Under The Sun

Electric Piquete/ Sammy Mack

Last month,  I attended the first-ever Miami Music Festival. It was a daunting lineup of about 250 mostly local bands on 25 stages—stats that, I’m pretty sure, prove a one-to-one ratio of garages to bands in this city.

As a newcomer to the Miami music world– I moved here about six months ago– I saw this as a great way to dive into the local scene, and also learn about emerging artists. Some were a little green, but there were more than a few standouts in the crowd. Here are recommended songs/downloads from five local musicians that I definitely want to see again:

1- Electric Piquete – “Funquetazo”
http://www.myspace.com/electricpiquete

I fell for this band before I even set foot in the tent where they played. From across the street, the wail of Electric Piquete’s horn section cut through the muddy din of rock happening on some of the other festival stages. It called like a siren–  all brassy Latin funk and blues. This was the first performance at MMF that made me forget there were 24 other bands I wasn’t seeing at that moment.

Electric Piquete/ Sammy Mack

2- Life of Seals – “I’m Not Superstitious”

http://www.myspace.com/lifeofseals

Inexplicably,  there were maybe a dozen people in the audience (not counting the army of bartenders) when I caught them on Thursday night. They have a dreamy, synth-pop aesthetic and, judging by the portrait on their MySpace page, a good sense of humor.

3- City of God – “H.M.G.”

http://www.myspace.com/cityofgodband, also iTunes

There is a special place in my heart for radio-friendly top 40 dance music. When I lived in New Orleans, I had to sort of keep it secret. Imagine telling someone in South Florida that you’re fond of high-waisted jeans; that’s the reaction I’d get. Anyway, City of God hit a sweet note with me. Good, clean, fun beats. And I don’t mind telling anyone in Miami that I really enjoyed it.

City of God/ Sammy Mack

4- Radioboxer – “Placebo Effect”

http://www.myspace.com/radioboxerband, also iTunes

I admit it, I didn’t actually see Radioboxer at MMF. I’d already called it a night. That might be like saying I was still parking the car when Creedence Clearwater Revival went onstage at Woodstock. But I made a point of looking up Radioboxer the next day and could kick myself for not bucking up and pounding a late-night espresso to stay on for their set. Great indie rock. This band’s sound has a funhouse mirror feel that reminds me of early Rilo Kiley. I won’t miss the next performance.

5- Brady – Don’t Make Sense

http://www.myspace.com/bradymsp

This girl has moxie. She’s 18, dresses like Militant Barbie, and can still belt out a note after getting low in a dance break. Oh, and she recorded a demo with local R&B legend Betty Wright. Unfortunately, her MySpace page doesn’t do justice to her live act. Brady owns the stage— even if it’s a conference room at the Hyatt. Somebody needs to sign this kid right quick.