Sorry for the delay in updating the blog but I've been busy working on a massive feature story on Speed! Nebraska Records, that I'm told will be the cover story for this week's issue of The Reader. You'll, of course, be able to read it online here tomorrow morning. It was originally slated to be a mere show preview for their label showcase Friday at Sokol Underground, then out of the blue, the fine folks at The Reader said..."Uh, we were thinking cover." And that changed everything.

BTW, thanks to everyone who commented on the Fun City column. No word on what the World-Herald thought of it. Who am I kidding? I don't think the World-Herald knows The Reader (and lazy-i, for that matter) exists. And if they did, they certainly wouldn't acknowledge it. Way too low-brow for them. The words "riff-raff" come to mind (and just what are you doing reading this?). Ah well, it's not so bad being a media bottom-feeder.

So Tapes 'n' Tapes.... Yeah... uh... Look, no question that they're popular. They outdrew Fiery Furnaces by at least a couple dozen people last Friday night. But for the life of me, I didn't get what they were going for. They sounded like a watered down version of Wolf Parade to me. Uninteresting. I wasn't alone in that opinion, judging from the comments I heard (One guy said, "This is what you get when you go see a band that's been talked up on some bloggers' website."). The promoters, on the other hand, loved them, as did the majority of people there. I guess you need to hear their album first, which I haven't.

Which brings us to tonight's festivities and the choices that you'll have to make. Kyle Harvey, whose taste is impeccable and beyond reproach, says you'd be crazy to miss singer/songwriter David Mead at Mick's (at a show that Kyle is opening... think he's impartial?). I've never heard this guy before so I have no opinion other than to say if Kyle says he's good, he's good. But...

Down the street and 'cross town, O'Leaver's is hosting a show that I simply can't miss: Simon Joyner and the Wind-up Birds featuring Chris Deden, Mike Friedman, Dave Hawkins, Alex McManus and Mike Tulis. I have to assume Joyner will be playing songs from his forthcoming full-length that I've been told is a career-changing album for him. Also on the bill is Coolzey and Miracles of God.

Both shows are $5. Mick's starts at 9. O'Leaver's, 9:30.

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