by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

I found out late yesterday afternoon that members of the David Nance Group would be backing last night’s opener for Destroyer at The Waiting Room — a performer who goes by the name Rosali. And sure enough, on stage playing to a crowd of less than 50 was Rosali (a.k.a. Rosali Middleman of the band Long Hots) with local heroes David Nance on bass, Jim Schroeder on lead guitar and Kevin Donahue on drums. Colin Duckworth joined them later in the set on pedal steel and banjo.

Turns out that Rosali’s 2021 album, No Medium, was recorded by Schroeder sometime during the pandemic with these guys backing her in the studio (along with contributions by Daniel Knapp, Simon Joyner and Conor Oberst). I’m listening to the album as I write this via Spotify (I wanted to buy a vinyl copy last night, but no one was manning her table and the Destroyer merch person wouldn’t sell it to me, so what are you gonna do? I’m betting I can pick up a copy at Grapefruit).

Her singing reminded me of just about every female vocalist on my list starting with Aimee Mann, followed by Joni Mitchell, Mary Timony, Natalie Merchant and Linda Thompson. Her at-times thin but tender voice was held in the finest contrast by this band, which still managed to blaze even when holding back in the quietest moments. The set really showcased Schroeder’s guitar work — beautiful, soaring solos that hissed and moaned at every turn. Gorgeous stuff, and just as gorgeous on the album that’s bound to be on my favorites’ list (though it came out last year).

By the time Destroyer came on stage at 9:15 sharp, the room was filled but nowhere near capacity, maybe 150 like the last time the band came through in 2018. Unlike that night, when Dan Bejar looked bored and listless, last night he was in top form (though never looking as if he was having fun, but maybe he never looks that way).

Bejar fronted one of the finest collections of musicians I’ve heard perform at The Waiting Room, at every position. The standouts were (again) that trumpet player, who continuously mixed his sound with effects pedals that turned his trumpet into an echoing dream corridor. That trumpet is so central to Destroyer’s sound that I can’t imagine these songs without it.

Just as remarkable was the band’s rhythm section – rarely does a bass player grab my attention, but this guy was just fire, as was the drummer. Add to that two fantastic guitarists and a rollicking keyboard player and you’ve got an amazing collective whose dreamy sound was like listening to a midnight stroll down an empty city street.

The set opened with a couple songs off side one of the new album, Labyrinthitis, before dipping into the Destroyer’s catalog. Set highlight for me was a killer version of “Times Square” from 2015’s Poison Season, as well as set closer “Kaputt,” which is becoming something of a greatest hit for Bejar. Great night!

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I’m happy I went out on a school night for Destroyer/Rosali because there ain’t squat going on this weekend show-wise.

The only thing of interest is goofy pop act Mile High Club, a band that (to me) sounds like modern yacht rock for a new generation (and in some ways, would fit right in next to Destroyer). The band rolls into The Slowdown Sunday night supporting their latest, Going Going Gone (2021, Stones Throw). Also on the bill is quirky JW Francis (Sunday Best Recordings). Omaha rockers Garst open at 8 p.m. $25.

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 © 2022 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

Mild High Club plays Reverb Lounge tomorrow night (9/21). Photo by Jamie Wdziekonski.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Talk about your bands whose name perfectly suits their sound, Mild High Club takes the cake. We’re talking smooth, jazzy, indie-fied Yacht Rock from a band with roots in both Chicago and Los Angeles. Skiptracing, their new album on Stones Throw Records, would fit in heavy rotation with any run-of-the-mill ’70s AM rock radio.

The band says the album’s story arc is that of a “private investigator attempting to trace the steps of the sound and the spirit of American music.” One assumes it’s a story that takes place in LA, dressed in polyester, behind the wheel of a tan Chevy Nova, and airing right after The Rockford Files.

I sent Mild High Club the Ten Questions survey. The band’s founder, Alexander Brettin, took the bait:

1. What is your favorite album?

Alexander Brettin: I can’t narrow it down to one currently it’s The Nightfly by Don Fagen.

2. What is your least favorite song?

“Happy” by Farrell.

3. What do you enjoy most about being in a band?

Kicking out the jams, learning, seeing the world, freedom.

4. What do you hate about being in a band?

Witting in the passenger seat of the van gives me anxiety.

5. What is your favorite substance (legal or illegal)? favorite substance?

Jazz harmonies

6. In what city or town do you love to perform?

Omaha, baby

7. What city or town did you have your worst gig (and why)?

Pasadena – didn’t have the full band, struggled through a living room set.

8. How do you pay your bills?

With cash

9. What one profession other than music would you like to attempt; what one profession would you absolutely hate to do?

Would attempt working as a budtender; would hate to be a garbage man.

10. What are the stories you’ve heard about Omaha, Nebraska?

Actually, I’ve never heard a story about Omaha!

Mild High Club plays with Fullbloods and Ojai Wednesday, Sept. 21 at Reverb Lounge, Tickets are $10 Adv/$12 DOS. Show starts at 9 p.m. For more information, go to onepercentproductions.com.

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Speaking of Reverb Lounge, the club is hosting a rock show tonight with post-punk/hip-hop band Show Me The Body (Universal). Opening is our own post-core hip-hop artist, Conny Franko (M34N STR33T), and Jocko. $8, 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 © 2016 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

Relax, It’s Science at Lookout Lounge, April 30, 2016. The band celebrates its debut album release Friday at Reverb Lounge.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Three Bandcamp releases to bring to your attention today.

First, Relax, It’s Science will be celebrating the release of their debut EP this Friday at Reverb Lounge, but you can check out the tracks now, right here. The 5-song EP was recorded by Bryce Hotz at Archetype Recordings and mastered by the master himself, Doug Van Sloun.

The instrumental-only trio consists of Pat Mcilvain and Craig Hoffman, each playing electric bass, surrounding veteran drummer Jeremy Stanosheck, who you may remember from Coast of Nebraska and Kite Pilot. As you’d expect from a trio with two bass players, it’s heavy shit, but there’s melodies under all that fuzz.

The Kiez is a new project that features Lincoln’s Eli Mardock, former frontman of Eagle Seagull and a success in his own rite as a solo artist. As the story goes, Eli met Hamburg, Germany-based drummer/producer Lucas Kochbeck via email from a mutual friend. After exchanging songs, Eli flew to Kochbeck’s Hamburg studio for three weeks of recording that resulted in 17 songs.

They call their project The Kiez (pronounced Keetz), the name of the local Red Light District, as well as a slang term in German that means “The ‘hood.” They describe their sound as Hamburg garage pop, though it sounds as American as anything (and it’s sung in English, in Mardock’s usual pleading voice). Only two songs here. Where’s the rest of it?

Finally, here’s a Bandcamp project with no local roots. Blue Thunder, a Tribute to Galaxie 500 is exactly what it sounds like, a collection of Galaxie 500 covers from bands who love their music. Among them Thrushes, Cantalouper, The John Candy and 13 other acts you’ve never heard of.

I typically frown upon tribute projects, be they live or otherwise, but I point this one out because I’ve always been a fan of Galaxie 500 and this non-profit project is simply a celebration of that band’s music. Maybe it’ll generate new interest in Dean, Naomi and Damon’s genius.

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Tonight at Milk Run, it’s Mild High Club, the project from LA’s Alexander Brettin, who you may remember from his work in Ariel Pink, R Stevie Moore and Silk Rhodes. His debut LP was released on Circle Star (an imprint of Stones Throw Records). Opening is Ojai and the always intriguing Sam Martin, who has a new album of his own. $8, 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 © 2016 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.