I rotated this before I posted it, but for some reason it ended up sideways. I would try and fix it but I don’t have the time or patience right now. The video takes a little while to load, and it was already my second try. You’re just going to have to tilt your head sideways. I apologize in advance for the neck ache. But this song is awesome and not on the album, so I think it’s worth it.

Just got back from the St. Vincent/The National show at Slowdown. St. Vincent played solo, no band. It was more electronic based than when she played at The Waiting Room. She opened with a new song I haven’t heard and she played what I will refer to as “Bang Bang” which is a really great song that she played at her other show. I don’t know why it’s not on the album. Hopefully it’s on the next one.

The National sounded great on the Slowdown sound system, but I’m just not that into them. I was really there for St. Vincent and got really tired and didn’t stay for the whole National set. The crowd seemed really into them though and, like I said, they did sound crisp and full. I do like the drumming in a lot of the songs.

I am pretty much brain dead, so I will offer photos rather than my words…and a video or two if you’re lucky.

Last night I attended the first public opening of Slowdown (Bright Eyes played a somewhat secret, more private show on Thursday night) and here are some photos:

See how excited Sean and Erin are to check it out?

The view upon entering.

This last photo is of the band Art in Manila. They were really great. The band members consist of Orenda Fink (formerly of Azure Ray; guitar, vocals), Adrianne Verhoeven (formerly of The Anniversary; keys, vocals), Dan McCarthy (McCarthy Trenching, Mayday, Bright Eyes), also on keys, Steve Bartolomei (Mal Madrigal) on guitar, Ryan Fox (The Good Life) on bass, and Corey Broman (Dance Me Pregnant) on drums. You can listen to them here. Their album, “Set the Woods on Fire,” recorded by Joel Petersen of The Faint, will be released by Saddle Creek on August 7th.

There were six bands on the bill: Capgun Coup, Flowers Forever, Now, Archimedes!, Art in Manila, Domestica and Little Brazil for $2. Wish I could’ve seen more. Tonight there are five: Mal Madrigal, The Terminals, Ladyfinger, Bear Country, and Neva Dinova. Wish I could go, but I am babysitting.

I give a hearty congratulations to Saddle Creek and its owners, Jason Kulbel and Robb Nansel. The place was really nice. Spacious, clean, good sound, nice design, lots of seating, nice lighting, a photo booth, videogames, pool, a jukebox, framed band posters on the wall, and some artwork. The opening drew an eclectic crowd, which was nice to see. It’s great that so many people came out to support it. There was also a very nice, laidback vibe (besides the people who came barreling past us, bombarding the photo booth that we were about to enter). Two thumbs up.

Another article on the opening of Slowdown from Omaha online magazine Lazy-i.

Article on the new music venue in Omaha owned and run by Saddle Creek, which is slated to open this Friday, from the Omaha World-Herald.