HN workshops teach recording and live sound basics

story by Gabriella Parsons

Calling all eager musicians, budding artists and statewide sound geeks: Hear Nebraska’s workshops await.  

In collaboration between local sound engineers, technicians and organizations, Hear Nebraska hosts two separate workshops in March, providing a unique opportunity for musicians to learn from Nebraska music professionals. Participants will learn the ins and outs of recording music, and gain a basic understanding of how live sound works in various situations.

“The mission of these workshops is to give musicians the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in their musical endeavors,” Hear Nebraska program manager Aaron Markley said.

The workshops will take place in Omaha and Lincoln in hopes of reaching musicians and artists from various communities.

As a part of this developing educational program, Hear Nebraska will be hosting three additional workshops in both Lincoln and Omaha throughout 2016. While each has been developed in the interest of musicians specifically, they are free and open to the public, and people of all skill levels and backgrounds in music are encouraged to attend.

“This is sort of the beginning of a larger educational program that we’re working toward,” Markley said.

University of Nebraska- Omaha Music Technology students and UNO Director of Music Technology Brett Leonard will facilitate Audio Mixing 101. This workshop will offer lessons in basic music production where participants will learn audio mixing tools and techniques — including dynamics processing, reverb, delay and EQ — through Audacity software.

In Lincoln, professional sound engineers Brenton Neville (Vessel Live) and Mark Wolberg will host Live Sound for Musicians. Participants will learn basic sound skills in various environments and how to successfully run a PA system in indoor, outdoor and DIY setting. Neville and Wolberg will also explain best practices for working with sound engineers during soundchecks.

Both workshops feature two sessions, and space is limited. Omaha’s Do Space hosts Audio Mixing 101 at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday, March 19 (RSVP here). Lincoln’s Live Sound 101 workshop happens at Neville’s Vessel Farm at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Sunday, March 20 (RSVP here).

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Ten O’Clock Scholars peers into the past in music video premiere

Omaha-native rockers Ten O’Clock Scholars took an unconventional approach to its new music video. After breaking from hiatus just three years ago, its members still find it hard to assemble.

Thus, it chose to juxtapose its own past with American military history, not only to make the viewer think, but out of necessity.

“When it takes months to get the band in the same state, let alone the same room to record a video, you have to get a little creative,” says drummer Taylor Stein.

In its music video premiere of “American,” Ten O’Clock scholars weaved together archived black and white military footage with live concert roll from throughout the band’s 15-year existence. Taylor, who directed and edited the video, says the song was adopted by the band from a Matt Banta tune. It made its way onto new album A Long Way From Midnight.

Ten O’Clock Scholars plays Barley Street Tavern Friday with Edge of Arbor, Brothers Tandem and Macabre Improv (RSVP here). View the “American” video below:

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HN Radio features new music by Terrace Martin, Justin Carter, J. Crum

We’ve rotated in a new HN Radio playlist, and it features plenty of new music from around the scene.

Omaha rapper J. Crum releases his new LP Black Sheep this Friday. The first single, “Hearts Collide” leads off the playlist.

We also have the new single from Omaha native multi-instrumentalist/producer Terrace Martin. “Valdez Off Crenshaw” is the first release from Martin’s upcoming album Velvet Portraits, recorded with Rick Carson at Make Believe Studios. Martin won a Grammy last week for his work on Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp A Butterfly. Get acquainted with Martin (and other Nebraska Grammy connections) here.

Experimental jazz artist Justin Carter also released a new track last week. “Baalzebub” is the first single from Carter’s forthcoming full-length album, recording at Omaha’s Yorick Studios with Erik Jarvis.

Find the complete HN Radio playlist at the top of the page, or listen below:

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Concert Round-Up

 

Tonight, Milwaukee garage rock band Midnight Reruns comes to Lookout Lounge. The band released Force Of Nurture in October, and have been touring in support during the early part of 2016. A.V. Club recently called its “… Replacements-esque guitar pop … instantly likable … made even better with a charming, practiced sloppiness that keeps things remarkably fresh.” Omaha bands Super Ghost, Dummy Head Torpedo and Anthems round out the bill. RSVP here.

Head to our statewide calendar at hearnebraska.org/events for a full listing of this week’s shows and beyond. Keep those news tips and story ideas coming to news@hearnebraska.org. See you on the air tonight at 8 p.m. for Hear Nebraska FM. Tune in via 89.3 FM in Lincoln or stream live at kzum.org.