ANR – It's Around You
ANR are a quintessentially Floridian act: hard to categorise but captivating. Primarily a duo with a rotating cast of guest musicians, their music evokes everyone from Prince to the Beach Boys to Talking Heads. ANR are signed to the indie label Something In Construction (Memory Tapes, Air France) in the UK.
Levek – Black Mold Grow
You can hear how the whimsical Disney influence has seeped into Orlando native David Levesque's music. Recommended for fans of Beirut, Grizzly Bear and other dreamy, folky pop.
Jacuzzi Boys – Island Ave
The Jacuzzi Boys are south Florida's little band that could. Now a far cry from their sloppy early shows, they've grown into a tight garage-pop trio that perfectly captures the beachy but sometimes sleazy Miami vibe. Iggy Pop recently picked this track for a top five list he played on an Australian radio station.
Afrobeta – Do You Party?
Avant-dance-pop duo Afrobeta are one of the most popular groups in south Florida. Lead singer Cuci Amador is a dynamic frontwoman with an incredible wardrobe, while producer Smurphio provides the beats (and the afro). Afrobeta have played Burning Man, several Ultra Music Festivals, a Glastonbury, Space Ibiza and more. Cuci also lent vocals to Calle 13's massive hit Electro Movimiento, and there is an awesome video to this Afrobeta song by genius editor Lindsay Scoggins, featuring kids' TV show puppet Lamb Chop.
Hundred Waters – Thistle
Hundred Waters are one of those bands that work magic in melding the electronic with the organic. Think Battles or Ambien or a girlier Four Tet. Their home town of Gainesville, Florida, was hailed the "best place to start a band in the United States" by Blender Magazine, so it makes sense that this quintet has just signed to Skrillex's OWSLA label.
Krisp – Captain Hook
Dance-rock quartet Krisp are full of surprises – at one show they might be wearing matching beards, at another they're breaking into obscure but perfect covers such as the Whitest Boy Alive's Burning. Either way, Krisp make tight, dynamic, fun tunes that complement any night out.
Spam Allstars – Electrodomésticos
The Spam Allstars are one of the most reliabe live acts in south Florida; with vinyl collector/music historian DJ Le Spam leading the nine-piece band, the Allstars gig constantly, playing all over America and the world. Their fusion of funk and a variety of latin and electronic music styles guarantees that no two shows are the same.
Otto Von Schirach – When Dinosaurs Rule the Earth
Otto Von Schirach is the reigning king of glitch bass. He's released music on Miami's renowned Schematic label, as well as Mike Patton and Modeselektor's imprints, and has a worldwide cult following. His music is about elements of classic Miami bass and experimental sounds and can get a (weird) party started. He's multitalented too, appearing in the short film Otto and the Electric Eel that made the film festival circuit last year.
¡Mayday! featuring Del the Funky Homosapien – The Ride
One of the premier hip-hop groups out of Florida (and one that uses actual instruments at that), ¡Mayday! have collaborated with CeeLo, backed up Lil Wayne, and the legendary MC, Del the Funky Homosapien, features on this track. Formed in '06, they show no signs of slowing down and recently signed to Tech N9ne's Strange Music label.
Torche – Kicking
Sometimes labelled "doom pop" or "stoner metal", Torche are a bridge for fans of heavy music to get into something catchy and vice-versa. Recommended for fans of Queens of the Stone Age, Foo Fighters, Baroness, etc.
Florida native Lauren Reskin is the owner of Sweat Records, an indie music store, cafe and event space in Miami
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We need your tunes to keep our wheels turning. Starting with Florida, we're looking for songs that you associate with the state – maybe that's the twang of the Allman Brothers Band or Tom Petty, or the latin rhythms of Gloria Estefan. Whoever you think most sums up the Sunshine State, create your playlist on Spotify and share it with us at spoti.fi/14BCa2I
