"When I was playing every week, it became almost mundane," says Cortez. "Show up, do a couple shots of Southern Comfort, and just phone it in." Cortez spent a few years bouncing around the country, but he kept losing steam. Ultimately, he wound up working a day job back in Fort Lauderdale. Horrible, yes? But he really doesnt sound like hes bullshitting when he says its been good for him. Not trying to pay my rent by being Richard Cortez has made it all more relaxed, he says. It makes the process of writing and recording so much more organic. It sounds that way, too: the music on his upcoming LP is more fun than anything hes recorded since he becoming legal, and you can hear it tonight at 8 at Radio-Active Records.
Head to Radio-Active, found at 1930 E. Sunrise Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale, to see Cortez as part of Art Explosion. There is no cover. Visit myspace.com/richartcortez for tunes and info.
Mon., Feb. 9, 8 p.m., 2009