Simon Joyner embarks on living room tour; Bemis Center artist exhibit explores voice, breathing as instruments; Waking the Neighbors releases new album-previewing single

Simon Joyner embarks on living room tour

Simon Joyner’s 2015 saw an acclaimed full-length record and a career-spanning lyrical review, and this year finds him on the road again.

The Nebraska-native singer/songwriter strikes out on a two-week solo tour at the end of the month in which he’ll head through the South and up the East Coast. Joyner’s trip supports last year’s Grass, Branch & Bone and his selected lyrics book Only Love Can Bring You Peace: Selected Lyrics 1990-2014.

In an email, Joyner says most of the shows rely on word-of-mouth promotion. Since most shows will be in living rooms, locations aren’t available until ticket purchase. A full listing is below; if you’re in any of the cities, it’s worth a look. Tickets are available here.

May 21: Austin, TX – Living Room Show (RSVP here)
May 22: New Orleans, LA (RSVP here)
May 23: Atlanta, GA (RSVP here)
May 24: Chapel Hill, NC – Local 506 w/ John Davis and the Cicadas (Tickets here; RSVP here)
May 25: Philadelphia, Pa., Rigby Mansion 523 E Church Ln 19144 Germantown, PA w/Jesse Sparhawk (RSVP here)
May 26: Boston, Deep Thoughts Record Store in Jamaica Plain w/TBA
May 27: Providence, R.I., Aurora Providence with Ian O’Neil (Deer Tick) and Bible Studies (RSVP here)
May 28: Brooklyn, N.Y. (RSVP here).
May 29: Washington, D.C. (RSVP here)
May 30: Pittsburgh, Pa. (RSVP here)
May 31: Columbus, Ohio at Used Kids Records w/Andrew Graham Swarming Branch (RSVP here)
June 1: Louisville, Ky. (RSVP here)
June 2: Lansing, Mich. at Wilson Center Auditorium w/ Aidan Pope, Elliott Eremita (RSVP here)
June 3: Chicago (RSVP here)
June 4: Iowa City, IA at The Trumpet Blossom Cafe w/Hot Tang and Miracles of God (RSVP here)

* * *

Bemis Center artist exhibit explores voice, breathing as instruments

A musician’s voice can be more than lyrical delivery, but often an instrument unto itself. A Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts resident is taking that one step further.

Bemis Center Liveness is Critical resident artist Juliana Snapper debuts her newly commissioned work A lot of time is needed …to give chaos some style tonight at 7 p.m. Snapper, a performance artist, opera singer and University of California PhD candidate, explores voice, breath and momentum as tools for instrumentation.

As part of tonight’s exhibit, Snapper will guide audience members through a series of breath-moving exercises as she considers how bacteria and breath form the “elemental beginnings of an oxygenated environment. From the press release:

“An improvised aria, intuitive vocal techniques engaging different pitches, chords, and rhythms, and a whole lot of dry ice both direct and trace moving breath through a palette of emotion-triggering frequencies.”

The Liveness is Critical series supports artists, curators, scholars and writers who use the body, temporality, action and the element of liveness in their work. The curated residency program aims to highlight the critical and theoretical foundation of performance production, presentation and scholarship.

Snapper’s exhibit is immediately preceded by the ARTalk reception, during which artists and patrons intermingle and discuss artists’ work. RSVP to the event here, and learn more about the Bemis Center here.

* * *

Waking the Neighbors releases new album-previewing single

Omaha pop punk band Waking The Neighbors released a new single today. The band recently added a second guitarist, and is currently working on a full-length album, on which you’ll find today’s track “Broken Promise.”

It’s about being in a relationship where it becomes destructive and both sides change so much they don’t remember who they really are meant to be,” says frontman Drew Kohler.

Catch the band Friday, May 13 and Tuesday, May 17 at Dr. Jack’s Drinkery, 5338 N 103rd St. (RSVP here). Listen to “Broken Promise” below:

* * *

HN interns host First Friday exhibit

Tomorrow night, a pair of HN interns (one former and one current) display their best concert photography.

Current multimedia intern Lindsey Yoneda and alumnus JP Davis host A Rock N’ Roll Picture Show at The Coffee House, 1324 P Street. Prints will be for sale at tomorrow’s First Friday exhibit, and you can mingle with Yoneda in person.

I haven’t personally seen their selections, but having worked with both of them, I have no doubt the work is top-notch. The presentation starts at 6 p.m. RSVP here.

* * *

Concert Round-Up

Tonight, Austin, Texas, duo Cross Record comes to O’Leaver’s. The band is currently on tour in support of its latest LP Wabi-Sabi, out on Badabing Records. Stereogum recently published an interview/single debut as part of its “Band To Watch” series. Read it here. Simon Joyner & the Ghosts and Those Far Out Arrows open the show. RSVP here.

Also tonight, Mesonjixx and Oketo head up I-80 from Lincoln to Reverb Lounge, 6121 Military Ave. Oketo is fresh from its Midwest tour in support of new EP I Am Here, You Are Now. Read our recent interview with the band here. DJ Kethro rounds out the bill. Tickets are $8, RSVP here.

And in Lincoln, Los Angeles punk rockers L.A. Witch play Vega, 350 Canopy Street, with Bien Fang and Super Ghost. The LA trio released 7-inch Drive Your Car in February. Entry to the show is $10, RSVP here.

For a fuller listing of this week’s shows, head to our statewide calendar here. Share news tips, story ideas and upcoming events via email at news@hearnebraska.org.