by Strawberry Jam
At a time when every other new indie band name is animal related, at least three times that many seem to have a fascination with all things summer (Best Coast, Beach Fossils, Sunglasses, Beach House, YACHT, Flamingo, Tanlines, Surfer Blood, Washed Out, The Ruby Suns, Eternal Summers, Tan Dollar, Aloha, Wavves, Coconut Records, Beautiful Swimmers, etc., etc.). It’d only be a matter of time before Florida would stake out a place for itself in what is rightfully our own- minus the cliche band name.
Imposemagazine.com goes so far as to say this might be the “summer of Florida” thanks Lake Worths’ The Jameses. The “breezy garage pop” group gets love from Captured Tracks Brooklyn and Pitchfork as well.
A longtime personal favorite, Millionyoung might as well be the poster child for last summer’s chillwave/dreampop/lo-fi phenomenon which is still going strong today. Aside from frequent touring and national festivals, Millionyoung is generous when it comes to making appearances at local spots like The Bubble and events such as For Art’s Sake’s Birdwatch.
Millionyoung – Love Is All Around (Mary Tyler Moore theme song)
Viernes, with their ethereal, muffled and often bass-heavy sounds, are gaining steam fast since the June 8th release of their debut album, Sinister Devices. Their cover of “I’ve Begun To Fall In Love” is set to appear on a future Sick of the Radio/R. Stevie Moore volume, which has featured Dino Felipe and Ariel Pink in the past.
Viernes – Entire Empire
Many might not know it, and some might not want to admit it, but noise-pop duo Sleigh Bells which recently played at West Palm’s Respectable Street definitely has some roots in South Florida. Singer Alexis Krauss’ mother is from a small town outside of Tampa and guitarist Derek Miller grew up in the West Palm Beach area- Poison The Well, anyone? Read more about it in the New Times interview.
Sleigh Bells – Crown On The Ground
Also rising…
