by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

It’s a quieter weekend than normal, with a few notable small shows…

Tomorrow night Saturn Moth is having an EP release show at The Waiting Room. They’re a four-piece — all UNO students — that plays an abrasive-pop style of indie rock fronted by a real crooner in Collin Matz. The band is literally giving away 100 copies of their new self-titled 5-song EP at Saturday’s show. Or if you prefer, you can get a free download of the recording right now at this Bandcamp address:  http://saturnmoth.bandcamp.com/album/saturn-moth-ep?permalink Downloads are limited to the first 200, and since I downloaded one that means there’s only 199 left. Better hurry.

Saturn Moth follows a long line of bands that released debut albums and then, almost at the same time, disbanded. Matz said Saturday night’s show will be the band’s last before it goes on hiatus.

“I wish I could say that it’s a ploy for publicity or buzz. Our drummer’s going for his masters in geological sciences in North Dakota this fall,” Matz said. “We’ve decided to make the EP free and just get it into as many iTunes libraries as we can in hopes that people enjoy it.”

Opening the show is Snake Island and Lightning Bug. $5, 9 p.m.

Other shows of interest or note:

No Blood Orphan (Mike Saklar and host of local superstars) is playing tonight at The Barley Street, coming out of months of seclusion. Joining the Orphans is The Garden, Custom Catacombs, Colin Hotz, Melissa Dundis, and Dylan Davis and Cricket. $5, 9 p.m.

The Answer Team is hosting a listening party/video release at The Sydney tonight starting at 8 p.m. The sneak peek precludes a full-blown CD release show Aug. 19 at Slowdown with Back When and New Lungs.

Also tonight, The Side Door Lounge is hosting a handful of out-of-town bands that I’ve never heard of, capped off by a performance from the Big Al Band. Show starts at 7 p.m. Event details and band line-up is at this Facebook event page.

Finally, tomorrow night at The Barley Street, Travelling Mercies headlines a show with The
Betties, Platte River Rain and John Klemmensen & the Party. $5, 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 © 2011 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.