Orlando Music Blog

Will's South no more

Will's South, the satellite venture of Will Walker (Will's Pub), is no more. Walker's name is no longer affiliated with the bar near Edgewood and all shows booked by him are either cancelled or moved.

Though it was an enjoyable dive bar and fun while it lasted, at least you don't have to brave the Edgewood speed traps anymore. Yikes.

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Summerbirds video wins!

The results of the national Scion Xpress Fest Music Video Competition (see "Video didn't kill nobody" post below) in which Summerbirds in the Cellar was entered are in and our local boys WON!!! Big congratulations go to them and especially to filmmaker Michael Goubeaux, who created a really artfully done video.

Can I have a ride NOW? Shotgun...

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Franchise sighting

One of my favorite - though oft-hibernating - local bands, Franchise, is playing Uncle Lou's Entertainment Hall on Mills Avenue tonight. Their abstract noise rock is a treat to hear live and will be totally outlandish in the environs on this bar. If sheer strangeness isn't a good reason to go then I don't know what is. That's what led me there recently and it paid dividends. Read my last column for more details on the joint and its location.

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Will hogs Orlando's Americana

Between the two places bearing his namesake (Will's Pub and Will's South), Will Walker has virtually the entire Americana and indie folk scene on his payroll tonight. Will's South is hosting The Sweetkisses, D Street and Holidaysburg. And though none of the full bands are playing, the main pub in Loch Haven will feature a bonanza sampler of sorts featuring the front-men of great bands like Band Marino, The Heathens, Mike Dunn & the Kings of New England, The Sugar Oaks and The Wynn Brothers Band. Either place you go to, it'll be a very inexpensive way to see a lot of good music. See? Always lookin' out for your wallet, that's me, sweetheart.

The Set List vs. Notable Noise

Alright, lovelies, it's only about 99% confirmed so far but I need to tell you about a rumble that's goin' down. This is serious, kids. On July 7th (Friday, so no excuses) at Redlight, Redlight, yours-ever-so-truly will be throwin' down against Orlando Weekly's Jason Ferguson. It's a DJ battle royale! The contest is not to settle who is the most hated critic in town (that'd be a photo-finish) but rather to prove whose musical taste reigns supreme... or at least gets an audience drunk faster.

Details and format to follow soon. I wonder if Fergie knows how to scratch...

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PNJ: No Crust

Phat and Jazzy in the house at the Social tonight with extra special guests sitting in on horns.  It's going to be a rich one - 18 and up, no cover and ladies drink free till midnight.  Go git you some!

Away again

This Saturday, I'll be hitting the road again, this time headed for Bardstown, Kentucky for the annual Kentucky Music Week.  I plan on doing a lot of dulcimer playing and drinking a good amount of bourbon (Bardstown is famous for the stuff).  I won't be back until July - hopefully that will give some of the bands I've contacted a little time to send in their forms so I can start posting about their music. Sheesh, ya slackers!

Matt Tonight

Okay, that was a riff on the old "Mac Tonight" ad campaign that McDonald's used to have, featuring the guy with the quarter-moon face, but since this is a blog catering primarily to twentysomethings who wouldn't have any sort of recollection of that, it will only amuse those of us old enough to remember.

That said, I ran into Matt Mackelcan today at Guitar Center and he mentioned tonight's gig at Wall Street Plaza around 10:30 pm.  Matt was one of the shining acts of FMF2006 for me and it should be a real good show (apparently, some last minute repairs were being made to his bassist's instrument, hope that works out for ya, M).

Matt's music toes the delicate line between jam band and acoustic pop with soulful vocals and a happy vibe, which should be just what the doctor ordered for all those milling around in the open air space tonight, after a crazy week of Alberto hype, wind-socked weather and an influx of out-of-state tourists. (Hospitality kids take note: we feel your pain.)

Happy Valley is sooo Warped

Well, well, well. It seems odd-rock outfit Happy Valley landed a few Warped Tour dates (Orlando, Miami, Tampa and Jacksonville). In case you'll be braving the oppressive heat and sometimes even more oppressive kids, and you should since the talent is notably better this year (Helmet, Buzzcocks, Valient Thorr, Against Me), they'll be at the Hot Topic Stage. Just look for the crowd with the big question mark floating above it because they're gonna confuse everyone there with their brutish, mischievous art rock. But hey, I too believe in public education.

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Killer Robots in glorious lo-res!

The latest local act to enter the video sweepstakes is larger-than-life novelty act Killer Robots. I've clobbered them a bit in my column before but they may well be the raddest band whose music I hate in this entire city. Sounds weird but their stupendously elaborate costumes keep me coming back for more, even if their music pushes me out the door only a few songs into the set. Regardless, you must see them live at least once in your life. Just to give you a small, lo-res taste of the spectacle, click the link to see their debut video for "I Am Robot, You Are Not":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jthpf2bDBQc&search=killer%20robots

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