The Hottman Sisters

Royal Teeth

There’s something irrepressibly youthful about Louisiana’s Royal Teeth and its sugar-coated power pop. the band’s latest release, Amateurs, is a refreshing romp through cheerful synths and foot-tapping beats; singers Nora Patterson and Gary Larsen play their harmonies off each other just enough without getting too cute. Friday, the band will do its best to get you dancing. Nashville singer-songwriter Tristen is also on deck, along with local group Rachel Mallin and the Wild Type.

8 p.m. Friday, January 20, at Tank Room, 1813 Grand

Tech N9ne

At a certain point — say, 16 albums in — you’d think Tech N9ne would take a step back and, you know, maybe chill. But then again, you don’t get to be a hip-hop titan by sitting out a season. Perhaps that was the idea behind Tech’s December-released the Storm, a 33-song opus broken into three chapters, each representing a side of Tech’s personality. the ego of such a project may be a little hard to stomach for some, but the Strange Music founder has probably earned it. Friday at the Granada, reacquaint yourself with one of Kansas City’s kings.

7 p.m. Friday, January 20, at the Granada, 1020 Massachusetts, Lawrence

The Lumineers

The Lumineers you remember from 2012 — the year “Ho Hey” haunted every radio station on every dial — might be gone. the band’s latest album, Cleopatra, offers far fewer moments of unabashed joy and raucous, tavern-ready folk. Over the course of a brief 35 minutes, the Denver ensemble proves itself less eager to be liked, with a sound that doesn’t revisit the past but instead demonstrates a will to change. At its best, Cleopatra is moody and plaintive; elsewhere, though, the songs take on a sort of self-pitying ennui that’s not always a turn-on. the point seems to be that the Grammy-nominated band was never really the Mumford impressionist that “Ho Hey” made it out to be — something Cleopatra makes clear. Tuesday night, make some new memories with an old favorite.

7 p.m. Tuesday, January 24, at Sprint Center, 1407 Grand

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19

Julie Major Trio

7:30 p.m., B.B.’s Lawnside BBQ, 1205 E. 85th St.

Roger Wilder

7 p.m., the Blue Room, 1616 E. 18th St.

Brody Buster

9 p.m., the Brick, 1727 McGee

Huey Mack

7 p.m., Granada, 1020 Massachusetts, Lawrence

GuitarElation

6 p.m., Green Lady Lounge, 1809 Grand

Cartwright Clark & Strait

10:30 p.m., Green Lady Lounge, 1809 Grand

Levee Town

8 p.m., Knuckleheads, 2517 Rochester

The Blackbird Revue, more

7 p.m., RecordBar, 1520 Grand

Wyld Life, Bad Wheels, more

7 p.m., Riot Room, 4048 Broadway


FRIDAY, JANUARY 20

Frank Ace

9 p.m., B.B.’s Lawnside BBQ,1205 E. 85th St.

Lady D

7 p.m., the Blue Room, 1616 E. 18th St.

Book of Gaia

8:30 p.m., the Blue Room, 1616 E. 18th St.

Rich Yarges & the Pop Mechanics, Headlight Rivals, Stiff Middle Fingers

8 p.m., Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire, Lawrence

Faultfinder, Keef Mountain, Red Kate

9 p.m., Davey’s Uptown Ramblers Club, 3402 Main

Lubimov
Lubimov

Alexei Lubimov

8 p.m., Folly, 300 W. 12th St.

Kathleen Holeman

2 p.m., Green Lady Lounge, 1809 Grand

Tim Whitmer Quartet

5:30 p.m., Green Lady Lounge, 1809 Grand

Stan Kessler’s Cornerstone

8:30 p.m., Green Lady Lounge, 1809 Grand

Boogaloo 7

10 p.m., Green Lady Lounge, 1809 Grand

M80’s

8:30 p.m., Knuckleheads, 2517 Rochester

Jeff Black

8 p.m., Knuckleheads, 2517 Rochester

Junior Brown with McKinley James, Jason Smay and Ray Jaclido

8:30 p.m., Knuckleheads, 2517 Rochester

21 Years Winter, more

9 p.m., MiniBar, 3810 Broadway

Musicians for Active Justice: Get Loud

8 p.m., RecordBar, 1520 Grand

The Nude Party, the Wet Ones, the Mr. & the Mrs.

10 p.m., Replay Lounge, 946 Massachusetts, Lawrence

Nesto the Owner

7 p.m., Riot Room, 4048 Broadway





SATURDAY, JANUARY 21

Mama Ray’s Jazz Meets Blues Jam

2 p.m., B.B.’s Lawnside BBQ, 1205 E. 85th St.

Katy Guillen and the Girls

9 p.m., B.B.’s Lawnside BBQ, 1205 E. 85th St.

Ida McBeth

8:30 p.m., the Blue Room, 1616 E. 18th St.

Blue Boot Heelers, Popskull, StrawBelly

9 p.m., the Brick, 1727 McGee

Dirtfoot, Rolling Foliage

8 p.m., Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire, Lawrence

Rich Yarges & the Pop Mechanics, more

9 p.m., Davey’s Uptown Ramblers Club, 3402 Main

Bumparusa 6 with Eprom

8 p.m., Granada, 1020 Massachusetts, Lawrence

Kathleen Holeman

2:30 p.m., Green Lady Lounge, 1809 Grand

OJT

6 p.m., Green Lady Lounge, 1809 Grand

DeVan Rojas Trio

9 p.m., Green Lady Lounge, 1809 Grand

Matt Villinger Quartet

10:30 p.m., Green Lady Lounge, 1809 Grand

Kasey Rausch, Melody Pond, more

8 p.m., Knuckleheads, 2517 Rochester

John Paul White with the Kernal

8:30 p.m., Knuckleheads, 2517 Rochester

Fresh Event #2

9 p.m., MiniBar, 3810 Broadway

Alexis Y Fido

8 p.m., Midland, 1228 Main

California Voodoo

8 p.m., RecordBar, 1520 Grand

Altered Beast, Young Bull, Canyons

10 p.m., Replay Lounge, 946 Massachusetts, Lawrence

Swell Five-Year Anniversary

8 p.m., Riot Room, 4048 Broadway

The Social Animals, the Invisible World

8 p.m., Tank Room, 1813 Grand

SUNDAY, JANUARY 22

The Confessors

6 p.m., B.B.’s Lawnside BBQ, 1205 E. 85th St.

Todd Straight Trio

6 p.m., Green Lady Lounge, 1809 Grand

Steve Lambert Quintet

10:30 p.m., Green Lady Lounge, 1809 Grand

Dale Watson & Ray Benson with Colter Wall

8 p.m., Knuckleheads, 2517 Rochester

Jeff Harshbarger

7 p.m., RecordBar, 1520 Grand

STYLSS

7 p.m., Riot Room, 4048 Broadway

MONDAY, JANUARY 23

Matt Hopper Trio

6 p.m., Green Lady Lounge, 1809 Grand

Band X

10:30 p.m., Green Lady Lounge, 1809 Grand

Maxx Gruv, Dubya

7 p.m., Riot Room, 4048 Broadway

TUESDAY, JANUARY 24

Nick Schnebelen

7 p.m., B.B.’s Lawnside BBQ, 1205 E. 85th St.

The Irieplaceables Ska Orchestra, Part One Tribe

8 p.m., Davey’s Uptown Ramblers Club, 3402 Main

Deerhunter
Deerhunter

Deerhunter

8 p.m., Granada, 1020 Massachusetts, Lawrence

Chris Hazelton Trio

7 p.m., Green Lady Lounge, 1809 Grand

Perkins, Spaits & Strait

11:30 p.m., Green Lady Lounge, 1809 Grand

The MGDs

9 p.m., RecordBar, 1520 Grand

Luxury Bump

7 p.m., Riot Room, 4048 Broadway

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25

Dan Bliss

7:30 p.m., B.B.’s Lawnside BBQ, 1205 E. 85th St.

OJT

6 p.m., Green Lady Lounge, 1809 Grand

Ernest Melton Quartet

10:30 p.m., Green Lady Lounge, 1809 Grand

Fast Johnny Ricker

7 p.m., Knuckleheads, 2517 Rochester

Bob Walkenhorst & Friends

6 p.m., RecordBar, 1520 Grand

The Hottman Sisters

10 p.m., Replay Lounge, 946 Massachusetts, Lawrence

Dynohunter

7 p.m., Riot Room, 4048 Broadway - The Pitch

Thursday’s Los Angeles concerts:

► Sheryl Crow headlines the Greek Theatre in support of her new full-length “Be Myself,” her first album in four years. Lukas Nelson supports.
► WATERS play the Roxy behind their new album “Something More!,” with NVDES and Fast Friends supporting.
► Florida trio Merchandise visits the Echo, along with B Boys and Chasms.
► With their new album “Heavy Vision” just out and a tour on the horizon, So Many Wizards play a show at the Hi Hat, joined by Roses, Susan and Trabants.
► Brazilian psych-rockers Boogarins — who just this morning announced a surprise release “Lá Vem a Morte,” out tomorrow — play the Bootleg Theater, with JJUUJJUU supporting.
► Detroit electronic music duo ADULT visit the Echoplex, joined by Sextile and Pod Blotz.
► It’s Night 2 of Princess at the Teragram Ballroom.
► And the Rescues continue their Thursday night residency at the Hotel Café, preceded by Australian newcomer Christina Castle.

Also:

Wheeler Walker Jr. and Republican Hair at the Troubadour
Smooth Hound Smith at the Satellite
L.A. Drones, Oracle Room, Parlor Walls and Jerkagram at Zebulon
The Electric West, Band Aparte and Autosex at El Cid
Edison, Jesse Clegg, Everett Coast and Andrew London at the Hotel Café Second Stage
Electric Machines, Courtney McKenna, Jordan Hurwitz and the Hottman Sisters at the Mint
The Pocket Rockets, Alyeska, Lindsay B and the Plastic Jewels at the Belasco Theatre
Thanks Light and SilverTwins at the Silverlake Lounge
Metalachi at the Saban Theatre
Black Gold at Resident
Maty Noyes, Devmo, Kera (of Kera & the Lesbians), Bounce House and Good Boy at Los Globos
SadGirl and Gemma Castro at the Smell
State Line Syndicate, Layden & the Lion, CC Potato and Strike of Neons at the Redwood Bar
Marjorie Fair and Reindeer Flotilla at the Lexington Bar
Jon Cresswell at the Escondite
Hucci at Exchange
Rick Shea and Anny Celsi at the Cinema Bar
Showorks at Three Clubs
Downpresser, Homewrecker, Human Garbage, Dead Heat and No Right at Union Nightclub
Chanti Darling, Maarquii, Tiffany Roth, Stanley Frank, Designer Imposter and High Five at Union Nightclub – Jewel’s Room
Derek Carter, Mary Scholz and Mariana Bell at the Hard Rock Hollywood
The Throbs at the Whisky a Go Go
Samothrace at the Viper Room
Hollywood Blues Destroyers at the Maui Sugar Mill
CB Brand at the Love Song
Lindi Ortega and Sara Dee at Saint Rocke
Victoria Bailey, Lindsay Perry and Taylor Crawford at the Wayfarer
Graves at Sea, Barghest, Recluse and Bury the Machines at Alex’s Bar
XXXTentacion at the Observatory
Skating Polly and Gal Pals at the Constellation Room
XEB at the Coach House
Krooked Treez, El Dub and Rebel Shakedown at the Federal Underground
DNA at Molly Malone’s
Jean Luc Ponty at the Canyon
Kathy Kosins and Mahesh Bal at the Catalina Club - buzzbands.la

On April 28th, Hembree performed a stunning set at recordBar in Kansas City. They were joined by the Hottman Sisters and Jaenki, with photographer Anna Selle at the helm of coverage for us. - Impose Magazine

HUEY MACK
Thursday, Jan. 19, at the Granada
Huey Mack specializes in providing a hedonistic soundtrack to raging keggers, disorderly dorm room blowouts and rush week soirees on American college campuses. Filthy tracks like “Favorite Song” place the party-oriented rapper from West Virginia squarely in the jaunty tradition of Asher Roth, Sammy Adams and Hoodie Allen. Mack’s music may be as disposable as a red Solo cup, but it’s also an essential component of countless hedonist gatherings of young scholars. With Aaron Alexander.

▪ 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19. The Granada. 785-842-1390. thegranada.com. $15 in advance.

WYLDLIFE
Thursday, Jan. 19, at the Riot Room
Re-creating the deliriously trashy rock of the New York Dolls is an artistically worthwhile but commercially perilous formula. Wyldlife’s decadent glam-rock is an amiably campy homage to their New York forbearers. “Out on Your Block,” the band’s third album, will be released by Wicked Cool Records, the label run by legendary garage rock impresario Little Steven, on Friday, Jan. 20. With Bad Wheels, the Runaway Sons and Mr. and the Mrs.

▪ 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19. Riot Room. 816-442-8179. theriotroom.com. $8 in advance.

JUNIOR BROWN
Friday, Jan. 20, Knuckleheads
Junior Brown is a flesh-and-blood version of the TV variety show “Hee Haw.” The homespun humor and sterling musicianship that were among the most beloved qualities of the bygone program are essential components of Brown’s career. The droll “Highway Patrol” and “My Wife Thinks You’re Dead” are among the Brown songs that revive the “Hee Haw” aesthetic. Brown’s jaw-dropping fretwork playing on his custom-designed guit-steel would have undoubtedly impressed “Hee Haw” host and guitar virtuoso Roy Clark. With McKinley James, Jason Smay and Ray Jacildo.

▪ 8:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20. Knuckleheads. 816-483-1456. knuckleheadskc.com. $20 in advance.

ROYAL TEETH
Friday, Jan. 20, at the Tank Room
Royal Teeth is a thinking person’s pop group. The Louisiana-based quartet’s songs contain all the sugary goodness of chart-toppers by the likes of Ariana Grande, but they’re underpinned by disconcerting nuances that reflect adult concerns. The dance ditty “Heartbeats” contains lyrics about spiritual ambiguity. “Kids Conspire” addresses generational disparities. Long burdened by next-big-thing status, Royal Teeth may finally find mainstream success in 2017. With Rachel Mallin & the Wild Type.

▪ 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20. Tank Room. 816-214-6403. thetankroom.com. $15 in advance.

ALEXIS Y FIDO
Saturday, Jan. 21, at Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland
Dedicated viewers of ESPN’s Spanish-language broadcasts heard Alexis y Fido’s rendition of Duke Ellington’s “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” last summer. Rebranded as “Si No Tiene El Swing,” the Puerto Rican duo’s new version of the jazz standard promoted the cable sports network’s presentations of Major League Baseball games. The campaign reflects Alexis y Fido’s eagerness to blend genres. The pair seamlessly meld reggae, hip-hop and pop on their breezy hits.

▪ 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21. Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland. 816-283-9921. midlandkc.com. $65 in advance.

JOHN PAUL WHITE
Saturday, Jan. 21, at Knuckleheads
John Paul White’s intensely sensual duets with Joy Williams in the folk-based duo the Civil Wars captivated millions of listeners. Although the Civil Wars disbanded in 2014, White’s penchant for creating smoldering music hasn’t been doused. His 2016 solo album “Beulah” is filled with quietly simmering songs like “Black Leaf,” a suffocating ballad in which the heartthrob of the Americana scene sighs “now she’s gone and I can’t get no air.” With the Kernal.

▪ 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21. Knuckleheads. 816-483-1456. knuckleheadskc.com. $19.50 in advance.

EPROM
Saturday, Jan. 21, at the Granada
Unlike the electronic dance music producers who create deliberately shallow and unabashedly jubilant sounds, Eprom’s output often resembles the score to a terrifyingly graphic crime movie. The sinister sound created by Sander Dennis, the Portland man who works as Eprom, may not appeal to everyone, but he received validation when revered electronic music innovator Aphex Twin recently incorporated “Samurai” into his first set in the United States in eight years.

▪ 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21. The Granada. 785-842-1390. thegranada.com. $15 in advance.

DALE WATSON AND RAY BENSON
Sunday, Jan. 22, at Knuckleheads
The lyrics of “The Ballad of Dale and Ray,” the amusing statement of purpose that opens the new duet album by Dale Watson and Ray Benson, explain the Texans’ differences and similarities. Country traditionalist Watson loves listening to Merle Haggard and drinking Lone Star beer. Benson, the founder and leader of Asleep at the Wheel, prefers Johnny Cash and marijuana. The men will perform strong original material like “Cryin’ to Cryin’ Time Again” and honky-tonk classics on Sunday. With Colter Wall.

▪ 8 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 22. Knuckleheads. 816-483-1456. knuckleheadskc.com. $25 in advance.

THE LUMINEERS
Tuesday, Jan. 24, at the Sprint Center
Selections by the Lumineers claimed the top two spots in a Top Songs of 2016 poll conducted by Kansas City radio station 90.9 the Bridge earlier this month. “Ophelia” and “Cleopatra,” typically ingratiating folk-rock songs on the Denver band’s second album, have helped catapult the trio’s popularity into the stratosphere. It’s heady territory for a band that appeared at the intimate Riot Room in Westport less than four years ago. With Andrew Bird and Margaret Glaspy.

▪ 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24. Sprint Center. 816-949-7100. sprintcenter.com. $27.50-$57.50 in advance.

DEERHUNTER
Tuesday, Jan. 24, at the Granada
The misshapen vocals and off-kilter songs of Bradford Cox can make the music of Deerhunter seem hopelessly obtuse. Lurking just underneath the surface of the Atlanta band’s sound, however, are prog-rock instincts that would please fans of Yes and Genesis, a hidden trait that Deerhunter shares with the likeminded members of the similarly acclaimed group Animal Collective. The artfully damaged grandiosity of Deerhunter’s recordings is often replaced by more visceral rock at the band’s live shows.

▪ 9 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24. The Granada. 785-842-1390. thegranada.com. $18 in advance.

THE HOTTMAN SISTERS
Wednesday, Jan. 25, at the Replay Lounge
The imagery in the music video for “My War” casts Heather and Jessica Hottman as edgy indie-rockers. The music tells a different story. As much as the women would like to align themselves with the fashionable indie-rock artists on the roster of Saddle Creek Records, the prominent label based in their hometown of Omaha, the Hottman Sisters sound more like Midwestern roots-rock acts like the Jayhawks and the Grisly Hand on their impressive 2016 album, “This Two.”

▪ 10 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25. Replay Lounge. 785-749-7676. replaylounge.com. The cover charge is $3.

Bill Brownlee, Special to The Star - Ink (KC)

Music history is littered with popular bands featuring siblings, and the duality of that faction of groups has the makings of an interesting psychological case study. The innate chemistry between brothers and/or sisters often becomes more intense when coupled with a deep, shared passion for music, resulting in a natural and sometimes fruitful creative relationship. But there is also the possibility of contention within that relationship, which can lead to the fracturing of familial bonds and also the self-destruction of the shared project. Maybe getting irritated by people you spend so much time with pursing creative endeavors — mixed with stubbornness, pride, ego and greed — isn’t exclusive to siblings, but looking at high-profile examples (which have to deal more with the added pressures of money and success), it sometimes seems like the odds of falling out with your bandmates are higher when you’ve literally known them all of your life.

Another interesting aspect of this imaginary case study is the difference between musical partners who are men and ones that are women — the majority of prominent instances of high-drama, band-destroying sibling rivalry in popular music are attributed to musicians who are brothers. Heart’s Ann and Nancy Wilson or the sisters in Dixie Chicks probably don’t always get along, but battles between brothers are the stuff of music legend (see: The Kinks, The Black Crowes, Oasis, etc.). Perhaps it’s just another example of how men are better than women.

Those tales of conflict may make the music history books, but the artists wouldn’t have gotten that far if it wasn’t for the more productive first part that resulted in the initial art their bond created. That’s the phase in which Nebraska’s Jessica and Heather Hottman appear to be. Music has been a part of the Omaha-based sisters’ relationship all of their lives; growing up, there was church singing and musicals, a shared love of ’90s Pop and harmonizing for fun with Mom and their other sister. After forming a band in college, the pair developed a desire to pursue music as a career, leading to the post-collegiate birth of The Hottman Sisters, which is not a duo act but a band, featuring Jessica on guitar/vocals and Heather on vocals/keys, plus a rotating rhythm section.

The group’s sound is self-described as Indie Pop (and the Sisters scored a nomination for “Best Indie/Alternative Band” at the 2016 Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards), but it also has a rootsy Americana streak running through it. Their strongest suits are more proof of the aforementioned chemistry unique to siblings — sturdy songcraft and the atmospheric ambiance created by the sisters’ impeccable and imaginative harmonies. The Hottman Sisters built a reputation and fanbase by performing regularly in their hometown, drawing frequent coverage in the area’s local press. That coverage picked up last summer with the release of debut EP This Two, and it will likely spread now that The Hottman Sisters’ have begun touring across the country.

And since there are sisters running the show, the chances of the band imploding before their Cincinnati visit after a drunken fistfight in Lexington the night before are extremely low. - CityBeat

Omaha is home to a small contingent of sister acts right now. Christine and Orenda Fink of High Up, Andrea and Kara Purdy of Field Club, Renee and Roselle Ledesma of Dammit Daniel, KP and me (AYGAMG). Barely a year out on the public stage, Jessica and Heather Hottman are making waves in that pool as well, releasing the debut Hottman Sisters EP This Two Friday night.

I sat down for a little more than two hours with the sisters Hottman at Caffeine Dreams on a mostly quiet Wednesday night — well, save for us. Our conversation started as if we were listing the stats on a baseball card: Heather is the older of the sisters. Jessica is the sillier. Both were born and raised in Omaha. They, along with third sister, Tiffany (who can be heard on the EP), were taught how to harmonize from their mother, who had them singing four part harmonies to songs like “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.”

After college, Heather moved to Nashville for a short stint. A call from Jessica, asking her to come home and work on an album, brought Heather back. Their first show playing electric guitar and synths was the Sofar Sounds backyard show with Frontier Ruckus and Matt Whipkey less than a year ago.

Often compared to indie pop sensation Lucius because their in-unison vocal layering (and their occasional cover), The Hottman Sisters equally evoke those timeless, seamless vocal harmonies of The Andrews Sisters. Their playful experimentation with percussive vocals, emphasizing pauses and pronunciation are telling in their similarity to artist Kimbra (and for whose voice Jessica’s is a dead ringer).

The sisters talked with me about the music, faith, handling sisterly conflict, playing with your best friend, and dreams for the future of The Hottman Sisters.

HN: (To Jessica) Do you do all of the songwriting?

Jessica: Yeah. I do. I’m kind of a freak about it. It’s funny. Sometimes Heather will come home and my hair is a mess and I haven’t brushed my teeth or taken any amount of care of myself and I’m like, “I wrote it! I figured it out!”

Heather: She’s like a mad scientist in her lab!

J: Heather’s like, go shower and eat something–but like, it all comes and goes in spurts. For most of the songs on this EP, they were written within weeks of each other, sometimes in the same day.

H: You say spurts, but sometimes this will go on for longer than twenty-four hours!

HN: Like Dolly Parton writing “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You” in the same day? Doesn’t that just make your mind explode?!

J: No way! And both hits!

HN: THEE hits! Jessica, you’re in good company!

J: I really enjoy it, and it’s my favorite. I’ve already started writing again. We’re talking about maybe putting another project out this fall, we’ll see. I’m about five or six songs into that one.

HN: What does that look like? Is that a Hottman Sisters project?

J: It’s definitely a Hottman Sisters project. It’s the natural progression of who The Hottman Sisters are. I was talking about this with Adam [Roberts]. It’s like this EP is just a sampler platter, and the goal for the next one is to be more of a meal. I think it’s going to be something different. Maybe thematic. The harmonies will still be there, that’s the Hottman Sisters characteristic.

H: We just can’t stay away from harmony is what it comes down to.

J: That is the center of it all.

HN: Please never apologize for that. …I wanna do a sister show someday. Just take out a whole afternoon. It’ll be us [Hottman Sisters and AYGAMG] and High Up and Field Club and Dammit Daniel and it would be so great.

H: Let’s do it! That’d be fun.

J: I was talking to Christine or Orenda [Fink] and we were were saying, “Oh sisters, [rolls eyes] heh heh heh…yeah, you know what I’m talkin about.” There’s just like this unsaid bond.

H: That’s actually like one of the best parts, whenever we have conflict. It’s one of my favorite parts about playing music. It’s that, [Jessica is] up there with me. There’s this chemistry that happens and sometimes it even baffles me. And it’s usually one of three reactions. Sometimes I’ll be so happy I might shed a couple tears. Or maybe I’ll be hysterically laughing. Or there’s just this moment that we have…and I love it. Yeah, and I think it happens at least once every show.

J: Being in the world of sisters and music there are people that come in and are like, “Hey, do you wanna try this solo project thing with me?” And we’re just like…

H & J: “No.”

J: We’re a duo.
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The Hottman Sisters release their debut EP This Two tonight at Reverb Lounge, 6121 Military Ave, with Miwi LaLupa and Walk By Sea. Tickets to the 9 p.m. show are $7. RSVP here. - Hear Nebraska (Rebecca Lowry)

About The Hottman Sisters: Jessica and Heather have been singing together as long as they can remember, but they formed as a duo in 2014 and began writing new material. They’re working on an album, and we hope it’s full of the same gorgeous harmonies you’ll hear at this weekend’s show. - Omaha World-Herald (Kevin Coffey)

While the Hottman Sisters, Heather, 25, and Jessica, 23, have only been playing together as The Hottman Sisters for about a year, they are certainly not novices.

“I mean, we’ve been playing together forever, as sisters,” said Heather.

In fact, they said their whole family is quite musical. During a recent discussion at Pageturners, where they started out playing open mic nights, they said their grandfather grew up playing and singing in pubs around England before moving to the U.S. as a teenager.

Growing up, they said they would often sing three- and four-part harmonies with their younger sister, Tiffany, and their mother, Bridget, who also plays the drums.

Their latest venture started shortly after Heather moved back to Omaha from Nashville. They added drummer John Evans, 20, to complete the sound.

Both girls cover vocals, with Jessica also playing acoustic and electric guitar and Heather on the synthesizer, tambourine, or “different little ‘flair’ instruments.”

Jessica said the “crux” of what they do is super-tight vocal harmonies, which lends the folky, old-school sound of their music. “But then with the instruments that we add, it brings in a much more diverse sound.”

Their influences and tastes reflect this diversity. Jessica said she has been listening to a lot of The Mamas and The Papas lately, and also, “anything from The National.”

Heather said when she was younger, she loved LeAnn Rimes and Justin Timberlake. Currently, she likes St. Vincent and Vampire Weekend.

“They’re really happy and colorful all the time,” she said of the latter. “If you’re feeling down, put in Vampire Weekend and you’ll suddenly be happy.”

While the women said they would categorize themselves as indie-rock or indie-pop, they said a lot of the comments they get after shows are along the lines of, “I don’t really know what genre you guys are.”

Jessica said that’s probably because their sound is very different when they’re playing acoustic versus electric.

“When we play acoustic, we sound folky, with an almost old-school gospel sound to it, and when we play electric, it’s very pop-rock,” she said. “Even, some of our songs sound country, and we have rapped at our shows before.”

With that kind of diversity, it’s easy to see why their music is hard to define. And why they seem to be popping up all over lately.

The two said they’ve had some great responses to their shows, particularly a recent one at The Down Under Lounge.

Heather said she really enjoyed all the dancing she saw there that night, with people just connecting with the music and the two art forms coming together.

Jessica said she had a very personal response from one fan in particular.

“I had a girl come up to me, and she was crying, and she grabbed my arm and said, ‘Hey, I heard the lyrics you were singing about, and it really moved me … and I just want to encourage you to keep doing what you’re doing.”

She said seeing someone connect with the experiences and emotion that they’re pouring into a show makes it all worth it.

“That was a good night,” Jessica said with a laugh.

“It was a really good night,” Heather said, smiling.


*You can have a really good night too, if you check out The Hottman Sisters this Tuesday at The Reverb Lounge, where they will play with Denver-based four-piece Flaural. Show starts at 9. - The Reader (Tara Spencer)

The Hottman Sisters at Gabe's

Built around the Omaha, Neb., singing sisters Jessica and Heather Hottman, The Hottman Sisters features the two sisters and their perfectly blended voices singing over catchy and intricate pop melodies. The Hottman Sisters will perform at 10 p.m. Thursday at Gabe's. Tickets are free. - Iowa City Press-Citizen

If you like rap and hit songs ...
Kendrick Lamar, the best rapper of this generation, is back in Lincoln Friday for a Pinnacle Bank Arena concert.

Lamar, whose album “DAMN” returned to the top of the Billboard charts this week, delivered the best hip-hop show at Pershing Center, and one of the very best ever in Lincoln, in 2010 when he alone -- no hype men allowed -- sent a crowd into a frenzy working songs from his debut album “good kid, m.A.A.d city” and his “Section 80” mixtape and promised to return to Lincoln

He’s making good on that pledge -- whether or not he remembers it - and he’s got material from two more albums to work with, including “DAMN” hits “Humble” and “DNA.”

There’s more about Lamar on Page G6.

If you like pop divas and extravagant shows ...
How do you revitalize a flagging pop career? Deliver a jaw dropping Super Bowl halftime performance.

That’s what Lady Gaga did in January, allowing her to rebound from a dud, the album “Jolene” and turning her tour -- which stops at Omaha’s CenturyLink Center Saturday -- into the hottest ticket in town. The Omaha show is long sold out. Some tickets are available on the secondary market

The tour’s been called jaw-dropping as well with a shape-shifting stage, video screens that transform into lighting pods, then platforms, a pack of dancers, multiple costume changes by Miss Gaga and a set that covers her career.

The Little Monsters will go wild.

If you like venerable indie acts, women who rock, one of rap's top duos and wristbands, wristbands, wristbands ...
The music part of the Maha Music Festival begins just after noon on Saturday with The Hottman Sisters and, hoo boy, the bill is filled with up-and-comers and critical darlings playing the two stages outside at Aksarben Village after that. Maha's one of the best daylong festivals in the country to amble around in, with a row of food trucks across the way from the stages but still well within earshot and the Werner Ferris Wheel upon which you should catch a song from a band you dig but don't need to be front-and-center for, if there is one.

The lineup's bottom-to-top intriguing, and the closing set by Run the Jewels should be a raucous conclusion to a day that includes music by The Faint, Sleigh Bells, Belle and Sebastian, Built to Spill, The New Pornographers, Priests, Torres, High Up, Downtown Boys and the aforementioned Hottman Sisters getting it going. Check mahamusicfestival.com for the set times and your friends on Facebook to see if you can still catch a ride up to Omaha.

If you like main events ...
At least three Omahans won't be at Gaga or Maha Saturday night. Ring Magazine's No. 4-ranked pound-for-pound fighter, junior welterweight (and Nebraskan) Terrence Crawford is overwhelmingly favored to beat up on challenger Julius Indongo and unify a bunch of belts on the ESPN-televised match. And there are two additional Omahans on the pre-televised bill, including light heavyweight Steve Nelson (8-0, seven knockouts) and super featherweight Kevin Ventura (7-0, six KOs). Wear your loudest clothes and get some TV time at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

If you like BBQ ...
It’s Ribfest time -- for the 21st time. This year there are seven vendors who’ve brought their ribs, pulled pork and sides to the Pinnacle Bank Arena’s Festival Space. They’ll be there Friday and Saturday -- and if you’ve got tickets to see Kendrick Lamar or to the Bud Crawford fight, you get in free.



The winner of the annual Ground Zero Best of Show judging can be found elsewhere in the today’s Journal Star. But one thing is certain, there’s nothing hotter at Ribfest, or likely anywhere else in Lincoln than ribs from Johnson’s BBQ drenched in its “thermonuclear” sauce. If you’ve got the courage, go ahead.

If you like guitar, lots of guitar ...
The reigning blues-rock guitar king Joe Bonamassa is at Pinewood Bowl Saturday.

A child prodigy who played with B.B. King before he entered junior high, Bonamassa is the reigning Blues Music Award B.B. King Entertainer of the Year award winner and also took home the trophy for best guitarist -- which he could do every year.

Read what Bonamassa has to say about the future of electric guitar, his show and music on Page G10.

If you like communal gatherings, cosmic occurrences and taking off work ...
End this weekend on Monday with the total solar eclipse! The terminology surrounding this celestial phenomenon sounds enough like a Pitchfork Music Festival lineup to qualify for this list. Do you want to see The Path of Totality or Syzygy? Is Solar Corona’s second album a derivative ripoff of Umbraphile’s? Is Heliophysicist still in Animal Collective or nah?

Speaking of eclipse music, the path of totality through Nebraska lasts less than three minutes, just like a great power pop song. So here’s a list of power pop tunes that last as long as the predicted paths of totality across nine of the state's hot spots. If you can’t help but notice that most of these have eclipse-y titles or band names, well good. This took more effort than we care to admit.

Aurora (2 minutes, 31 seconds) -- California Spectrum, “She May Call You Up Tonite)

Carhenge (2 minutes, 30 seconds) -- The Archies, “Here Comes the Sun,” The Archies

Crete (1 minute, 35 seconds) -- Kepi Ghoulie and the Accelerators, “Fun in the Dark”

Chimney Rock (1 minute, 41 seconds) -- The Replacements, “Somethin To Dü”

Falls City (2 minutes, 37 seconds) -- Scientists, “Shake Together Tonite"

Grand Island (2 minutes, 35 seconds) -- Big Star, “Thirteen”

Homestead National Monument (2 minutes, 34 seconds) -- The Beatles, “A Hard Day’s Night”

Lincoln (1 minute, 24 seconds) -- Elvis Costello, “Welcome to the Working Week” (OK, this is technically a second shorter than Lincoln’s eclipse. Write a song that’s 1:24 before the next total solar eclipse and you’ve got a spot on this list.)

Wilber (2 minutes, 36 seconds) -- Green on Red, “Black Night” - Lincoln Journal Star

Aug 19 - Aug 19 2017
Omaha, Nebraska (Aksarben Village)
$55 (GA); $185 (VIP)
Official Website

Maha is a nonprofit indie music festival in Omaha, Nebraska. Taking place Saturday, August 19th at Aksarben Village. - Consequence of Sound

OMAHA, Neb. —
Organizers of the Maha Music Festival released the 2017 lineup Thursday.

Hip-hop duo Run the Jewels will headline the Aksarben Village event Saturday August 19. The festival will feature 12 hours of music on two stages in Stinson Park.

Other music acts performing include Belle & Sebastian and Omaha's own The Faint.

The lineup also includes The New Pornographers, Sleigh Bells, Built to Spill, Priests, Surfer Blood, High Up and The Hottman Sisters.

Advance general admission tickets are on sale for $55. - KETV

When: Saturday, 19 August 2017
Where: 67th & Center, Aksarben Village, Omaha, Nebraska // USA
About: Maha is a day-long nonprofit music festival on Saturday, August 19, 2017, bringing together national, regional and local indie and rock artists for a day of food, community and, of course, music. The festival takes place in Omaha, Nebraska, every year. - All Music Fests

Mark your calendar for the 9th annual Maha Music Festival presented by Schnackel Engineers, Inc.!
Tickets are on sale now:
GA tickets: http://bit.ly/MahaMusicFestivalGA
VIP Packages: http://bit.ly/MahaMusicFestivalVIP
This year's lineup features:
Run The Jewels
Belle and Sebastian
The Faint
Sleigh Bells
The New Pornographers
Built to Spill
TORRES
Downtown Boys (REPLACED SURFER BLOOD)
Priests
High Up
The Hottman Sisters
More information is available at mahamusicfestival.com.
Maha Music Festival
6628 Center St, Omaha, Nebraska 68106 - last.fm

AUSTIN, Texas — Day one of SXSW music festivities are upon us, and if you're lucky enough to be off work, there are an overwhelming number of free shows and parties for the attending, all over the city.

Below is a list of cost-free, badge-free fun about town. Some of the parties do require an RSVP, so if you're interested in attending, click through the link on each venue's name for more information.

Cheers Shot Bar, 11 a.m. — KZUM presents Nebraska Exposed w/ Universe Contest, Laughing Falcon, Freakabout, See Through Dresses, the Hottman Sisters, AZP, Mesonjixx, the Bottle Tops

The Scoot Inn, 11 a.m. — Austin BugOut day party w/ Sylvan Esso, Bleached, Hippo Campus, Paul Thorn & the McCrary Sisters, the Shelters

Tiniest Bar in Texas, 11 a.m. — Molehill, Coely, Castlecomer, Yes We Mystic, Frontier Folk Nebraska, Future Thieves, BBQ Smoke Out w/ Warren G

Weather Up, 11 a.m. — The Shake Up w/ John Paul White, Nicole Atkins, the Kernal, Belle Adair, Jonathan Tyler, Paul Cauthen, the Texas Gentlemen, Dan Dyer, Donnie Fritts, Thayer Sarrano, Jesse Ebaugh, Kirby Brown

The Blackheart, 11:30 a.m. — Noisetrade & PledgeMusic present the Clif Bar Bash w/ Jeremy Messersmith, White Reaper, the Secret Sisters, Nick Hakim, Dams of the West, Blank Range (outdoor); the Dig, Adam Torres, Sykes, Linying, Allison Pierce, Oliver John-Rodgers (indoor)

The Brew Exchange, noon — Get Buzzed w/ Nawas, Duckwrth, Jr Nelson, Fancy Fux, Christofi, William Bolton, Moullinex, Luca Lush, Morgxn, Chinah, Andreas Moss, Rozes, Her's, Birthday, Close Talker, Lost In Los Angeles, Xinobi, Teen Daze, Kroy, Cappa

Stiles Switch BBQ and Brew, noon — SX Stiles Switch w/ TBA, Walt Wilkins, Emily Herring, K Phillips, Garrett Owen, Brainhalo, Ali Holder, Kem Watts & Halley Anna Finlay, Gordy Quist, Dean Ferrell

Dream House ATX, noon — Tell Me I Can't w/ Yatta, Moon Honey, Sailor Poon, Whit, Space Villains, Botany, Shmu, Traci Lavois Thiebaud, Violinda, Mind Shrine, Pitter Patter, Ty Tripp, Hannah Jove

ColdTowne Theater, noon — Keeled Scales day party w/ Viking Moses, Tres Oui, Julia Lucille, Guts Club, Jana Horn, Johanna Warren, David Israel, Chase Weinacht

Cheer Up Charlies, noon — AdHoc presents Girlpool, Merchandise, Aldous Harding, Forth Wanderers, Tim Darcy, Pill, Snail Mail, Tredici Bacci, Jay Som, Flashers, Palm, Lomelda

Cherrywood Coffeehouse, noon — Uglyfest w/ Poon, Big Bill, Joe Jack Talcum (of the Dead Milkmen), the Buglies, Jibber & Twitch, Basketball Shorts, Schaffer the Darklord, Bastards of Fate, Sammus, Hot Tang, Mega Ran, Snailmate, Coolzey, Beige Wizard, Something & the Whatevers

The Dogwood, noon — Hector Ward & the Big Time's 8th Annual Blackfinger free party w/ Mau Mau Chaplains, Micah Shalom & the Babylonians, TBray&One2Many, the Gladiators Big Band, Madisons, Drakes, Executive Steel Band, Oscar Ornelas & the Blues Band Revival, John Evans Band

El Mercado, noon — Afternoon Sessions w/ Ray Wylie Hubbard, Jeff Plankenhorn, David Ramirez, Sunny Sweeny, Whitney Rose, Carolyn Wonderland

El Sapo Botanas y Burgers, noon — Nextbop's Jazz for the Masses w/ the Project H, Braxton Cook, Troker, Nori, the Whale

Encore Records, noon — Trap-a-Palooza w/ Mayhem Lauren, Malik Yusef, OG Maco, Ball Greezy, Young Breed, Mir Fontane, Cashis, Sha Hef, Termanology, Josepg James, Artisin, Monsta, J. Haynes, Mykko Montana, Cortez, Count, DJ Lackswag, Chill Moody

Fadó Irish Pub & Restaurant, noon — Tigerduck Music showcase

Hole in the Wall, noon — Ranch by Chicken Ranch w/ Curse Mackey, Uyarakq x Peand-El, Jonny 8 Track, Matt Pharbus, Sho H, Kitsuen, William Matheny, Greg Vanderpool, James Stevens, Philip Nelson (patio); Dudearomony, Navy Gangs, Peelander-Z, Tommy Kang, Lee Bains III & the Glory Fires, the Tontons, Broken Gold, Five Eight, Drakulas, Mr. Lewis & the Funeral 5, Us, Small Time Giants, ByBye, Royal and Toulouse (back)

Hotel San José, noon — South by San Jose w/ Barbara Lynn, Sara Watkins, Chastity Belt, Allison Crutchfield, Jay Som, the Dove & the Wolf, Emily Gimble

The Jackalope, noon — The Bay Area Showcase w/ MC Lars, Planet Booty, Everyone is Dirty, Luke Sweeney, Alvie & the Breakfast Pigs, Louise Nalbandian, Socorra, Lucas Gordan

Kick Butt Coffee, noon — All Day & Night Kick Butt Coffee Psychedelic Funktastic Rockathon w/ Bogan Villa, Peace in the Valley, Llamas On the Loose, Bourgeois Mystics, SP_ACES, Illegal Notes, Seespeoples, Sea Level, Innate, Sierra Leon, Sulene, ELE, Muvva Erff

Lucy's Fried Chicken, noon — South by South Austin Fried Chicken Revival w/ Colin Gilmore, T.G. B.A.D., Tommy Stinson & Steve Selvidge, the Mastersons, Darden Smith, Beaver Nelson, Curtis McMurtry

The Parish, noon — Made in the Shade Records Artist showcase w/ Kyle Bent, Cale & the Gravity Well, Ocelot, Open Mic, DJ Matty Mo

Pearl Street Co-op, noon — We're Trying Records & Tiny Table Talks' day party w/ Prince Daddy & the Hyena, Football etc., Secret Stuff, Kississippi, Oso Oso, Mover Shaker, See Through Dresses, Hodera, Slingshot Dakota, Ratboys, Trunkweed, the Smile Bunch, Pictures of Vernon, Kidlat Punch, Whale Bones, I See Land, Mother Evergreen

Shangri-La, noon — Midcoast Takeover w/ Black Boxes, Vigil & Thieves, Verbose, Tok, the Many Colored Death, the UK's, Jon Langford & the Far Forlorn, Ha Ha Tonka, Vehicles, Modern Day Fitzgerald, High Up, See Through Dresses, Slow Caves, Jaimie Harris, Tree Machines

Side Bar, noon — Uncle Doug & Aunt Karla's Utterly Disappointing Hardcore Matinee w/ Creepoid, SXSW, the Sloths, Ugly Beats, My Expansive Awareness, Wild Bill & the Lost Knobs (outside); Nick Allison & the Players Club Lounge, Strange Squares, John Wesley Coleman, Austi, St. Lenox (inside)

Sidewinder, noon — Secret Sounds w/ Sløtface, Mullally, Qty, Tkay Maidza, Dream Wife, Kaiydo, Sigrid, Youngr, Topaz Jones, Hockey Dad, Lo Moon

Space 24 Twenty, noon — UO Live w/ Kodie Shane, Minus the Bear, Alex Cameron, Diet Cig, Savoy Motel, Slow Dancer, Hoops

Spider House Patio Bar & Cafe, noon — Fruth Fest w/ TBA, thee MVPs, Megafauna, SMILE, Slomo Drags, Caddywhompus, A Giant Dog, Ne-Hi, Magic Rockers of Texas, Mail the Horse, Sweet Crude, White Reaper, Go Fever, Car Q (outside); Brother Man, Jackson Boone, Bango Skank, UVH, Tres Oui, Belcurve, Sam Ehrnstein Music, Jack Ferrara, Growl, Minihorse, Sunjacket, Tennis System, Tamarron, Grubby Little Hands, Small Houses, Edison, Suburban Living, Mathew Gilchrest (inside)

Swan Dive, noon — Dutch Impact day party w/ Drive Like Maria, St. Tropez, Mich, Michael Prins, Klyne, Grandpa Death Experience

Threadgill's, noon — Folk Alliance & Kerrville Folk Festival day party (indoors)

Valhalla, noon — The 5th Annual Portland Party

Dirty Dog Bar, noon — Dirty Fest 2017: Channel K Music, Nick Jordan, Molehill, the Boleys, Skip Monday, Mexican Slang, Shaun Peace Band

Waterloo Records, noon — Waterloo Records day party w/ Nick Grant, Jojo, Gabriel Garzon-Montano, Modern English, Robyn Hitchcock & Emma Swift, Beach Slang, Hurray for the Riff Raff

Mohawk, 12:15 p.m. — Wonderful Union & Sound on Sound Fest present Rocket From the Crypt, Black Lips, Mykki Blanco, Zaytoven (DJ set), the Octopus Project (outside); Frankie Rose, Ohmme, Palm, Drakulas, Destroy Boys, Sun & the Wolf (inside)

Continental Club, 12:30 p.m. — Las Coronelas, Patricia Vonne, Magia Negra, Tish Hinojosa

Flamingo Cantina, 12:30 p.m. — Flamingo’s reggae party w/ I-Taweh, Pentateuch, Lion Heights, Guidance

409 E 7th Street, 1 p.m. — Heart of Texas Rockfest w/ JC Triple Threat, Nahaya, Ships Have Sailed, Jennifer Fuentes, Broke Royals, Ayasoltec, The Sink or Swim, Stupid Drama, Dead Love Club, The Boleys, Sunday at Noon, Standing Hero, Girls Can't Drive, Dragon Blood Sex Machine, Black Thorn Halo, Litzbomb, Sifting, Celeste 'al Descent

Banger's Sausage House & Beer Garden, 1 p.m. — StubHub Live Sound Stage w/ Sleigh Bells, Hamilton Leithauser, Wild Belle, Betty Who, Mondo Cozmo, the Shelters, Dams of the West, Alex Lahey, Sundara Karma

Beerland, 1 p.m. — Super Secret Records & Twistworthy Records showcase w/ Lung Letters, Suspirians, Evil Triplet, Poizon, Bum Out, John Wesley Coleman III, Art Acevedo, Unknown Relatives, Coma in Algiers (on the patio), Nameless Frames, the Ex-Optimists, Economy Island, Skeleton, Western Homes, Far Out, Adam Busch

Container Bar, 1 p.m. — COLLiDE @ Container w/ JSTJR, Uniiqu3, Ma-Less, Dave Nada, Jesse Slayter, Late Night Laggers, El Dusty, the Borrowers, Benjamin Booker, Nick Waterhouse, the Regrettes, Diamond Thug, Blaenavon, Diet Cig

Empire Control Room, 1 p.m. — Stereogum day party w/ the New Pornographers, Jamila Woods, Hand Habits, Tkay Maidza

Lustre Pearl, 1 p.m. — Feed the Beat w/ Marian Hill, Bishop Briggs, Minus the Bear, Bleached, Beach Slang, Lewis Del Mar, Jay Som, San Fermin, Mondo Cozmo, the Big Moon, Maybird

Yeti Flagship, 2 p.m. — BMI showcase w/ Paul Cauthen, Brent Cobb, Jonny P, the Stampede, Liz Cooper, Colony House, Dan Luke & the Radio

Bar 96, 2 p.m. — COLLiDE @ 96 w/ Banks, San Fermin, Lillie Mae, Bridgit Mendler, Kweku Collins, Yoke Lore, Smoke Season, Ten Tonnes

Clive Bar, 2 p.m. — I'm Dying Up Here day party w/ Grandmaster Flash (DJ Set), Nick Waterhouse & his tarots, Magic Giant, Bleached, the Relationship (w/ Brian Bell of Weezer,) the Wild Reeds, Zipper Club

End of an Ear, 2 p.m. — Durand Jones & the Indications

Güero's Taco Bar, 2 p.m. — South by Soup Fest benefit for Caritas of Austin w/ Matt the Electrician, Raina Rose, Beaver Nelson, BettySoo, Curtis McMurtry, Greg Vanderpool, James Stevens, Rebecca Loebe, the River Has Many Voices, Melissa Greener, the Better Halves

Hotel Vegas, 2 p.m. — Good Vibrations & Desert Daze Indie Foro Rocks SXSW day party w/ Jjuujjuu, Cosmonauts, Winter, Paperhead (Hotel Vegas Patio One); Death Valley Girls, Froth, Big Search (Hotel Vegas Patio Two); Guantanamo Baywatch, Drugs & Attics, AJ Davila y Terror amor, Crocodiles, Loteria, Gutxi Bibang (annex); Al Lover, Faux Ferocious, Skin Drips, Thee Mvps, Ex-Legionnaires, Pretty Shitty, the Dizzease (Hotel Vegas inside); Warbly Jets, Talk Sick Brats, Crocodile Tears, Heavy Chills, the Bolos, Mirror Travel (Volstead Inside)

Latitude 30, 2 p.m. — British Music Embassy w/ Flamingods, Mt. Wolf, Let's Eat Grandma, Charlie Cunningham., Meilyr Jones

The Lost Well, 2 p.m. — Big Daddy's Hot Sauce Showcase w/ Speedealer, Crank County Daredevils, Venomous Maximus, A.S.S., Black, Witchcryer, Tombs, Ancient VVisdom, Taverner, Monte Luna, Girl Band

Parlor Room, 2 p.m. — A Day of Mischief w/ Scotty the Kid, Kydd Jones, Chuck II, amea, Clee, DJ Eleven, infinity Faders DJ Showcase w/ DJ Highnoone, Nick Fury, DJ Seez, George Butler, DJ Kfan, Vinyl Richy, Mega DJ Center Showcase w/ Demo, Mainevent, Rockwell, Mr. Remix, DJ Gonz, Mischief DJ Showcase w/ SpydaTek, Feeniks, Mike Swing, Protege, Fresco, Kyzer, DJ QD, Radar, STV, IZM, Beatsmode, Zak Slater, Cyfa, Buck Rodgers DJ Sessions Showcase w/ Buck Rodgers, Abe the Assassin, Diggy Dutch, Enfoe, DJ B-Stee

Saxon Pub, 2 p.m. — SXSW no cover day party w/ Shawn Pander, Cory Williams, Robynn Shayne, Braken Hale, Jim Chestnut

The Townsend, 2 p.m. — Seduced by Sound: Austin day party w/ Shinyribs, Readings From the Book, the Ghost Wolves, John Evans Band, Justin Wade Thompson, Tee-Double, Annabelle Chairlegs, Walker Lukens, Nathan Edge

The Austin Beer Garden Brewing Co., 2:15 p.m. — Listen to Air presents Lowin, National Reserve, Warren Hood, the River Whyless, Leo Rondeau, Otis the Destroyer, Night Glitter, Japanese Wallpaper

Spider House Ballroom, 3 p.m. — SX Stoner Jam w/ DJ Volkmoos & DJ Smoak, Ancient Wisdom, Fox 45, Great Electric Quest, Buffalo Fuzz, Tia Carrera, Crypt Trip, Cloud Catcher, the Munsens, King Buffalo, amplified Heat, Bone Hawk, Laughing Falcon, Maneaters of Tsavo (ballroom); DJ Volkmoos & DJ Smoak, Duel, Salem's Bend, From Beyond, Blackwulf, Psychoti Reaction, Greenbeard, Roast, Forming the Void, Shadow Giant, Cobrajab (chapel)

Stay Gold, 3 p.m. — Nochebuena day party w/ Hockey Dad, DTCV, High Waisted, Send Medicine, Jackson Boone, the Undercover Dream Lovers, Dirty Dishes, Field Trip, Sharkmuffin, Fruit & Flowers, Tall Juan, Plastic Pinks, Veiny Hands

C-Boy's Heart & Soul, 4 p.m. — Jesse Ebaugh & the Tender Things

Hard Luck Lounge, 4 p.m. — Despero, USS Battleship, Michelle & Them, Math Patrol, the Mystery Achievement

Big Bang Bar, 5 p.m. — Impose Magazine/Baby Robot Media Showcase w/ Count Vaseline, the Head, the Dexateens, the Band, Ice Cream, Thayer Sarrano, Trashclub, Daddy Issues, Chief Scout, White Reaper, Radiator King, Acid Tongue

Ray Benson's Rattle Inn, 6 p.m. — Celebration by Beardbrand w/ Durand Jones & the Indications, A Giant Dog, Rusty Razors

Voodoo Room, 6 p.m. — Free 6th Annual Big Festival BoothPimps & Friends Music showcase w/ Ebonix, Nonstopp, Ku, Dolo, Palmo, Mister Remix, Exclusive DJ, Erok, Pistol B, Rockwell, Tony Styles, Phon, G-Train

The Scoot Inn, 6:30 p.m. — Broncho, Kolars, Pinact, Ecstatic Vision, the Dig

4th Tap Brewing Cooperative, 7 p.m. — Galaxy Swim Team SXSW showcase w/ Celadon City, Jr. Adelberg, Slime Girls, Cosmostanza, GWIZ, Skybox, DBOYD

The Little Darlin', 7 p.m. — Lil x Lil w/ Ali Holder, Schoenfeld, Christy Hays

Rain on 4th, 7:30 p.m. — Stargayzer Showcase w/ Christeene, TT the Artist, Micahtron, Saturn Rising, Rica Shay, BJ So Cole, DJ Set by Mark Louque

Chuggin' Monkey, 8 p.m. — Big Picture Media w/ Special Guest, Wyland, Tillie

Empire Control Room, 8 p.m. — Spin Evening Showcase w/ Danny Brown, DJ Esco, Bibi, Bourelly, Japanese Breakfast, Hippo Campus, Allison Crutchfield & the Fizz

Fine Southern Gentlemen, 8 p.m. — Oskar Blues SXSW kickoff w/ Fayroy, Someday River, Roses, Veiny Hands

The Liberty, 8 p.m. — New Professor Records presents Closeness, Dude York, Good, Operator Music Band, Ramonda Hammer, Moon Honey, Rock From Pole, Johanna Warren, Paws, TBA

The North Door, 8 p.m. — Peligrosa House presents Peligrosa DJs

Texas Mist, 8 p.m. — Rock Metal March w/ Black Rheno, Columns, Skip Monday, Gnarly Sacs - Spectrum News Austin

The Hottman Sisters, the Omaha indie pop band led by sisters Heather and Jessica Hottman, kicked the day off at noon, engulfing Aksarben Village with its dreamy rock performance.

Following were bands from throughout the world including Belle and Sebastian of Glasgow, Scotland — who made it to the festival safely after forgetting their drummer in a Walmart parking lot in North Dakota.

The lineup of performers had something for every festival-goer, whether it was soul, hard rock, folk, pop or hip-hop. Each act brought a different sound, distinct from the previous band.

The Faint dripped with a charisma that ignited the crowd. Frontman Todd Fink donned his famous wide-brimmed hat as he channeled the electrical energy in the air and brought a memorable performance filled with pyrotechnics, plenty of gyrating hips and funky harmonies.

The hip-hop group Run The Jewels, made up of rapper/producer El-P and rapper Killer Mike, brought festival-goers to their feet before they even took the stage. The duo’s logo, two life-size, disembodied mummified hands, were blown up and suspended from the stage. One hand has the first two fingers extended like a gun pointing at the other hand — a clenched fist. The first hand hand is robbing the second, which normally is seen yanking a chain of jewels — thus the term, “run the jewels.”

The duo captivated the crowd, making them jump, dance, jive and cheer as they spat rap after rap of their iconic lyrics. More music was wanted, but RTJ’s set was cut short due to approaching severe weather.

Along with the event’s musical acts, Maha featurered a variety of different food options. The smell of pizza from Mangia Italian intermingled with the classic festival-scent of fried funnel cake from the Funnel Cake Truck. Boulevard Brewing Company from Kansas City provided a selection of brews to enjoy. If beer didn’t suit your palate, a selection of mixed drinks were also available, such as the Maha Mango, which was made with rum and orange punch. Booths from various local businesses like women’s boutique Hello Holiday surrounded the ferris wheel. The booths sold various goods like clothing and cards. A free water refilling station was set up by First National Bank in the center of park.

Fans were able to ride the free Werner Enterprises ferris wheel, which gave a spectacular view of the two stages. Festival-goers danced, picnicked and napped in the grass as they waited for the next band to take the stage.

Maha Music Festival brought a fantastic experience for everyone, no matter the category. Although the night was cut short by lightning, fun was had, distracting people from the chaos that is day-to-day reality. - Margaret M. Davenport

What is your name and role within The Hottman Sisters?My name is Jessica Hottman and I am the singer, electric guitar player, song writer, and band manager for The Hottman Sisters.How did you start?I have been singing, performing, and songwriting since I was a tiny kid. Both of my sisters sing, as well as my mom, so I was immersed into the world of four part harmonies at a young age. I grew up singing in church, at weddings, for events, musicals, and local production companies. I have spent many hours jamming out in the basement of my house with my family.Where are you based?Our band is based out of Omaha, Nebraska. It is nice to be in a central part of the USA for touring purposes. Also, the rent is affordable and it is not an oversaturated music market, so it has been smooth getting our project off of the ground.Please give an example of your music writing process?I am always writing music in various ways. I write on the piano, guitar, vocally and without an instrument (aka the shower). My focus is on the layers of a song and telling a story. I want the music to move and I do this by thinking about the direction and interaction of each layer of a song that I write.

What are you working on right now?We recorded and released an EP titled, This Two, this past year. Since, then, our music has developed greatly, so we are ready to record again. I have been writing lots of new music and we are scheduled to go back into the studio at the end of this month. We have been touring off of our first EP most of the year, all across the nation, so we will be continuing to tour and there is even talk of another music video.What is your gear setup?I sing, play electric guitar and sometimes acoustic guitar. My sister, Heather Hottman, plays synth and sings with me. We harmonize a lot and often switch between harmony and melody. We also have a drummer, Ed Getzlaff, who is our rhythmic backbone.What do you like to do outside of music and does it affect your music?I have my teaching degree, so I sub teach occasionally. It goes without saying, that there is constant inspiration from young minds. I do some local modeling, and this really speaks to the fact that I love to create art in various ways. I also love to run, dance, write, play tennis, spend time with my family and friends, travel, and snuggle my dog. All of these components are so interwoven in my being, so it all affects how I write and perform my music.How would you describe your music genre?This is a difficult question for our band because it’s so across the spectrum! We are often classified as indie rock / alternative, but have also been classified as anything from folk to pop. My sister and I harmonize with strong, sister vocals. There is an element of rock and pop meshing together, but there is also an ambient, floating, haunting sound underneath everything. Like I stated earlier, we are most concerned with telling a story and moving people with our music.

Do you know any music theory?I took piano lessons growing up, so the theory is there (even if it’s somewhat dim and rusty). I was always getting called out for trying to play musical pieces by ear, instead of reading the sheet music, and spending more time creating my own music.What are your plans for the future?We will be doing lots of touring, as well as recording and releasing new music. Our goal is to continue on this journey we are on and let our project grow naturally. We definitely want to jump on some tour packages with bands we love and have been inspired by.How did you get into music?I have always been singing, writing music, and performing. It just feels like something that is so innately part of who I am. I also listen to a lot of music and can cry at the drop of a hat when a piece of music moves me.What are you listening to at the moment?This is a constantly changing list. Pulling from my most recent Spotify playlist, I am listening to Little Dragon, Local Natives, The Mamas and the Papas, Hank Williams, Missy Elliot, Cymbals Eat Guitars, Roy Woods, Lorn, Celine Dion, James Blake, and Lucius.Who are your top 5 influences and icons?I don’t know if I am ready to answer this question yet haha. Come back to me on this one…When are you playing next?Our band is playing in Omaha, Nebraska for the first time in a while at Reverb Lounge. We are opening for touring artist, Esme Patterson and her band. I saw her at The Waiting Room Lounge last year and she’s wonderful.We are really looking forward to playing at MAHA Music Festival this summer, alongside of artists like Belle and Sebastian, Run The Jewels, The New Pornographers, The Faint, Built to Spill, and many others. This festival is well curated and worth attending.Facebook:

www.facebook.com/thehottmansistersBandcamp: www.thehottmansisters.bandcamp.comSoundcloud (private link): www.soundcloud.com/thehottmansisters/sets/this-two/s-GiyfFBand Website: www.thehottmansisters.comInstagram: www.instagram.com/thehottmansistersYoutube Video (of our song, “My War”): www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9j25D_X7Oc - The Partae

THE SCENE

SHOWCASING EMERGING LOCAL ARTISTS AND PULLING IN BIG NATIONAL ACTS, MAHA HAS GROWN STEADILY EACH YEAR, REACHING A SOLD OUT CROWD IN 2015. BASKING IN THE LATE SUMMER GLOW, THE FESTIVAL HAS DRAWN MUSIC FANS FROM 46 STATES AND COUNTING. OUR VISION IS TO PUSH BEYOND THE PARAMETERS OF A TRADITIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL AND CONTINUE TO ATTRACT FANS FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, WHILE CELEBRATING THE LOCAL COMMUNITY. EACH YEAR, OUR LINEUP DRAWS FIRST-TIME ATTENDEES, BUT THE EXPERIENCE KEEPS THEM COMING BACK YEAR AFTER YEAR. - Music Festival Wizard

The Hottman Sisters
“My War”

The sisters from Omaha who front the aptly named act, The Hottman Sisters, create richly harmonic indie-pop. Their single, “My War”, is an emotionally charged number with strong Americana roots. - Yab+Yum Music & Arts