21 Mar Local Natives – Part One
While we all love and know SunFest’s big name headliners and chart-topping acts, an incredibly important aspect of this five-day festival is its opportunity for local bands to shine. Florida has a thriving music scene, especially in cities like Miami and Orlando, and SunFest makes it a priority to spotlight rising acts from our own backyard.
This year is no exception. Let’s take a look at our first handful of homegrown stars.
Singer-songwriter Mike Mineo is the first Floridan you need to hear today. The multi-instrumentalist began making music in high school, and quickly began stealing hearts with humor and jazz-soaked pop songs. His music has a lot of the flair and flavors of New Orleans– horn-driven, poppy, approachable.
Fun fact? Mineo was actually featured on season 12 of American Idol, which gave him added support and exposure in the Florida scene. His music has also been featured on your favorite hit shows like, “Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” “Khloe & Lamar,” and “Best Ink.”
Clicking through interviews with Mineo, I was delightfully surprised by the wit and sass this man possesses, in addition to talent. It’s safe to say this is a set you don’t want to miss. Not for the sass banter, not for the big brass.
Catch Mineo on Thursday, April 28, on the Ford Stage.
Coming over from the west coast (of Florida. The TRUE west coast) is WD-HAN, which stands for “We Don’t Have A Name.” WD-HAN began as a jam ban, led by guitarist Cal Henry, among high school friends, but the addition of drummer Lea Campbell and singer Spencer Barnes gave the group a more robust sound and direction.
Henry, Campbell, and Barnes built a following by covering Jimi Hendrix and juxtaposing their own raps over the classic hits. The talented group has a loyal local following, and has reached a wider fan base by opening up for the likes of Silversun Pickups, Motion City Soundtrack, A Rocket To The Moon, and Sing It Loud. Their sound has been compared to Imagine Dragons, Mumford and Sons, and even the Temper Trap. You can expect to hear covers of bluesy, rock songs you love at SunFest, as well as WD-HAN originals off their debut album “Kings of Castles.”
Catch WD-HAN on Friday at the Tire Kingdom stage.
Hollywood, Florida’s singer-songwriter Matt Calderin’s music is under the influence of “cigars, mojitos, and sangria,” according to his funky and well-done website. If that doesn’t put a smile on your face, I’m sure his music will.
Calderin has been making noise long before his legal drinking age. He began playing drums at 5 years old, snagged his first show at 13, and has since shared the stage with the Beach Boys, Scott Stapp, The Drifters, and William Shatner.
Now with the Matt Calderin Trio, Calderin has surrendered the drums to Jean Espiritusanto, and taken up guitar. He is joined by Jeff Adkins on bass.
The group has released a handful of EPs to date featuring their Latin-blues rock. Hear it for yourself, in person, on Saturday, April 30.
The last Florida act we’ll hear today is Cade.
Nineteen-year-old singer, songwriter, and producer Cade Larson hails from Tampa, and can easily be consider a YouTube star– with videos racking up 19 million views. His debut EP charted at #55 on the iTunes Pop Chart, which is impressive for such a young act.
The sweet and talented teen has opened up for Gavin DeGraw and Before You Exit, and has stolen the stage at The Roxy, House of Blues, and Webster Hall.
When he’s not performing before a crowd, he’s writing and producing in the studio, recording beautiful covers (like John Legend’s song below) as well as original hits. You can swoon to him on stage on the opening night of SunFest, Wednesday, April 27.
Don’t fret! We have more fantastic Florida acts to preview! Check back for more, and I’ll see you by the sea.