Editor’s note: The following post contains coverage of a project some readers may find offensive. While removing the story defies journalistic ethics, we find it important to note our editorial stance on cultural insensitivity. Such events and practices fall outside our scope; we do not consider them for current or future coverage.
We invite readers with questions to email our staff at editorial@hearnebraska.org.
* * *
photos from SXSW 2012
As we prepare to leave for Austin, Texas, and this year’s South by Southwest festival, more than 10 Nebraska bands are also hitting the road. We’ve compiled a list of the Nebraska shows this year, and heard from Orion Walsh and Satchel Grande about how they’re approaching SXSW this time around.
Hear Nebraska will be posting daily reviews with photos, interviews and more starting Thursday. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and SoundCloud, and look out videos in the coming weeks as well.
Big Harp, Bolzen Beer Band, Eli Mardock, Harouki Zombi, Icky Blossoms, Jake Bellows, Jimmy Hooligan, Orion Walsh, Plack Blague, Satchel Grande, UUVVWWZ
BIG HARP
Wednesday, March 13, 10 p.m. at The Parish for the Saddle Creek Showcase
Friday, March 15, 3 p.m. at Six Lounge for The Weekly Feed
photo by Daniel Muller
BOLZEN BEER BAND
Tuesday, March 12, 7 p.m. at Firehouse Hostel and Lounge (playing with Orion Walsh)
Also busking with Orion Walsh
photo by Hilary Stohs-Krause
ELI MARDOCK
Friday, March 15, 7:30 p.m. at Agave, 415 E. 6th St.
Friday, March 15, 9 p.m. at Uncorked for The Wild Honey Pie and Paper Garden Records
Saturday, March 16, 9 p.m. at in.gredients
HAROUKI ZOMBI
Wednesday, March 13, 1 a.m. at The Parish for the Saddle Creek Showcase
Friday, March 15, 10 p.m. at Red Eyed Fly
SXSW 2012: Harouki Zombi from Hear Nebraska on Vimeo.
ICKY BLOSSOMS
Wednesday, March 13, 3 p.m. at Urban Outfitters
Wednesday, March 13, midnight at The Parish for the Saddle Creek Showcase
Thursday, March 14, noon at Annex for the Check Yo Ponytail/Mad Decent/Fool’s Gold
Thursday, March 14, 9 p.m. at Clive Bar for the Filter Party
Friday, March 15, 6:50 p.m. at The Brew Exchange for Beautiful Buzz/DeliRadio
photo by Hilary Stohs-Krause
JAKE BELLOWS
Wednesday, March 13, 8 p.m. at The Parish for the Saddle Creek Showcase
photo by Angie Norman
JIMMY HOOLIGAN
Co-hosting a showcase on Thursday, March 14 at The Eastern
[More acts fall between the Nebraska ones listed here.]
5:30 p.m. Pflames (Omaha)
5:45 p.m. Donnie J & E-Day (Omaha)
6:15 p.m. Holla Cron & Sara C (Omaha)
6:45 p.m. ShiShi Sakari (Omaha)
8:30 p.m. Holla Cron & Sara C (Omaha)
8:45 p.m. Toppas Wit Choppas (Lincoln)
9:15 p.m. Jimmy Hooligan
ORION WALSH
Tuesday, March 12, 7 p.m. at Firehouse Hostel and Lounge
Also busking with Bolzen Beer Band
photo by Bridget McQuillan
Hear Nebraska: First, have you been to SXSW before? either as a musician or observer? What are your expectations for this year?
Orion Walsh: This will be my fourth year performing at SXSW, the third time as a solo artist. My first experience with SXSW was when my old band played back 2004 for the first Tooth and Nail Records Showcase with Mewithoutyou, Emery, Anberlin, Mae and Watashi Wa. That was a great show.
This year I will be playing a showcase at the Firehouse Lounge and Hostel on March 12th at 8 p.m. for the Blue Sky & Hard Rock Magazine Showcase. The gentlemen from Bolzen Beer Band will be backing me up on a few songs as well for this performance.
HN: What are you hoping to get out of performing at SXSW?
OW: It will be fun. It will be nice to see some old friends as well. The real fun will be when I get to play on the streets of Austin busking during the days before checking out shows at night.
HN: Which band are you most looking forward to seeing while in Austin?
OW: I’m looking forward to seeing the Flaming Lips for the first time, and it’s going to be a free show.
HN: How do you think Nebraska music contributes to the national music scene?
OW: I think we bring something different to the table. We have a different mentality towards music than other states and I think we generally take a more humble position on things. There is a lot of good music that has come out of our state. We are of course most known for the bands on Saddle Creek Records on a national level. I’m going to try to make it down to their showcase this year.
PLACK BLAGUE
[Stay tuned for a tour diary from Plack Blague’s set of shows starting tonight in Lincoln at The Zoo Bar, continuing through Austin and ending in Tulsa.]
Sunday, March 17, 7 p.m. at Club 1808 for SUX BY SUXWEST 3
photo by Chevy Anderson
SATCHEL GRANDE
Thursday, March 14, 8 p.m. at Javelina
Thursday, March 14, 1 a.m. at Meduse Lounge
photo by Matt Masin
Hear Nebraska: First, have you been to SXSW before? either as a musician or observer? What are your expectations for this year?
Andy Kammerer: This is the second time Satchel Grande has been invited to SXSW, the first was in 2011. It’s always exciting to pack our 10-piece up, get on out of Benson, and share our sound with the world. And it’s very validating that we’ve been asked to come back a second time.
Expectations, not really any I can think of. Just get down there safe, perform our best and meet as many new people and artists as possible. Make connections, build for the future, and enjoy incredible music with our good friends and family.
HN: What are you hoping to get out of performing at SXSW?
AK: Intergalactic notoriety. I don’t know. I’d say it’s an honor being asked. How’s that for a diplomatic answer? But seriously, they turn a lot of bands away and it is a pretty special deal. I think the most gratifying part is that we’ve done all of this independently (in the original spirit of SXSW) without the support, leverage and finances of a label. But don’t get me wrong, I’d take the help if something comes along.
HN: Which band are you most looking forward to seeing while in Austin?
AK: I don’t think I know that yet. Last time, the best showcases came from bands we may never hear again; acts from other countries, or bands that many never roll through Omaha again. Sometimes it is difficult to get into see some of the more talked about shows, even with our mid-tier artist credentials. So I don’t like to get my hopes up. And then surprise things just pop up, too, and it’s all about being the right place at the right time.
HN: How do you think Nebraska music contributes to the national music scene?
AK: I think we’re only scratching the surface on this one. There are so many incredible talents in this state, and while the region’s reputation continues to grow, I think we are on the brink of something pretty significant. I think HEAR plays a critical role in this, too, by capturing what we’re doing in vivid color and language, and sharing it with the world.
HN: Anything else you’d like to add about the upcoming experience?
AK: If you are on the fence about packing up the van and heading down to Austin this week, I say this: 1.) You only live once. 2.) Everyone will be there. 3.) I hear it’s going to be 80+ degrees all of next week. See you then.
UUVVWWZ
Wednesday, March 13, 1:30 p.m. at The Liberty for the Break Thru Radio Show
Wednesday, March 13, 9 p.m. at The Parish for the Saddle Creek Showcase
photo by Chevy Anderson
Michael Todd is Hear Nebraska’s managing editor. He’s looking forward to sharing the great news of this year’s festival with you. Reach him at michaeltodd@hearnebraska.org.