This Little Underground

LOCAL RELEASES

There is definitely something back in the water around here lately. Having sired its own signature sound of global influence in the 1990s, Orlando owns a pretty big chapter in the book of breakbeat. And like the vintage house and rave sounds currently making a revival, breaks are also showing signs of a comeback. Besides the big downtown dance parties that’ve recently been bringing back a hall-offame procession of that era’s star DJs, young artists like local techno acolyte Astro Pup, who wasn’t even around during the 1990s heyday, are bringing back the bass.

Now even Moondragon — the solo vessel for local EA audio artist Troy Simpson and one of the city’s leading synthwave forces — is officially in on that classic action.

In his first release in nearly two years, the just-dropped single “Skid Pad” shows a new, sleeker profile that gives his 1980s action-movie aesthetic a 1990s turbo charge of big, block-rocking beats. All quicksilver and neon, the track glides like the Crystal Method in a Countach.

But Simpson’s latest breakbeat muse isn’t sated with this one single. Expect the new full-length Moondragon album, planned for this year, to keep on the funk. “Skid Pad” is up on Spotify and the like but is also available as a name-your-price download on Bandcamp.

Orlando’s CVSTODIA is fresh on the scene but has decided to emerge with a rather comprehensive introduction. Although they were written six months apart, this heavy new act just last week unveiled the simultaneous release of both an EP (When Gods Lose Their Cults, They Become Demons) and an LP (Anti-Hero).

CVSTODIA is the solo vehicle of Andre Jaz Fillou, a metalcore veteran whose work is equally footed in metal (YXVNG) and electronic (Jazze Joestar). This new project is the synthesis of that duality, smelting its sound from a blackened, industrial-grade cauldron of death, doom and harsh noise.

It’s a dark and downtempo crush whose heft comes down with a pulverizing rhythmic emphasis. You can get immersed in it on Bandcamp, where both extensive releases are now available as name-your-price downloads.

Moondragon — the synthwave solo vessel for local EA audio artist Troy Simpson — has just dropped “Skid Pad,” a new single that gives his 1980s action-movie aesthetic a 1990s turbo charge of big, blockrocking beats

CONCERT PICKS THIS WEEK

Omicron’s ravaging the calendars like a wrecking ball, so definitely check the absolute latest listings for anything you’ve got planned, and mask hard if you head out. There are even a couple of good remote options below for you:

Ben Rosenblum Trio: Young NYC jazz pianist, accordionist and composer Ben Rosenblum returns in his nimble trio iteration, which blends classic and modern sensibilities with melodic verve. Apropos

BY BAO LE-HUU

MOONDRAGON | PHOTO BY KAYLA SURICO

of the times, this concert — like all Timucua shows — also has the safe bonus of a livestream option. (7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 27, Timucua Arts Foundation, $25 or $5 livestream)

Tommy Castro & the Painkillers,

Tinsley Ellis: Sanford blues bastion The Alley faithfully keeps the blues torch lit practically every night of the week. But star power like the T’N’T Tour only comes along once in a, ahem, blue moon. This rocking double feature stacks two big blues names onto a whopping single bill featuring full-length sets by each. Both acts arrive hot on recent Alligator Records releases, with Ellis’ Devil May Care LP dropping only last week. (8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28, The Alley, $45)

Ryley Walker: Even for selective Orlando art-music presenters the Civic Minded 5, this engagement is of particular note. No straightforward folkie, this critically lauded Chicago-bred artist has blazed an esoteric trail as an indie adventurer with avant-garde inclinations. Underneath his airy mien are ideas and guitar virtuosity that don’t just explore but push frontiers. This one’s also available as a livestream. (7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 29, Timucua Arts Foundation, $20 or $5 livestream)

Brian Smalley: This concert spotlights a homegrown artist who does folk music with a different kind of high concept. While his musical style is down-home, Smalley has a particular penchant for concept albums that unfold like a novel or opera, with story arc and even subtext. It’s Florida folk music with terroir in layers. (8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 29, Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts, $20)

baolehuu@orlandoweekly.com