Darren Keen is heading back to Nebraska in March.
Late last year, the electronic artist moved to New York City and hasn’t played a Nebraska show since. But yesterday, Keen announced a series of Midwestern dates, including three in Nebraska.
Keen spent years performing as The Show is the Rainbow, a project with which he toured the world. He later performed as Touch People and now performs under his own name. In January, Keen released Roland is My Co-Pilot, the project’s debut EP, on Seclusiasis. Buy it here.
It’s still electronic music and the uninitiated might have trouble differentiating between it and Keen’s previous work, the same way that the uninitiated might feel about, say, Telepathy Problems and Yuppies. But just because they’re in the same school doesn’t mean they’re playing the same game.
Roland is My Co-Pilot emphasizes urban-inspired beats and footwork music. Right now, there aren’t very many touchstones for what Keen is up to, which automatically makes it more exciting.
Catch him these dates in March:
March 12 – Vega
March 13 – House of Loom w/Kethro
March 14 – Arbor Bar, Fairfield, Iowa
March 16 – 720 Cherokee, St. Louis
March 17 – Outland Ballroom, Springfield, Mo.
March 18 – MiniBar, Kansas City
March 19 – Valley of the Vapors Fest @ Emerging Arts, Hot Springs, Ark.
March 20 – South by Southwest
March 21 – Seclusiasis Party @ Cheers, Austin
March 22 – Vaudeville Mews, Des Moines
March 24 – DJ Set, Duffy’s Tavern
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Sleater-Kinney plays Slowdown tonight after releasing its first album in 10 years with No Cities to Love earlier this year. The seminal punk rock band’s show is sold out, but if you didn’t have a chance to get tickets, we’ll have a review and photos from the show on Monday.
The Bourbon hosts Waka Winter Classic tonight, Wakarusa Music Festival’s touring showcase. Five local bands play and the crowd favorite at the end of the night has a chance to play Wakarusa in June on the same bill as Major Lazer, The Roots, Portugal. The Man and many more. Here’s the schedule:
9:00 – 9:40 – The Wildwoods
10:00 – 10:40 – Ro Hempel Band
11:00 – 11:40- Dirty River Ramblers
12:00 – 12:40 – Stonebelly
1:00- 1:40- Gabe Nelson w/ PANTS
RSVP here.
On Sunday, The Zoo Bar hosts a benefit show for Pat Clinch. Clinch is a longtime Lincoln community member who works at The Mill. He plays in Lincoln band Strawberry Burns. His wife owns Maggie’s Vegetarian Cafe.
Clinch was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer late last year and the community has rallied around him and his family through multiple fundraisers. You may contribute to paying medical costs here. The benefit show begins at 3 p.m. Here’s the lineup:
Ol Moanin’ Corpse / Open Stage
The Inbetweens
Magma Melodier
Open Stage w/ Special Guests Patrick Bradley & Tery Daly
Les Leis
The Renfields
RSVP here.
Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards take place on Sunday at The Double Tree in downtown Omaha. Advance tickets are available here. Check out the nominations here.