Dear John, Ralston Farewell My family and I will be packing up our things and moving to Tennessee in a few short days. The plan is to be there for nine months, which is the duration of the job contract I have there. Until a few hours ago, I was not sentimental about it. The fact of the matter is that I have a family to provide for, and this is the best way for me to do that. And I actually love my new job. A few hours ago it hit me, though. We will be leaving home and all the comforts that we know: Family, friends that are like family, and all of the familiar faces and places that we love to see. Lake Worth will continue to be our home, although we will be absent for a while. I love this city. It’s a little weird, and that’s why I have never left it before. It is a strange little beach town with enough characters to fill catalogs of songs. It takes care of its own in a workmanlike manner. This city is a dreamer who stays awake just long enough to tend to all the things that must be done, and then, back to dream. Keep Lake Worth weird. It wouldn’t be right any other way. I can’t wait to come back. Love ya, JR
Deaf Poets Album Release Party at Sweat Records, June 2 For young twentysomethings, Sean Wouters and Nicholas Espinosa sure boast a long history of making music together. The two guys behind Deaf Poets started their first band together as high school freshmen, and only briefly since then played in acts without each other. So for their most recent musical project, they decided to cut the fat, stay a duo, and look back to classic sounds instead of the latest indietrend flavor of the month. Picking up on musical strands from icons like Chuck Berry and Muddy Waters, a chunk of their material is unapologetically bluesy, raw, and raucous. Songs like “This Pain” are rough and ready stompers full of hard-charging choruses and freak-out breakdowns. The comparisons to fellow duo the Black Keys here are obvious, but apt -- but that’s not all the Deaf Poets can do. Wouters and Espinosa also publicly proclaim their love of folkies new and old -Bon Iver, Bob Dylan -- and in quieter moments, aren’t too shy to get a little acoustic and emotional. On either end of the spectrum, Deaf Poets boast a polish and stage presence that’s usually scarce on the local circuit. Their go-to-11 performance at this past April’s Sweatstock made the pair the sleeper hits of the festival, and with some recent out-oftown gigs, the Poets may soon be poised to break out. Catch them at their album release party at Sweat Records June 2. By Arielle Castillo, staff writer at Salty Eggs
Saturday, May 26 INVISIBLE MUSIC ALBUM RELEASE w. BLACK FINGER, LEGENDS OF RODEO @ Bamboo Room
THE STATE OF @ Dada DANCE RITUAL w. LOUIE VEGA @ Vagabond NAKED IN 8 DAYS, LOCAL CONTRABAND, THE WRONG @ Swampgrass Willys GIRLFRIEND MATERIAL @ O’Shea’s THE FABULOUS FLEETWOODS, DJ BOOGIE WATERS @ South Shores JORGE MORENO @ PAX PAPA GROWS FUNK @ The Stage TRAVIS PORTER @ Revolution Live
Sunday, May 27
TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB (DJ SET) @ Green Room
Wednesday, June 6 BLUES @ Dada
BON IVER, THE SLAVES @ The Fillmore
STATIK SELEKTA, TERMANOLOGY @ Green Room THE URBAN UNDERGROUND EXPERIENCE W/ DJ NEEDLES @ Propaganda Thursday, June 7 GET LOW 3 YEAR ANNIVERSARY @ Vagabond SMILE EMPTY SOUL, CHARM CITY DEVILS, HEART SET SELF DESTRUCT TOUR: LEADING THE HEROES, CHRONIC FREQUENCY, THE DRIP @ Speakeasy Lounge DEISEL BOY, KRYTERIA, 3 EYES & GEORGE YOUNG, BEAT THEIF INC @ Propaganda
TOY BOMBS @ Hurricane Bar & Lounge STEVE KIMOCK with BERNIE WORRELL, WALLY INGRAM, and ANDY HESS @ Culture Room CLAY GOLDSTEIN, JULIUS SANNA @ South Shore THE SUNDAY SPOT - ACOUSTIC ARTIST & OPEN MIC: EVAN MUI, BRIANNA BETTENCOURT, CAMERON SNOW, MATT RYDER @ Propaganda NIGHT TRAIN, KETCHY SHUBY @ The Stage
Friday, June 8
Tuesday, May 29
CUPCAKE BURLESQUE @ Respectable Street KILLBILLIES @ O’Shea’s SWEET CHARIOTS, DARLING SWEETS, BLACK SEAL, BUTCHERS @ Propaganda J2K @ The Stage GUERRILLEROS DE NADIE @ Churchill’s CHRIS ALVY BAND @ Kill Your Idol ALL THE PRETTY CARS @ Speakeasy LOCOS POR JUANA @ The Stage
OPEN MIC @ Dada
‘MAYDAY’: A FREE NAUTICAL ART SHOW @ Howley’s Diner
FUTURE & PUSHA T @ Revolution Live MOON UNDER WATER, STYROFOAM @ Propaganda
Wednesday, May 30
BLUES @ Dada VOLBEAT @ Revolution Live SAM SAVAGE @ PAX THE KILLBILLIES @ South Shores AYE AYE, CAPTAIN, AGLACIA @ Speakeas THE URBAN UNDERGROUND EXPERIENCE W/ DJ NEEDLES @ Propaganda y
Thursday, May 31
JP SOARS & THE REDHOTS @ South Shores REGGAE NIGHT: MIXED CULTURE @ Propaganda ROSE MAX SAMBA NIGHT @ PAX ST. VINCENT @ The Stage
Friday, June 1 LOVE WILL TEAR US APART ART SHOW, SYMBOLS, RETROCITIES, FEVERS @ Respectable Street NEIL DIAMOND @ BankAtlantic Center KILLBILLIES @ O’Shea’s DRFAMEUS, STOKESWOOD @ Funky Buddha THE ROYAL TINFOIL @ Speakeasy GEN-XX @ Green Room DOWN, STONE MOUNTAIN FREEWAY, PONYKILLER @ Culture Room THE VON, THE WRONG, SILVER SOLIN, THE HATE ASH BURIED @ Propaganda JUKE, OMINE, BENTO BOX, KING BEE @ The Stage
Saturday, June 2 GOD MODULE @ Respectable Street BEACH DAY, FASHION SHOW, RESTA SALON & BEAT CUP DRUM LINE, PARPARIAN & PUBLIC IMAGE VINTAGE @ Dada DEAF POETS CD RELEASE, LITTLE BEARD, NORTH AND SOUTH, PSYCHIC MIRRORS, KRISP @ Churchills/Sweat Records
ELASTIC BOND & 1000FUEGOS @ PAX FISHHEAD SOUP @ O’Shea’s DUSTHEAD,EDEN GREY,& YDIZ (TELEKANETIC WALRUS) @ Kill Your Idol QUEEN DEMENTIA, CADILLAC CREEPS, THE OPENING @ Speakeasy RADIOBOXER, THE BUTCHER @ Green Room SOUTH SIDE DUB, STRAY BOMB, RUSTICO DROP, RUNDOWNTOWN @ Propaganda STOKESWOOD, JAHFE @ The Stage
Sunday, June 3
JASON CARDINAL @ Dada STOKESWOOD @ Hurricane WOLFBREAKER ORCHESTRA, THE LIVVERS @ Speakeasy THE SUNDAY SPOT - ACOUSTIC ARTIST & OPEN MIC: SHAWNA KALLBERG, THE EDUCATION OF MELODY, CHRIS POLITO & CHRIS TAYLOR, KENNY FAITHFUL @ Propaganda
Monday, June 4
DADA TRIVIA @ Dada CITY AND COLOUR, DAVID BAZAN @ Culture Room RECKLESS MONDAYS, FORCE IS MACHINE @ Speakeasy CITY LIGHTS, RUST BELT, A.T.M., CAROUSEL KINGS, WE KILL GIANTS, THE LIGHT WITHIN, TEXAS RANGER @ Propaganda
Tuesday, June 5
POETRY SLAM @ Dada TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB @ Revolution Live CITY AND COLOUR, DAVID BAZAN @ Culture Room BLIND PIG @ Speakeasy
JOURNEY FOR YOUTH NON-PROFIT FUNDRASIER AND SHOW (CALIFORNIA) @ Dada THE SWEET CHARIOTS @ Longboard’s GIRLFRIEND MATERIAL @ O’Shea’s CIVILIAN CD RELEASE PARTY, UNDER EVERY GREEN TREE, THE GODDAMN HUSTLE @ Propaganda
Saturday, June 9
Sunday, June 10
COMEDY SPECIAL @ Dada THE SUNDAY SPOT - ACOUSTIC ARTIST & OPEN MIC: MARK STEPHENSON, UNCANNY VALLEY, DANIEL DONOVAN, ODA AL MAR @ Propaganda J2K @ Hurricane TAPROOT, HURT, OTHERWISE, CHARM CITY DEVILS, CITY OF TREASON, LAVOLA @ Culture Room
Monday, June 11
DADA TRIVIA @ Dada RECKLESS MONDAYS @ Speakeasy
Tuesday, June 12
OPEN MIC @ Dada J2K @ Boca Muse BLIND PIG @ Speakeasy
Wednesday, June 13
CURREN$Y @ Revolution Live CHICO TRUJILLO @ PAX CHILDISH GAMBINO @ The Fillmore BRITPOP:DJ MORRISSEY @ O’Shea’s THE URBAN UNDERGROUND EXPERIENCE W/ DJ NEEDLES @ Propaganda
Thursday, June 14
MOOMBAHTON OVER MIAMI VIII @ Vagabond REGGAE NIGHT @ Propaganda LOS TOREROS MUERTOS @ The Fillmore
Friday, June 15
THE BUTCHERS @ Dada ROGER WATERS, THE WALL @ BankAtlantic Center LINGO @ Guanabanas GLOOMINUS DOOM @ Speakeasy BODEANS @ Culture Room
WHOLE WHEAT BREAD, UNIT SIX, ASKULTURA, OPERATIVE ME @ Propaganda Saturday, June 16
THE MERRY FRANKSTERZ @ Dada
JACUZZI BOYS, LIL DAGGERS, THE GUN HOES @ Green Room
LINGO @ Funky Buddha BOUNCING SOULS @ Revolution Live GIRLFRIEND MATERIAL @ O’Shea’s FRANSCENE @ Speakeasy SAVING ABEL, REDLIGHT KING, ARANDA, FALL FROM GRACE @ Culture Room
Sunday, June 17
THE SUNDAY SPOT - ACOUSTIC ARTIST & OPEN MIC: MATT KRUG, LUKE PENNEL< FORLORN STRANGERS, MYKAL MORRISON< BEN CHILDS @ Propaganda LINGO @ Hurricane Bar & Lounge DEEP @ Speakeasy
Monday, June 18
DADA TRIVIA @ Dada RECKLESS MONDAY, HUSKY BRUNETTE @ Speakeasy
Tuesday, June 19
OPEN MIC @ Dada BLIND PIG @ Speakeasy CONFLICT RHYMES @ Propaganda
Wednesday, June 20 EXPLOSIONS IN THE SKY, ZAMMUTO @ Grand Central THE URBAN UNDERGROUND EXPERIENCE W/ DJ NEEDLES @ Propaganda KETCHY SHUBY @ Vagabond
AQUAPHONICS @ Funky Biscuit DREAM 2 LIVE @ Speakeasy REGGAE NIGHT - SPRED THE DUB @ Propaganda
Friday, June 29
SAARA MARKKANEN (FINLAND) @ Dada COLDPLAY @ AmericanAirlines Arena KILLBILLIES @ O’Shea’s FUSIK, CYPRESS, KETCHY SHUBY @ Funky Buddha MIDNIGHT CONSPIRACY @ Revolution Live HURLY BURLY @ Speakeasy RADAR VS. WOLF, BLACK IRISH TEXAS, THE VON @ Churchill’s IVARDENSPHERE @ Green Room ERIC JOHNSON @ Culture Room
Saturday, June 30
THE HEAVY PETS, THE RESOLVERS, COPE, SOSOS @ Culture Room KILLMAMA @ Speakeasy HOLLY HUNT, LOZEN, SHROUD EATER, SNAKEHOLE, THE TUNNEL, NUNHEX @ Churchill’s
Sunday, July 1
EL GROUNDSCORO & FRIENDS @ Hurricane
Wednesday, July 4
REEL BIG FISH @ Revolution Live 5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY @ Kevro’s
Tuesday, July 10 BEST COAST, THOSE DARLINS @ Grand Central
Thursday, June 21
Saturday, July 14
Friday, June 22
Sunday, July 15
REGGAE NIGHT - SOUTH SIDE DUB @ Propaganda GIRLFRIEND MATERIAL @ O’Shea’s FISHHEAD SOUP @ O’Shea’s STALLEY & THE MAYBACH FAMILY @ Grand Central ARBOLES LIBRES @ Vagabond
Saturday, June 23 SUMMER JAM: SEVEN MARY THREE, DHARMATA, 3rd STONE, AZMYTH, VENEJER @ Meyer Amphitheater
SKINNY JIMMY & THE STINGRAYS @ Dada MIKE MINEO BAND @ O’Shea’s FLOSSTRADAMUS & DROP THE LIME @ Grand Central CELINE LEE & GUESTS @ Kill Your Idol UNIT SIX @ Churchill’s ARMAGGEDON MAN, TBA @ Propaganda
Sunday, June 24 SUMMER JAM: TOOTS & THE MAYTALS, ROOTZ UNDERGROUND, KY-MANI MARLEY, ALANA DAVIS, THE BURNIN SMYRNANS & KAYAVIBE @ Meyer Amphitheater JASON CARDINAL @ Dada THE SUNDAY SPOT - ACOUSTIC ARTIST & OPEN MIC: MICHAEL SKEIRMONT, LESS DERY @ Propaganda
Monday, June 25
DADA TRIVIA @ Dada RECKLESS MONDAY @ The Speakeasy
Tuesday, June 26
PROPER DOSAGE PRESENTS [[ THE FLORIDA ALL STARS V.2 ]] @ Speakeasy Lounge
Wednesday, June 27 RADAR VS WOLF, THE CITY LINES @ Propaganda Thursday, June 28 BEES KNEEZ (NYC) @ Dada KILLBILLIES @ O’Shea’s
BIG SOMETHING @ Funky Buddha ENANITOS VERDES @ The Fillmore BIG SOMETHING @ Hurricane
Tuesday, July 17 311, SLIGHTLY STOOPID, THE AGGROLITES @ Cruzan Amphitheatre LINGO @ Hurricane Bar
Friday, July 20 MAN OR ASTRO-MAN?, THE ULTRAS S/C, INSTANT WHIPS, MR. ENTERTAINMENT & THE POOKIESMACKERS @ Churchill’s Wednesday, July 25
TOADIES, HELMET @ Revolution Live
Friday, July 27
COPE @ Funky Buddha CASUALTIES, NEKROMANTIX, DOWN BY LAW, LOWER CLASS BRATS @ Grand Central
Saturday, July 28
AQUAPHONICS, THE FUNKY NUGGETS, LUCKY COSTELLO @ I.W.A.N. Bubble WARPED TOUR @ Cruzan Amp GIAN MARCO @ The Fillmore
Sunday, July 29
SUPER WHY! @ The Fillmore
Tuesday, July 31
SUMMER SLAUGHTER TOUR @ Revolution Live
Friday, August 3
THE WIGGLES @ The Fillmore
Tuesday, August 7
DIRTY PROJECTORS, POP ETC @ Culture Room TED NUGENT @ Revolution Live
Friday, August 10
NEON TREES @ Revolution Live
Tuesday, September 11 BUILT TO SPILL @ Culture Room Friday, September 14
CITIZEN COPE @ Revolution Live
Tuesday, September 18
JETHRO TULL’S IAN ANDERSON PLAYS THICK AS A BRICK 1 & 2 @ The Fillmore
Saturday, September 22
AMON TOBIN @ The Fillmore THE ADICTS @ Culture Room
Wednesday, September 26 M83 @ The Fillmore Friday, September 28 METRIC @ The Fillmore
Explosions in the Sky’s Dramatic Soundscapes Are Best Heard Live Listening to instrumental rock quartet Explosions in the Sky can feel like a workout: epic soundscapes, material commonly clocking in around nine minutes, subtle sonic shifts, dramatic crescendos that dissolve into mellow arrangements and vice versa, rousing guitar work, among other features. These combine for a powerful listening experience when it comes to the Austin, Texas, group. In other words, this is not the band to throw in as background noise, despite the temptation that might arise from its instrumental stylings. Instead, newcomers to the group’s sound should note that what drives its brilliance, like that of many other post-rock bands, lies in the complexities and nuances of the material. Take “Memorial,” off Explosions in the Sky’s 2003 album The Earth Is Not a Cold Dark Place. Guitars tiptoe in atop other dragged-out notes, hypnotizing the listener with a sweet but detached introduction. Around the fourminute mark, things start to get tense; some might say depressing, considering the song’s title, though it seems more hopeful than sad to this reviewer. A crescendo rushes in around 7:30 that’s simultaneously cathartic, dramatic, beautiful, empowering, and earnest. Thus, to miss out on the emotional subtleties (in addition to technical proficiency), let’s say by arriving at the surge through volume as opposed to focus, would be to miss the point. In fact, the hands-down best way to hear Explosions in the Sky is live, when it’s just you and the intensity of the moment. They play Grand Central in Miami Wednesday, June 20. By Erica K. Landau of Salty Eggs
Erika Taguchi-Newton’s Works Are Whimsical and Surreal The dreamy, muted fairy tale landscapes of Delray’s Erika Taguchi-Newton recall her equally lush predecessors: Fafi’s gorgeous, wide-eyed babes; Yoshitomo Nara’s somnambulist fantasies. To be fair, such assumed influences are based purely on quick visual cues. A closer look at her magical surrealism reveals a world all her own – Taguchi-Newton’s squid-hula girl hybrids, blowfish hot air balloons, and sweet, snow-dwelling monsters seem taken from the mind of a particularly precocious child. Night at Karloff’s, her take on Edward Hopper’s Nighthawks, is an homage to both Hopper and Boris Karloff, the actor who portrayed Frankenstein’s creation in Frankenstein. In her version of the image, a host of iconic monsters (Frankenstein’s Bride and Dracula among them) lounge tiredly, wearily – their magic is softened, made real, a quality with which all her works are imbued. Though we’ll learn more about Taguchi-Newton following Salty Eggs’ upcoming interview with her, we do know a few things already: she is a traveler, a whimsical woman who likely culled some of her poetic visions from the oftotherworldly images the real world affords the wanderer. She graduated from the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, but seems to have honed her craft not in the classroom but in the crevices of the imagination. View more of her work at her official website, ravengirlsnest.com. By Monica Uszerowicz, staff writer at Salty Eggs