by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

All jokes aside about looking like an Islamic terrorist, Kyle Harvey and his new beard wowed the crowd of around 50 last night at The Barley Street Tavern, playing a rather slim set of eight songs in support of the release of his new CD. I think I've heard him play all the painfully tortured tunes before, many of which I'm told are on that record (instead of buying a copy, I bought one of his iron-on T-shirts that bears an almost-invisible "Kyle Harvey beard" logo). The funny thing is that Kyle is a funny guy on stage in the face of these songs about personal torment, betrayal, extreme drug and alcohol dependency and general heartbreak and self-loathing. He finished each pained melody with a smile and the occasional guitar histrionic (EVH tap technique guitar playing made inaudible on acoustic, behind the back-of-the-neck ax strumming, etc.). The CD is out on Kyle's very own Slo-Fidelity Records, and hopefully you'll be able to find it at one of the fine local independent record stores, eventually. If not, contact Kyle through the Slo-Fi myspace page (http://www.myspace.com/slofirecords).

A handful of acoustic singer/songwriters opened the show. The one that stood out the most was Nick Carl, a guy who looks like a young version of Drew Carey that played a handful of really well-written folk songs that you won't find anywhere because he hasn't recorded them, yet. Carl told me afterward that he's planning on doing a record in the near future, which will come out on Slo-Fi.

* * *

This holiday weekend is heavily bottom-loaded. Tonight might be a Brothers night, as the only interesting show that I'm aware of is Satchel Grande at The Waiting Room (with The 9's). $7, 9 p.m.

Tomorrow night looks busy. Down at Slowdown Jr., Little Dragon is playing with VV Brown. LD is a modern Swedish alt-indie/dance band that plays dense, atmospheric pop that recalls bands like Ladytron, Saint Etienne and Portishead. Trippy and fun and well worth $10. Starts at 9.

Also tomorrow night (Saturday) Pharmacy Spirits has its Omaha CD release show at O'Leaver's with Talking Mountain and The Yuppies. $5, 9:30.

Three hot shows on Sunday night:

-- Down at Slowdown Jr., it's The Low Anthem with Nathaniel Rateliff and McCarthy Trenching. Providence's Low Anthem plays quiet, introspective alt-folk. Beautiful stuff, on Nonesuch Records. $12, 9 p.m.

-- On the opposite end of the spectrum is Har Mar Superstar, who's playing a special sexually-charged Easter show at The Sydney that includes an "after-show dance party" with sets by DJ Denver Dalley and Har Mar himself. $5, 9 p.m.

-- Last but not least, Deerhunter is playing at Lincoln's Bourbon Theater Sunday night with It's True and Ideal Cleaners. Deerhunter is modern-day indie prog rock, a dynamic, artsy band that isn't afraid to go to thunderous extremes. Tix are $13 now and $15 DOS. 8 p.m.

--Got comments? Post 'em here.--

Read Tim McMahan's blog daily at Lazy-i.com -- an online music magazine that includes feature interviews, reviews and news. The focus is on the national indie music scene with a special emphasis on the best original bands in the Omaha area.