Nebraska music documentarian Mike Kronschnabel passes away
For six years in the early to mid-’90s, Trout Tunes captured Nebraska music history through video interviews and live concert recordings, featuring the likes of Slowdown Virginia, Nuns With Guns and For Against. Mike Kronschnabel, producer for the Omaha television show and the man who sought to permanently digitize the entire series, has passed away.
Kronschnabel’s — or simply “Kronch” — work was vital to documenting music community happenings as Trout Tunes filmed roughly 1,600 hours of footage and, more recently, adding nearly 60 videos to its YouTube channel. He talked about the project with Hear Nebraska in this 2012 video.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to the Kronschnabel family and all who knew Kronsch. If you have memories to share, send them to news@hearnebraska.org.
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High Up’s self-titled EP out today
Omaha indie/soul band High Up released its self-titled debut today via Team Love Records. It also shared album’s third track, “Your System Failed You,” yesterday via Impose.
High Up announces its presence powerfully, much like the band itself on the live stage. Blasting horns, needling guitar and driving bass lead the way, and within second, vocalist Christine Fink’s voice booms, its reverb seemingly self-generated. Like classic soul, the songs lament the down-and-out and lovelorn with an injection of Fink’s edginess (“if you’re still against raising minimum wage, fuck you!”).
Purchase the album (digitally and on cassette) here. Along with the release comes news of a regional tour with Leopold and His Fiction. See the below:
Feb 10 – Lawrence, KS @ The Bottleneck
Feb 11 – Omaha, NE @ Slowdown
Feb 13 – Des Moines, IA @ Vaudeville Mews
Feb 14 – Maquoketa, IA @ Codfish Hollow Barnstormers
Feb 15 – Chicago, IL @ 1st Ward
Feb 16 – Lincoln, NE @ Duffy’s Tavern
March 14-18 – Austin, TX @ SXSW
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Concert Round-Up
Before we get to the weekend in shows, here are two important Saturday events you should know about:
Women’s March on Omaha, Women’s March on Lincoln: Thousands of Omaha and Lincoln residents join in solidarity the Women’s March on Washington “to show our solidarity with our partners and children for the protection of our rights, our safety, our health, and our families — recognizing that our vibrant and diverse communities are the strength of our wonderful city and this country.” The Omaha march begins at 5 p.m. at CenturyLink Center and will feature speakers and Omaha singer/songwriter Jocelyn (RSVP here). Lincoln march participants will meet on the north side of the UNL student union and march up Centennial Mall to the Capitol (RSVP here).
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Tonight, a pair of Iowa acts in math rock band Stars Hollow and emo rock band With Iowa In Between play The Commons LNK with The Way Out and singer/songwriter Jacob James Wilton. Both Iowa bands have new music out within the last year — here and here, respectively. 7 p.m., $5 suggested donation, RSVP here.
Also tonight, Low Long Signal, Tenenbaums and Mint Wad Willy play O’Leaver’s. Mint Wad Willy is part of the 12-act roster playing Take Cover Omaha. 9:30 p.m., RSVP here.
Saturday, Christopher the Conquered returns to Omaha, playing The Down Under Lounge with local singer/songwriter Aly Peeler. 9 p.m., $5, RSVP here.
And Sunday, KZUM’s Soup and Songs series continues at the Ferguson House with Edem Soul Music. The $15 cover benefits the Lincoln nonprofit radio station and includes food and refreshments from Open Harvest Grocery, Goldenrod Pastries and Sweet Minou. RSVP here.
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