Pixies play SunFest If you’re the purest of Pixies fans, chances are your favorite music video from the Boston legends’ canon is “Velouria.” It featured a single 23-second shot of the band members frolicking down a rock quarry, only slowed down to a glacial pace. It was released in 1990, at the height of the video era, when hyperfast editing became synonymous with the form, but it was closer to the patience-testing art-house opiates of filmmakers ranging The Pixies by Jay Blakesberg from Warhol to Godard to Tarkovsky. It’s hard to imagine a more sardonic middle finger to the popular music establishment than this hypnotic video—and it deliberately bore no connection to the track itself, one of the poppier tunes from Bossanova (albeit one that can still melt your face off in a live setting). If this video made no sense commercially and only esoteric sense artistically, that’s part of what we’ve loved about the Pixies for more than a quartercentury. Their influences are cultish and subversive, their lyrics literary and opaque, their music dangling precariously on the precipice of danger while laughing at the possibility of plummeting into the abyss. Their best songs are still the the art-rock provocations fueled by clashing directions, the ones that would be dismissed out of hand on any television competition show and by all but the most adventurous label exec: “Debaser,” with its rollicking, dancy guitar riffs interrupted by Frank Black’s tortured, otherworldly wailing about a Luis Bunuel film from 1929; or “Where is My Mind?,” with its ritualistic campfire chants, its percussive skeleton of a song structure and its hauntingly surrealist lyrics, these disparate ingredients somehow creating one of the most enduring songs you’ve ever heard. And then they disappeared, of course, for a good 11 years, and it took another 10 for the Pixies to finally unveil a fifth studio album, 2014’s Indie Cindy. Pitchfork notoriously seared the album with a 2.5 rating, an overly harsh reaction to this admittedly lukewarm and conventional effort. But I’d hesitate to call Indie Cindy a comeback album, because for Pixies fans, Frank, Kim, Joey and David never left our turntables or portable listening devices. That’s the great thing about music that still sounds fresh 30 years after it was released, long after loudquiet-loud became a bankable formula and the Pixies’ innumerable imitators have ebbed and flowed on the alt-rock charts. The originals are still here, and still weird. The quartet will play SunFest (sans Kim Deal, sadly) at 2:15pm, May 3 in downtown West Palm Beach. Tickets run $32-$80 depending on the package. Call 561-659-5980 or visit sunfest.com. ~John Thomason
Hooky performs Joy Division Music might have many enduring iconic figures but from the mid ‘70s to the present, slightly more brooding fans have cultified Joy Division and their late singer Ian Curtis with their story playing out in the media and in cinematic portrayals like 2002’s 24 Hour Party People and 2007’s Control. With the remaining trio reinventing themselves as the longer-running and equally influential New Order, Joy Division’s original founders Bernard Sumner and Peter Hook would continue to forge a musical identity that will surely continue to shape the form of music to come. While Hook’s (or “Hooky” as he’s affectionately called) relationship with his former band mates has changed considerably, time has not stopped for this eternally bearded master of the bass guitar. Since New Order’s original disbanding he has worked with other artists in bands and projects like Monaco, Freebass and Revenge. Now wearing the hats of club owner, DJ and author, he continues to tour as Peter Hook Peter Hook by Timothy Norris and the Light, a band that features his son Jack Bates and performs Joy Division and New Order material. “Well, although I think the music sounded mature, we didn’t really know or see that at the time and as always, I have to pay testament to the influence of Martin Hannett on our sound,” says Hook regarding Joy Division’s mature and composed sound, created in their early 20’s. “I’m not sure I really think either Joy Division or New Order when we were younger had a mature attitude really. Although the image of Joy Division was quite dour, we were a distinctive but very normal band and people didn’t use to see that really, or didn’t until I wrote the Joy Division book which I did to counter the idea that we were all very earnest bookish.” With both bands, Hook achieved a period of musical growth as well as an enviable and frenzied output. With countless EPs and singles and five albums released between both outfits between 1978 and 1985, a product of their hard work and the agility of being young and proud of having accomplished so much from nothing. “Nowadays, some 35 years later, my attitude has certainly matured, although various people around me might not agree and although not everything seems as immediately necessary as it did when we were younger, I still love performing live and always have.” This past December, Hook and the Light held court at Hebden Bridge’s Trades Club and as he explains, “the residency came about because we did all six of the Joy Division and New Order albums on three different nights in LA. The promoter at the club saw this and got in touch to offer us to do it there on consecutive nights. It’s something I’d always wanted to do in the UK and it went very well.” Though the performance took a toll on the band, Hook is proud of their flawless playing and doubly so that Abbey Road, who had previously recorded them at a festival, got involved to record the nights with the Hebden Bridge Tapes now a quasi-official Peter Hook and the Light release capturing all 78 tracks. While Joy Division and Ian Curtis, as well as New Order may enjoy cult status, Peter Hook remains a humble figure in the fracas of an on-going legal struggle with his former New Order mates that started with their taking of the trademark and goodwill in 2011. “I think that the legacies of both bands are so wide and varied, that it is hard to know how they tint people’s perceptions in truth and there are so many differing opinions and interpretations which is great testament to the work we all achieved,” he diplomatically states, “With me revisiting the music of my early career with The Light, I have gone back to the albums and singles and come to realise and be very proud of what we accomplished. Not just with one but two bands and for New Order to come up after the demise of Joy Division gives the whole story another arc.” Peter Hook and the Light has recently toured South America and will be embarking on a short tour of the South Eastern United States kicking off in Miami’s Grand Central, “fans can expect to hear a faithful and passionate live performance of the Joy Division canon. We change it around every night apart from the albums really. It’s something I find very, how shall we say, heartening about The Light, that they can play every song, sometimes I can feel like Springsteen, like I can just call out a song and they can play it. I like that.” ~ Abel Folgar
FRIDAY, MARCH 27
PROPAGANDA: PUREHONEY presents Cobalt Cranes, Sweet Bronco, Hypoluxo, Thomas Fekete (Surfer Blood, Squiers) VINTAGE TAP: One Drop Rebellion (ft. Michael Mcdermott of The Bouncing Souls) STACHE: Bluejay & DJ Roland DADA: Red 7 Depot HAROLDS COFFEE: Project Wake Up! Improv + Jam Circle TERRA FERMATA: Cody & the Qualified KYI: HR & SKI, Matt Sassari, Alexander Technique ft Roland Clark, Borja Peña (Cucarachas), Kid Kiddo, RoVskee, PDRO BOHEMIA AG: Astrea Corporation, Skag Boy, Live Art by Woody Othello, Rob Regis CULTURE ROOM: Get The Led Out, The American Led Zeppelin
SATURDAY, MARCH 28
GENERAL PROVISION: ART OF THE MACHINE
REVOLUTION LIVE: Taking Back Sunday, letlive., The Menzingers GRAND CENTRAL: tUnE-yArDs, Son Lux CHURCHILL’S PUB: Nirvana Tribute: Armada!, Dorothy’s Surender, After The Fall, The Burnouts, Jacuzzi Fuzz, Drawing Bored TERRA FERMATA: Unlimited Devotion SOUTH SHORES: Jangle Leg CULTURE ROOM: The Heavy Pets, The Politix., Jayjohero FUNKY BUDDHA: Telekinetic Walrus & The Pride of Ions, Shark Anthony & The Reef SWAMPGRASS WILLYS: Josh Hayden, Glamour Goddesses Burlesque Troupe
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PROPAGANDA: Acoustic Showcase / Open Mic CHURCHILL’S PUB: Queers! TERRA FERMATA: Ohana Band, Cerveza JAZID: Inna Sense, Kristine Alicia, DJ Exit Sound, DJ Yasushi & Bin Bin, Kulcha Shok, LanceO
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DADA: Blue Crusaders
MONDAY, APRIL 6
PROPAGANDA: Skate Night VINTAGE TAP: IKO IKO TERRA FERMATA: Didges Christ SuperDrum SWAMPGRASS WILLYS: County Line Road CULTURE ROOM: Fortunate Youth, Etana, Hirie, Sensamotion
TUESDAY, APRIL 7
CHURCHILL’S PUB: Cheap Miami Presents- Cobalt Cranes, BOSTONS: Rhythmation, LanceO CHURCHILL’S PUB: Miami Jazz Jam & Theatre De Underground Sunghosts, Free Pizza, The Gun Hoes, Seafoam Walls
SUNDAY, MARCH 29
PROPAGANDA: The Ataris CHURCHILL’S PUB: Amigo Skate Cuba Fundraiser TERRA FERMATA: Nouveaux Honkies JAZID: Chillakaya, Yung Chiney, LanceO, Kulcha Shok JB’S ON THE BEACH: The Resolvers
MONDAY, MARCH 30
DADA: Basement Jams BOSTONS: Rhythmation, LanceO GUANABANAS: Ironhorse
TUESDAY, MARCH 31
DADA: Comedy Open Mic
HOWLEYS: Spirit Animals Art Show
TERRA FERMATA: Ryan Owens & Friends O’CINEMA: 30th Anniversary of Weird Science
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1
KYI: The Holstered PROPAGANDA: Call Me Bronco, Mykey Classic, Jesse Bauman REVOLUTION LIVE: The Devil Wears Prada, Born of Osiris, The Word Alive, Secrets GUANABANAS: Naughty Professor CHURCHILL’S PUB: Vinyl Solutions TERRA FERMATA: The Original Wailers
THURSDAY, APRIL 2
RESPECTABLE STREET: FLAUNT TURNS 10! Sweet Bronco, Chaucer
POORHOUSE: Mikey Classic, Jangle Leg CULTURE ROOM: RuPaul’s Drag Race, Battle of The Seasons FUNKY BUDDHA: Naughty Professor, Aaron Lebos Reality TERRA FERMATA: The Rowdy Micks
FRIDAY, APRIL 3
RESPECTABLE STREET: Teenage Bottlerocket, The Pears, The Howling Winds PROPAGANDA: PEEP SHOW Burlesque VINTAGE TAP: Juke BLACKBIRD ORDINARY: Cashmere CHURCHILL’S PUB: Insatanity, Koroidia, Orbweaver, Sapreamia TERRA FERMATA: Albert Castiglia CULTURE ROOM: (hed)P.E., Alien Ant Farm SWAMPGRASS WILLYS: Liquid Thunder
SATURDAY, APRIL 4
PROPAGANDA: Everymen, The Zoo Peculiar, The Muggles, Tail Light Rebellion VINTAGE TAP: Fusik
CHURCHILL’S PUB: CDC, Suicide Ritual, Pariah, Mouthwash
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8
PROPAGANDA: DJ Needlez presents. Rock The Mic TERRA FERMATA: Lake Worth Long Shots CULTURE ROOM: Earphunk CHURCHILL’S PUB: Treasure Teeth, Feelslike, Scapa Flow, Paranoid Existence, Robert. Juan. Anthony
THURSDAY, APRIL 9
RESPECTABLE STREET: Smith Sundy
CHURCHILL’S PUB: Haochi Waves, Bleeth, Black Monuments, Shitty Nights, The Grey 8’s, Sandratz, Antifaces, Ian Iachimoe, Other Body TERRA FERMATA: J Boog CULTURE ROOM: Tab Benoit
APRIL 10 & 11
NORTH MIAMI BEACH BANDSHELL: 13th Annual Heineken TransAtlantic Festival: Wild Belle, Budos Band, Ana Tijoux, Puerto Candelaria, My Deer, Bluejay
FRIDAY, APRIL 10
CHURCHILL’S PUB: Kreamy Lectric Santa, Cavity, Shark Valley Sisters, Snakehole, Rat Bastard
BLACKBIRD ORDINARY: Spam Allstars FUNKY BISCUIT: Roosevelt Collier’s South Florida GetDown ft. Oteil Burbridge, Kofi Burbridge, Anthony Cole w/s/g The Politix. FUNKY BUDDHA: Come Back Alice, Sawgrass Express TERRA FERMATA: Wrong Way (Sublime Tribute), Deal James CULTURE ROOM: J. Boog, InnaVision, Westafa
SATURDAY, APRIL 11
RESPECTABLE STREET: Seabound, Architect, Astari Nite PROPAGANDA: Masticator
UNIT1: Adam Sheetz “What Now” Debut Solo Art Show with special guests Jangle Leg CHURCHILL’S PUB: Nunhex, Violently High, Sacridose, Shitstorm, Holly Hunt, Awkward Kisser
JUMP THE SHARK: Kreamy Lectric Santa, Party Flag, Mr. Entertainment & the Pookiesmackers, D.J. Skidmark, Boise Bob & His Backyard Band FUNKY BISCUIT: Roosevelt Collier’s South Florida GetDown, Kofi Burbridge, Anthony Cole w/s/g Derrick Lee, Fusik
FRED LIPPMAN CENTER: Odd Duck Bazaar
TERRA FERMATA: The Ellameno Beat, Alex Meixner SWAMPGRASS WILLYS: Smells Like Seattle CULTURE ROOM: Mates Of State, Good Graeff
SUNDAY, APRIL 12
FRED LIPPMAN CENTER: Odd Duck Bazaar
PROPAGANDA: Acoustic Showcase / Open Mic TERRA FERMATA: Ben Prestage JAZID: Sol Seed, Andy-Ites, DJ Don One, Dj Lava Mix, LanceO
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MONDAY, APRIL 13
BOSTONS: Rhythmation, LanceO CHURCHILL’S PUB: Miami Jazz Jam & Theatre De Underground
TUESDAY, APRIL 14
CHURCHILL’S PUB: Bloody Phoenix, Caveman Cult, Nunhex
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15
VINTAGE TAP: Lone Wolf, Soda Gardocki CHURCHILL’S PUB: Raw Meat Hosted by She Wulf Whips Millions REVOLUTION LIVE: IAM ISLAND LOUNGE: Drag Revue Fetish Party w. Velvet Lenore & Erika Norell TERRA FERMATA: Samantha Fish
THURSDAY, APRIL 16
DADA: Venturing Off: Art by Kyle Smile
VINTAGE TAP: The Punkabilly’s CHURCHILL’S PUB: The Flex, Red Death, Hit list, Silent Authority REVOLUTION LIVE: The Ting Tings, Kane Holler TERRA FERMATA: Deal James Band
FRIDAY, APRIL 17
GRAND CENTRAL: Peter Hook & The Light performing Joy Division and New Order
PROPAGANDA: Armageddon Man VINTAGE TAP: Birthday Candles, Gallimimus, Fox Wound, Old Fashioned CHURCHILL’S PUB: Sheer Terror BLACKBIRD ORDINARY: Nacho CULTURE ROOM: Here Come The Mummies TERRA FERMATA: The Hip Abduction
SATURDAY, APRIL 18—RECORD STORE DAY
RESPECTABLE STREET: Tolkien It Off: Burlesque Tribute to Lord of the Rings DADA: Jangle Leg
CHURCHILL’S PUB/SWEAT RECORDS: Sweatstock… Tobacco, Krisp, Dim Past, Mr. Pauer, Wastelands, Haochi Waves, John Hancock Iii, Quarter Horses, Bluejay, The Ordinary Boys, Bulletproof Tiger, Bleeth, Sandratz, Mr. Entertainment And The Pookiesmackers, Sumo, The Gun Hoes, Heavy Drag, Snakehole, Awkward Kisser, Devalued, Livid Death, Booty & The Browns, Plastic Pinks, The Gazms, Caveman Cult, Crud, Party Flag, Suede Dudes, Juju Pie, Unity Rise, Ian Ianchimoe, Pariuh, Whorish Boorish, Trench, Grit, Dj Le Spam, Tom Laroc, Alex Caso VINTAGE TAP: Slip & The Spinouts
PROPAGANDA: Audioplayground 20 Year Anniversary Party w. Telekinetic Walrus and The Pride of Ions, Shark Anthony ft. Ashleigh, Seizure Machine, Lucid Frequency, Mag Ic Man ft. Beat Thief inc., Enoc, Dr. Skitzo, JMS, VJ T-Bot CULTURE ROOM: Guitar Legend Dick Dale
RADIO-ACTIVE RECORDS: DJ Sets by: Miss Tess & The Talkbacks, Alex Caso, Benton, Blue, Hiltronix, Kems, Miss Tess, Mixx Piggy, Mr. Brown BOHEMIA AG: Solo art show by Tattoo artist and photographer Scott White TERRA FERMATA: Grace & the Victory Riders SWAMPGRASS WILLYS: Marcus SoFlo, Blackball
SUNDAY, APRIL 19
KRAVIS CENTER | PEAK: The Idan Raichel Project
PROPAGANDA: DJ Needlez presents. Rock The Mic TERRA FERMATA: Bryce Allyn Trio JAZID: 420 Celebration w. Inna Sense, DJ J5, Itawe, LanceO
MONDAY, APRIL 20
BOSTONS: Rhythmation, LanceO CHURCHILL’S PUB: Miami Jazz Jam & Theatre De Underground
TUESDAY, APRIL 21
CHURCHILL’S PUB: Body, Full of Hell, Holly Hunt, Centuries, Dim Past
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22
CHURCHILL’S PUB: Clay Rendering, Dim Past, Roover Hook,
Matthew Vincent, Bishop Sleeve REVOLUTION LIVE: Flyleaf, The Agonist, Fit for Rivals, Diamante TERRA FERMATA: Roy Schneider, Kim Mayfield
THURSDAY, APRIL 23
ISLAND LOUNGE: Reckless Dames Burlesque show w. Velvet Lenore TERRA FERMATA: Deal James Band CULTURE ROOM: Dance Gavin Dance, Polyphia, Hail The Sun, Stolas
FRIDAY, APRIL 24
RESPECTABLE STREET: Rocky Horror Picture Show PROPAGANDA: Ocean Minded Treasures presents Stoked! Surf/Skate/Art/Music Show for Autism Awareness BLACKBIRD ORDINARY: Spam Allstars TERRA FERMATA: Sierra Band CULTURE ROOM: The Mowgli’s, Hippo Campus SWAMPGRASS WILLYS: Speaking Volumes, Morning Fatty
SATURDAY, APRIL 25
RESPECTABLE STREET: Dharmata PROPAGANDA: Toetag, Old Habits, Sweet Nothings, Ten Paces and Spent Youth (Chip Harris Benefit) VINTAGE TAP: Smells Like Grunge Nirvana trib. KILTED MERMAID: Jangle Leg RAILROAD BLUES/LOT14: La Tierra Miami Festival ft. The Heavy Pets, Stokeswood, Ghost Owl, Crazy Fingers, 7 Below, Floyd Is Dead, The Funky Nuggets TERRA FERMATA: Spred the Dub SWAMPGRASS WILLYS: Screamin’ J’s
SUNDAY, APRIL 26
PROPAGANDA: Acoustic Showcase / Open Mic REVOLUTION LIVE: Ministry, The Sixxis JB’S ON THE BEACH: The Resolvers TERRA FERMATA: Morning Fatty CULTURE ROOM: Testament, Exodus, Shattered Sun JAZID: Scholars Word, Jah High Tower, DJ Shyne J, LanceO
MONDAY, APRIL 27
PROPAGANDA: Vanna, Nebraska Bricks, Withing Your Reach, Sunnyvale REVOLUTION LIVE: Walk The Moon, The Griswolds BOSTONS: Rhythmation, LanceO CULTURE ROOM: In Flames, All That Remains, Periphery
TUESDAY, APRIL 28
HOWLEYS: May The Force Be With You: A Sci Fi Art Show
CHURCHILL’S PUB: All Folk’d Up! REVOLUTION LIVE: Of Mice & Men, Crown the Empire, Volumes
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29
CHURCHILL’S PUB: Schooled: A Music Doc,Trivia Night & T-Shirt Swap
THURSDAY, APRIL 30
CHURCHILL’S PUB: Network Glass, Rat Bastard, Fsik Huvnk, Human Fluid Rot, Bobby Flan TERRA FERMATA: Harper & Midwest Kind
FRIDAY, MAY 1
RESPECTABLE STREET: Rocky Horror Picture Show VINTAGE TAP: Living Daylights
MONDAY, MAY 4
REVOLUTION LIVE: Flogging Molly
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6
OLYMPIA THEATER AT GUSMAN CENTER: Neutral Milk Hotel
THURSDAY, MAY 7
RESPECTABLE STREET: Swingin’ Utters, Jangle Leg, Goddamn Hustle
SATURDAY, MAY 16
BREWHOUSE GALLERY: 1 Year Anniversary Party/ Show: Speaking Volumes, Sweet Bronco, Smith Sundy, Shotgun Betty, Raggy Monster, The Whiskey Wasps, The Psymatics, Fireside Prophets, Ella Herrera, The Inverted PLUS Art, Live Music, Craft Beer and Food Trucks
Artist Adam Sheetz debuts solo show, “What Now.” Cutting-edge and game-changing artwork is what Jacques de Beaufort, UNIT1 gallery director, seeks to exhibit at his boutique size, alternative arts and music space in Lake Worth. So when it was time to select an artist whose work deeply resonated and provoked the creatively savvy Beaufort for a new show, he went with local artist, illustrator and musician Adam Sheetz. “You can’t just look at his work and walk away it throttles you,” Beaufort says. “Adam takes aim at the institution of society and makes you feel something whether you agree with it or not.” Sheetz, also plays in Americana outfit, the Darling Sweets, has shown work in group shows and is breaking away for the first time to debut in a solo show “What Now,” opening on Saturday, April 11, 2015, at UNIT1. “What Now” consists of nearly 20 pieces ranging in size and medium, mainly of ink and acrylic paintings and illustrations laid out on found objects and materials the artist manipulated into a suitable canvas. “I have always been driven by capturing flaws. Broadly speaking, the work is mostly derived from socio-political issues. But at the core, I draw from the things that make us human - the flawed, selfish, disgusting, perverse creatures that we can be,” Sheetz says of the collection he’s worked on over the past five years. His work is influenced by the greats such as Ralph Steadman, Hieronymus Bosch, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Marcel Duchamp, Henri ToulouseLautrec, Salvador Dali, Jacques Louis David and Picasso. “I try to portray issues in a way that is stretched so far beyond reality that we arrive at some level of truth that otherwise gets missed,” he says. “I don’t think you can see things for what they really are until they’re brought to such an extreme version of themselves that you have no choice but to face them. That is what I’m trying to achieve in my work.” Adam Sheetz’ “what now.” opening reception occurs on Saturday, April 11, 2015, from 7pm to 2am at UNIT1, located at 1202 Lucerne Ave., in Lake Worth. No cover. RSVP on Facebook: facebook.com/events/327184064144641/ AdamSheetzArt.com
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~ Andrea Richard
Record Store Day 2015 The record industry has plenty of hallowed and institutionalized practices, procedures, and events that compliment the industry’s novel and sentimental nature, but none hold the weight of Record Store Day. On the surface, Record Store Day is a pretty simple thing: A celebration of the tireless and heroic independent businesses that often struggle to keep the doors open in an uncertain time for the music industry as a whole. Obviously it also serves as a celebration of the greatest form of musical media there has ever been or ever will be, and the ultimate excuse for vinyl-heads to pull out the stops, shake the bins and drain bank accounts. Hell, there are appointed ambassadors every year (the honor belongs to the ubiquitous Dave Grohl this year) to add to the pomp of it all. Record Store Day has also found itself under some light criticism in recent years for the same limited edition releases that are intended as a major focal point of the event’s fun. The idea of an album being manufactured with the specific intention of being a collectable can be off-putting to some, and the mayhem inspired by these releases can make the event altogether unappealing to others. That said, you really should make the time to attend a Record Store Day event in South Florida, regardless of where you stand on the releases. Our local independent record stores hold steadfast to the traditional role of a record store as a meeting place for an area’s artistic community as a whole and as hubs for music fans to be music fans together -- something increasingly more important in an ever-more-isolating, internet-driven world. As Radio-Active Records’ own Mikey Ramirez so eloquently put it: “I think I’ve said it before, but RSD is an important event to highlight the cultural importance these shops have within their community.” And where does Ramirez stand on the topic of special releases? “Personally? I’m interested in that Bernard Herrmann “Pscyho” 45, being a soundtrack nerd. And the Day After Halloween soundtrack from Brian May.” For Miami’s Sweat Records, the event marks a special anniversary, and Sweat’s Lauren Reskin could not be more excited about this year’s Sweatstock festivities: “This year we’re also celebrating Sweat’s 10-year anniversary -- which is a small miracle unto itself. We’re obviously thrilled by the fact that more and more people are discovering the joys of vinyl every day and we are so happy to be able to serve Miami’s music-loving community. Sweatstock is our way of saying thanks for all the support and this year’s event is going to be the biggest one we’ve ever done. We’re really excited to have TOBACCO headlining and have a solid lineup of local acts, as well as Sweatstock’s typical array of food trucks, comedians, poetry, giveaways, and all sorts of other surprises! We have worked really hard to keep it awesome and free -- so we really hope everyone comes out and enjoys it!” We hope you do, too! ~ Von Bader
Heineken TransAtlantic Fest Springtime in Miami since 2003 means anticipating the return of suffocating tropical heat — and one of the most liberating musical events on the eastern seaboard: the Heineken TransAtlantic Festival. It’s a gathering of live talents connected by an ocean and an inclusive — but particular — philosophy of sound that’s jet-setting but also deeply rooted. Within those definitional boundaries, and with greater Miami serving as host and inspiration, the performers who assemble here each year are as distinct as the city’s neighborhoods.
Ana Tijoux apt, impeccably curated affair.
The festival’s 13th edition, April 10 and 11 at the North Miami Beach Bandshell, continues the ear-pleasing exploratory work of the Miami Beach-based Rhythm Foundation, which seems incapable of selecting bad acts for this culturally
Start with Ana Tijoux, the France native who resettled in her parents’ original home of Chile. Though every bit the citizen of the world, Tijoux lays more claim through her music to the Americas than to Europe, with a punchy amalgam of hip-hop, soul and Latin roots, and lyrics delivered mostly — but not exclusively — in Spanish. “Somos Sur” is a throwdown alongside the hard-hitting British-Palestinian rapper Shadia Mansour, and the confluence of Spanish and Arabic is striking for how natural it sounds. Tijoux’s 2014 album, “Vengo,” also dares to deploy the dreaded Andean flute, reintroducing a symbol of ‘90s New Age comfort music as a serious instrument. Next is Wild Belle. This Brooklyn-based crew’s core duo, siblings Elliot and Natalie Bergman, look as if you’d find them selling artisanal wares out of a rescued Airstream trailer in Bushwick. Likewise, the Bergmans’ music is handmade — an indie-pop quilt patterned from classic soul, reggae, Afrobeat and jazz. Elliot’s instrumental arrangements are populous but on point. Tandem horns tease a big-band feel from the Caribbean pulse of “Keep You,” whose rhythm and melancholy also recall club queen Grace Jones. On the soulful “Shine,” singer Natalie’s arch phrasing summons both Billie Holiday and Erykah Badu. Their 2013 debut, “Isles,” is the crafty sum of influences first gleaned from a migratory childhood spent with a family of avid listeners. Another New York outfit, The Budos Band, hails from the quieter isle of Staten Island. Over four albums that owe their soul to the late Nigerian demigod Fela Kuti, Budos Band have also imprinted psychedelia, old-school metal and other vinyl LP-era markers into their compact, all-instrumental jams. On “The Sticks,” from their latest, “Burnt Offering,” that could be Chicago circa “25 or 6 to 4” trading funky brass licks with power chords by The Who’s Pete Townshend. Budos pay more straight-up tribute to Afro-soul godfather Fela with “Shattered Winds.” The record-crate Wild Belle references — from song to song, and within tracks — hang together thanks to a close ensemble chemistry and proficiency. Maybe the most idiosyncratic and offbeat live set at TransAtlantic will be turned in by Puerto Candelaria, a six-piece from Medellin, Colombia. Working off the clipped beats of cumbia — the country’s best known genre export — Puerto Candelaria stages a danceable theater of the odd, with songs that go bounding improbably but effortlessly from Afro-Cuban to cabaret. Representing Miami proper at the festival are two acts: Bluejay and My Deer. Indie spirits both, they also embody the region’s tropical-yet-itinerant character as well as the newly art-conscious, Design District vision of life in the Magic City. There are glimmers of Miami’s pan-American style in each band’s highly melodic compositions — more so My Deer, with its higher dance-pop quotient. Bluejay is rhythmic in a way that’s less linked to club culture — not to mention the prominence of cello in some of their moody pieces. Both are also dreamy and introspective enough that they could be from anywhere. ~ Sean Piccoli
O, Miami Poetry Festival O, Miami Festival Set to Slam Magic City w/Poetry Miami is about to be slammed with sonnets, couplets, epics, elegies, blank verse, free verse and carpe diems, as O, Miami Poetry Festival 2015 brings a veritable poetrypalooza to the Magic City during National Poetry Month in April. Now in its fourth year, the festival will continue to expose people to the underappreciated art form in unexpected ways, according to founder and director, P. Scott Cunningham. Cunningham said O, Miami seeks to tap into Miami’s event culture, targeting “those people who usually wouldn’t consider coming to a poetry reading,” but who would be drawn to poetry presented with other art forms, such as dance, music or video. “We look to create opportunities for people to interact with poetry in meaningful ways,” he said. “Contemporary poetry in this country is strong, but it gets far less attention than other art forms.” O,Miamiwilltrytoremedythatsituationwith32eventsthatwillattimesfeellikeculturalguerilla warfare, including poetry on popsicles, poetry projected onto walls, pop-up soapbox poetry and poetry written on bar napkins. Cunningham said O, Miami will offer fewer events this year, but what will be presented will be “bigger and better than ever before.” Highlighted events include: April 1 and April 10 6:30 - 8:30pm. Miami River Poetry Cruise Departing from Bayside Marketplace, O, Miami and The New Tropic team up for a poetic boat ride up the Miami River and into the “Heart of Dadeness.” April 12 Poetry in the Park at Soundscape Park 500 17th Street, Miami Beach 4 – 6pm: DJ Le SPAM with New World Symphony Fellows. 6 – 7:30pm: Park activation with Taylor Ho Bynum’s Acoustic Bicycle. 7:30pm: Kay Ryan and Jamaal May Poetry Wallcast. April 23-25 7:30pm at Manual Cinema 7357 NW Miami Court, Miami O, Miami presents the world premiere of Manual Cinema’s shadow puppetry adaptation of Federico García Lorca’s poetry. The multi-media performance will include live music. O, Miami Poetry Festival 2015: April 1 – April 30 throughout Miami-Dade. Check www.omiami.org for more events, dates, times, details, sign-ups and ticket information. ~ Adam Matza
Save Eucalyptus Gardens Friends of Fundraiser
Eucalyptus
Gardens
Tucked away in bustling Wilton Manors is a tranquil space home to a green oasis and a collective of bohemiandriven small businesses, the Eucalyptus Gardens. The three-acre site consists of an urban farm that runs a community supported agriculture (CSA) program, and an eclectic bunch of shops and cafes like the artisan coffeehouse, the Alchemist featuring a funky outdoor seating area. The Seed of Life Bistro, a vegan eatery, offers a quaint dining experience for the health conscious. Wine, beer, mimosas and tapas are served up at adfadsfasdf Chateau D’vine, a nice lounge space good for date nights or for simply enjoying a relaxing Sunday Funday among friends. A painted swirl of color adorns a sidewalk that leads the way through the quirky destination where strings of lights from above accentuates the cozy atmosphere. The vibe is similar to Key West, like a wild romantic free-spirited misfit floating through life. Overall, the place feels like a community run by friendly folks with eco-conscious intentions. On Thursday evenings, the Urban Life Green Market draws large crowds where sustainable living is celebrated. Yoga classes are also available. Dogs and pets are welcome to join the crowd. Just ask for a water bowl. Since the spot has grown in popularity, Eucalyptus Gardens needs to expand its parking accommodations. To do so, the folks have posted up a fundraiser on GoFundMe.com, seeking $15,000 in donations to put towards building seven additional parking spaces in compliance with the City of Wilton Manors. The funds will also support special events as well as enabling The Farm Store to renew its license, and allowing Zen Orchids to reopen. To keep this gem afloat, kindly considering donating today. The campaign will remain open until further notice. Donate funds by clicking this link: www.gofundme.com/eucalyptusgardens Eucalyptus Gardens is open Tuesdays through Sundays, 2430 N.E. 13th Ave., Wilton Manors. 954.394.4322 or www.facebook.com/Eat.Brew.Bark.Love. ~ Andrea Richard