Betsy Wells Voted in for 2010 MAHA Festival

Okay, so this is three days late but I've had a lot on my plate lately. When I arrived at The Slowdown, I was very impressed with the turnout. There had to be 150+ when I walked in the door and a good majority of those people were there to see Betsy Wells. As you know, I leave the reviewing up to the music blogs, but all I have to say is, "Wow"! The bands which included Dim Light, Noah's Ark Was a Spaceship, and Flight Metaphor among Betsy Wells, were very talented and any of them would have made a quality edition to the MAHA Festival. However, that being said; Betsy Wells is really starting to make a name for themselves.

I've heard many music minds in the Omaha-area say that they hadn't even heard of Betsy Wells before this show, and that doesn't surprise me. However, I feel that with the way the band is coming together, nothing but good things are in the near future. Mark your calendars for Saturday July 24th, because MAHA Festival 2010 is a very legitimate music festival. With the likes of Spoon, Old 97's, Superchunk, The Faint, Ben Kweller, The Mynabirds, It's True, Satchel Grande, and now Betsy Wells; this may very well turn into one of the bigger totally alternative music festival's in the United States. Betsy Wells will take to the stage in between It's True and Ben Kweller, on the Kum & Go Local Stage.

Preparing For MAHA Showcase (A Day After Their First Non-Nebraska Performance)

So Omaha may be spelled with two "h's" in the poster, but that's not the important thing. What's important is that Betsy Wells now has a show outside the great state of Nebraska, under their belt. If you did not hear, Betsy Wells was supposed to play at Goose Island Brewery in Chicago a day before this show, but due to the cities alcohol policies, that ended up not happening. But Fairfield, Iowa got to witness some greatly talented folk bands in Betsy Wells, World's First Flying Machine, and Like Trains and Taxis.

The town of Fairfield is small to say the least, and I unfortunately could not make it out to the show due to work I had in Omaha. However, I heard that it was at least minimally successful. The idea is for exposure, not profit, at this point. Playing in Omaha is great, but a band can only play so many times per month before fans get burned out and don't show. Making friends and connections is part of the game and I feel that we are doing that now. Dominic and Philip are great guys that just love music. And they are starting to host some pretty popular bands their in Fairfield. Apart from that, Betsy Wells is preparing for the "60 Days to MAHA Showcase" happening on May 24th at The Slowdown (8pm). Whoever wins gets to play along the sides of Old 97's, Superchunk, The Faint, Spoon, Ben Kweller, The Mynabirds, Satchel Grande, and It's True.

I look forward to seeing all the fans out at The Slowdown on Monday night!

Lawrence Show Added!

I have just finalized a show for July 10th at one of Lawrence, Kansas' top live music venues, The Replay Lounge. What I normally do when I find a city that I feel is a good fit for Betsy Wells is I research the local scene for possible headliners. I have heard lots of good things about the music scene in Lawrence; comparable even with Omaha, so I knew my work would be easier than normal. However the ease of finding quality musicians, although great, was outdone by those musician's willingness to make this event happen. I found three great acts to compliment Betsy Wells' Lawrence debut. And complement they will.

-Dustin Holbrook
-Black Jon (Jon Marzette)
-Seafarer (Kansas City)

The Replay Lounge is home to two stages. The inside stage is normally rock-based sound (150 capacity), while the outside stage is more acoustic-based (200 capacity). The event will be held outside and the great positive with this is that food in all its goodness will be provided by The Replay Lounge.


Dustin Holbrook
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dustin-Holbrook/124778502517?v=app_2405167945

Black Jon
http://www.myspace.com/blackjonmusic

Seafarer
http://www.myspace.com/seafarermusickc

Betsy Wells Selected for "60 Days to MAHA" Showcase!

If you guys don't know what the MAHA Music Festival is, you should. Omaha's biggest alternative music festival is in it's second year of existence and bigger than ever. Last year the festival showcased Dashboard Confessional along with G. Love & Special Sauce. This year, the festival is showcasing some of the most famous names in indie-rock, along with some of the best bands from the very musically inclined city of Omaha. Spoon, The Faint, Old 97's, and Superchunk will headline the show on the main-stage.

Betsy Wells, along with Noah's Ark Was a Spaceship, Dim Light, and Flight Metaphor were selected to duel it out on Monday, May 24th for a spot at MAHA. The Slowdown will play host to a "60 Days to MAHA" Showcase, where the top vote-getter will get the opportunity to play the local stage, in front of thousands. Upon arrival, every entrant will receive a ballot. All bands have tremendous talent and we are very honored to have been one of the four chosen. This is a great opportunity for Betsy Wells to gain exposure to not only more Omaha fans, but A&R and the media.

What a great way to kick off summer! Come out and support Betsy Wells and Omaha music.

Show Details: The Slowdown - Monday, May 24th, 2010 (8:00pm; Doors open at 7:00pm) - No Cost! Every spectator gets to cast one vote!