Take Cover Omaha packs into O’Leaver’s tomorrow night
HN’s fifth-annual Take Cover benefit concert rolls to Omaha tomorrow night, where it’ll pack 14 bands into O’Leaver’s.
As with last week’s Lincoln edition, full bands will each reinterpret/cover a song by an influential Nebraska musician, plus one original. A Nebraska comedian will host — this time, Ryan de la Garza. And proceeds help support HN’s paid internships! Rsvp to the show here, and spark your appetite with the full cover menu in our preview here (featuring a double-helping of Digital Leather).
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Sleep Sinatra debuts politically charged single
Though Sleep Sinatra’s lyrical content often bursts with social commentary, it’s not always readily apparent. His messages are dug back deep within layers of metaphor and smooth-flowing delivery.
Not so on the Lincoln emcee’s latest single “Nezhno,” which debuts today via Hear Nebraska. Abstract, mystical comic book nods give way to pointed, politically-charged criticism of police violence and a refernce COINTELPRO, the FBI program which targeted black civil rights and feminist groups in the ‘50s and ‘60s. He ends the track listing innocent black men felled at police hands, asking when it will all end.
“Nezhno” — which also features RhymeSayers artist and Minneapolis emcee Toki Wright — has the dark musical tone to match. Sleep Sinatra’s tracks typically have a morning-mist feeling, but this feels more like dim streetlamp at night. You can practically see orbs illuminating at the soft sounds of keys and bells. Well-timed beat skips give the track it’s disorienting quality.
As another sneak peek into the Lincoln emcee’s forthcoming album Vibranium, “Nezhno” seems to stand as part of its thesis. Hear its premiere below:
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No Tide debuts claustrophobic new video via Absolute Punk
Lincoln punk quartet No Tide premiered the brand new video for “Inverted” today via Absolute Punk. The track comes from last year’s full-length release Death of the Sun on Massachusetts punk label Take This To Heart Records.
The video — directed by former HN multimedia intern Peter Barnes — depicts its subject entering a fully newspaper-pasted room, trying to connect the dots between events in a seemingly emotionally taxing effort. No Tide flickers in and out of the media-flooded space like the static broadcast behind it.
See the video below:
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The Hottman Sisters submit soaring Tiny Desk contest video
Yet another Nebraskan entry into NPR Music’s Tiny Desk concert contest has emerged, this one a soaring pop song from The Hottman Sisters.
The Omaha duo, joined regularly now by drummer John Evans, crowded into room filled with pianos to perform “Who I Was,” for its video submission. Watch the video below, and see them perform at Take Cover Omaha tomorrow night at O’Leaver’s:
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Sights On Sounds features Elvis Costello Concert Film
Film Streams’ “Sights On Sounds” music documentary series continues Sunday evening with a screening of Elvis Costello: Detour Live at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. The live concert film was shot during the English new wave singer/songwriter’s 2015 United Kingdom tour. It features performances spanning his near-40-year career in addition to interview with Costello.
Elvis Costello screens one time only, Sunday at 7 p.m. Purchase tickets here.
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Concert Round-up: Weekend Edition
There are a ton of great shows going on this weekend. Make sure to get out now before next week’s blizzard barricades you into your home. Here are a few to watch for:
Friday
Bed Rest, The Crash Bandits and No Getter at Milk Run – Minneapolis pop punk trio The Crash Bandits stops through Omaha while on a brief winter tour in support of Jan. 8 LP Lighten Up. Defend Pop Punk Reviews gave the record, the band’s second full-length, 8.7/10. RSVP to the show here.
Sam Martin, Karen Meat & the Computer, Gramps at O’Leaver’s – the Des Moines off-kilter pop project Karen Meat & the Computer, led by Nashville transplant Arin Eaton, returns to O’Leaver’s to play with a pair of club regulars. Its latest album, a five-song self-titled EP, is an electro-laden pop delicacy, covering topics ranging from earnest love to sickening rejection to excessive boozing. RSVP to the 9 p.m. show here.
Alistair Hennessey, Infinite Me, Lighthouses, Stronghold, Gutterslut at Lookout Lounge – The Minneapolis invasion spreads across Omaha, as a pair of touring hard rock bands in Alistair Hennessey and Infinite Me play Lookout Lounge. The all-ages show is $10 and starts at 9 p.m. RSVP here.
Saturday
An Evening with Iris Dement at The Waiting Room – the country/folk singer/songwriter comes to Omaha, touring in support of last year’s release The Trackless Woods. Dement was inspired by the words of Russian poet Anna Akhmatova for what is the sixth studio album of her 23-year career. RSVP to the show here.
Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal and Kris Lager Band at Zoo Bar – Soul Colossal plays on its home turf with hard touring roots-rock Kris Lager Band. As was announced yesterday, the former will release third studio album Running From Love April 8 on Silver Street Records. Both bands are already set with heavy touring schedules outside of Nebraska. Catch them both in one night. RSVP here.
Sunday
Extravision, Jack Hotel, Nicholas Naioti and Max Holmquist at Duffy’s Tavern – Extravision (Annalibera’s Ryan Stier) and Naioti are touring to the west coast, both supporting new albums. Finish the weekend with a quartet of singer/songwriters sure to warm your heart, or at least give its coldness some good company. RSVP to the 9 p.m. show 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.