Stereogum Features ‘Live At O’Leaver’s’

Nebraska’s music community has enjoyed O’Leaver’s extensive live audio project for months, but it’s now enjoying a little national attention.

Music news outlet Stereogum featured ‘Live At O’Leaver’s’ on its website today, along with recordings by current buzz bands Speedy Ortiz, Beach Slang and The Hussy. The blurb briefly notes the founding of O’Leaver’s as a DIY concert space in 2012 and the audio library’s inception.

Now more than a year old, ‘Live At O’Leaver’s’ features more than 70 local and national acts. Added credit goes to sound engineer Ian Aeillo, who’s poured countless hours into making the project what it is. Either way, congrats to O’Leaver’s for getting much deserved attention.

Check out the Stereogum feature here. Hear the entire electronic library here.

Speaking of Beach Slang, they were one of many awesome acts we photographed, recorded and screamed along with at The Fest this weekend in Gainesville. Keep an eye on the site later today for our photo essay from an action-packed three days in the swamp.

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Lyons “fold out” Theater re-opens tonight

A small Nebraska community and the Center for Rural Affairs have collaborated to make unique, art-centered use of deteriorated space.

The Lyons Theater hosts its grand opening ceremony tonight, literally unfolding the pop-out structure housed within the previously abandoned building at 214 Main St. Colorado-based singer/songwriter Josephine Foster will perform and local filmmaker Bill Hedges will debut Decades, which documents the story of Lyons’s Main Street over time.

The Lyons Theater re-opening part of a project called By Way of Art, a partnership between The Center for Rural Affairs, the town of Lyons and outside artist Matthew Mazzotta. Other projects are currently underway in Decatur, Macy and Oakland.

Built by local craftspeople and volunteers, The Lyons space is also a kind of community artwork installation, a pop-up monument to the potential resurrection of the arts. Theater operators also plan to host game night, movie showings and game day events.

“Small town theaters disappeared long ago,” says Center for Rural Affairs Project Specialist Kat Shiffler. “This is an effort to bring back cultural spaces to Nebraska’s small towns.”

Tonight’s event starts at 6 p.m., and attendance is free. RSVP here. Learn more about By Way of Art here.

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Sidewalk Chalk, Mesonjixx at Zoo Bar

Catching up from last week, HN contributor James Dean went to the Zoo Bar Oct. 30 to catch Lincoln’s Mesonjixx play with oft-visiting Chicago band Sidewalk Chalk. The neo-soul outfit released full-length LP Shoulder Season in February.

See Dean’s photos below:

Sidewalk Chalk

Mesonjixx

photos by James Dean

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Concert Round-up

Tonight, New York indie rock band Here We Go Magic plays the Slowdown front room with tourmates Big Thief. Here We Go Magic released its fifth studio album Be Small on Oct. 15 on Secretly Canadian. Tickets are $12, RSVP here.

As always, head to our statewide calendar at hearnebraska.org/events for a fuller listing of shows. If you do not see your show or one you plan to attend, email us at news@hearnebraska.org, or add it yourself. And keep those song submissions, story ideas and news tips coming.

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One quick note: our hearts go out to all those connected to the tragic, fatal shooting that took place in a venue in our music community this weekend. We hope this horrific event can and will lead to more, constructive, positive conversation about life in our home. Stay together.