by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Just a few minutes ago, the all new Omahype.com went live. Go check it out. Congratulations to the cyber team at Secret Penguin, along with Laura Burhenn and Will Simons. Better yet, congratulate them in person at tonight’s “soft launch” party at Slowdown. The show also is a 7-inch release party for The Mynabirds new single, “All I Want Is Truth (for Christmas).” Joining Laura Burhenn and Co. are “members of” Bear Country, Conduits, Flowers Forever, Honeybee, Talking Mountain and UUVVWWZ. When they say “members of,” I assume they mean solo sets or a mish-mash match-up. Of course we all know what happens when we “assume.” I do know that UUVVWWZ will be playing with reduced staff, as will be Talking Mountain. Since the show is free you’ve got absolutely nothing to complain about. The fun starts at 9.

Also tonight, O’Leaver’s is hosting Rock Paper Dynamite with The Fergesons and Lightning Bug. $5, 9:30 p.m. But the show is merely a precursor to tomorrow’s big Chili Cookoff at noon at O’Leaver’s. $5 gets you a pint of beer and all the chili you can cram down your cramhole. The full details are right here. You know, I really should enter this contest as I make an amazing beanless beef brisket chili that would destroy all competition, but I’ve got enough trophies lying around the house…

Saturday night’s big event is the Bill Hoover album release show at the all new Side Door Lounge, 35th Ave. and Leavenworth St. (across the street (east) of Family Dollar). Hoover’s new record, Here We Go, is being released by The Antiquarium’s Grotto imprint. Also on the bill are McCarthy Trenching and James Maakestad. The show is free and starts at 7:30. I would suggest you get there early, as I’m told The Side Door has a somewhat limited capacity.

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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 © 2010 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.