Fort Lauderdale's Sam Rosenthal Returns Black Tape for a Blue Girl to Florida

Though some musicians might feel awkward watching people listen to their recordings, Sam Rosenthal says he will feel no such anxiety when Deja Vu Audio South hosts a listening party for These Fleeting Moments, his band Black Tape for a Blue Girl's double album. "At a listening party, I don't have to worry about doing anything," Rosenthal says. "I can relax with the knowledge people are listening to it as it is meant to be."

Originally from Fort Lauderdale, Rosenthal has made music all over the country since attending Nova High School and FIU. His memories of growing up here in the '80s are mixed. "There was a feeling of isolation until I discovered punk rock and felt like part of the freaks." It was in California in 1986 that Black Tape for a Blue Girl got its start playing darkwave music, which Rosenthanl describes as "alternative music that has different styles mixed in. We're not a rock band. It's for people that like Brian Eno or Dead Can Dance. It is contemplative music that has lots of instrumentals."

The band has had many members and many home bases, including Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, and now Portland. But this Miami listening party will have the feel of a hometown event, as the two other current members live in South Florida. "Oscar Herrera was my vocalist for many years. We worked on the first seven records together. We reconnected and he suggested his daughter, Dani Herrera, should also sing on the new one."

The trio recorded These Fleeting Moments in Portland but is planning to work on a new EP while Rosenthal visits South Florida for the listening party. Their familiarity with each other, he says, makes recording a breeze. "Oscar and I worked together forever so he knows what I'm looking for, and Dani has listened to our music since she was one year old."

The listening party at Deja Vu is something Rosenthal is greatly looking forward to. "I like that it's interactive, where you can meet people who like your music." Rosenthal says he's always pleased to meet a fan, never more so than when he heard legendary movie director David Lynch dug his sounds. "After I heard he listened to our albums in the '80s when he was cutting his movies, I made sure to get in touch and send him our new record."

Black Tape for a Blue Girl Miami Record Release Party. 8 p.m. Saturday, December 3, at Deja Vu Audio South, 4040 NE Second Ave. #412, Miami; 305-306-7249; dejavuaudiosouth.com. Admission is free.