New full-service guitar shop to open in Omaha’s Blackstone district

A new Midtown music shop is ready to cover musician’s guitar, amp and effect needs.

Ground Floor Guitar opens mid-April In Omaha’s Blackstone District, 3909 Farnam St. In addition to guitar and accessory inventory, the shop plans to offer instrument and amp repair, as well as a back-lined rehearsal space.

Its Midtown location means it has the potential to serve much of the Omaha music community.

“It’s so exciting to open up a shop like this in the Midtown area,” says general manager Josh Soto, who also plays in indie/soul band High Up. “Our central location will make it easy for both local musicians and touring acts to grab a quick pack of strings or [other supplies].”

Owner Philip Schaffert says the rehearsal room, in addition to being fully furnished, will house a digital mixer into which bands can plug in to record practices or demos. Similar to radio station environment, players will use headphones to monitor each other.

Additional staff include Bill Sharp of Twinsmith and repair specialist Justin Reedy. Soto says with that much experience on the floor, the shop can be musician-focused.

“We share a high value on making our shop an inviting place where anyone can begin, or continue, their musical journey,” Soto says.

For more information, visit Ground Floor Guitar’s website here, or email hello@groundfloorguitar.com.

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Copper Collective art studio throws benefit for new darkroom

Omaha creative arts studio Copper Collective is looking to bolster its photographic capabilities by raising funds for a new darkroom space. The studio is throwing a benefit concert Sunday at Reverb Lounge, 6121 Military Ave, with The Brigadiers, Glen Hollow and Polka Police.

Located in the Omar Bakery Building on 43rd & Nicholas, Copper Collective houses four shooting studios, a gallery and consultation office. Omaha artist Dana Wickwire — who is also coordinating the fundraising project — says adding a darkroom will serve both Lincoln and Omaha photographers interested in traditional methods.

“In the digital age, it is harder to find the resources for people who are interested in traditional photography to create,” Wickwire says. “We want to extend the opportunity to keep historic photographic practices alive by providing a space for artists and hobbyists to practice.”

RSVP to tonight’s show here. Copper Collective has also established a GoFundMe campaign, which can be found here.

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Concert Round-Up: Weekend Edition

It’s fair to say there are a ton of great events happening this weekend, not all of them concerts. We hit a few of them below:

Friday

Alli and I releases new EP, plays Vega with Bernardus and DJ Laces – Lincoln singer/songwriter Andrew Standley releases his new EP Strings tonight at Vega. Standley told the Daily Nebraskan that it’s the best album he’s released yet.

“We’ve come a long way since recording in bathrooms,” Standley says. “This EP that we’re putting out on Friday at Vega is not only miles ahead from our first album, but it’s miles ahead from the last last album from a year ago. We did things different and we accomplished way more in a shorter amount of time.”

Two weeks later, Standley heads out on six-plus-week tour through the Midwest and East Coast, culminating in a homecoming show May 8 at Duffy’s Tavern. See a complete list of dates here. RSVP to tonight’s show here.

AZP, Both, Mesonjixx at The Bourbon – Lincoln hip-hop/rock band AZP releases Triangles EP tonight at the downtown Lincoln venue. Catch up with vocalist/keyboard player Zach Watkins with our Q&A here, in which he discusses finding early morning inspiration and living life in straight lines and corners. Hip-hop duo Both and soul/R&B band Mesonjixx fill out the bill. RSVP to the show here.

https://soundcloud.com/hearnebraska/azp-all-alone-triangles-ep

Titus Andronicus, Craig Finn, Universe Contest and Gordon at Lookout Lounge – New Jersey indie rock band Titus Andronicus and The Hold Steady frontman Craig Finn, long time pals, are touring together, stopping tonight at Lookout Lounge. It’s another huge get for the Omaha venue. Earlier in the week, former HN staffer Jacob Zlomke chatted with Finn about why he’s dialed back on the drama, and where the hope lies, in his latest solo release. Read it here. Universe Contest and Gordon open the show. RSVP here.

Jazz trio of Pike, Kotchian, Seay release new album – It’s not a physical event, but still a notable one. Saxophonist Kevin Pike, drummer/bassist John Kotchian and multi-instrumentalist David Seay release Out of the Plains today via Pike’s experimental/indie label Kevin Pike Music. The album is an abstract exploration of the history of the great plains, and is brimming with free jazz improvisations. Pike and Kotchian have been recording as a duo for more than a decade, bringing Seay on for his multiple talents the hurdy gurdy, musical saw, harmonica, tiple, banjo and yak horn. Out of the Plains is available on Apple iTunes, Amazon, CD Baby, Google Play, Spotify and more. Hear “Prehistoric Fish,” below:

Saturday

Omaha Zine Fest – not a musical event, per se, but one near to our heart (and one which we’ll be attending). The event, located at 1316 Jones St, will feature more than 85 artists and zine creators presenting zines covering dozens of topics, from sex and social theory to plants and puppies. There will also be a series of workshops designed around the history of zines and how to make and disseminate them. Read our interview with organizer Kaitlan McDermott here. Omaha Zine Fest is free and open to the public. RSVP here, and check out the full list of zinesters here.

Jennifer Hall, Mike Schlesinger, The Hottman Sisters at The Sydney – Chicago singer/songwriter Jennifer Hall tours through Nebraska. Hall hit Zoo Bar earlier this week. Mike Schlesinger and The Hottman Sisters open the show. The sisterly duo recently announced  its first out-of-state mini-tour, with three dates in Santa Barbara, Calif., and a stop in Los Angeles. RSVP to tonight’s show here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9rXBRXDSyQ

For a fuller listing of shows for this week and beyond, head to our statewide event calendar here. Let us know where you’re attending this weekend in the comments, or via Instagram and Twitter at @hearnebraska. Keep those news tips and story ideas coming to news@hearnebraska.org.