Andie Cunniffe

Of Montreal at The Social

The Hold Steady at Guavaween Festival

Ybor City, Florida

Foo Fighters at Deluna Fest

Pensacola, FL

September 2012

Best Coast at the Social Orlando

The Gasparilla Music Festival celebrated its second birthday on March 9th.  Lord Huron, lead by Michigan-based Ben Scheider, is still early in his career. After releasing a trio of EPs in 2010, Schneider released his debut record Lonesome Dreams this year. The new record explores themes of the Old West and self discovery. The Guardian described Schneider's style in the debut effort as "a folk-rock Thoreau", and Consequence of Sound described the record as "impressionistic, world-bent Americana" with inspirations from Animal Collective. Lord Huron made a stop at Gasparilla Music Festival before playing California's coveted Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival later this year.

The festival's national artists also included California's Best Coast. Their surf-rock inspired songs of yearning and romance earned the title of 'Best New Music' from Pitchfork Media. Their second album, 2012's The Only Placereceived less critical acclaim, but it did help the band land a tour opening for Green Day.

Matt Pond’s sound is evocative of 70s California folk music scene. His music is tends to focus on an effortlessly harmonic sound that often deals with relationships and personal struggle. Starting out in the late 90s, some of Matt Pond’s first shows involved opening for indie rock bands such as Superchunk.   Growing up in New York, Pond lived near the infamous Bearsville Records, where he would eventually record his own albums. Set against the trends and angst of the music of New York City, Matt Pond’s sound is largely inspired by The Band. His dream tour would involve opening for legendary musicians like “John Lennon and Harry Nillson.” After producing several acclaimed records, Pond made it clear that he is still honing his craft, “I just want to do one thing well, and I’m waiting for that one.”

Typically, opening bands can have a harder time engaging with the audience, often because the audience hasn’t heard of the band before. However, Joyce Manor had an edge, as the audience was well aware of the band’s music. One could suppose that touring with Against Me!, Hot Water Music, Touche Amore, Titus Andronicus, Andrew Jackson Jihad and Ceremony within the last two years may have helped. Their last album, Of All Things I Will Soon Grow Tiredreceived positive acclaim from respected alternative music blogs Alter the Press!, PunkNews.org andAbsolutePunk.net.  Opening with “Beach Community” from their self-titled album, the crowd rushed into a mosh pit that didn’t disband until after Conor Oberst left the stage. Ending their set with “Constant Headache”, the lead singer had the audience sing the last verse, from their debut self-titled album. Though it initially seemed like Joyce Manor was opening for Desaparecidos, the energy and crowd’s response to Joyce Manor’s set made it obvious that the band was co-headlining.

Gasparilla Music Festival is one of Tampa’s best, if not youngest music events of the year. Capping off the almost South by Southwest-like compilation of parades, movie festivals, a 5k and much more, the Gasparilla events are not to be missed. This year’s festival takes place on March 9th at Curtis Hixon Park includes headliners Dawes, Best Coast,Dr. Dog, The Meter Men featuring Page McConnell of Phish, Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears and many more.

Greg Ferris has been a part of Florida’s local music scene for a while, playing music in bands like The Equines andCats in the Basement, which endearingly and accurately identifies itself as ‘surf waltz pop’ on their facebook page. Ferris has always been one for incorporating elements of performance art and costumes to his band’s live acts; from costumes to stage props, Ferris’ projects keep it weird in the best way possible.

An avid fan and participant in the local music scene in Sarasota, some of Ferris’ favorite local bands include Finch House recording artists Bard and Mustache, Brazos the Rat, as well as Raef, 60s outfit The Umbrella Cult, as well as New College band The Antiquarians. 

And with that, Ferris released his new project Godsnack, a one man electronic band. Drawing influences from artists he’s worked with in the past like Nashville’s Meth Dad and Sarasota’s Raef, Ferris also utilizes keyboards and synthesizers to create colorfully layered, dub-influenced tracks.

The underground indie culture of the turn of the millennium is coming back to a loud applause, almost as if to say ‘I told you so’:

The return of 2003’s neurotic television series Arrested Development through a new season and movie, after casting emerging stars Michael Cera and a solid cast including Jeffery Tambour, Michael Cross, and Jason Bateman.

Freaks and Geeks, which barely hit 18 episodes, is getting retrospective acclaim (and a rumored movie deal) for launching the immensely popular careers of producer Judd Apatow, and actors Jason Segel, Seth Rogen, and James Franco.

Influential indie band Neutral Milk Hotel’s Jeff Mangum is breaking his touring hiatus to perform live acoustic sets, and perhaps bolster support for an upcoming recording or reunion. 

[Editor's Note: The Postal Service, famous for 2003's Give Up, which was SubPop Record's best selling album since Nirvana's Bleach, are getting back together. Their album in 10 years, featuring new song "A Tattered Line of String", comes out later this year.]

And Conor Oberst, most famously known for being the lead singer of Bright Eyes and creator of Omaha’s Saddle Creek Records, is returning to his politically charged side project Desaparecidos, who released their debut album Read Music/SpeakSpanish in 2002.