3 minute read
This Little Underground: new releases + concert picks
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.
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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.
MUSIC EVENTS THIS WEEK
Can’t control others but you can protect yourself. So mask up if you go out.
C.B. Carlyle & the Desert Angels,
’ShewBird: This latest installment of the Modern Music Movement’s notable new live stand at Stardust will feature some of the moodiest Americana to be found in the area. Newcomers from Howey-inthe-Hills C.B. Carlyle & the Desert Angels are a promising young band that specialize in cinematic country music steeped in long Western atmosphere. Meanwhile, the beautifully haunted rock of Orlando’s ’ShewBird is a deep, dark slice of Southern Gothic that always enthralls live. (8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9, Stardust Video & Coffee, $5)
Virginity, Wolf-Face, Sad Halen: Daytona Beach indie-rock band Virginity will officially release their brawny new album, Popmortem, on Orlando’s Smartpunk Records on Oct. 15. But you can score an early copy this weekend that also includes a three-band concert. To celebrate the release, Virginity will headline this high-value bill that also features the masked spectacle of fun St. Pete punks Wolf-Face and Orlando shoegaze rockers
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
BY BAO LE-HUU
GLOVE | PHOTO BY JEN CRAY
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 with White Reaper) and this year will play major festivals like Levitation Fest and Shaky Knees. Cage the Elephant guitarist Brad Schultz took an interest in them and brought them into the studio to record their debut album (Boom Nights), being released this fall. Glove’s high-profile, national-level appearances continue, this time opening up for California beach-punk stars Wavves. (7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 12, The Social, $25-$28)
Me Nd Adam: This Austin duo could be the next great contenders in the wicked tradition of taking the piss out of country music. At first listen, you’ve got a modern sound pastiche that works at the dubious intersection of country and pop. A closer look, though, reveals a clever concept project that revels in its trashiness with a subversive, Alex Cameron-esque genius. And then you realize there are also some pretty good songs underneath all the humor and sweet, sweet mullets. Pretty slick trick, that. (8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 13, Will’s Pub, $10-$13)
baolehuu@orlandoweekly.com
