Can You Colloquy

This week's episode features Awaystead, a two-piece bedroom pop group hailing from the Daytona area. I had a fun time catching up with my old friend Evi and getting to know her band partner Josh outside Will's right before their first performance at the venue, and seeing them bring to life the demos they had released back in February was a wonderful experience. The duo (at the time) were getting ready to release their debut album "Shiver", which recently came out Sunday July 18th. Bedroom pop doesn't quite sum it up; there's grandiose elements accumulating in the dense layers of pianos, synths, acoustic guitar, and somber (yet powerful) vocals that paint vivid pictures of coming to grips with life, loneliness, and trying to overcome. I highly recommend you check out the album on whatever streaming platform you use. Check out Awaystead on social media and streaming platforms with the links below: https://www.instagram.com/awaystead/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/awaysteadfl/ https://music.apple.com/us/artist/awaystead/1574191651 https://open.spotify.com/artist/7zHSTpbOcdyPrCyTrtVbLr?si=5jWaYjI9QmaizkaYcozmSQ&dl_branch=1

Collateral is a three-piece grungy "swamp rock" band coming out of the Central Florida area. I caught them right before a set at (yep, you guessed it) the Bat Ranch and talked about conspiracy theories, the problems presented by recording, and smokin' Camel Blues. Be sure to catch Collateral performing with the Amphetamines and Atom Dive at Grumpy's Underground on 7/31 at 8pm! Check out the band's singles and social media at the links below: https://www.instagram.com/collateral.fl/ https://collateral2.bandcamp.com/

Cat Register is an Orlando act featuring Gerardo on guitar, Matt on drums, and Adali rounding out the three-piece on bass. They play laid-back, mathy instrumental tunes full of charm and brimming with grooves, reminiscent of acts like Chon and Strawberry Girls. They currently have three self-produced projects out (a live EP and two singles) on all streaming platforms for your listening pleasure, and are hard at work recording a new, full-length LP with yours truly. Wanting to let go of the some of the behind-the-scenes responsibilities and focus more on creating the best tracks that showcase what Cat Register is and what they can do, Gerardo reached out sometime after this interview was recorded (right before their performance at the legendary Bat Ranch in Apopka, by the way) and recruited me to help with the production of the record. Get hype by checking out their previous work wherever you listen to music, and follow them at the links below to stay tuned in on the recording process. Cat Register is also performing this Saturday June 26th at the Henao Contemporary Center with fellow bands Raspberry Pie, Not Enough Space, and Michael Higgins (of the Forum), all put together by legendary supporter of the Central Florida scene Marshal Rones (aka Montgomery Drive). Links to find all things Cat Register across the web: https://www.instagram.com/catregister/ https://www.facebook.com/catregister/ https://catregister.bandcamp.com/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/5rHQkqwsW7TRj6Tf4PZ5cj https://music.apple.com/us/artist/cat-register/1463411150 Link to the Saturday June 26th show at the Henao Contemporary Center: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/raspberry-pie-not-enough-space-cat-register-michael-higgins-the-forum-tickets-156366080155?fbclid=IwAR3X28ck6JD9t8YI2weq2rL2XY72-tMGenQuWz1ErkiEMFZsyb-922WROYg

This week's episode features Casey, Jack, and the spirit of Cam, also known as Rocko English. Self-proclaimed "Modest Mouse cover band", they have been gracing the stages of Florida for five odd years with mathy indie rock infused with a refreshing bit of noise and zany aesthetic. If you haven't checked out any of their self-produced EPs and singles, hurry up; they recently released a full-length album produced by local recording engineer extraordinaire entitled "Rocko English". A sort of celebration of life, if you will, Rocko English has described it as a farewell album, and I couldn't think of any better way to say goodbye to so many good friends and extended family than this record. Besides of course, a free farewell show, which will be taking place at Uncle Lou's (also of Orlando local legend) on June 21st featuring fellow Orlando acts Jen in the Right Light and Atom Dive. Show up, show your love, and say goodbye to three of the greatest Orlando artists this town has seen. Check out all of Rocko English's music on every streaming platform you could think of with the links below: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2rUOymBWBsuyDpN1sWxF1N?autoplay=true https://rockoenglish.bandcamp.com/ https://music.apple.com/us/artist/rocko-english/1256199100

Episode 8 features Marco Estorino, the founder and brain behind the Orlando project Sonic Halls (originally with a "z"). Finding great inspiration in the likes of other pop bands, particularly One Direction, Sonic Halls fronts its energy with catchy hooks and power-pop vocals. Marco records (and plays) everything himself, and has been refining his sound and techniques in the studio over a majority of the past ten years of his life. All of his experiences have culminated in the release of April's "Lemon Zest"; a powerful single showcasing his journey and the development of his talents as a DIY multi-instrumentalist. Check out Sonic Halls everywhere across the Internet with the links below: https://www.sonichalls.com/?fbclid=IwAR0jsjXJG5VUe-dEPtqmwbNCnvegEqj3O9XF0NPeDtsKZ4QagHa7l0F5CnQ https://www.instagram.com/sonichallsmusic/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/SonicHallsMusic/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4_4LXvXpf0cJSTlgF2yWLA/featured

Blueage is a unique blend of folk inspirations and blissful pop melodies. With frontman Gabe Solorzano infusing his raspy vocals over pretty layers of keys and synths, the band comfortably slides into groove after groove, hypnotizing listeners with catchy choruses and melodies. Plus, with two of the members graduating from Valencia (which is how they originally met) with training in sound production, everything from composition to production is homebrewed by the band. Certainly a unique act coming out of Orlando's scene which has a heavy punk and metal presence, Blueage caught my attention, and should be catching yours too. Check them out on social media and streaming platforms at the link below: https://www.blueagemusic.com/

The sixth episode of Can You Colloquy is here and features Orlando's very own 0 Miles Per Hour, whom I like to call a "bubblegum garagepunk skatedoom" band. The project consists of four high school friends seemingly destined to create music. The two founding members have been playing together since the eighth grade, learning the entire Frights catalogue (and later being able to flex that fact to the band themselves by playing Crust Bucket with them at the Soundbar (formerly Backbooth (IYKYK))) together all in the name of playing music and having fun. That's what it's all about, and every time I talk to these guys that's all I'm reminded of. It definitely shows on their 2020 single release "Home", which opens with a mind-boggling swell of noise that explodes into the power chords (NO voice cracks) and energy that 0 Miles Per Hour has been destroying venues across Florida with. Be sure to follow 0 Miles Per Hour on social media and check out their 2020 single release "Home", as well as their previous singles and EPs, on all streaming platforms using the links below: https://www.instagram.com/0.mph.band/ https://0milesperhour.bandcamp.com/ https://open.spotify.com/artist/7lUAdOqmYKAK59QuGdvKK1 https://music.apple.com/us/artist/0-miles-per-hour/1460437828

For the longest episode (by 1 hour and 20 minutes, mind you) of Can You Colloquy, I got to chat with legendary shoegazers Sad Halen. They've been tearing up the Orlando scene for a few years now, rising from the ashes of previous project Joywise (with noisy, homebrewed recordings still on Soundcloud @Sadhalen) and as the brainchild of frontman Ziggy, gearhead extraordinaire, after making the harrowing trip from the Big Apple to the Sunshine State. Sarah and Ben joined after chance encounters in the Orlando area on bass and drums, respectively, to round out the lineup. United and ready to work, Sad Halen went on to release the "Frens" EP in 2020, their first effort together as the band you know and love today. It's grungey, its shoegazey; with slick production (through Bob Hershberger of Bob Audio) and the tightness you'd expect of three soulmates, the band slaps you in the face with slick grooves soaked in Busch. I had an amazing two hours recording this, and would have spent a hundred more talking with the awe-inspiring Sad Halen. Check out their music video for Orange Blossom (featuring Ian McKool of .Org, fellow Orlando musician and CYC guest) and Big Sky Now below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGUtp...​ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbHD0...​ Follow Sad Halen on social media (I hear they're working on a new project dripping with FX and a sense of new direction) and check out their tunes: https://sadhalen.bandcamp.com/music​ https://www.instagram.com/sadhalen/

This week's episode of Can You Colloquy features Orlando-based (although we share a common hometown in the small town area of Minneola) crust-punkers Pocketchange. We had a get-together just before the band's long night on the town and late-night practice session where we got to talk about all the things that matter in life, like creating music with some of your best friends in the world and leaving abandoned stuffed dolphins in the backs of random pickup trucks under the cover of night; you know, the good things. From Doritos bags to layers and layers of deep-fried guitar-lines, their latest release "Mills 10:16" contains all sorts of gnarly sounds that truly capture the ethos and spirit of the band. The album (which carries the torch of the D.C. punk bands like Bad Brains and Minor Threat) title honors the legendary Orlando city-district. The Mills District is regarded with mythological proportions in the hearts and souls of Orlando's passionate, ever-growing music scene. Follow them on social media to catch them jumping back into the chaos that is playing shows and to keep up with projects they're cooking: https://www.instagram.com/pocketchange_band/ https://soundcloud.com/pocketchange-band https://music.apple.com/us/artist/pocket-change/1526955866 https://open.spotify.com/album/1g3MXYOE6rPOjy5whcd5jZ?autoplay=true&source_application=google_assistant&nd=1

This week's episode features Nate, Lucas, and Christian of Orlando-based band the Amphetamines. I caught them for a quick sunset chat right before a home recording session of some new material they've been working on since the Great Shutdown of 2020 in March. Cigarettes were smoked, beers were sipped; I left no stone unturned while trying to uncover the band's story. We talked about old bands, George W. Bush, and what it's like to not only meet, but perform alongside one of your idols. Be sure to check out the Amphetamines' 2019 EP release "Redeeming Qualities" (available on all streaming platforms, of course) if you enjoy the sounds of Interpol, the Strokes, and/or the Vaccines. Follow the links below for all things Amphetamines: https://theamphetamines2.bandcamp.com/album/redeeming-qualities https://www.instagram.com/the.amphetamines/?fbclid=IwAR1VE2ckxdHWnS6gyNd44wZQgBula6NPkZQRUABsWN9124bW0Jtpe6UybjE https://music.apple.com/us/album/redeeming-qualities-single/1472460152 https://open.spotify.com/artist/1RnF16fE6aaylL7t0iBt6p?si=q7ZsRE-XQg2S7Sn8wBTYFw

This time around I got to sit down and have a chat with local Orlando grunge-punks Matt and Dave of the Dancing Bones. These guys were beyond down-to-earth and it was a lot of fun hanging out with them; I even stuck around to play drums for some jams right after this interview was recorded. It was a lot of fun finally getting to meet up and talk about all things under the sun after playing one of my first few shows with them at Orlando's very own Iron Cow. I had been a fan since then, picking up their first CD, 2015's "Notapunk". "Notapunk" is full of in-your-face guitar spikes, gritty vocals, and noisy grooves, so if you like bands in the vein of Sonic Youth, Milk Teeth, and/or Nirvana, you'll love the album. In this episode I get to pick the band's brains about traveling, Childish Gambino and whale noises you can make with your guitar that you can also (sort of) make with your mouth. I had a lot of fun having this little chat, and if you like bands with that 90's grunge aesthetic, you'll have even more fun listening to their tunes. The band has been evolving ever since their inception though, growing into their own sound and becoming more comfortable experimenting with new vibes on their latest single release: 2018's "Stranded on the Moon". Be sure to follow the Dancing Bones on social media and check out their music anywhere you can get it. Check the link to their website below: https://www.thedancingbones.com/

.Org is Ian McKewen (aka Ian McKool). The band is based out of Orlando, FL and has been kickin' tunes since 2016, releasing a small EP to get things started off and following that up with 2017's full-length release Jester. Everything about .Org (and Mr. McKool himself) is DIY; the writing, the recordings, the aesthetic. As he puts it: "I like to have fun". And that's exactly what he does on the next several releases (seriously, the dude is a song machine, releasing six albums over the course of three years), experimenting with all sorts of sounds ranging from doomy noise-punk (a la Have a Nice Life) to bright emo-pop (in the vein of the Cure). .Org's most recent release, 2020's A Week In the Nude, is a mind-blowing testament to his growth as both a recording engineer and songwriter/performer, featuring a fully-realized, cohesive album concept and crisp, clean production. .Org is currently working on new material (as usual), so keep an eye out for it. I know I am. Be sure to follow .Org on social media and check out his music anywhere you can get it. Check the links below: https://www.facebook.com/Dotorgmusic/ https://music.apple.com/us/artist/org/1257344084 https://open.spotify.com/artist/0h672erDYZLZDYi0YxT9j3 https://dotorgmusic.bandcamp.com/music