BY B AO L E - H U U GLOVE | PHOTO BY JEN CRAY
LOCAL RELEASES
Dot Org, the vehicle for local musician Ian Mckewen, has always been a stylistically restless indie act with little regard for simple categorization or convention. But the one unifying element in all of the heady brew is Mckewen’s theatrical singing, and it’s this act’s most defining trait. Well, Dot Org’s brand-new single, “Neon Oceans,” is one of Mckewen’s most distilled songs to date and provides some of the best framing for his exceptionally limber vocals yet. Dynamic caprice and tension are Dot Org’s usual modus operandi. But the vibe-rich “Neon Oceans” is a song of fluid summery reverie. It occasionally threatens to get carried away in a sudden updraft but just settles back into its lovely zephyr drift. It’s on this frequency and in this open space that Mckewen’s singing and songwriting exhale gorgeously like never before. “Neon Oceans” is a finely crafted and lushly executed diamond in the Dot Org catalog. This first glimpse of Dot Org’s next fulllength album — which is due for release on Oct. 31 — is up now on Bandcamp. Orlando’s Drex Carter, one of the voices in the upward Seeyousoon rap crew, recently dropped tight new single “idk.” It’s a tender, plaintive emo-rap number that rides a very now wave. But while the song itself is low key, its video — done by Florida’s Gameonet Productions — is high in both concept and production value. Filmed across four years and featuring lots of simulated realities, it’s a splashy journey of sci-fi flair. Check it out on YouTube.
Tampa’s Glove have definitely impressed live here in Orlando, and now the allure and style of their newwave aesthetic have caught some other important eyes and ears on the national scene as well
Sad Halen, who authored my pick for best local record in this year’s Best of Orlando issue. All attendees will receive a copy of Popmortem. (8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9, Will’s Pub, $12)
Wavves, Glove: Tampa’s Glove have definitely impressed here in Orlando with the ice and intensity of their art-forward performances. But it seems the allure and style of their new-wave aesthetic have caught some other important eyes and ears on the scene as well. They’ve toured nationally (with Broncho, the Nude Party and currently C.B. Carlyle & the Desert Angels, with White Reaper) and this year will play ’ShewBird: This latest installment of the major festivals like Levitation Fest and Modern Music Movement’s notable new Shaky Knees. Cage the Elephant guitarist live stand at Stardust will feature some Brad Schultz took an interest in them and of the moodiest Americana to be found brought them into the studio to record in the area. Newcomers from Howey-in- their debut album (Boom Nights), being the-Hills C.B. Carlyle & the Desert Angels released this fall. Glove’s high-profile, are a promising young band that special- national-level appearances continue, this ize in cinematic country music steeped time opening up for California beach-punk in long Western atmosphere. Meanwhile, stars Wavves. (7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 12, the beautifully haunted rock of Orlando’s The Social, $25-$28) ’ShewBird is a deep, dark slice of Southern Gothic that always enthralls live. Me Nd Adam: This Austin duo could be (8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9, Stardust Video & the next great contenders in the wicked Coffee, $5) tradition of taking the piss out of country music. At first listen, you’ve got a modern Virginity, Wolf-Face, Sad Halen: sound pastiche that works at the dubiDaytona Beach indie-rock band Virginity ous intersection of country and pop. A will officially release their brawny closer look, though, reveals a clever connew album, Popmortem, on Orlando’s cept project that revels in its trashiness Smartpunk Records on Oct. 15. But you with a subversive, Alex Cameron-esque can score an early copy this weekend that genius. And then you realize there are also also includes a three-band concert. To cel- some pretty good songs underneath all the ebrate the release, Virginity will headline humor and sweet, sweet mullets. Pretty this high-value bill that also features the slick trick, that. (8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 13, MUSIC EVENTS THIS WEEK Can’t control others but you can protect masked spectacle of fun St. Pete punks Will’s Pub, $10-$13) Wolf-Face and Orlando shoegaze rockers yourself. So mask up if you go out. baolehuu@orlandoweekly.com orlandoweekly.com
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OCT. 6-12, 2021 ● ORLANDO WEEKLY
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