Image by marfis75. (CC)

South Florida isn’t exactly known as the heaven of music that other places are. We are so far south that most musicians skip us till they are big enough to afford the drive or flight down here. When they do come out here it’s usually well over $50 per ticket at the cheap side. Obviously there are exceptions but that’s usually the way it works. Combine the high prices with my musical tastes and it’s no wonder I have only been to one concert in my life (Flight of the Conchords).

So much to my surprise, this past week had a bevy of announcements of acts coming down here that I have been wanting to see for the longest time.

March 13

Air at The Philmore in the Jackie Gleason Theater. $36.50

The French band Air is a duo consisting of Nicolas Godin and Jean-Benoit Dunckel. They went to school in Versailles, Paris (Lycée Jules Ferry) before forming the band in 1995. Their critically acclaimed first album Premiers Symptômes was followed by the release of Moon Safari, The Virgin Suicides (soundtrack), 10,000hz Legend, and Talkie Walkie. In 2007, Air released the album Pocket Symphony. Their latest album, released in 2009, is Love 2.

Although Air’s music is often referred to as electronica or trip-hop and is often found in such bins in record stores, their form of electronic music actually owes more to the synthesizer sounds of the 1970s such as Jean Michel Jarre and Vangelis. Other influences that are more readily apparent than house and techno are psychedelic rock pioneers Pink Floyd and krautrockers Tangerine Dream (although there are some echoes of dance music styles in the production). Another influence is French crooner Serge Gainsbourg. Air’s music also has jazz inflections at times, and their ability to improvise is more clearly highlighted in the live arena. Before they founded Air, JB and Nicolas played together in the band Orange, with others such as Alex Gopher, Xavier Jamaux and Etienne De Crecy names which have recently reappeared in connection with Air’s remixes.

I’ve been listening to this band for quite a few years now. Excellent mellow out music after a long day at work when I was still employed. Now it’s just good background music while I search for work. It’s not in your face but if you take the effort to listen to the songs, it’s well worth it.

These two aren’t their best songs because EMI in their infinite wisdom disabled embedding on most of their YouTube videos. *sigh*

March 20th

Rodrigo y Gabriela at The Philmore in the Jackie Gleason Theater. Price unknown till the January 15th.

Rodrigo Sanchez and Gabriela Quintero are two fast-fingered, Dublin-based Mexicans with a unique sound created on acoustic guitars. Their music is difficult to define, straddling both world and rock and often imbued with timeless Hispano – classical influences. The fire in it comes from their life-long passion for metal music. In spring 2006, “Rodrigo y Gabriela,” beat both the Arctic Monkeys AND Johnny Cash to number one in the Irish charts. Both the artists and their third self–titled album have gone on to enjoy international success since its initial release in early 2006.

Rodrigo is a deft finger-picker who can move from raging speed to sensual soul in the space of a fret, while Gabriela employs fast, rhythmic techniques. Her percussionist’s thrashing of strings and drumming of the instrument’s body inevitably raises comparisons with the flamenco style of rumba, but the band specifically denies a flamenco influence. The duo’s repertoire flies beyond familiar Latin folk guitarists’ styles because of the metal connection: their reworkings of Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” and Metallica’s “Orion” are musts, and the presence on “Ixtapa” of the fiery Hungarian gypsy violinist Roby Lakatos is inspirational.

When I first heard about the combination of two Mexican guitarists, living in Ireland playing covers of Metallica, I had to hear what it was about. I was sad to find out too late that I missed them playing here last year. I don’t think this is one I will be missing.

March 22

Wilco at The Philmore in the Jackie Gleason Theater. $34.50

Wilco is an American rock band based in Chicago, Illinois. The band was formed in 1994 by the remaining members of alternative country group Uncle Tupelo following singer Jay Farrar’s departure from that group. Wilco’s lineup has changed frequently, with only singer Jeff Tweedy and bassist John Stirratt remaining from the original incarnation. The other current members are guitarist Nels Cline, multi-instrumentalists Pat Sansone and Mikael Jorgensen, and drummer Glenn Kotche. Wilco has released six studio albums, a live double album, and three collaborations: two with Billy Bragg, and one with The Minus 5.

Wilco’s music has been inspired by a wide variety of artists and styles, including Bill Fay and Television, and has in turn influenced music by The National and Cherry Ghost. The band continued in the alternative country of Uncle Tupelo on its debut album A.M. (1995), but has since introduced more experimental aspects to their music.

Another excellent group of musicians plus camelus bactrianus. They’ve been around for a while but not many down here know about them. At least the people I know don’t really know about them. Or any of these other bands. It’s a shame the show is on a Monday night. I doubt I will be able to get the night out off class to go.

April 9

Copeland at The Culture Room. $12

Copeland is an indie rock group, originating in the city of Lakeland, Florida. Originally formed from Ev Angel in 2000 by singer Aaron Marsh (who also plays the guitar, mellotron, organ, and piano) with his friend, bassist and backup singer James Likeness and Thomas Blair on guitar. Guitarists Bryan Laurenson (who took the place of Blair in 2002), and his brother Stephen (joined in late 2007), along with drummer Jon Bucklew (who took the place of Rusty Fuller, who was replaced after appearing on 2003’s rookie full-length, Beneath Medicine Tree) give the band an original feel that makes Copeland what they are. In 2002, they signed a record deal with independent label The Militia Group and released their debut album Beneath Medicine Tree a year later. They operate out of Atlanta, Georgia and have a calm, pop-rocky sound. In 2004, 2005, and 2006 they performed at the annual Cornerstone Florida Festival in Orlando, Florida. In Motion, Copeland’s second full length CD, was released on March 22, 2005. Eat, Sleep, Repeat, Copeland’s third full length album, was released on October 31, 2006. Major label Columbia Records signed the band in late 2006.

Beneath Medicine Tree features a heavy medical theme. Aaron Marsh admits that the lyrics in this album were inspired by the hospitalisation of his girlfriend and the death of his grandmother. The album booklet includes photographs by James Likeness of hospital scenes.

I am saddened to learn that this is Copeland’s farewell tour. I learned about Copeland when Microsoft was offering a ton of free MP3′s for free to promote their Zunes (I never bought one, I just got the MP3′s). Typical indie rock effeminate lead singer voice, but good solid music none-the-less. For $12, you can’t go wrong.

April 24

Porcupine Tree at Jackie Gleason Theater. Unknown price.

Porcupine Tree is a british rock band formed in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, England in 1987. During the course of the band’s history, it has at times incorporated psychedelic rock, alternative, ambient, electronic, and, most recently, metal and post-rock into its unique style of progressive rock.

Porcupine Tree started out as a fake band, the only real member being multi-instrumentalist Steven Wilson. Wilson’s first two efforts, Tarquin’s Seaweed Farm (1989) and The Nostalgia Factory (1990), were both released on cassette tapes. In addition to the band’s trademark psychedelic sound, these two tapes also contained heavy ambient and pop influences. Wilson’s favorite tracks were then compiled into the CD On the Sunday of Life… (1991), while the more ambient-leaning tracks were also collected in Yellow Hedgerow Dreamscape (1994). The first of these two featured many new versions of songs.

Much like Air, Porcupine Tree is excellent background music when reading or coding and is very enjoyable for loungy, chill out parties. I’ve never been disappointed in any of them. Well worth some time to listen.

If you are thinking of going to any of these events, drop me a line and let’s meet up afterwards.