McCarthy Trenching (Omaha, Nebraska) McCarthy Trenching is the Omaha folk duo of Dan McCarthy and James Maakestad. With four records to its name, this will be the first release on the Nebraska base-label, Sower Records. McCarthy Trenching songs are full of small compositional mirages that turn out to be bits of absolute songwriting prowess when you look closer. From ragtime piano to bubbling bass-guitar arrangements, it’s smart and knee-slapping folk music.