Omaha's rise to national attention

Here's an older article about Omaha and how it was talented, nationally-recognized bands (rather than strong local support) which put that scene on the music map.

I think it confirms my contention that a local scene needs one big breakout band before outside industry people take it seriously as a scene.

eOmaha.com: You're right at home.: "Among the national signs that Omaha rocks: The most promising act in town, Bright Eyes, was featured twice in Rolling Stone magazine in recent weeks, including a four-star CD review. Another one, Azure Ray, is on tour with Moby and featured on his latest CD. And two more, the Faint and Los Desaparecidos, just got off the road with No Doubt and Jimmy Eat World, respectively.

"Time, Entertainment Weekly and the New York Times have been calling. So have major record labels.

"One visit to the city, though, and you believe the musicians' contention that it could never be like Seattle during the grunge explosion of the early '90s.

"'We don't have a lot of the perks of other, bigger music scenes,' said Conor Oberst, the 22-year-old at the forefront of Saddle Creek with Bright Eyes ...

"No radio stations in Omaha play the Saddle Creek label's kind of music, which can be generalized as edgy, frayed songwriter fare derivative of punk and '80s alternative like the Smiths and Cure.

"There is not much in the way of clubs, either. Sokol Underground is open only when a band is booked there, which isn't even a weekly thing. Before now, Omaha's best-known musical export was the New Age jazz-rock outfit Mannheim Steamroller (rap-rockers 311 have ties to the city but generally are not considered local)."

And here is some more background info:

2002: The Year in Music: "If 2002 is remembered for anything 'round these parts, it will be known as the year that Omaha -- and Saddle Creek Records in particular -- emerged as the center of the indie/emo rock world."