Playing The Scene: Omaha, Nebraska
A look at Omaha’s growing music lifestyle, and advice from key players
By Megan Nanfito

Within the last five years, Omaha, Neb. bands such as The Faint and Cursive have given the city a reputation as a new mecca of the indie rock/emo scene. And while Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes has become the patron saint of the coffeehouse crowd, Omaha has more to offer then sulking, angst-filled 20-somethings.

With a population nearing 500,000, Omaha’s musical tastes are as diverse as its people. “This is not a cookie cutter scene,” says Marc Leibowitz, co-owner of Omaha’s foremost production company, 1% Productions.

Although indie rock does have a strong following in Omaha, hardcore/metal and rock have an equally dedicated fan base. In the last year, Emphatic, a popular Omaha hardcore/metal band, inked a major label deal, and Omaha stylee originators 311 played a free outdoor concert for around 30,000 fans.

To the misinformed, Omaha would not seem the place for a burgeoning hip-hop and rap scene, but urban music has a large following in the metro area. Clubs like Nico in midtown draw crowds with local DJs and MCs, and it’s not uncommon to watch the city’s best b-boys and breakers competing in clubs downtown.

Fans of the blues can get their fill of soulful lamentations at Murphy’s Lounge and Shag. Terry O’Halloran, owner and operator of both bars, thinks the strength of the Blues Society makes Omaha unique from other cities.

“It is not only large for a city of this size,” he says. “[The society] is also a powerful organization that allows us to have an amazing number of big festivals in the short summer season.”

Recently, the most popular all-ages venue for metal, The Ranch Bowl, closed after 25 years in business. “It was a legend,” says Michael Campbell, owner of Mick’s Music & Bar. In its heyday, The Ranch Bowl held shows by such acts as The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Nirvana. Although The Ranch Bowl is gone, Campbell believes there’s still an audience for a harder sound. “If you want to see the kind of shows [The Ranch Bowl] hosted, go out and support those kinds of shows.”

Even though Omaha is lacking the sheer amount of venues boasted by neighbors Kansas City and Chicago, spots like Sokol Underground and O’Leavers Pub have live music almost every night of the week. “There are more opportunities than ever to get your music out and there is more competition than ever for people’s attention,” Campbell says.

Local talent buyers book an average of 65 percent national and regional bands, but O’Halloran complains that bands need to do research before calling a buyer. “Too often bands call having no clue as to what our live music format is.”

Leibowitz suggests doing show trades with Omaha bands because they know the venues and the scene. “Find a band with a similar sound—not the most popular band—and offer them a show in your town for a show in [Omaha],” he says.

To get a gig at Mick’s Music & Bar, Campbell advises bands to have strong websites and press kits. “Make sure your website has music, photos and a calendar on it so I can learn something meaningful about you,” he says. “And for the love of God, get a decent press photo! And no, you can’t use your cell phone to take it.”

Omaha music has a strong presence on the internet because of SLAM Omaha, a website dedicated to supporting local art and music. Featuring an interactive calendar, message boards and concert reviews, SLAM Omaha’s goal is to inform the city about the growing music scene.

“The city is more aware of local music,” says Mick Messina, co-owner of SLAMOmaha.com. “People who haven’t gone to local shows are going, and sales of local music are way up. It shows strength in our scene.”

Bands can send banners and press releases to Messina and co. at SLAM to help with promotion. “The more a band participates, the more they’ll get out of it,” he admits.

But Leibowitz warns that depending on the Internet for promotion will result in a disappointing turnout. “The Internet is full of people who aren’t who they say they are,” he says. “They aren’t necessarily supporters. Who knows if they’ll leave their room.

“The best promotion is the street-style stuff,” he adds.

“We don’t have a full room of eager listeners just waiting for me to dangle somebody in front of them,” Campbell says, agreeing. “If an artist needs help and deserves it, I’ll give it gladly. But you’ve got to lift a finger.”

Local bands typically hang posters on lampposts in downtown Omaha’s Old Market district and hit up locally-owned record stores like Homer’s, Drastic Plastic and The Antiquarium. Many bands find that handing out handbills at concerts helps to pack bodies into clubs. “Handbills in a stack at the record store don’t work,” Leibowitz says. “Going to other shows and giving them to people who have paid the money is the most reliable way to promote your show.” In Omaha, Nebraska, it doesn’t matter if a band is emo, rock, metal, hip-hop or blues. Campbell believes that as long as a band is creative and energetic, they can find success. However, he advises all musicians to remember his following axiom: “The world is a slut and she’ll jump to the next person in a minute if you don’t hold her interest.”