by Chris Aponick

* Omaha’s public radio station KIOS 91.5 FM has scheduled a sneak peak at Gregg Allman’s latest album, Low Country Blues, Monday, Jan. 17 at 8 p.m. The special program will feature an interview with the rock and blues artist from the Allman Brothers Band, as well as selected cuts from the new T-Bone Burnett, according to KIOS’ Mike Jacobs. Rounder releases the disc the following day. * Anniversaire lured a sizable Friday night crowd to the Waiting Room to celebrate the release of its new album Nightingale. The band confidently played through its new disc, adding an extra percussive oomph to many of the album’s lush, chamber pop songs. The rattling rhythm gave an Eastern tilt to the band’s music, aided by guest musicians that included album engineer Luke Mabie. Anniversaire has a bright future by writing artistic pop music, colored by disparate pieces including orchestral music, Death Cab For Cutie-style hushed indie pop and moody early 2000’s Brit-pop. * Local singer-songwriter Brad Hoshaw has assumed booking responsibilities at the Barley Street Tavern, 2735 N. 62nd St. The Benson club has become one of the city’s busiest small rooms and an incubator to a sizable portion of the city’s songwriters. Shows this weekend include a memorial show Friday for Scout, a Benson bar cat who died earlier this month, and Western Electric on Saturday. Bands looking to play the club can contact Hoshaw at bookings@barleystreet.com for more information. * Mark Feb. 25 on your calendar. That night, Noah’s Ark Was a Spaceship, probably the most promising band in Omaha, will celebrate the release of its latest album Hanga-Fang with a show at the Waiting Room. Mark McGowan recorded the disc, which was mixed by AJ Mogis at ARC Studios. The Slumber Party Records’ release is a follow-up to the band’s 2009 EP, My Name Is What Is Your Name. * Fat Possum will release albums by two Omaha-bound acts Jan. 18. Smith Westerns’ Dye It Blonde and Tennis’ Cape Dory are due out on the Oxford, Miss. imprint. Tennis is a two-piece indie-pop duo that revels in a stripped-down ’60s style that comes off like She & Him’s messier cousin. Tennis plays Slowdown Feb. 18. Chicago’s Smith Westerns brand of rock ‘n’ roll revival echoes glam rock and psychedelic rock, with a sense of power-pop smarts that seem ingrained in several Chicago garage poppers. Smith Westerns plays the Waiting Room Feb. 23. Backbeat takes you behind the scenes of the local music scene. Send tips, comments and questions to backbeat@thereader.com.

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