The Identity Tampa Bay’s music editor riffs on songs from local recording artists worthy of a few spins in your latest playlist. As always, there will be new releases, old jams from standout musicians, and songs specifically tailored to prop up our alliance of talented artists throughout the bay area. Keep a lookout for these acts to put on a show near you.
“Tarver/7×8” | Junkyrd
Junkyrd’s latest two-pack unfolds the lawn chair with the Jordan Patrick-helmed “Tarver” before the first crack of a cold beer on “7×8.” The latter makes use of a vintage Meters flip that fits snug under the Tampa artist’s lo-fi meandering. It’s a listen that’s somehow dusty and bright, relaxing and welcomely absurd all at once.
“Want u Anywaze” | MAK
There exists a distinct family of music in life—and it can come from any genre, really—that no matter who you are or how you hear it, you just sort of start pumping your fist and banging your head like a hip, suburban dad embarrassing his daughter and her friends in the back seat. And it’s the best kind of music. Tampa foursome MAK has a few of those boppers alongside fast-growing fanbase. You can see them with Evan Koteles and Sintell Terry at Curtis Hixon’s Rock the Park this Thursday.
“Descender” | Liquid Pennies
Liquid Pennies’ “Descender” answers the age-old question: “What if the Ocean’s 11 soundtrack dropped acid?” And in general, the St. Pete indie-psych trio makes the kind of radical music that when you listen to it, you’d prefer if it was happening right in front of your face. If that’s something you’d like to have happen, you can catch them at Oscura Live on December 16th.