Slowdown opened in June 2007 in Omaha’s North Downtown district.
It’s hard to believe but Saddle Creek Records‘ physical manifestation, Slowdown, in Omaha’s North Downtown district just turned five years old.
Slowdown began in 2000 as an idea to start a rock venue, the club’s website explains. Jason Kulbel and Robb Nansel first sought to renovate a space in downtown Omaha to give the city a music venue they felt it needed. The venue, which turned out to be new development, opened in June 2007. Since then, Slowdown has been home to several of our Big Omaha parties, as well as a place frequented by many in the Silicon Prairie and broader creative community for one of its several hundred events – from rock shows to pub quizzes – that take place there each year.
Thanks to our sponsor
I often say it’s a result of the vision and dedication of Kulbel and Nansel that served as an inspiration to start Silicon Prairie News in 2008. Their efforts to create not only a venue, but a city they wanted to call home were inspiring to me. Their work has resulted in Omaha becoming a nationally, event internationally, recognized city for its independent music scene, earning attention from Entrepreneur, NPR, Reuters and Esquire, among others.
Robb Nansel, far right, joins Jeff Slobotski, middle, and other Big Omaha 2012 goers at the opening party held at Slowdown.
Robb nailed it in a 2004 interview with Tweed Magazine where he was asked what advice he had for groups of like minded people, wanting to create change.
Tweed: What advice do you have for groups of childhood friends who want to start a movement, whether it be musical, political or, you know, world domination?
Robb: Continue to do things that you enjoy and believe in. If you want to start a label or political movement, then you should. But you have to love it. You have to be willing to give up lots of freedoms and you have to realize that you are not going to get any acknowledgment for quite a long time. Things will be tough and you will wonder if it is worth it, but if you really believe and want to do something then it can be the most rewarding thing in the world. We need more passionate people.
Thanks Robb and Jason for being passionate about what you believe in, and serving as a model for the rest of us!
Take a few minutes on Twitter, @theslowdown, to wish Slowdown a happy fifth birthday and many more to come.
Credits: Photo by Malone & Company / Big Omaha
