Matt Whipkey, Bib release new singles; Shop HN’s Cyber Monday sale; Canned In Benson songwriters showcase, Dom’s Favorite Things, GoodGospel this weekend

Matt Whipkey, Bib release new singles

As we speed toward the end of 2017, there are still a few new music releases on the horizon. We start today’s news rounding up a few of the singles previewing those new albums.

First up, Omaha rock singer/songwriter Matt Whipkey, who dropped new track “Winter Tires” this week. It is distinctly Whipkey, with hooks as wide as the open road and a few blazing licks to give it an extra boost. The track will appear on his forthcoming album Driver, written about his experiences as an Uber and Lyft driver and funded entirely by a Pledge Music campaign.

Listen to “Winter Tires” below and catch Whipkey this Friday, Nov. 24 with Traveling Mercies at Reverb Lounge (RSVP here).

Omaha hardcore band Bib has finished a brand new EP, Moshpit, and its first track, “Freedom,” is out this week. It rolls as heavily as anything in the band’s catalogue, grooving through a bluesy opening riff before exploding into the meat of the track. Vocalist Nathan Ma cuts loose a signature screech as the band takes off behind him.

Moshpit is out December 1 on Pop Wig Records. Pre-order here and listen to “Freedom” below.

A couple of new artists have pitched in new tracks as well. Lincoln songwriter Ryan Human is one of them, having just released his debut album The Piano Room this month. The four-track EP is stripped-down an intimate, with gentle piano ballads laying the foundation for Human’s hopefulness and positivity. “You Are So Strong” sums the album up nicely; listen below and see Human at the EP release show Friday, Dec. 15 at Vega (RSVP here).

Finally, Omaha garage rock band Orca Welles will release its debut EP Many Years To Go on Nov 25, and have released the album’s first track “Undecided.” Like much of the record, it carries a simple yet addictive two-part song structure alternating between bouncy chord progressions and frontman Alec Williams’ catchy guitar licks. Williams and rhythm guitarist Olivia Baxter share vocal duties, both detailing reflections on youth and the future’s uncertainty. Listen to “Undecided” below and catch the band at its Nov 25 release show at The Commons (RSVP here).

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Shop HN’s Cyber Monday sale

The holiday shopping season begins this weekend, but you don’t have to join the fray to get your hands on some sweet Hear Nebraska merch. This Cyber Monday, shop in our online store and automatically receive 25-percent off all purchases. Grab a Good Living Tour hat for yourself or a “support local music” tee for the Nebraska music fan in your life.

Shop Nebraska here.

We realize Amazon is in the mix for much of your holiday shopping. But did you know those online purchases can benefit one of your favorite nonprofits? Shop online through Amazon Smile and a portion of qualifying purchases goes right back to Hear Nebraska. Log in through our portal and shop as you normally would; they take care of the rest.

Shop Amazon Smile here.

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Concert Round-Up: Weekend Edition

This is it for news this week, and with so much going on over the holiday weekend, we’re rounding up some of the highlights. Picks below, with a fuller listing in our statewide calendar here. Tell us where you’re going in the comments or hit us up on Twitter.

Wednesday

Eighth-Annual “Canned In Benson” Food Drive at Barley Street Tavern – 13 Nebraska songwriters gather at Barley Street Tavern to raise food and cash donations for Food Bank For The Heartland. Bring some canned goods down and hang out with a great group of players. Schedule below, 8 p.m. start time, RSVP here.

8 pm — Jessica Errett, Brady Wells, Vic Padios
9 pm — Michael Wunder, Jeremy Holan, Michelle Becker, Kait Berreckman
10 pm — Dan McCarthy, Karmen DeLancey, Emily Ward
11 pm — CJ Mills, Matt Whipkey, Eris Koleszar

Friday

Pleiades & the Bear, Bed Rest, Montgomerie at O’Leaver’s – The Club has a day-after mixed-genre billing Friday with folk rock band Pleiades & the Bear, indie rockers Bed Rest and folk duo Montgomerie. HN spoke with Pleiades’ Karmen DeLancey and Victoria Blodgett this summer about the band’s new record 1977 and its new sonic direction; watch the interview here. 10 p.m. show, $5, 21-plus, RSVP here.

Saturday

Red Cities with Laughing Falcon at Zoo Bar – Lincoln punk rock band Red Cities releases its new record “Soft Target” Saturday night with help from perhaps the loudest band in Lincoln in Laughing Falcon. Red Cities previewed the new album last summer on Hear Nebraska FM with a live performance and interview; hear the full session here. 7:30 p.m. show, RSVP here.

Danksgiving 2017: Super Moon, Dummy Head Torpedo & Friends at Lookout Lounge – Omaha’s punk and hard rock venue hosts this post-Thanksgiving with a local set featuring Super Moon, Dummy Head Torpedo, Uriah Ben Love Wertheim and Brother Russ. 8 p.m. show, $5, RSVP here.

Sunday

Dom’s Favorite Things 2017 at The Waiting Room – Omaha R&B artist Dominique Morgan’s annual holiday show returns to Benson to benefit local organizations. This year’s proceeds support the Douglas County Youth Center, Blackburn High School and Youth Emergency Services. A stacked billing includes Tara Vaughan, All Young Girls Are Machine Guns, J. Crum, the Umoja Choir and Madison Ray. Morgan recorded an uplifting new track “Shine” which you can hear below. 6:30 p.m. show, $10 tickets, RSVP here.

GoodGospel, Vol. 7 at Duffy’s Tavern – Lincoln’s regular local hip-hop showcase returns to Duffy’s Tavern Sunday with performances by JayR, Eddie Branch, Cameron, Golden Lion with beat sets by Kamakauzzy and Phantom Janitor. Artist Dwight Edward Brown II will make live art as well. 9 p.m. show, $7, 21-plus, RSVP here.