On the Town: Ivories tickled as band leads weekly show

Omaha's rock pop group Broken Truth hopes to forge a name for itself in a city full of musicians.

When you're a local band not attached to a label, it's challenging.

When asked how his band gets by, TJ Johnson, vocalist and piano guy for Broken Truth, responded, “By doing something a little different.”

Broken Truth has a weekly gig at the trendy Nomad Lounge in the Old Market. Think Rat Pack variety show. The guys invite other Omaha artists to showcase their talent — music, laughter, magic — every Wednesday night.

Read on to learn about this piano rock group and its big plans:

Q. Tell me about your music.

A. There's four of us — Andrew Malashock, Alex Wimmer, Jared Rodehorst and myself. We look at what we do as a writer collaborative approach to the band. Jared and I met before anyone else. We met through a musician social network site where musicians connect. I was looking for a co-writer for a big band/swing music group. It turned out we were better indie rockers than we were big band swing musicians.

Q. When did your band form?

A. A couple years ago, right before Christmas time. Jared and I first worked on a jingle for Obi Creative firm. We did a parody of “Video Killed the Radio Star.” After that project, we decided to form a group. We reached out to Alex, who is a Gretna high school music teacher, and Andrew, who is a professional musician who also works at Russo's Guitars.

Q. I hear people call Broken Truth a piano rock group.

A. I could see where that comment could be true. We are keyboard heavy. And that could be because I write the majority of the music on the keyboard. I appreciate having a band because they can fill out the ideas I have in my head.

Q. How would you describe your music?

A. Cold Play meets Pink Floyd. We provide more than just sound. We try to provide an experience. We work really hard as a band to extend ourselves to our audience to hear what they'd like to hear. It's so hard to put a quick term to describe us. There is soul in what we do.

Q. Describe your work at Nomad Lounge.

A. We started doing our Wednesday night variety show in June. We bring in new bands or groups that we appreciate. The weekly show has a Rat Pack feel to it. We have two different groups — typically Joel Knight and Broken Truth — and then we'll open up a spot for another artist or comedian or magic act. Nick Hudson (lounge owner) has been great to us. We're able to have people come in and not have a cover charge.

Q. What's your crowd like?

A. It's a really mixed group of people. You have the hipsters — the folks who really like to dress up and have a cocktail. Then you have the people who you'd find at the Waiting Room if Brad Hoshaw or the Black Squirrels would play. We start at about 9 p.m. and push through until midnight. We always say come when you can; leave when you must.

Q. Tell me about finding other local groups to participate.

A. We try to look for Omaha groups that are writing their own music. Knock on wood, this has been something really great. Other musicians want to play there because of the space. The energy is right. It drives these musicians because it's a unique place to play in. You get that lounge experience at Nomad.

Q. When you talk about Omaha artists, people often think Saddle Creek bands. Is it hard to forge your own name?

A. Omaha's music scene is unique. Everyone is really rooting for someone. I've never been in a conversation with anyone negative. We all have different tastes, but we all understand the lifestyle to being a performing musician. If you ask for help whether or not you're attached to the Saddle Creek label, you'll get it. Saddle Creek is important to Omaha because it inspires guys like me to want to sit at that table. And independent guys like me get that chance to show people our creativity. If you choose to live and work here, you have to keep that collaborative spirit.

Q. What's next for you guys?

A. Phase two of this is to launch a tour. It would take what we're doing at Nomad Lounge and branch out to eight other cities to be brand ambassadors of Omaha's music scene.