Midwest Dilemma

Midwest Dilemma is the brainchild of Nebraska-based songwriter Justin Lamoureux, serving up heartfelt Americana with a cinematic twist since the mid-2000s. Known for blending folk-rock storytelling with lush orchestral arrangements (think accordions, strings, and brass colliding with guitars), this collective became a cult favorite in the Omaha music scene alongside acts like Bright Eyes and Cursive. Their 2008 sophomore album *Timelines & Tragedies* solidified their reputation for crafting concept-driven albums that feel like Midwestern short stories set to music, complete with characters chasing redemption at truck stops and weathered dive bars.

Though they’ve kept a lower profile in recent years, releases like *Searching For The Cure For Loneliness* (2020) and *The 49’r* (2016) continue their tradition of blue-collar poetry and widescreen soundscapes. Lamoureux’s collaborators have included members of Azure Ray and McCarthy Trenching, often turning Midwest Dilemma’s live shows into a rotating cast of musicians – perfect for their brand of earnest, beer-stained anthems about love, loss, and trying to outrun your zip code.

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