A former member of the Miami Beach Senior High School Rock Ensemble, Fernando Perdomo eats, sleeps and breathes melodies. A while back he recorded a full album solo and eventually combed Miami for a top-notch band to bring his music to life. Slowly piecing together the outfit from an acquaintance at a guitar store, the house engineer at University of Miami, a fellow student of the rock ensemble, and finally the former drummer for Hall and Oates, Perdomo created a masterpiece of talent this past July and formed Dreaming in Stereo.
Ranging from ages 19 to 58 the group is made up of Perdomo (guitar/lead vocals), Marisol Garcia (keyboards/vocals), Dave Torre (viola/guitar/vocals), Giuseppe Rodriguez (bass), and the legendary Eddie Zyne (drums). “I love the diversity”, says Perdomo. “Music is a lifelong relationship – older and younger musicians can learn a lot from each other.” Stylistically they look up to The Beatles, Todd Rundgren, Gino Vannelli and Diane Birch.
Dreaming in Stereo has already garnered a national following, with their music playing on over 96 college radio stations (charting on 30 stations) and with write ups in Guitar Player Magazine and Keyboard Player Magazine. Ironically enough, they haven’t broken their hometown university’s ranks yet – the band has yet to hear back from WVUM. Their repertoire of songs like “I’m Not Going To Move To L.A.” and “Amicable” are evocative, funny, smooth and captivating.
They’ve been promoting their new album since the summer and have plenty of new material in the works for upcoming records. A van tour across the east coast and possibly cross country along with aspirations of making a splash in Sweden and England are without a doubt dreams soon to be fulfilled.
Dreaming in Stereo will perform at 10 p.m. on Thursday, November 12 at Tobacco Road, 626 South Miami Ave, Miami; (305) 374-1198. Visit their website at www.dreaminginstereo.net
We recently caught up with Armando Figueredo, keyboard player of Los Amigos Invisibles, to chat about their recent Grammy nomination for Best Latin Alternative album and love of Miami’s beaches.
How do you hope the people of Miami will respond to your newest album, Comercial?
I hope that people respond well. We love Miami, we love the people there. We are really happy with what’s going on with the new album. We’ve been fortunate enough to be nominated again for a Latin Grammy and have done well on ITunes and Amazon.
Congratulations on your recent Latin Grammy nomination! What does it mean to you to have the new album recognized?
It is a really pleasant experience, especially since the past two records that we have been nominated for we have done for ourselves, not a record label. We produced it with our own ideas. We are very grateful, although it’s not the reason why we put out records. We love playing live and if [the win] doesn’t happen we will be alright.
You’ve been in the music business for 18 years and have toured in over 60 countries- what is your secret to success?
The two keys to success? First of all, working hard and being constant. Keeping at it and having a lot of love for what you do, especially at times like this when the music industry is all over the place. That and a little bit of luck like what happened when David Byrne first heard our album in a little record store in New York and signed us to his label (Luaka Bop in 1996).
I’ve heard that some of your band mates have decided to make South Florida their permanent home. What influenced their decisions to move here?
José, Julio and Mauricio all live in Miami now. [The other half of the band have remained in New York]. New York is a very cold climate and living space is limited. It’s definitely not what we are used to from Venezuela when we were living there. We travel around most of the year so we still see each other a lot.
What do you guys do when in Miami?
Mostly visit friends’ places and go to the beach. I don’t really know Miami all that well. There are a few Cuban restaurants I love but I don’t remember the names. But the beach of course- I have to stop there and soak in the water. Visit their website at www.amigosinvisibles.com.
When I first heard about the “They Won’t Budge: Africans In Europe” exhibition at the Fort Greene based Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts (MoCADA), I knew I had to go. Running from Oct 1, 2009 to January 19, 2010, the exhibition uses provoking photographs and video to tell the stories of migrant Africans as they journey and survive in Europe.
Curated by members of the NYU Africana Studies department, the exhibition is broken down into six different themes: Passages, Work, Defiance, Religion, Spaces, and Portraits and features snapshots from life in places like Spain, Portugal, Italy and France. It reminded me of thought provoking scenarios I witnessed or heard about while living in the United Kingdom and traveling throughout Europe.
I highly, highly recommend everyone in New York check this one out!
Related Event: Nov. 15 – Mini-Conference examining the migratory patterns of Africans within Europe will be held at the Spike Lee Screening Room at Long Island University’s Brooklyn Campus. [10:00am- 6:00 pm]
When I first heard about the “They Won’t Budge: Africans In Europe” exhibition at the Fort Greene based Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts (MoCADA), I knew I had to go. Running from Oct 1, 2009 to January 19, 2010, the exhibition uses provoking photographs and video to tell the stories of migrant Africans as they journey and survive in Europe.
Curated by members of the NYU Africana Studies department, the exhibition is broken down into four different themes: Passages, Work, Defiance, Religion, Spaces, and Portraits and features snapshots from life in places like Spain, Portugal, Italy and France. It reminded me of thought provoking scenarios I witnessed or heard about while living in the United Kingdom and travelling throughout Europe.
Related Event:
Mini-Conference (Nov. 15,2009) examining the migratory patterns of Africans within Europe will be held at the Spike Lee Screening Room at Long Island University’s Brooklyn Campus. [10:00am- 6:00 pm]
The makings of South Florida swing group Ever So Klever started brewing last summer. Naming themselves after a racehorse that never won a race, this unique swing band thought that it was time for Ever So Klever to finally take first in the musical arena. In the same way that people during the era of The Great Depression used swing music to dance their troubles away, Ever So Klever hope to provide an outlet for joy and expression in today’s tough economic times.
Heavily influenced by Cherry Poppin’ Daddies and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, their sound is referred to as “power swing” by some, comprising a unique fusion. Combining progressive rock and Brian Setzer inspired guitar riffs, Latin rhythms, and powerful female vocals, the group stands apart from what’s already out on the scene. The band is made up of experienced and passionate musicians: Michelle Leigh (lead singer, rhythm guitar), Rich Plaza (lead guitar, backup vocals), Joel Enriquez (drums), Aimiel Rivas (Bass) along with a rotating horn section (trumpet and saxophone).
Their album Bang Twang Boom is laced with hard beats layered with sexy verbiage in the likes of “Russian Mafia,” to more practical lyrics in a song called “Poverty”. “We want listeners to feel as though they are being taken to another place and a simpler time where they don’t have to worry about the problems in their daily life,” said Leigh.
A new album coming out next year and an expansion of the group’s stylistic repertoire lies ahead for these swing rockers. Their extensive tour schedule all over the south and Midwest provides many opportunities for curious newcomers and dedicated fans to get in on the fun.
Ever So Klever will perform at 11:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 23 at Transit Lounge, 729 SW 1st Ave
Miami; 305-377-4628. Visit their website at www.eversoklever.com.
Following the philosophy that taking life too seriously will eat you alive, Little Beard has stormed onto the local scene with a solid indie rock sound, strong lyrics, and a quirky sense of humor. When trying to come up with the band’s name one member recalled an ex-girlfriend who gave him the nickname Little Beard because of his inability to grow a full one. At the time it was the best name they could think of and so Little Beard stuck.
Members Michael Lee (guitar/vocals), Sarah Attias (vocals/keyboards), Edwin Beauchamp (bass) and Nicole Irizarry (drums) have been gigging around town for the last year and half. Each member found their way to the group from chance meetings at places like the public library in downtown Miami, music theory class at Miami Dade College, Craigslist, and even a hopping Cinco de Mayo fiesta.
Each piece of the unit brings a passion for a different musical genre ranging from pulse punk and noise rock to indie pop and surf rock. Bands like The Long Blondes, Erase Errata, Shop Assistants, and The Slits have served as influencers in their collective sound. More than anything, Little Beard wants audiences to have a good time at their gigs and even hopes to inspire musicians to take the leap and start their own bands.
They are very much a part of the burgeoning local Miami scene. “We like playing in our tight knit community with other bands, many who we are friends with,” said Beauchamp. Catch them playing local gigs or on the road over the next few months as Little Beard tours in North Florida and the Midwest before the end of the year. Also look out for self-released singles “Love If You Dare” and “Summer Cardigans” on 7” Vinyl.
Self described fusionistas, Electric Piquete capture the perfect balance between Latin rhythms, funk and rock. The Miami based pack chose their name in order to reflect a nod to electric rockers like Jimi Hendrix and Chick Corea while Piquete refers to the Spanish slang for a crew.
Band members Michael Mut (bass/MC), Ed Rosado (drums/percussion), Chris Core (guitar), Ozzy Reyes (tenor saxophone/percussion), Rich Dixon (trumpet/flugelhorn/percussion), John Normandin (trombone/percussion) have worked their way throughout the local scene for the last two years. Their sound is inspired by many locally based acts like Spam All Stars, Suenalo and Locos Por Juana as well others based further afield including Mars Volta, Ozomatli and The Police. An important wish of the group is for fans to appreciate all of the influences within their music and cover selection, and in turn to be as moved as the band is by other great acts (in a sort of musical “circle of life”).
Playing all over town, the members of Electric Piquete take great pleasure in seeing all the dancing, drinking and general merriment that occurs at their gigs. “The ones that do come out (we do wish there were more locals who support live music) seem to be passionate and have a deep appreciation for what we do. For that we are extremely humbled and grateful,” said Mut.
With a strong dose of percussion, their sound ranges from upbeat tunes like “Fonquetazo” to slow and jazzy songs with “Blues for Sophie.” If you would like to take a little bit of their sound with you, take advantage of a free download of their track “Cutty and Water Blues” currently on their website. Coming up for these rockers are a slew of shows in Miami this fall along with forthcoming studios sessions at Shack North Studios in Hialeah where the band will put together an album with friend and producer Ferny Coipel from Humbert.
Electric Piquete will perform at noon on Saturday, Sept. 19 at Festidan 2009 in Bicentennial Park, 1075 Biscayne Blvd, Miami; 305-358-7550. Admission is $20 per person. Visit their MySpace page at www.myspace.com/electricpiquete.
The 80’s are back in a big way. If you grew up in Miami during the decade of decadence you may remember dancing the night away to local group Eruption at your high school dance or house party. After twenty years, the cover band is back on the scene to fervently remind their fans of why the age of gold, glam and glitter goes down in history as the best ever.
Their energy filled shows will make you forget your millennial preoccupations with carefree covers of Tears for Fears’ “Everybody Wants to Rule the World”, The Clash’s “Rock the Casbah” and Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s “Relax”. They actually get their name from an Eddie Van Halen guitar solo and fondly reminisce over playing in a converted garage in Little Havana the first time around.
“Being a cover band, it’s difficult playing other peoples music with real conviction. But since this is the stuff that we grew up on we have an emotional connection to it, so we do a better job than most,” said vocalist Rene Alvarez. Along with his counterparts [Joel Someillan (guitar & vocals), Carlos Lamas (bass), and Juan Wolf (drums)], Alvarez and the gang have illustrious day jobs, from engineering Grammy award winning songs, producing music festivals, to teaching special education and management in the private sector.
Whether throwing down in someone’s living room during a house party or going nuts in front of thousands of fans at Dolphin stadium, the members of Eruption will play with the same tenacity.
Eruption will perform at 9 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12 at Transit Lounge, 729 S.W. 1st Ave., Miami; 305-377-4628. Visit their website at www.eightiesbyeruption.com.
When asked about their plans for the future, beat rockers The Roads immediately referenced their inspiration by one of the greatest classical artists that ever lived. Just as Michelangelo had no clue he was going to do “the chapel” 15 minutes before he was offered to do so, the foursome from Miami said that they are open to just about anything on their way to the top.
With three years and 200 original songs under their belt, the crew made up of David Brito (lead vocals/songwriter), Andre Fiallo (bass/guitar), Raphael Hernandez (Electric guitar/guitar/bass), and Victor Hernandez (drums/percussion), are looking to the future with wide eyes. You may have already seen them all over town performing under their earlier moniker, The Tunes and Tones, at local hot spots like Churchill’s, Hotel Casablanca, and Titanic.
Their modest living arrangements, all together in a Miami Gardens casa where rock and roll rules the roost, are embraced by a local community that supports their tunes. With pride, the guys note that no one has called the cops, ever. It is in this very house that the music making magic happens almost 24/7. Ranging from hard rock to romantic ballads their songs are relevant, like “Keep Us On the Payroll” a folksy nod to the nation’s current fiscal fiasco to “New York Carpet” a colorful tune about a man who discovers a dead body in his Gotham digs.
While things with their ex- manager John Tovar (of Marilyn Manson fame) didn’t quite work out, the band has hope that they will soon find a new one that better fits their mission. Other big names in the entertainment industry have already taken note including director Fro Rojas who was so enamored with their sound that he asked the guys to contribute a few songs to the soundtrack for his film “Pencil Fighting: Life and Times of Team Balderdash” produced by Gold Dickenson Productions.
With plans for gigging in New York City this fall and the upcoming release of their first music video “Grease”, these guys are on the upward path. Whatever road will get them there is the one they plan to be on.
The Roads will perform at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 29 at The Annex, 9911 NW 80th Avenue, Hialeah. Visit their MySpace page atwww.myspace.com/theroadsmusicrockband.
With a MySpace page that boasts a genre of “tropical/ death metal” it becomes instantly clear that Jacuzzi Boys are something different on the scene. They’ve always been into music and have found a balance to create great, straight up rock and roll. The trio [Gabriel Alcala (guitar/vocals), Danny Rojas (bass), and Diego Monasteri (drums/vocals)] have been friends for a while and naturally fell into their collective groove. Jacuzzi Boys was a rejected name for a previous band that Alcala and Rojas were in together; as an appropriate homage to the glamour of life in the tropics, this time the name stuck.
Attracted to the endearing music of the era, they look up to 60’s bands like country rockers The Flying Burrito Brothers and other acts like Tom Petty, The Gun Club and Skip Spence. Guitar riffs reminiscent of psychedelic sounds of the time are featured on songs like “Island Ave” and “Black Sand.”
“The Miami scene has gotten a lot better in the last few years,” says Alcala before he mentions that the band loves to rock out at local venues with other homegrown groups like Electric Bunnies, Melted Sunglasses and Pool Party. Putting out five 7” records last year, the group has stayed busy working with a number of record labels scattered across the country including Rob’s House, HoZac, Floridas Dying, and Needless. With their music being sold as far north as Brooklyn, N.Y. it appears this group’s sound has a far reach.
An LP called “No Seasons” will come out on Florida’s Dying Records soon and the guys hope to tour to support the record in the fall.
Jacuzzi Boys will perform at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009 at P.S.14, 28 NE 14th Street, Miami; 305-358-3600. Visit the band’s MySpace page at www.myspace.com/jacuzziboys.
Whether cruising down the causeway, zipping around South Beach or heading down U.S. 1, anyone that lives in South Florida understands the high-energy city life. Rockers Spinlight City are soon to cross your radar with music dripping in Miami flavor that will take you on a journey of local sounds.
The guys of Spinlight City: Rayko Batista (lead vocals), Rey Garcia (guitar / backup vocals), Tony Noriega (guitar / backup vocals), Joey Zahralban (drums), and David Martinez (bass), get a kick out of playing high-energy shows and seeing people they know when they look out into the audience. Huge fans of The Beatles and the way they brought the brightness of pop into rock and roll almost 5 decades ago, Spinlight City are hoping to become icons themselves. Combining the classic cool with the witty lyrics and catchy instrumentals of their other favorite group Taking Back Sunday, this fabulous quintet hopes to engage all of their listeners with what they have to say.
Appearances at the The Vans Warped Tour and the Florida Music Festival and the 2009 Grammy Showcase have solidified their future in this industry.
They just released their newest EP with the help of hit producer James Paul Wisner who has also worked with groups like Paramore, Underoath, and The Academy Is and are eager to get started on the next project right away. Their head-banging rendition of Jamie Foxx’s popular summer hit “Blame It (On the Alcohol)” will get any music addict swaying while “Let Me In” is full of romance and pulsing guitar riffs.
“When you listen to the songs you can hear what Tony is trying to express with his guitar lines. Joey can be heard slamming aggressively to create the foundation for the rhythm. Rey always figures out how to add just the right amount of ambience. David can be heard running his fingers over every fret on the bass,” explained Batista who admits he simply sings melodies that he finds very catchy.
Spinlight City will perform at 6 p.m. on Monday, July 27 at The Talent Farm, 20911 Johnson Street, Pembroke Pines; 954-438-3488. Visit their MySpace page at www.myspace.com/spinlightcity.
By Rayme Samuels
By Rayme Samuels
When I first heard about the “They Won’t Budge: Africans In Europe” exhibition at the Fort Greene based Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts (MoCADA), I knew I had to go. Running from Oct 1, 2009 to January 19, 2010, the exhibition uses provoking photographs and video to tell the stories of migrant Africans as they journey and survive in Europe.
By Rayme Samuels
By Rayme Samuels
By Rayme Samuels
By Rayme Samuels
By Rayme Samuels
By Rayme Samuels
By Rayme Samuels