Andy Norman, Hear Nebraska’s executive director, is fond of saying that when he and Angie Norman started this organization three years ago, they never imagined having interns.
It’s a marker of Hear Nebraska’s growth that we now seasonally bring on diverse crops of creative talent. Even more, the internships are competitive. Hanna, Randy, Gaby, Kekeli, Shelby and Hannah are six additions to the Hear Nebraska crew we’re thrilled to make, because of their drive, insight, intelligence and passion. These six will be with us for the next few months, working to promote what we love about Nebraska — its music and its sense of community.
If you see these fine people at shows or around town, introduce yourself. Now, learn more about them and their plans for this summer below.
Hanna Guenther
Age: 23
Hometown: Topeka, Kansas
Current city: Lincoln
Internship Focus: Writing
Why do you care about Hear Nebraska?
Hear Nebraska strives to expose local artists of all mediums including musicians, photographers and writers, giving them a unique and powerful voice within the state and beyond. Everyone working with and for Hear Nebraska exudes passion for what they do and what others around them are doing, as well.
What should HN’s audience expect from you?
Nebraska is stepping onto the map as a more prominent music scene. I want to help expose the talent that is overflowing in Lincoln, Omaha and throughout the rest of the state by learning these artists’ stories and sharing them with the HN audience.
What about the job has you most excited?
Immersing myself in Nebraska music and becoming more aware of the different musicians and genres present within this state.
What skills are you working hardest to develop?
Getting comfortable and more natural when interviewing people. I also haven’t worked in journalism before, so I’m excited to develop and strengthen a new writing skill set.
What is your favorite Nebraska band? Why?
Tilly and the Wall is an old favorite. Their music is colorful, making you want to tap dance along with each song. Churls is another band that has recently become a favorite. Their voices meld in the best way and watching them play together only increases my love for this band.
What’s your favorite music video?
“Working Titles,” covered by The Tallest Man on Earth and Idiot Wind. Live sessions are my favorite because of how raw and intimate they are. In this video the couple serenades the other with just a guitar and an accordion accompanying their melodious voices. Lovely to watch.
Which professional in your field do you most look up to? Why?
Flannery O’Connor wrote tragically beautiful stories with unique characters that she fleshes out sometimes in only a few pages. Her writing style has inspired me since high school. Annie Dillard is another favorite who has a keen eye for the world around her. Her detailed descriptions open the eyes of the reader to that same world, causing you to pause and take in what is around you.
Band (national or otherwise) you want to put on the radar?
Sanders Bohlke. He is one of my favorite musicians, hands down. His song “Search and Destroy” has been listened to hundreds of times on my iTunes and it hasn’t grown old yet. “Nearly Summer”, “Somewhere”, and “Ghost Boy” are other favorites of mine. His voice is hauntingly beautiful with a lot of soul flowing through each track. Worth the listen.
Randy Edwards
Age: 20
Hometown: Omaha, Nebraska
Kekeli Dawes
Age: 21
Hometown: Columbia, South Carolina
Current city: Lincoln
Internship Focus: Editorial
Why do you care about Hear Nebraska?
I have found that Hear Nebraska has a reputation of consistently producing good work and generating great content. Their brand of journalism is relevant, and is sought out by members of the music community. HN also fervently supports local musicians and artists, and as someone who performs music, as well as attends local shows, I’ve seen it firsthand.
What should HN’s audience expect from you?
Writing you’ll enjoy reading. I interview and write about artists primarily to learn new ways of thinking; new perspectives. I hope that comes through in the writing.
What about the job has you most excited?
The great access to huge community of artists and musicians who are more than willing to talk about their work, and the opportunity to reach an audience who cares about that work.
What skills are you working hardest to develop?
My interviewing skills. Having enough control to guide a conversation, but having the patience and flexibility to let conversations develop naturally. I want to stop having interviews, and start having conversations; conversations that can surprise the artist, myself, and in turn, the reader. I’m working on less glamorous skills, as well, like time management, since there are so many different stories I plan on writing during my tenure.
Who is your favorite Nebraska band? Why?
It’s got to be Josh Hoyer and the Shadowboxers — simply because they happen to have my favorite musicians from Lincoln in the group. I also have great respect for a band that can play soul music well, and genuinely. They’ve got a tight rhythm section, horn lines are always on point, and Hoyer can write a mean song. He can sing it mean, too.
What’s your favorite music video?
“Gimme Some More” by Busta Rhymes. This was the first music video I ever saw, and as an easily frightened child, I was afraid to even flip past MTV on the television for five years. Hype William’s fish eye lense and Busta’s affinity for cartoony costumes shook me up pretty bad when I was five. Of course, I love the video now.
Which professional in your field do you most look up to? Why?
Rem Koolhaas. I’m currently studying architecture, and though I may not align to all of his ideas, I could understand them in his writings, before I could fully realize them in his built works. He began as a writer and journalist before he studied architecture. When I first started my studies, I didn’t know architects wrote. After coming across his work and coming across his magazine Volume, I quickly learned that most architects do. But he was the first, so I’ve got a soft spot for him.
Band (national or otherwise) you want to put on our radar?
This really does depend on who I’ve been listening to for the past week. So in this case I’ve got to recommend Lil B TheBasedGod, who just dropped his mixtape Hoop Life. If he isn’t on your radar, he needs to be. To be perfectly honest, there hasn’t been an artist I’ve recommended more. Take that as you will. Yes, I am taking this question seriously.
Shelby Wolfe
Gabriella Martinez-Garro
Age: 19
Hometown: Omaha
Current city: Omaha
Internship Focus: Editorial
Why do you care about Hear Nebraska?
As a Nebraska native, the culture of this state is very important to me. In my opinion, no one is dedicating as much time and effort into showcasing this state’s talent as much as Hear Nebraska.
What should HN’s audience expect from you?
Colorful reviews and profiles in addition to interviews that ask in-depth questions.
What about the internship has you most excited?
Being able to work with and support the incredibly talented (and really cool) people of the Nebraska music scene.
What skills are you working hardest to develop?
I’m hoping to strengthen my writing voice in general and create more anecdotal and thematic concert reviews.
Who is your favorite Nebraska band? Why?
Like many Omaha kids, Bright Eyes and Conor Oberst had a huge influence on my musical tastes. Without I’m Wide Awake It’s Morning and Lifted, I wouldn’t be as interested in local music, and music in general, as I am now.
What’s your favorite music video?
“At The Bottom Of Everything,” by Bright Eyes. The song itself is already visual, but the music video truly brings the song to life.
Which professional in your field do you most look up to? Why?
Chuck Klosterman. His interviews are always well-researched, bold and vibrant.
Band (national or otherwise) you want to put on our radar?
A beautiful songwriter with both a delicate and powerful voice, Bryan John Appleby deserves a listen.
Hannah Toohey
Age: 19
Hometown: Omaha
Current city: Omaha
Internship Focus: Marketing
Why do you care about Hear Nebraska?
For me, it is true that distance makes the heart grow fonder. I am referring to my relationship with Nebraska. While attending school in Chicago, I have grown more appreciative of my hometown Omaha and all it has to offer through music and the arts. Hear Nebraska is a great organization run by people who really care about making everyone learn to love Nebraska like I do.
What should HN’s audience expect from you?
Information! I will be working on the newsletter and other marketing projects, so look forward to hearing from me.
What about the internship has you most excited?
I am excited to work with people who are clearly so passionate about what they do! This is also exciting for me as I grow in my marketing experience on a personally important topic.
What skills are you working hardest to develop?
Developing my analytical marketing experience is important but I also want to push myself outside of my comfort zone in working with new tools and partners.
Who is your favorite Nebraska band? Why?
I like Cursive a lot. I first heard their music when it was announced that they would play at Maha Music Festival, and I have continued to listen to their music since.
What’s your favorite music video?
Kina Grannis’ “In Your Arms” music video. I don’t think I have ever watched a music video that took as much time and precision that jelly bean stop motion requires! It is fun and I love her as an artist.
Which professional in your field do you most look up to? Why?
Meg Whitman is the female professional I look up to in the business world. She is a strong and successful woman who worked through the ranks and climbed the corporate ladder with respect. Plus, she brought Teletubbies to America, so I think that’s a pretty good reason, too.
Band (national or otherwise) you want to put on our radar?
I like The Millions from Lincoln, but they are already on HN’s radar!