Not too long ago, I gave you guys some Sound Advice about my trip to Austin for the SXSW Music Festival. I explained how it's a “Spring Break” for music fans, and how I hung with GWAR, rode Harleys, saw incredible bands like Muse, and ate tons of meat. (See my Sound Advice: Vol. 1 to learn more about my carnivorous ways.)
Anyway, this past weekend I was in Orlando, Fla., for the 9th annual Florida Music Festival (FMF), which is basically a small-scale version of SXSW. Aside from size, another difference with this fest was that I actually hosted the event, had my picture on the cover of the FMF guide and the event's VIP laminate … and downed a lot less BBQ. I also hung with headliners Less Than Jake and Anberlin, and got my 1995 on with Rusted Root. (C'mon, like you don't love the song "Send Me On My Way.")
In addition to seeing these bigger bands, I saw countless unsigned groups, which brought me back to my A&R days (read: days of scouting, signing bands and making records). My Sound Advice this week is for you to check out the up-and-coming bands listed below that I came across while enjoying the warm weather this past weekend.
Best Local Unsigned Band
Million Year Echo – Frontman Levi Conner has one of the best voices I have ever heard. Think of a vocal mash-up of Chris Cornell and Jeff Buckley. Yes that's a bold statement, and yes it's true. Best part (well, for me, anyway)? This originally Orlando-based band has just moved to Bushwick, Brooklyn, so I get to see them play a lot more.
Million Year Echo - "Never Coming Back"
Best Not-So-Local Unsigned Band
Modern Skirts – This indie-pop band from Athens, Ga., has opened for R.E.M. That's pretty impressive, and that's all I need to write here.
Best REALLY Not-So-Local Unsigned Band
Our Future Glory – These four guys braved the volcano and flew over from Dundee, Scotland, just to play this festival. That shows perseverance and some serious love for the U.S. Wow, we have so much in common; plus we all look great in kilts.
Best Recently Signed Band…*AND EXCLUSIVE MAXIM MUSIC TRACK*
Atom Smash – Congrats to this Miami four-piece who recently were signed by Jive Records. I got my hands on their single "Do Her Wrong" which you can ONLY hear on my blog this week! (Don't say I never got you anything. More like this to come.) Their album arrives this summer, but until then take a look at their video for "Kill Me," which features a sexy, patriotic pinup girl and vintage WWII bombers. Frontman Sergio Sanchez also manages to successfully rock suspenders, which is equally impressive. Love it.
EXCLUSIVE TRACK: "Do Her Wrong"
And while you're embracing these baby bands, enjoy this playlist of established Floridian artists to help bring some Sunshine to your personal State.
Ray Charles – "Hit the Road Jack" (Florida's best asset since…since.)
Mase – "What You Want" (Is it alarming that I clearly recall that this song featured Total, a Puff Daddy R&B girl-group special?)
The Allman Brothers Band - "Blue Sky" (Such a classic.)
Lynyrd Skynyrd – "Free Bird" (It's a must.)
Molly Hatchet – "Flirtin' With Disaster" (Southern rock, represent.)
.38 Special – "Caught Up In You" (This group is special. Very special.)
Limp Bizkit – "Break Stuff" (Go ahead and hate. This song is amazing for working out. And for breaking…stuff.)
Cold - "No One" (I'm being dead serious when I say I absolutely love this band. Then. Now. 4-eva.)
Yellowcard – "Light Up The Sky" (Florida!)
Shinedown – "If You Only Knew" (Very strong songwriting in this group.)
The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus – "In Fate's Hands" (Just hung with these guys recently in L.A.)
Black Kids – "I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You" (Here's your Florida hipster fix...)
69 Boyz – "Tootsee Roll/Booty Drop" (Double dose of brilliance.)
95 South – "Whoot, There It Is" (Their version, which actually hit a month before Tag Team's, used the original "Whoot" over "Whoomp"; Darwinism at its finest.)
So the next time you're thinking about Florida and its delicious oranges and fantastic theme parks, think about Fred Durst…and how grateful you are for Ray Charles.
Tune into Fuse this Friday at 5 p.m., as I'm thankfully back in NY, hosting the Fuse Top 20 Countdown, and interviewing Pharrell and Chad from NERD.
