I bet they'd been asked dozens of times before.
"I'm making a radio drama in which a villain hoping to overtake the Lincoln music scene attempts to gain power by shaving Saber Blazek's hair, Manny Coon's beard and Max Holmquist's chest hair. He also takes the soul out of Lucas Kellison. Can you help?"
It was April 2011, and I had invited Andrew and Angie Norman onto my local music radio show, Lost and Found, which enjoyed a home on 90.3 KRNU. They had been playing a few local and national favorites on air, and were telling the story of their nonprofit, which had launched in January 2011. Without a beat of apprehension, Hear Nebraska's co-founders agreed to play a couple cheese-ridden roles in my radio drama, which I had one week to produce before I'd graduate and leave the show.
At the time, I was surprised they would say yes to such a silly proposition. Here I was, presenting two of the busiest people I would come to know with a tight window to record their parts. In a few short weeks, the Normans would join the first Love Drunk video tour taking Nebraska videographers to the East Coast and back. That same month, they'd also take part in the first Skate the State, which required them to skateboard or bike across the state of Nebraska.
But true to their kindness, they agreed. Through that radio drama, kept safe on a hard drive somewhere in my closet, I connected with the Normans on Facebook, and soon learned of a summer internship. In a few short weeks, I would begin more than two years of working for the best bosses imaginable.
This week, as managing editor, I'm enjoying a role reversal, welcoming a new crop of interns into the Hear Nebraska family. I've come to regard it as one of my favorite parts of the job: helping interns hone their skills as writers, marketing minds and multimedia producers. And you as readers will no doubt see this semester's crew produce good work, documenting the importance of our state's culture.
You might have seen the start of it already in fact. Editorial intern Sean Holohan's first two stories on an 11-year-old guitar-shredding (and Nebraska-born) star of a viral video or his profile on Venue 51 met the internet earlier this week.
If you see any of our young, industrious interns at a concert, introduce yourself and welcome them into the Nebraska music fold. Tonight, Cameron Brugger will be covering Orion Walsh's album release show at Vega in Lincoln, and Molly Misek will be at The Waiting Room taking photos of Purveyors of the Conscious Sound with M34N STR33T, BOTH and Kethro.
And if you haven't yet met Jordan Hiebner, here's how we were first introduced to the hard-working and dedicated volunteer first and now marketing intern.
Get to know our spring 2014 crop of creative, local-music-loving interns as they answer a few questions below:
Cameron Bruegger
Multimedia intern (Lincoln)
Hometown: Gering, Neb.
Why do you care about Hear Nebraska?
Nebraska doesn't receive much credit in the Midwest for much other than farming and football. This is unfortunately a misrepresentation of what our little state really has to offer. I feel like Hear Nebraska is on the forefront of a coming cultural revolution in the state. I'm glad to be a part of it.
What should HN's audience expect from you?
They should expect some real nice pictures of some of Lincoln's best music scenes. At first they might have to bear with me for a poor shot or two, but I'm hoping their interest can grow with my skill.
What about the internship has you most excited?
From what I've heard, all the peeps at Hear Nebraska are a cool group, a family almost. I look forward to making those connections both personal and professional. Not to mention seeing a bunch of awesome music for a job! Dream come true.
What skills are you working hardest to develop?
My photography and interview skills are both areas I would like to develop.
Who is your favorite Nebraska band? Why?
My favorite Nebraska band currently has to be Icky Blossoms. I have seen these guys live three times, and each time they have just killed it. I got to meet the lead singer, Sarah Bohling, and she is just the nicest person. She even let me take a cheesy picture with her.
What's your favorite music video?
"Lofticries" by Purity Ring. Check it out.
Professional in your field who you most look up to? Why?
Corey Rich is an outdoor lifestyle photographer and his job consists of traveling the world and capturing outdoor sports and activities. Even though he is a college drop out, he has become one of the most successful photographers in his field. I envy his career and his drive.
Band (national or otherwise) you want to put on our radar?
I caught a Jeazlepeats show the other night at Vega, and it was killer. These are a bunch of young guys with great energy and some great compositions. I hope to see them grow locally and perhaps even nationally.
Jordan Hiebner
Marketing intern (Omaha)
Hometown: Henderson, Neb.
Why do you care about Hear Nebraska?
I care about HN because they are passionate about what they do and they work hard to achieve their goals. I also care about HN because they made me feel a part of their family instantly, even when I was just volunteering at a few events this last semester.
What should HN's audience expect from you?
HN's audience should expect me to work my hardest to produce marketing content that makes them want to learn more about Nebraska's music scene. This will cause them to realize just how rad Nebraska really is.
What about the internship has you most excited?
I am extremely excited to work in the area of music. Music is my passion and I have been racking my brain trying to find a way to get involved with it. This internship will allow me to do so.
What skills are you working hardest to develop?
I am working hard to develop my people skills and my video taking/editing skills. These skills will help me throughout my marketing career by allowing me to better connect with people and to put some of my creative ideas in motion.
Who is your favorite Nebraska band? Why?
My favorite Nebraska band is Bright Eyes. Growing up, Bright Eyes' music was a way for me to escape the real world. I would always listen to them before I went to bed and listen intently to their lyrics. Their lyrics would cause me to think deeply about everything and caused me to realize the beauty that comes from different emotions.
What's your favorite music video?
"At the Bottom of Everything" by Bright Eyes
Professional in your field who you most look up to? Why?
I really look up to the Red Bull marketing department. They have a way of motivating people to better themselves and to get out there and try new things. They do this while promoting their brand. Their content is also very eye catching and unique.
Band (national or otherwise) you want to put on our radar?
I want people to know about the bands Young Jesus and You Won't.
Molly Misek
Multimedia intern (Omaha)
Hometown: Omaha, Neb.
Why do you care about Hear Nebraska?
I love music. I love nonprofits. And I know that putting the spotlight on local acts is crucial to their success.
What should HN's audience expect from you?
Photos and videos of shows that make HN's audience WISH they'd attended the show, or if they were already there, make the show look even better than they remembered it.
What about the internship has you most excited?
Getting to know those involved in the Omaha music scene, meeting and working with awesomely intriguing individuals.
What skills are you working hardest to develop?
Photo and video, a skill set I've been meaning to develop for a while now.
Who is your favorite Nebraska band? Why?
Is it too cliche to say Icky Blossoms? They put on stellar shows and have this chic persona and sound that puts each member's talents to great use.
What's your favorite music video?
Two that automatically come to mind for different reasons: "Magick" by Klaxons and "Breezeblocks" by Alt-J. I always thought the Klaxons one was creepily awesome and no one else even vaguely agreed with me. As for "Breezeblocks," I love the use of reverse storytelling. Every music video should have this much thought put into it.
Professional in your field who you most look up to? Why?
Anton Corbijn: The dude is insane. A master of photo and film, who has both the technical skills and the creative vision to produce these complex yet innately relatable, compelling works of art.
Band (national or otherwise) you want to put on our radar?
Even though they're coming next month and I know they're on HN's radar, the Front Bottoms are who I immediately think of.
Sean Holohan
Editorial intern (Omaha)
Hometown: Buffalo, N.Y.
Why do you care about Hear Nebraska?
I have always admired the way Hear Nebraska has been involved in the Nebraska music scene and the way it has helped share the stories of bands in this state, whether they be established or starting out. While most people outside of Nebraska might consider the state all corn and empty fields, Hear Nebraska is showing that there are great people and even better music here.
What should HN's audience expect from you?
I am also a musician and someone who has been in bands in the Nebraska music scene for several years. I think Hear Nebraska readers will benefit from my unique perspective into music and be able to see into and understand the music industry in a way they may not have before.
What about the internship has you most excited?
For me, the most exciting part of this internship is the fact that I get to combine my two favorite things — music and writing. In addition, I am looking forward to gaining experience in the music journalism field as well as working with people who will push me and help me to become a better writer.
What skills are you working hardest to develop?
As a writer, I am always looking to develop and practice my storytelling abilities. As a part of Hear Nebraska, I hope to further sharpen my skills in telling stories and become even better at letting readers in and making them feel like they are truly a part of every article I write.
Who is your favorite Nebraska band? Why?
My favorite Nebraska band at the moment is No Tide. They are a pop/punk band from Lincoln who are beginning to tour a lot more. They draw influences from bands like Transit and Such Gold — bands I am really into as well. Their music keeps getting better and I am really excited to see what they accomplish in the next few years.
What's your favorite music video?
My favorite music video is anything Blink-182 made for their untitled record. Every video they made for that record was a masterpiece (in my opinion). They were such a departure from their earlier videos and I really loved the serious tone they took with them.
Professional in your field who you most look up to? Why?
A professional in my field who I most look up to is Jim Rome. He is a sports journalist and has his own nationally syndicated sports radio show. What I love most about him are his unique takes on sports and sports news. He doesn't just report what happens, he paints a vivid picture and makes you feel like you are right there with him. He makes you feel like you are his best friend and are just sitting down and chatting about sports. I love how well he illustrates his points and relates to readers and listeners. I very much admire his ability to tell a story.
Band (national or otherwise) you want to put on our radar?
I would love more people to know about The Swellers. They are a national band from Michigan who are signed to No Sleep Records. They just released an album in October called The Light Under Closed Doors and it is my favorite of theirs so far. They have been touring since 2006 and Omaha was one of the first places they ever played. They have a special connection to this city and I would love for more people in Omaha to know about them. I truly believe that if they knew about The Swellers, they would love them.
Michael Todd is Hear Nebraska's managing editor. Of course, we chose to order The Local at Yia Yia's after spring interns' first meetup. We support all kinds of local, even pizza. Reach him at michaeltodd@hearnebraska.org.