3 minute read
This Little Underground: New local releases + concert picks
LOCAL RELEASES
You know that breaks revival I’ve been talking about lately? Well, I wasn’t tripping (dance culture drug pun only partially intended).
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Of the local artists who’ve recently dabbled in the distinctly Floridian brand of breakbeat, there’s been the usually techno-centric Astro Pup and the famously synthwave-minded Moondragon. Now you can add Orlando dance-music producer and label owner Kyle Lyon to that list.
Under the moniker Blair Sound Design, his cerebrally minimal dance sound typically rides a deeper house frequency. But BSD’s new release — the double single of “Orlando” b/w “Give It 2 U” — doesn’t just jump on the breaks train, it makes the most direct reference yet to our city’s specific heritage in the dance subgenre.
Despite the meta title, “Orlando” is actually more of a hybrid jam that’s a housed-up take on the breaks, giving it both BSD’s signature and a sleek lounge vibe. “Give It 2 U,” on the other hand, is a straight mainline of the hard, hype breakbeats that reigned supreme here in the deep hours of the 1990s. It’s as prime a specimen as there’s been in ages of that classic Orlando sound.
Since vintage rave sounds are getting the revivalist treatment these days, it’s good to see the breaks — a style that probably no other city in the world has exported to greater influence than Orlando — get its own propers. But do we really need the JNCO jeans to come back, too?
Released on Lyon’s own French Press Lounge label, “Orlando”/”Give It 2 U” is available now on Bandcamp and Soundcloud. there’s a great livestream option in here for you.
Growing Stone, Las Nubes: While Skylar Sarkis keeps it on the up when he fronts melodic punk band Taking Meds, the New Yorker uses his Growing Stone project to breathe and muse a bit in the thoughtful setting of meditative indie rock.
Everything about opener Las Nubes, however, is pure thrill. I gushed about the young Miami band as a name to watch in my review of their show here in September 2019 at Soundbar opening for the Coathangers. Then, three months after that, Iggy Pop himself enlisted them to be his own backing band at Art Basel. Now I’m not saying there’s a causal connection here. But the timing’s uncanny, no? At any rate, just trust me and Iggy on this one.
Las Nubes’ thick rock fuzz is gathering some hot rock buzz, and it’s all justified. (8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24, Will’s Pub, $12-$15)
Dance-music producer and label owner Kyle Lyon’s new release as Blair Sound Design — the double single “Orlando” b/w “Give It 2 U” — makes direct musical reference to our city’s infamous breaks heritage with hard, hype breakbeats
BY BAO LE-HUU
BLAIR SOUND DESIGN | PHOTO BY NORREL BLAIR
Ginko Balboa, Moat Cobra, The Valley
Ritual, Fabricate: This packed local parade is a nice, diverse sampler that represents metal in a heavy spectrum that will, at the very least, stretch across progressive, punk, technical, death and groove. (8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, Will’s Pub, $10)
Joy-Filled Noise: A Musical Celebration
of Black History: There are myriad ways to appreciate Black History Month. But when it comes to American cultural legacy and identity, few are more essential and defining than through music. At this concert, Orlando composer and performer Kevin Harris will conduct a vocal and instrumental ensemble through a celebration and expression of Black American music. Expect the proud, compendious journey to span African American spirituals, gospel, blues and jazz. As one of Timucua’s “open house” events, this show is offered on an inclusive pay-what-you-like scale and even features a safe livestream option. If attending in person, masks are still required here at all times. (7:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 27, Timucua Arts Foundation, donations accepted)
The Gloomies, Daisy-Chain, 0 Miles
Per Hour: After time in notable bands like Guards and Sacco, Andy Craig honed his own sound with the Gloomies. And with a mesmerizing spell of psych and surf, they’ve managed to stay consistently on tastemaking radars since their emergence in the middle of the last decade. Opening will be a couple of promising young Orlando bands with the jangle pop of Daisy-Chain and the chunky melodies of 0 Miles Per Hour. (7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 28, Will’s Pub, $10)
40 ORLANDO WEEKLY ● FEB. 23-MARCH 1, 2022 ● orlandoweekly.com
