years that will involve either an additional night of music or a third stage.

Reality: Why fix it when it ain’t broke?

2013 Prediction: MECA will fill the void left by Red Sky Music Festival’s demise with at least two major outdoor concerts at Ameritrade Ball Park and six sell-out-quality shows at CenturyLink Center, including a “significant” indie-style band.

Reality: Uh, no.

2013 Prediction: Bands we’ll be talking about this time next year: Husker Du, Wilco, Bob Dylan, Led Zeppelin, PJ Harvey, Pavement, My Bloody Valentine, Tom Waits, Lloyd Cole, Matthew Sweet, Liz Phair, Beck, Arcade Fire, David Bowie, Grasshopper Takeover and Bright Eyes.

Reality: Huskers and Wilco were AWOL, but Zep went online (with Spotify), MBV released a top-10 album, plus we got new ones from Lloyd, Beck, Arcade Fire and Bowie.

2013 Prediction: Bands we won’t be talking about: Green Day, Rolling Stones, Springsteen, Metallica, Lady Gaga, fun., Ke$ha and Psy.

Reality: Crickets from all including Ga Ga, whose new release was a flop.

2013 Prediction: All of Aerosmith’s problems will be resolved once and for all.

Reality: Tyler, Perry and Co. continued their ever-lasting world tour.

2013 Prediction: Local record stores will get some new competition from a music shop that will open in Benson that caters to vinyl enthusiasts and musicians.

Reality: Almost Music, a vinyl-only shop, opened in Benson this summer.

2013 Prediction: Expect at least two new bands to join the Saddle Creek roster, including one well-known indie veteran, while at least one long-standing Creek act will jump ship for a major label.

Reality: Saddle Creek signed and released an album by indie vets The Thermals, and released a single by local darlings Twinsmith. Meanwhile, rumors are rampant that Desaparecidos’ new record will be released by a different label (such as Epitaph?).

2013 Prediction: We’ll say goodbye to one of the area’s most promising local bands that will break up despite a label-released album, but we haven’t heard the last of the band’s frontwoman.

Reality: Conduits quietly dissolved last year. Frontwoman Jenna Morrison moved to Los Angeles last week.

2013 Prediction: Another all-ages venue will open in Omaha operated as a non-profit catering to the indie music crowd.

Reality: 402 Arts Collective launched this year. The non-profit opened an all-ages performance space and recording studio in Benson, along with a coffee shop.

2013 Prediction: An out-of-this world national performer will play a last-minute “secret show” at either O’Leaver’s or Pageturners.

Reality: No, though both venues hosted some big names this year.

2013 Prediction: A local performer will be “discovered” by a big-time movie or TV mogul who catches their set while in town working on a production.

Reality: Alexander Payne apparently isn’t into local music.

2013 Prediction: And finally, it wasn’t Bright Eyes, The Faint or Cursive but Icky Blossoms who will finally break the barrier by making their television premier on Saturday Night Live.

Reality: Maybe next year (seriously)…

So 10 for 21 (if you’re feeling generous). Not bad, not good…

As for this year’s predictions for 2014, if you read last week’s Year in Review story you got a glimpse of a possible ’14 dominated by streaming music services (and the possible consequences). So with that, this year we’re going straight to the Lightning Round!

2014 Prediction: Thanks to social media, MTV will become an important (i.e., actual) music channel once again, but not on television, on the web. Look for MTV to emerge as a primary launching pad for premiering new music and online video.

2014 Prediction: Streaming services such as Spotify, Songsa, 8Tracks and Pandora will enter the concert promotion business, creating packaged “caravan”-type concert tours that barnstorm the country and whose performances will be streamed live on their respective streaming channels.

2014 Prediction: Target, Walmart, Best Buy and even Kmart, will reinstall record bins as the vinyl renaissance continues.

2014 Prediction: With the advent of computers integrated into apparel, eyeglasses, rings and watches — i.e. “wearables” — almost every concert you attend will be recorded and uploaded to YouTube.

2014 Prediction: Pussy Riot’s release from a Russian gulag will land them in America, where they’ll work with a handful of “important” producers to create a breakthrough punk album… before returning to Russia where they’ll once-again be imprisoned.

2014 Prediction: Upon its release next year, a song off the new Cursive double-live album will break through to pop culture in a way we haven’t seen since Cheap Trick, Peter Frampton and George Thorogood.

2014 Prediction: A one-time-only all-day outdoor concert will attract a handful of well-known national indie bands and rival the Maha Music Festival in attendance.

2014 Prediction: Speaking of Maha, the festival will land multiple headliners this year and will finally reach attendance that exceeds Stinson Park’s capacity, forcing the organization to look for a larger venue in 2015.

2014 Prediction: In an effort to keep CD prices from eroding, more artists will follow Beyonce’s lead and release albums exclusively on iTunes, causing similar rifts with retail outlets such as Amazon and Target, but opening doors with independent music retailers who will get exclusive access to “hard inventory,” such as CDs and vinyl.

2014 Prediction: More artists and independent labels will say “I’ve had enough” and follow Thom Yorke’s and Nigel Godrich’s lead and pull their music from Spotify, forcing the online streaming service to rethink its business model.

2014 Prediction: Bands we’ll be talking about this time next year: Radiohead, U2. The Faint, Conor Oberst, Cursive, Ted Stevens, Beck, Prince, Animal Collective, Digital Leather, Frank Ocean, Grizzly Bear, Future Islands, Sleigh Bells, Spoon, Death Cab for Cutie, Little Brazil, Tame Impala, Local Natives, Modest Mouse and Icky Blossoms.

2014 Prediction: Bands we won’t be talking about: Miley, Springsteen, Flaming Lips, Bieber, Chris Brown, Ritual Device, Monae, HAIM, Kanye, Katy Perry and Skrillex

2014 Prediction: All Bob Dylan’s problems will be solved once and for all.

2014 Prediction: New Lincoln venues, including Vega, will put a squeeze on Omaha music-goers, forcing them to “make the drive” more often to see their favorite touring indie bands.

2014 Prediction: One local online music-focused website will shut down forever in 2014 (and no, it won’t be Lazy-i).

2014 Prediction: Believe it or not, a local radio station will integrate a College Music Journal-style playlist into its regular programming

2014 Prediction: Yet another new live music venue will open in Benson, but this one will focus on either jazz, blues or country music. In addition, look for a new music club to open in or around Midtown Crossing.

2014 Prediction: An indie music legend with Nebraska roots who moved away from the Midwest more than a decade ago will return to The Good Life state and open a recording studio.

2014 Prediction: Look for another local singer/songwriter to break out nationally in 2014, but without the help of Saddle Creek Records. The name will be no surprise to his longtime fans.

2014 Prediction: Next year Conor Oberst really will appear the Saturday Night Live stage, but not as a music performer…Oberst, the actor!

First published in The Reader, Dec. 31, 2013. Copyright © 2013 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

* * *

New Year’s Eve historically is a night for cover bands and DJs and this year is no exception. Only two shows stand out for bringing in the New Year with original music. Simon Joyner and The Ghosts are playing tonight at The Side Door Lounge, 3530 Leavenworth Street. I’m told the bar is under new management. Simon and his posse will hit the stage at 10 and will perform two sets. If it is anything like we saw last Friday night, you’re in for a treat. By the way, there’s no cover!

The other show worth mentioning is at The Sydney tonight where John Klemmensen and The Party open for A Man Amongst Men and headliner Rock Paper Dynamite. This one starts at 9 p.m. and also is absolutely free.

Me, I’ll be busy trying to blow a rack at Chops while counting down the seconds to midnight.

Have a safe and happy New Year. See you in 2014.

* * *

Lazy-i Best of 2013

Before you let 2013 pass you by, enter to win a copy of the Lazy-i Best of 2013 compilation CD! The collection includes songs by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, The Gardenheads, Destruction Unit, Lloyd Cole, Pet Shop Boys, Daft Punk, Jack Bugg and a ton more.  The full track listing is here. Entering has never been easier: To enter either: 1. Send an email with your mailing address to tim.mcmahan@gmail.com

, or 2) Write a comment on one of my Lazy-i related posts in Facebook, or 3) Retweet a Lazy-i tweet. You also can enter by sending me a direct message in Facebook or Twitter. Hurry, contest deadline is midnight Jan. 6!

* * *

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 © 2013 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

Simon Joyner and The Ghosts at the Hear Nebraska album release show, The Waiting Room, Dec, 27, 2013.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

I’m trying to remember if I’ve ever seen a better Simon Joyner performance than what we got at last Friday’s Hear Nebraska album release show at The Waiting Room. I’d have to go back and back, maybe to some of the Fallen Men shows when Skeleton Blues was released in aught six, or further and further still, to the Howard Street Tavern days when Simon was first joined by Chris and Alex and Lonnie.

Sitting on a bar stool center-stage surrounded by no fewer than six musicians (The Ghosts), Joyner played a loud, droning, wonderful set of seasick hangover blues folk ballads heavy on feedback and pure on vocals. I knew a few of the folks up there with him — brilliant pedal-steel man Mike Friedman, violinist Megan Siebe (of Anniversaire and more recently cellist with Cursive – Megan is becoming Omaha famous, before you know it she’ll be touring Japan with Bright Eyes), and (who I think was) dashing singer/songwriter Noah Sterba.

The rest I did not know, including the shaggy gentleman ripping apart an electric guitar, spraying shards of love and anger and pain throughout the crowd. I was told the next day (by the proprietor of Almost Music, Brad Smith) that it was likely David Kenneth Nance. Brad than played a track off Nance’s 2013 Grapefruit Records release Actor’s Diary, which I should have purchased on the spot (but instead ordered online the next day). On Friday night, Nance provided the Sturm to Joyner’s drang, pitching one bright sustained note after another alongside Joyner and the rest of the band, who were lost in their own howling storm.

Among the set list was a new one about a drinking buddy, and a lot of old, familiar ones including “The Only Living Boy in Omaha” and Joyner classic “Double Joe” and Ghosts highlight “Vertigo,” which closed out the set with Joyner leaning back and (almost) falling off his bar stool. As his trademark straw cowboy hat fell from his head a bevvy of photographers rushed the stage to try to capture the moment. It was a glorious spectacle indeed.

Universe Contest at the Hear Nebraska album release show, The Waiting Room, Dec, 27, 2013.

Joyner made way for the night’s headliner — Lincoln band Universe Contest who brought a lighting rig the size of which I’ve not seen with any other local indie band since, well, The Faint. The Faint’s first foray in lighting entertainment — multi-colored floor floods controlled via foot pedals operated on stage by Joel Petersen during the performance — was quaint and crude, but effective.

Universe Contest’s light rig was a series of blinding LED light panels attached to a massive metal framework — it must be a bitch to haul around and set up. A lighting guy controlled the synchronization from a controller behind the sound board. Sometimes the effects were dramatic and impressive, other times they were distracting. At their best they provided a contrast, dimming to nearly nothing during quiet moments, blazing white hot during peaks. The investment is proof these guys have their sights squarely set on getting to the next level.

Countering the hard work that went into lighting was all the flying debris. Universe Contest is apparently the band you throw shit at. I counted no less than seven empty beer cans hurled at the stage throughout their set, as well as an assortment of other trash. One beer can bounced off the guitarist’s fretboard; he reacted without a flinch. I waited for someone in the band to pick up a can and say, “The next person who throws shit at us gets this shoved right up his ass,” but it never happened. Instead, the garbage continued to rain down on them. Maybe it’s a Lincoln thing because I’ve never seen anyone throw anything at any other band on The Waiting Room’s stage. (Imagine what would happen if someone threw something at Joyner).

Anyway, it was a distraction from what everyone should have been paying attention to — the music. Early in their history, Universe Contest had a Modest Mouse thing going on that was unmistakeable. They’ve moved beyond that, though there’s still touches here and there, as well as marks of other band such as MGMT and Le Savy Fav. Their sound is more electronic than I remembered and certainly more rhythm-heavy. While I could barely hear the guitars, I could feel the bass, and the drums — a standard trap set mixed with electronics.

I counted at least three vocalists sharing leads throughout the set, most were handled by the guitarist and bass player, though the keyboard player’s vocals were the most restrained (and the most sublime). There were only a few numbers where the vocals did more than add to the rhythms, which is one way of saying there were few if any central hooks in these songs, nothing you’re going to hum to yourself as you walk back to your car.

Instead, Universe Contest’s music is openly simple, with a number of songs centered around a repeated phrase that builds momentum with every turn. When the band gets in a groove it exudes a modern tribal energy that’s both neo-psychedelic and progressive.

Add it all up — the lights, the music, the flying debris — and Universe Contest is never less than entertaining. They sound like they’re halfway between being an indie pop band and being a full-on prog band; and that indecision defines them (for now).

So.

I’m told the crowd was just under 200, and Hear Nebraska sold quite a few albums. I spied a copy and they look pretty cool. I haven’t gotten mine yet since I bought a super-special signed copy and they were still getting the sigs. Where can you buy your

copy? For now, they can be purchased here at hearnebraska.org. Sweet orange vinyl. Get one while you can.

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The way the holidays sit on the calendar this year has got me discombobulated. Is it Monday or is it Friday? If you’re like me, you have tomorrow and Wednesday off, which makes this a Friday. Unfortunately, the clubs didn’t get the memo and mistook this for just another Monday… Come on, people….

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TOMORROW: The blog entry you’ve all been waiting for: MUSIC PREDICTIONS FOR 2014. Be here and find out what’s going to happen to you next year…

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Lazy-i Best of 2013

A reminder to enter to win a copy of the Lazy-i Best of 2013 compilation CD. The collection includes songs by Arcade Fire, Eli Mardock, Foxygen, Yuppies, Tim Kasher, Speedy Ortiz, Low and a ton more.  The full track listing is here. Entering has never been easier: To enter either: 1. Send an email with your mailing address to tim.mcmahan@gmail.com, or 2) Write a comment on one of my Lazy-i related posts in Facebook, or 3, retweet a Lazy-i tweet. You also can enter by sending me a direct message in Facebook or Twitter. Hurry, contest deadline is midnight Jan. 6!

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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 © 2013 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Well, I tried to go to Icky Blossoms at The Waiting Room last night but there was a snafu with “the list.” It’s an occupational hazard — even though they told you you’re on the list, there’s always a chance someone forgot. As The New Yorker footnotes in its “Night Life” section: “Musicians and night-club proprietors live complicated lives; it’s advisable to check in advance to confirm engagements.”

Usually it’s no big deal — I simply pay to get in, but not this time. The show was sold out. Yes, Icky Blossoms has broached that next level of local success — they’re too big for The Waiting Room. I have no idea how well their last CD sold, but it looks like Saddle Creek may have a new Faint on their hands (which is good because they no longer have the old Faint on their hands (except in their back catalog)). The real test will be how well Icky draws outside the holiday season. Could be they simply had a huge list last night of friends and family, albeit missing one person.

It’s possible we could have a replay tonight at The Waiting Room as Hear Nebraska celebrates the release of its Vol. 2 vinyl compilation. Tonight’s show features (in this order) Pleasure Adapter, Conchance, Simon Joyner and the Ghosts and headliner Universe Contest. $8, 9 p.m. Don’t forget to pick up a slab of vinyl while you’re there.

Also tonight, Pro-Magnum returns to fabulous O’Leaver’s with Weakwick. $5, 9:30 p.m.

Two shows Saturday night feature Nebraska ex-patriots.

Over at The Sydney, former Nebraskan now Philly guy Mike Jaworski (Virgin Islands, The Cops) returns to the stage. Sayeth Mr. Jaworski: “I’ll be playing solo with some members of the Sons Of joining me on a few songs. I’ll be playing mostly new songs I’ve been working on for a new project called Shocking Waves. I may throw in a song or two by The Cops and Virgin Islands for fun too. We’ll see…” Jaws opens and is followed by Lincoln’s Weldon Keys and then everyone’s favorite local rock stars, The Sons of The Sydney. $5, 9 p.m. Check out some Shocking Waves below:

Meanwhile former Omahan now New Yorker Steve Bartolomei (Mal Madrigal) and Co. plays down at Slowdown Jr. Saturday night. Steve talks about what he’s been up to in this exclusive Hear Nebraska interview.  Opening is Noah Sterba and Ben Brodin. $8, 9 p.m.

On Sunday down at Slowdown Jr. James Maakestad (Electric Chamber Orchestra, ex-Gus & Call) headlines with Millions of Boys and Anna McClellan. $7, 9 p.m.

Meanwhile John Klemmensen hosts another “Songwriter Death Battle” at The Waiting Room Sunday night. The evening features a plethora of local singer/songwriters each playing one song using Klemmensen’s acoustic guitar. $7, 9 p.m.

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Lazy-i Best of 2013

A reminder to enter to win a copy of the Lazy-i Best of 2013

compilation CD. The collection includes songs by Arcade Fire, Eli Mardock, Foxygen, Yuppies, Tim Kasher, Speedy Ortiz, Low and a ton more.  The full track listing is here. Entering has never been easier: To enter either: 1. Send an email with your mailing address to tim.mcmahan@gmail.com, or 2) Write a comment on one of my Lazy-i related posts in Facebook, or 3, retweet a Lazy-i tweet. You also can enter by sending me a direct message in Facebook or Twitter. Hurry, contest deadline is midnight Jan. 6!

* * *

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 © 2013 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

The thing on the left is a dog sculpture created by local artist Julie Jenowe. The thing on the right is my dog, Evie.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com