Tim Halperin Becomes Omaha's Latest Hot Act Thanks to 'She Runs' Video

About a year ago, 22-year-old Omaha native Tim Halperin made his debut on the small stage of the front room at Slowdown, the live music venue in Omaha run by Saddle Creek Records, the label home of Bright Eyes, Cursive and Azure Ray. But, on Monday evening, Halperin moved up to the main stage -- and it's kind of a big deal.

Fresh out of college, Halperin is determined to pull from his Omaha musical upbringing while also exploring new directions. "My style is pop, my style is singer-songwriter -- it's my own thing." he told Spinner. "I like to think my voice is organically developed and it's taken a lot of years to come to a place where I'm comfortable with it, which is where I'm at now."

Halperin's education is classical and jazz, but he's heavily influenced by all kinds of music. "Growing up, I listened to a lot of oldies," Halperin explained. "And, of course, being in Omaha, bands like the ones on Saddle Creek and piano players like Ben Folds -- who I love -- were really important."

So, why all the fuss over a young singer-songwriter who leans towards soulful pop melodies with thoughtful lyrics in a town known for bands that tend towards alternative country and experimental rock? Well, it all began with a music video, Halperin revealed. "Honestly, since early fall, we did a music video for my song 'She Runs' and it picked up a lot of steam," he said. "Jimmy Kimmel Tweeted it, New York magazine covered it and it was featured on MTV's 'Real World,' so it all went from there."

As Halperin took the stage Monday night, the room buzzed and shrieks of delight pierced the air as he attacked a set list of mostly new tunes, like the in-your-face 'Pretty Girls,' a thinly veiled indictment of social climbers and gold diggers. It was a small taste of good things to come. For now, Halperin is content with taking it all in, putting one foot in front of the other and moving forward.