A handful of bands play Benson’s Sweatshop Gallery this weekend for Junkfest #20, including a healthy mix of local and touring acts. This includes Simon Joyner’s full band on Saturday night. The two-night lo-fi affair also features art by Dennis Callaci. He’s the founder of the independent label Shrimper Records, which released Simon Joyner’s Songs for the New Year and Blue Melody: Live From the South, as well as Woods’ Songs of Shame and seven early Mountain Goats releases. More art this weekend from Christopher Fischer of Unread Records, L Eugene Methe and more. Friday is $8, Saturday $13. We’ve got the lineup and schedule here.
Friday:
9:00-9:30: Nathan Ma and the Rosettes
9:45-10:15: Razors
10:20-10:45: I am the Lake of Fire
10:50-11:30: Joe Kile
11:35-12:20: Chaucat
12:30-end: Church of Gravitron
Saturday:
9:00-9:30: Restaurnat
9:40-10:10: Plundershop
10:15-10:45: Mean Spirited Robots
11:00-11:30: L Eugene Methe
11:40-12:20: Simon Joyner and the Ghosts
12:30-end: Ramon Speed
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Josh Hoyer and the Shadowboxers release their second album, Living By The Minute, this weekend with a show tonight at The Bourbon (RSVP) with A Ferocious Jungle Cat, Paa Kow Band and DJ Relic. Tomorrow night, the band drives up to Slowdwon (RSVP) to play with Funk Trek and Paa Kow Band.
If tonight’s Bourbon show is anything like The Shadowboxers release show for the self-titled debut, it’ll be a special occasion for the Lincoln music community. Hoyer and crew sold the theater out that night in January. Here’s to the same for tonight.
Read our feature by contributor Kekeli Dawes on the new album’s making here, and be on the lookout for a podcast review of Living By The Minute next week.
Shortly after the pair of release shows, the band hits the road for a west coast tour. Early next year, they’ll tour the south. Check out the dates here:
11/12 Hog Wallow, Salt Lake City
11/13 Sapphire Room, Boise
11/14 Mac at the Vets, Eugene, Ore.
11/15 The Rendevous, Seattle
11/16 The Green Frog, Bellingham, Wash.
11/17 Swiss Pub, Tacoma, Wash.
11/18 Duff’s Garage, Portland
11/20 Biscuits and Blues, San Francisco
11/21 Torch Club, Sacramento
11/22 The Hip Kitty, Claremont, Calif.
11/23 Malarkey’s, Long Beach, Calif.
11/24 The Rhythm Room, Phoenix
11/25 Cowgirl BBQ, Santa Fe
11/26 Ziggie’s, Denver
We love when Nebraska bands strike out on tour. If you’ve got tour dates, let us know at news@hearnebraska.org.
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Acoustic sound artist Tatsuya Nakatani is playing two Nebraska shows this weekend. Tonight, he plays Slowdown (RSVP) with Luke Polipnick, Hans Sturm and April Faith-Slaker. Sunday night, it’s Tatsuya, Polipnick and Megaherbs at The Zoo Bar (RSVP).
Nakatani is an improvisational percussionist, playing everything from traditional instruments like gongs and singing bowls to kitchen items and homemade instruments. It’s a sonic experience in the tradition of experimental jazz.
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L.A.-based pop singer-songwriter Allison Weiss plays a free show at Parlour 1887 with Millions of Boys tonight. The Omaha pop punk band recently wrapped recording a new album with Matt Carroll, guitarist and vocalist for See Through Dresses.
It’s First Friday in Benson, so the show will feature work by Tracy Haas and Alex Brown. RSVP here.
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Storytelling folk rock act Travelling Mercies plays O’Leaver’s tonight with Kait Berreckman and Michael Wunder. The 9:30 show if $5. RSVP here.
Tomorrow, Grand Island-based rock band Lighthouses play their album release show at The VFW in Kearney with Autumn Creatures, Bombs Blast and For the Birds. RSVP here. Listen to the new album, Lumen, here.
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Sunday night, The Travel Guide plays Duffy’s Tavern with blét and Little Marais. The Travel Guide, Wichita-based unrefined alt-pop band, has one release under its belt, a collection of live tracks. The 9 p.m. show is $5. RSVP here.