Omaha’s music scene lost one of its own July 30 in Alan Mansfield. This Friday, friends and family from around the Omaha music scene will gather at Reverb Lounge to celebrate the life of a beloved musician.
A few Mansfield’s favorite local acts will perform: RAF; Bullet Proof Hearts; Matt Whipkey; and Lift Ticket. Mother Molly & The May I’s — a project to which Mansfield contributed — and his son Ian’s band Fight Within The Master Sleep round out the bill.
As a husband, father and guitarist for Omaha’s Witness Tree, Mansfield is remembered fondly by those inside and outside of the music community. His friends say that he was one of the biggest cheerleaders for other local musicians.
The concert starts at 8 p.m. Friday, and tickets are $10. RSVP here. All proceeds will be donated to the Mansfield family. We offer our condolences to the Mansfield family and friends of Alan.
In memoriam, we have gathered a few words by music community members who knew Alan. If you have memories to share, please post them in the comments, or feel free to reach out via email at andrews@hearnebraska.org.
Alan once told me, while sitting at a table together, that my voice sounded like it was so whiskey soaked and raspy and it gave my band a unique sound. “You must drink a lot of whiskey,” he said. “I’m sober, and you my friend are somebody I’ve looked up to since I was a young boy dreaming of being a great musician like yourself,” I replied.
We had some laughs and talked life, music and guitars. It was brief, but it seemed like we had talked for hours. I think his impact and views on the scene and where it was going were things people only dreamed of. It was promising. His playing felt like you had a hot IV running through your veins. His love for the crowd and the music he played turned any lonely man into something to look forward to, a nobody into a somebody. The man was great all around and outside of the music scene. He was loved and liked by everybody who’s life he was apart of.
Rest easy my friend. You touched many lives and I’m lucky I had the pleasure of knowing you.
— Mim Aparo, Anthems
Alan Mansfield was a friend through music. We did not spend a lot of personal time together. I must say that Alan is a perfect example of the saying “people will remember you for how you made them feel.”
Because of Alan’s big heart and beautiful personality, I felt very close to him, like a longtime friend. Alan was the type of person this world desperately needs more of. We say goodbye to a beautiful soul.
— Dereck Higgins, RAF, InDreama
Alan Mansfield had a way of being everyone’s #1 fan. He was always encouraging and always overflowing with supportive advice. His smile lit up a room, and nothing beat his big, hearty bear hugs! Beyond his amazing personality, the man could rock! It was an inspiration to watch him play in Witness Tree, and I will always remember the crazy nights that commenced when you shared the stage with Alan’s band. I’m sure he would be honored to see us all carry on his ceaseless passion for friends, family, music and LIFE in our own lives.
— Jessica Errett, Edge of Arbor/All Young Girls Are Machine Guns
We loved Alan Mansfield! It’s as simple as that. He was an incredibly nice, generous, enthusiastic guy & one helluva guitarist! Alan was one of Bullet Proof Hearts’ earliest supporters. He got us gigs when he could and championed us to whoever would listen! We could never thank him enough! Unfortunately we didn’t get to say goodbye to him…. but that really wasn’t necessary as he is always going to be with us!
— Mark, Aaron, Kevin & Tammy, Bullet Proof Hearts
Everything about Alan was big: big guy, big heart, big smile, big hugs, big guitar sound and big appetite for life. He was one of those people that I always asked, “How did we not meet sooner?” We bonded over our love of power-pop bands like The Posies and Sloan.
When he and several other guests joined All Young Girls Are Machine Guns for our Canada Day performance a few years ago, practices were held at the Mansfield’s. I was warmly welcomed in their home, and was yet another recipient of their famous hospitality.
Last summer at a gig, an Omaha band displayed the most rudeness/disrespect towards me that I’d ever experienced. Word got around, and Alan was the first to ask me what happened because he couldn’t believe a band would treat another artist that poorly. As a fellow veteran of Omaha music, he agreed that I had handled the situation the best I could. One of the last times I noticed he was on Facebook, he was invited to a show with that act on the bill. He thanked the venue/promoter for the invite, but said he’d never support that band ever again. I saw it, and realized he was standing up for me. Nevertheless others hurled insults at him. That kind of loyalty is a rare commodity these days. And even more rare now that my friend is gone.
—Travis Sing
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Mitch Gettman has lost his job in his new video. He’s in the woods, shirtless, starring behind circular-framed sunglasses. And he seems oddly calm. There’s a certain freedom in the realization and acceptance that one has no control.
The Omaha singer/songwriter has released the new video for “Tomorrow Will Never Change,” his second in support of forthcoming LP Dichotomy. Gettman and Cody Fenske produced and directed the clip.
Gettman has long since wrapped on his new album — set to released in October — and still has a Kickstarter campaign open to fund it. Check that out here, and listen to a few of the album tracks on Gettman’s Bandcamp page here.
See the video for “Tomorrow Will Never Change” below:
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Tiananmen Squares has burst onto the Omaha punk scene, playing fast-paced, snotty punk rock. The quartet self-recorded a three-song, self-titled EP earlier this year, and released it in July.
The band comprising vocalist Sid Delicious, bassist Noah Scape, Oddrage and guitarist Don Knotsferatu (editor’s note: Great stage names, guys!) has been busy with shows ever since, and have a couple booked for early September. First, Tiananmen Squares plays a benefit for Molly Mess of Some Kind of Nightmare at Lookout Lounge on Sept. 9 with Misfits tribute band 138, Omaha hardcore band DCYC and Omaha’s Mancavesareforcaveman (RSVP here). It follows shortly with a Sept. 14 Lookout Lounge show with Atlanta punks The Coathangers and Omaha’s No Thanks and Bien Fang (RSVP here).
Listen to Tiananmen Squares’ EP below.
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The Talbott Brothers continue their album release tour tonight at The Bourbon with Evan Bartels & the Stoney Lonesomes and The Wildwoods. The Omaha-based folk duo dropped Places on June 9. Their travels included a stop in their hometown of Imperial for HN’s Good Living Tour. They shot the video below at 1:30 a.m. — shortly after their concert proper — as part of our Nickolai Hammar’s Sonata Sessions series. Tickets to the 7 p.m., all-ages show are $5 for 21+, $7 for those under 21. RSVP here.
Early this evening, Myles Jasnowski plays the inaugural Tower Unplugged series at Lincoln’s 13th and P. Jasnowski is currently the guitarist of A Ferocious Jungle Cat and Mesonjixx, and sings as part of vocal trio Xion. Tower Unplugged is a free concert series that features active members of the Lincoln scene playing stripped-down performances. It runs every Wednesday through the end of September. RSVP to tonight’s 6 p.m. show here.
We just added more than 100 events to our statewide calendar, so head over to hearnebraska.org/events to find a fuller listing. We are always updating the list, so if you do not see your show or one you plan to attend, email us at news@hearnebraska.org, or feel free to add it yourself. And keep those song submissions, story ideas and news tips coming.