To help assess the year in music, we asked more than a dozens musicians, journalists and scene figures for their favorite albums, songs, shows and events of the year. Today, they give their individual takes on the most important developments for Nebraska music in 2016, from emerging businesses and venues to alternative and DIY spaces to efforts by some to make Nebraska music safer and more inclusive.
Read their responses below, and check out more from our 2016 year in review here.
Kelly Langin, Milk Run
I’m not sure this was ever a thing in the past, but the development of DIY forums to help talk about issues and balance within the scene is so important. We’ve been able to discuss accountability, what to do when faced with sexual assault, and more. With the impending doom of our presidential administration and the blatant racism coming out of the woodwork, I’m hoping these forums continue into 2017 so we’re all on the same page with how to deal with tough situations within our community.
Rebecca Lowry, All Young Girls Are Machine Guns
Cortney Kirby started booking at Duffy’s Tavern. Kait Berreckman started booking at Barley Street Tavern. Kelly Langin, Taylor Sankey and Emmaline Sabin took over the daily production of Milk Run. Kate Dussault finally introduced Hi-Fi House to the neighborhood. Maya Khasin started PorchfestLNK. Amanda DeBoer Bartlett, Stacey Barelos, Kate Campbell, and Aubrey Byerly finally received 501(c)(3) status for their Omaha Under the Radar Music Festival. Here are some sound people I know now I didn’t a year ago: Marina Kushner and yours truly. These names are amazing. I’m ready to see more women in positions of power in the Nebraska music scene. I’m also beyond ready to see some diversity.
Patrick Nolan, HN editorial contributor
So much to pick from. Seeing Maha grow and grow is hugely exciting, The BAY opening a venue was cool, Milk Run’s new management is great, and obviously HN is doing super cool work now and is expanding in excellent and exciting ways.
My answer, though, is a tad bit different. I think Ground Floor Guitar in Blackstone has been my favorite musical development in Nebraska. In my opinion, Josh Soto brought exactly what Omaha needed by opening a small, local guitar shop with interesting, high-quality gear at a fair price for the community to enjoy. His equipment is great, the staff is excellent and it’s just a cool place to hang out and make music. Not to mention the rehearsal space, which has even enabled me personally to finally get together with my friends and make rock and roll. Good on Josh and the GFG crew for opening that. (Honorable mention for me is New Generation Music Festival. I was bummed I couldn’t go but I think it was a really cool and ambitious project.)
Graham Ulicny, Thick Paint/The Faint
Hmmmm, probably Ground Floor guitars opening up. So nice to be able to buy guitar strings/whatever and not have to drive to fucking Guitar Center. Love those folks.
Salt Creek, Lincoln indie rock
In general, It’s awesome to see the Lincoln music community have more places to play. The Bay has a brand new [stage] and one of the best coffee shops in town on top of it being an awesome venue. The Commons is a safe and great all ages place to see shows. 1867 has been having some awesome shows and is very Nebraska-music-geared.
The JV Allstars at 1867 Bar | photo by Tarah Dawdy
Sleep Sinatra, Lincoln emcee
The creation and experience of CHURCH and and the creation of GOODGOSPEL. Finding a Home and creating a haven for the Hip-Hop Community of Lincoln was monumental,and pivotal in the shift of momentum in the Hip-Hop scene here.
Good Gospel at CHURCH in Lincoln, Neb., on April 22, 2016. Photo by Andrew Dickinson for Hear Nebraska
Sara Bertuldo, See Through Dresses
It was really cool to see bands respond politically this year and rally behind certain causes (Planned Parenthood, toy drives, etc.) There’s been a bunch of benefit shows, it’s great to see all kinds of bands get together.
River City Toy Drive at Milk Run | photo by Dann Ciembor
Amanda Deboer Bartlett, Omaha Under The Radar
Hi-Fi House! Hands down!
Miwi LaLupa, Omaha singer/songwriter
Hi-Fi House. Awesome record collection/listening environment for records and concerts!
Andrew Samson, HN editorial contributor
I loved seeing both Hi-Fi House and Milk Run become more regular names both in conversation and in becoming hosts for shows and concerts. I’ve gotten to a point where it takes a lot of strength and energy for me to go to big shows. I’ve grown somewhat nervous in large crowds. I love the small, intimate shows that these venues put on because I can avoid the large crowds and I’ve felt such connections with the groups that I’ve seen there.
Terrace Martin at Hi-Fi House | photo by Daniel Thompson III
Jason Steady, Wolf Dealer
It’s been cool to watch the Lookout [Lounge] come into its own. It’s old friends of mine who all were involved in the Cog in one way or another. A lot of people that I hadn’t seen or communicated with much over the years, despite everyone being in the same town, and I regret that.
Titus Andronicus at Lookout Lounge | photo by Ingrid Holmquist
Hercules at Lookout Lounge | photo by Lauren Farris
Mark Hayden, HN editorial contributor
Maybe not a development, but I like seeing a small, intimate place like The Milk Run being supported. They host some awesome, talented musicians, local and national. I saw locals Anna McClellan and Thick Paint open for Baltimore band Outer Spaces in June, and it was incredible.
Dan Brennan, Slowdown
Seeing/working a show at the 40th Street Theater. What an amazing and beautiful new space in town run by beautiful people.
Conor Oberst performs at 40th St Theater | photo by Lauren Farris
Joel Henriksen, One Percent Productions
I think Hear Nebraska did a tremendous job of upping the legitimacy and professionalism of Lincoln Calling. Sweet lineup, great promotion and from what I hear a pretty good turn out.
Marcey Yates, Raleigh Science Project
My favorite development for music probably is the between the Hi Fi House and what Bird Williams is doing with his Fliye Arts program reaching kids and getting into schools. That’s key!
James Dean, HN photo contributor
Again this is really hard for me. I think there’s a three-part answer: Lincoln Calling was amazingly well booked and was extremely fun. The addition of The Bay for all ages shows (and The Bay’s concert space in general) and 1867 Bar really expand the possible spaces in and near downtown [Lincoln] that can be utilized for shows and festivals like this.
Mesonjixx plays The Bay’s relaunch show | photo by Lauren Farris
Dan McCarthy, McCarthy Trenching
I love the rise of the locally organized, diverse, high-quality festival. Let’s call it a community festival, where you can walk between venues and you’re not ever penned in. I know it’s not the first year for either one, but Femme Fest and Lincoln Calling both knocked my socks off.
Muscle Cousins performs at Petshop during Benson First Friday Femme Fest | photo by James Dean
Eli Mardock, Vega
Seems like there’s more venues and promoters popping up. That’s a good thing, and it’s starting to get Lincoln some national attention.
Edem Soul Music, Omaha singer/songwriter
My favorite music development would have to be my Edem Soul Music Project, The Raleigh Science Project, and everything Rebecca Lowry does. Femme Fest is always wonderful!
Marq Manner, Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards
I got to go to Norfolk with Rothsteen for the Hear Nebraska [Good Living] Tour. What a well organized, well attended, and fun show! Norfolk loved Rothsteen! These Hear Nebraska shows are the most important things happening in the Nebraska music scene.
Rothsteen performs during in Norfolk during the 2016 Good Living Tour | photo by Andrew Dickinson
Jacob Darling, The Commons LNK
I would like to preface my answer to this by saying I am a straight, white male with an insane amount of privilege, so I may be seeing the progress in better light because I don’t have to live through the many struggles other folks in the scene have to live through.
With that being said: from my limited point of view, while there’s still a very long road ahead of us, I feel like the Nebraska scene made some really great strides towards becoming a more progressive and socially aware environment. Milk Run is now being ran by an all female team, which is so awesome! The Commons makes great strides to be a safe space and to make sure it is 100% inclusive and progressive, I’ve seen countless benefit shows throughout the state and a definite presence from the scene at progressive and peaceful protests between Omaha and Lincoln. There have also been great people working hard to set up the DIY forums to address issues of sexism, racism, and rape culture. A big highlight for me this year was definitely The Hardcore Showcase, there was such an awesome female presence on the stage this year and Planned Parenthood was there offering free STD testing and handing out condoms and information! In a dark year, politically, it’s really nice to see the scene fighting back in whatever way we can and I’m eager to see this progress continue.