photos and words by Chloe Ekberg

I felt like I was part of a family reunion on Friday as I sat within the album-covered walls of O’Leaver’s. Friends and regulars of the band and bar owners shared stories and witty comments with each other about Cursive band members owning O’Leaver’s now, which soon transitioned into harmonizing with instruments.

Seven local bands and solo artists shared their love of music with each other, as audience members shouted to the bands songs they wanted to hear, such as No Blood Orphan’s tune "Sister."

Compelling openers, such as Chris Machmuller, Ted Stevens (Ladyfinger and Cursive members respectively, and two of O'Leaver's four owners) and Omaha’s McCarthy Trenching exposed their music souls with raw lyrics that made their performance seem more like a poetic conversation shared with the audience.

Friday was the night that No Blood Orphan — which rarely plays live and was assembled from the pieces of Mal Madrigal — released their eighth recorded album, Top Shelf & Lost Tricks.

What truly impressed me was No Blood Orphan’s performance of new and old tunes.

The combination of lead vocalist Mike Saklar’s lulling voice, and the weeping electric guitar with the organ-affected keyboard became the band’s version of folk-rock.

After sharing their lives and set lists with each other off and on for more than eight years, Friday was No Blood Orphan’s very last show.  

Check out the family reunion from Friday’s show here:

Chloe Ekberg is a Hear Nebraska multimedia intern. She wants a Japanese cat band poster she saw on an O’Leaver’s wall. Reach her at chloee@hearnebraska.org.