Born and raised in the Feral Python State, I’ve become used to constantly defending it and its weirdness. And since Creed also comes from that same state (sadly, and more specifically, from my hometown), I make it a point to learn of the many more awesome Floridian artists to cancel that out. Way down South, where rocking chairs are only outnumbered by mullets and plastic yard flamingos, a whole hotbed of killer hip-hop, psych-rock and folk is boiling up. Take a tour of what’s on the rise from Florida, sans sunscreen, in the latest installment of our 50 States Project.
1. AIRCRAFT
Hometown:Gainesville
Members: Ben Varian, Jacob Lee Tobin, James Folker, James Seadale, Emily Morris, Malee Bringardner
Album:Jeff Bridges Over Troubled Water :: Abridged
Echoes of The Rentals’ cheery girl-plus-guy vocals ring heavy in AIRCRAFT’s lush pop music. Swamp squirrel beats make the sweet outfit a better candidate for rollicking than rolling, and that’s totally perfect.
2. DAY JOY
Hometown: Orlando
Members: Michael Serrin, Peter Michael Perceval III, Travis Reed, Artie Burer, Adam Ibrahim
Album: Animal Noise EP
Truly elegant and heartbreaking lyricisms yank DAY JOY from beneath the ho-hum alt-country umbrella out into heartily-crafted folk sunlight. Low-mixed percussion compliment the emotive crooning, making for a cathartic post-break-up listen, despite Disney World traffic.
3. Ex-Breathers
Hometown: Tallahassee
Members: Jack Vermillion, David Settle, Adam Berkowitz
Album: Atrocitus‚Äã/‚ÄãEx‚Äã-‚ÄãBreathers Split
Holler on. These dudes crudely fuse crunchy guitars, frenzied drums and well…hollering. I feel like they’re yelling about something vegan but I can’t be sure. Regardless, this threesome from Florida’s Capitol City certainly brings the Myakka soil circle pit to life.
4. Half Undressed
Hometown: Gainesville
Members: Sam Acevedo, Kyle DuBois
Album: Half Undressed
Half Undressed’s soft, breathy shoegaze blows outta Gainesvegas. The two use simple guitar strums and fuzzed-out vocals to make hazy, easy-to-swallow harmonies.
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