Mark Patrick celebrates ‘Pen and Pad’ tonight at Reverb Lounge

For an album titled in a way that suggests its maker’s penchant for narrative, Pen and Pad hits hardest because of the work behind the scenes. Mark Patrick has wit, no doubt, and the bedrock of classic retro beats and a roll-call list of Omaha emcees only work in his favor.

The Omaha emcee’s new record, out now, really feels plotted out in a very introspective way, as one might cull from the cumulative months’ worth of material written at each spark of inspiration. Every syllable, every sample, every chewable thought is in its right place.

Rather than working against the grain to build his own coming out party, Patrick invites a laundry list of features from Marcey Yates, TKO, Xoboi, Greco and Graye along for the ride — not totally surprising given a collaborative style that reaches to his co-found of this year’s New Generation Music Festival.

Still, Patrick isn’t afraid to shine on his own, which seems obvious to say but necessary to note for a solo album filled with so many backers. It’s that mutual support, rather than a bunch of people clamoring over each other that gives this record its character.

Mark Patrick celebrates the release of Pen and Pad tonight at Reverb Lounge with The Dilla Kids, Greco, Delreece, Mola-B and Fr!day. Yates hosts, while DJ Coldcuts spins. The $7, all-ages show starts at 8 p.m. RSVP here.

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Photo Coverage: Tragic Jack, The Wildwoods, Lucas Kellison at Vega

HN multimedia contributor Connor Lepert went to Vega last night to catch rock/Americana group Tragic Jack perform with The Wildwoods and Lucas Kellison. Formed by Silver Street boss Charlie Hull and The Millions’ Marty Amsler, Tragic Jack debuted with its first single, “Hello,” back in August, and plans to follow up with a full-length album next year. Kellison performed acoustic material with guest player Dan Beard.

See Lepert’s photos below:

Tragic Jack

The Wildwoods

Lucas Kellison ft. Dan Beard

 

Photos by Connor Lepert

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Concert Round-Up

Tonight is the first of two very busy pre-holiday concert evenings. It’s also the first of two nights of JV-Allstars, the Lincoln pop-punk band that has reunited once again after closing down Knickerbockers last December. Both concerts happen at 1867 Bar, with Omaha indie rock band Bed Rest and Lincoln post-hardcore band Better Friend opening. Thursday night entry is $12; two-night passes are available for $18. RSVP here.

In Omaha, indie rock quartet Twinsmith finishes its year at Slowdown with Ojai and Charlie Ames Project. Twinsmith has been relatively quiet in 2016, save a handful of touring dates, following the release of its sophomore album Alligator Years last May. Charlie Ames Project released its debut EP There in April this year. It’s $10 for the front room show, which starts at 8 p.m. RSVP here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llEJs0shrEM

And over in Benson, Matt Whipkey and Brad Hoshaw perform at The Waiting Room. Whipkey, of course, plays guitar in Hoshaw’s Seven Deadlies, but this is apparently the first time the two distinct acts perform on the same billing. 9 p.m., $10, RSVP here.

View a fuller listing of shows tonight and beyond on our statewide calendar here. Email anything we’re missing to news@hearnebraska.org, along with other news tips and story ideas.