‘Ruminations’ streaming on NPR First Listen
Two weeks away from its impending release, Connor Oberst’s forthcoming solo record is out in the open.
Ruminations is available for streaming now via NPR First Listen. As Stephen Thompson’s article notes, the sparsely adorned LP comprises some of the Omaha native’s “ … darkest and most personal songs, rooted in isolation … ”
And it’s no surprise, in the wake of Oberst’s recent health and stress issues, which came to a head at the end of last year with a tour cancellation and hospitalization. There’s still an element of pep, where one can imagine more fleshed out arrangements; his band played a couple during its Grand Island set in August. But where the focus is usually on Oberst’s lyrics, they are alone in the spotlight, with his lilting voice, piano and a smattering of harmonic.
Ruminations is out October 14 on Nonesuch Records. Oberst plays Omaha’s 40th St Theater, 4006 ½ Hamilton St on Thursday, Nov 3. Tickets are available in person at Pageturner’s Lounge, Ground Floor Guitar and Almost Music.
Listen in here.
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The Faint compilation album out today
The Faint’s career compilation CAPSULE:1999-2016 is out today on Saddle Creek Records. Spanning 16 years of electro-punk, the record includes favorites like “Worked Up So Sexual” and “Agenda Suicide,” as well as three new tracks “Skylab1979,” “ESP” and “Young & Realistic.”
The first of The Faint’s new tracks, “Young & Realistic,” got a video release Wednesday to coincide with the band leaving on a month-long tour with Gang Of Four and Pictureplane. HN multimedia intern Lauren Farris filmed a video interview with them Wednesday as they ran through final rehearsals; look for that feature next week.
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Photos of White Wolf T-Shirt, The Matchsellers at Barley Street Tavern
HN contributor (and former intern) Cara Wilwerding caught the show at Barley Street Tavern last night. Kansas City/Indiana-based bluegrass duo The Matchsellers swung through town to start a month-long tour, this stop supported by Omaha rock group White Wolf T-Shirt. Violinist Julie Bates and guitarist Andrew Morris met while teaching English in Leipzig, Germany, in 2012. They quit their respective jobs in 2013 and have essentially been on the road ever since, playing more than 150 shows per year.
See Wilwerding’s photos below:
White Wolf T-Shirt
above photo by Emily Carnley
The Matchsellers
— photos by Cara Wilwerding
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Concert Round-Up: Weekend Edition
Let’s roll quickly through the rundown of weekend shows:
Friday
The Mountain Goats, Oh Pep! at The Waiting Room – The legendary folk rock band released its 15th studio album Beat the Champ last year on Merge Records, and is touring in support as a trio. Frontman John Darnielle hit Lincoln last year for a solo set at Vega. Melbourne, Australia folk pop duo Oh Pep! open the show. $25, RSVP here.
Plack Blague, Ruby Block, Chalant at Reverb Lounge – Before he gets down and dirty at his specially curated Lincoln Calling showcase next weekend, Plack Blague hits Omaha with Ruby Block and Chalant. $6, RSVP here.
Saturday
Lloyd McCarter & the Honky Tonk Revival, Andrea von Kampen at Slowdown – First, one of Lincoln’s brightest emerging songwriters takes the stage, no doubt playing cuts from her forthcoming album Another Day. Then, charismatic country singer Lloyd McCarter rocks the house. $5 today, $7 tomorrow. RSVP here.
Sunday
The Renderers, Lush Bruise Crew, L. Eugene Methe at O’Leaver’s – Yucca Valley, Calif, psych rockers The Renderers play the club’s Sunday Social with Lush Bruise Crew and L. Eugene Methe. Originally from New Zealand, The Renderers are on tour in support of In The Sodium Light, the band’s latest LP on Ba Da Bing Records (the same label which released David Nance’s More Than Enough). On the menu this weekend: veggie soup. RSVP here.
View a fuller schedule at our statewide events calendar here. Out and about this weekend? Feel free to share with @hearnebraska via Instagram and Twitter.
Musicians: have an upcoming tour, new music or video release or other goings on? Email news@hearnebraska.org.