Forward Motion's Top Ten Artists -- Anniversary Show Tonight at Revolution

One thing's for certain: Fernando Perdomo is never at a loss for words, especially when it comes to his ambitious plans to restore South Florida's luster as an international influence as far as its homegrown music scene is concerned. "I want to bring back the days when bands like the...

By Lee Zimmerman

September 29, 2011

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One thing's for certain: Fernando Perdomo is never at a loss for words, especially when it comes to his ambitious plans to restore South Florida's luster as an international influence as far as its homegrown music scene is concerned. "I want to bring back the days when bands like the Goods, the Mavericks, and Marilyn Manson went beyond the local scene and made an important impact on the music business overall," he says, his idealistic intents never far from his thoughts.

Indeed, Perdomo has reason to be proud, given the list of accomplishments his Forward Motion Records label has had cause to celebrate over the past year or so. And naturally, he can rattle them off without hesitation. There's Jorge Moreno's first English-language single, "Thank You" (more on that later); the fact that two of his acts, Andy Pratt and Dreaming in Stereo (the band he helms), were chosen to participate in South by Southwest this past March; glowing national and international reviews; and the opportunity to take part in South Florida showcase gigs in New York and L.A.

"We successfully blurred the lines between established former major-label artists and fresh, up-and-coming artists to create a new standard of excellence in indie music," Perdomo says, summing it all up.

Given that laudable goal, we asked Perdomo to list the top ten acts on his roster in terms of their wider recognition. Naturally, he was only too eager to oblige.

10. Dreaming in Stereo - "Dreaming in Stereo 2 garnered ten

glowing reviews internationally and a best bet pick from austin360.com

as well as a feature story in the popular publication The Big Takeover."

9. Kim Drake - "'Modest Man' from the album Surrealist Dream was transformed into a video filmed locally that subsequently gained national attention."

8. Jill Hartmann - "Things I Want to Remember provided Miami's best folk artist with a unique debut album."

7. Alih Jey - "Tarte allowed this Grammy-nominated artist to branch out with an English-language recording."

6. Omine - "Whiskey and Chocolate found this South Florida

veteran proving that it's never too late to release your debut. She

melted hearts all over the country."

5. The Mann Sisters - "A pair of 18-year-old twins make alt-country

music in Miami and achieve heavy airplay with no radio promotion."

4. Andy Pratt - "Andy Pratt Loves You and Life and Death found a '70s cult hero rediscovering his old sound again and making two of the best albums of his career over the age of 60."

3. Chris Alvy Band - "Anything Goes made the top ten lists of several power-pop blogs."

2. Tyler Bernhardt - "What Is This was the first Forward Motion release not produced by myself. And it was a big hit among the bloggers."

1. Jorge Moreno - "'Thank You' was his first English-language single, and

it was a huge achievement. The video won an international songwriting

competition that was judged by such luminaries as Tom Waits, Jeff Beck,

Peter Gabriel, and Jim James of My Morning Jacket."

Forward Motion's First Anniversary. With Jorge Moreno, Dreaming in Stereo, Jim Camacho, Jesse Young, the Mann Sisters, Omine, the Robert Goodman Band, Vic Kingsley, Chris Alvy Band, Kim Drake, Lizette Santana, Tyler Bernhardt, Jennifer Kaiser, Union Cell, Joshua Stedman, and special guests. 6 p.m. Thursday, September 29, at Revolution, 200 W. Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. There's a suggested donation of $10 to benefit Kristi House and Musicians on Call. Call 954-449-1025, or visit jointherevolution.net.

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