REVMiami.com Presents: REV Miami II
Tonight is the second installment of the REVMiami super parties, REV Miami II.
So much has happened since REVMiami.com's Launch Party (REV Miami I) on January 30, that it's hard to believe that they're even associated. At the time of the first show, I think it was mainly Liz and I working on the site together, and now we've grown to include an 7 (soon to be 10) person staff!
Now it's Liz and I, Notorious Nastie, who has helped so much with events and getting the word out on the site I know our growth wouldn't be anywhere close to what it's been without him, Steve Imas – my right hand man, Mariela Rossel – REVMiami's art ace in the hole (even though she's even busier than I am), Denise Diaz – REVMiami's newest photographer, and Alexandra Elizabeth, yet another contributor to the site, and a very talented photographer and writer as well (I'll get her introduction up soon).
We've gone from having concert event every two months to having at least one every week! New content is being added every single day. We're going to have merch, a store, and so much more, one post isn't enough to fully express how incredible things are going.
But that's not all! (Still in infomercial mode)
I am also extremely proud to unveil our new logo, designed by my girlfriend the fantastic Bessy Morales:
Going along with the new logo I am so happy to also announce that there will be a full site redesign completed by (hopefully) the end of this weekend.
One of the best parts of REVMiami is the simpleness of the blog format, but it's time to make a change. There are too many great posts that need to be shown at once, so I'm changing from a traditional vertical blog to a “magazine style” blog.
REV Miami II is a reflection of the growth and success that REVMiami.com has experienced by our third month. I was talking to Andrea Casales, who is ¡MAYDAY!'s manager, and she said, “there is literally no filler in the show, they're all amazing bands, all headliners.”
I beam with pride every time that I look at the 6 bands playing the show.
From the bands, the artists, and the fake infomercial promo video:
I feel like this show completely encapsulates everything that REVMiami is trying to accomplish. Kudos to me, bitches.
Also, I really want to give a very special thank you to Kent Hernandez who designed the flyer for the show. On his own volition he redesigned it so that it could properly represent the artists and bands playing.
ArtOfficial
I'm listening to ArtOfficial's music on their myspace page and keep saying to myself, SHIT! Man, these guys are insanely good. These guys are so good it's weird.
The music itself stacks beautiful music with very powerful vocal flows and rhymes. Keyboards, saxaphone, flute, drums... it is so musical! It's like listening to live jazz music plus insanely good emcees. They're just the shit.
As part of their last party, State of the Art, I asked ArtOfficial's Logics some questions, and I want to repost the ones pertinent to the band here:
You guys are really starting to blow up… what do you feel has been the key to your success?
I wouldn’t say we’re “blowing up,” but I think we have created a certain level of awareness among the people in Miami. There’s only so much you can do in this town though, so we’re hoping to generate that same awareness on a national level.
The key to success is to 1. have good music 2. build relationship by playing and getting your music everywhere you can and 3. Be at the right place at the right time.
What role does Miami play for you guys? How do you feel towards the city?
A lot of people hate this city and want to escape it. I have to say I was one of them, but seeing how the art and music scene has grown makes me proud to be here witnessing it first hand.
Like I said before though, there’s only so much you can do here unless your in the Latin music market side of things.
¡MAYDAY!
¡MAYDAY! is one of the few bands that I really followed when I wasn't writing blogs or putting on events. Andrea and I met probably a year or two ago through my roommate Carol. They both worked together and Carol brought me out to ¡MAYDAY! Friday at Jazid and I was floored.
Not only was the music amazing, but their keyboardist (and producer) Plex Luthor has one of the best beards of all time!
¡MAYDAY! is hip-hop in a way that everyone loves and enjoys. They have a full band and two emcee's. Their music is infectious, danceable, funky, meaningful, and just great. They vary from party songs, to love songs, to good hip-hop songs. They are versatile and extremely successful, considering that they haven't been together for all that long.
I wish I had more space to talk about them as a band, and I do plan on getting together a full post about them and their recently released EP, and then I can really gush.
The JeanMarie
I can always tell when a local band is doing extremely well when I have other musicians telling me that I have to go get their album.
They're subtle and round and pleasant. They make Indie music in a way that I go crazy for. It leans a lot more to the pop side of the musical spectrum, and is really patient. It's so incredible to hear talent coming from our city. They're going to do really good for themselves. I'm excited to see what the future brings for them.
Jacob Jeffries Band
I first caught Jacob Jeffries Band for the first DWNTWN Concert Series when they played with Rachel Goodrich. I wrote:
I can lazily compare Jacob Jeffries Band to The Faint or Daniel Powter because they have that whole lead male, adult contemporary thing in common, but that is just throwing company together to throw company together. Also, I’m not necessarily a fan of that kind of music. I have The Faint’s album and I’ve never really listened to it. I hear Daniel Powter come on the television when they joke about him on The Best Week Ever and I change the channel.
The thing is that Jacob does that adult contemporary thing in a way that is different than the rest of the crowd. Maybe it was just watching him live, and I certainly hope this is reflected on his albums (and I haven’t heard either of them yet… ahem), but he is… a really sarcastic jew (and I mean that with the most respect to my fellow heeb)! Sure, his music is passionate and wonderful, but you can also tell he doesn’t take himself too seriously. And really, couldn’t we use more of that in the music industry?
Also, going back and listening to his music a lot more, Jacob is straddling the line of Indie Pop and Adult Contemporary with each song that I hear. Sure they have The Faint feeling, but they also have a good deal of Ben Kweller and some John Vanderslice. It may be natural to compare music to other music, but the fact is that he is extremely talented and I'm really proud to have him as part of the show.
Tristan Clopet & The Juice
From my post Judging Groove On: New Times Battle of the Bands:
Last to play was Tristan Clopet & The Juice (who will be playing REV Miami II, March 20 @ PS14). I really wanted to see them play because so far I had only heard their music on Myspace.
I think that there is no better music in the world than rock n’ roll. The idea of putting together a guitar, a bass guitar, drums, and a singer is probably the absolute most brilliant idea in the history of the world. Lately, I’ve been loving music that takes that concept and twists and turns and makes it grow while still holding onto that original rock n’ roll essence.
Fundamentally, TC&TJ is funky in a Red Hot Chilli Peppers way.
Now that was my live impression from TC&TJ, but I have a feeling they pulled out their more energetic music for the BOTB. Listening to the music on their myspace page, especially Concrete Dreams, it's just so funky, and rocking, and funky. But then it slides into a really grooving rock song, a bit like Sublime.
La Guardia
Do I have to say anything more than:
Do you see that?? Over a friggin' Sesame Street song! That's sick.
Actually I first got a connection with La Guardia by interviewing his wife Leah for the post I did for the Hip-Hop for Human Rights concert WAY back in January (which was actually the first "big" post I did for the site, and I still think it's my best piece of work so far).
La Guardia is part of the movement in Hip Hop music that I support - trying to infuse a TRUE culture into it. It was something that Civil Rights activists were trying to create as part of the Black Cultural Movement of the 50's and 60's, that was unfortunately derailed in the 70's and 80's due to aggressive laws against blacks (for example possession of crack-cocaine covering a heavier punishment then possession of powder cocaine), and also a value placement on blacks wanting their own culture and segregation by forced busing programs, etc.
The point is, here is a guy with something to say and with something happening with his art that matters more than just what his most popular song is.
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See everyone tonight! It's gonna be an incredible show. Doors open at 10.
LINKS
ArtOfficial's Myspace Page (www.myspace.com/weareartofficial)
¡MAYDAY!'s Myspace Page (www.myspace.com/firstdayofmay) & ¡MAYDAY!'s Website (www.maydayonline.com)
The JeanMarie's Myspace Page (www.myspace.com/thejeanmarie)
Jacob Jeffries Band (www.myspace.com/jacobjeffriesband)
Tristan Clopet & The Juice (www.myspace.com/tristanthemusic)
La Guardia (www.myspace.com/laguardiamusic)
If You Enjoyed This Post, You May Also Like:
- REV Miami II - Recap
- The new site is up!
- DWNTWN Concert Series, Jan 9 2009: Rachel Goodrich & Jacob Jeffries
- REVMiami.com Presents: PS14 Outdoor Concert Series (April 3)
- Sounds of Miami
NOTE FOR COMMENTS: Do not flame or leave obnoxious comments, THEY WILL NOT BE APPROVED. Constructive criticism should always be welcomed by any artist, but don't be a d-bag, show some class. Thanks. - REVMiami Staff
