Last week, running into Greg Alvarez from Audio Junkie at Churchill's Pub yielded us a handful of awesome, tiny homemade pins. They are the coolest little guys you could ever want to poke into a backpack or T-shirt or guitar strap. Designed by the brilliant minds over at Bleeding Palm, each displays the image of a bleeding ear.
Audio Junkie is a video journal that, according to its creators, "captures a culture immersed and obsessed with audio." The pins, like everything else about Audio Junkie, have a fun, smart aesthetic that is both not intimidating and actually cool.
Audio Junkie is a video journal that, according to its creators, "captures a culture immersed and obsessed with audio." The pins, like everything else about Audio Junkie, have a fun, smart aesthetic that is both not intimidating and actually cool.
Greg and his brother Eduardo work with Ron Gesualdo, shooting, booking, and editing each online program. They highlight talented artists from South Florida. "Every episode is a new experience for us, shaping and evolving what
Audio Junkie is for the viewers and us," Greg says. "So in a sense, it is our own twisted
surreal video journal."
The intro to each episode has a Twilight Zone, B-movie
appeal.
You're entering a zone, the Audio Junkie zone. It's a collaborative
project. Greg says of those who support the production of each video,
"the handsome man that sometimes appears in
our intros is John Caignet from Jolt Radio. We also have Dashing Gabe
from the Gun Hoes, and Ricardo Trevino helping us with the audio
recording."
So far, Audio Junkie has produced seven videos featuring the
music of
and interviews with quality musicians from Miami and Broward. "We wanted
to have some kind of document that would
show how vast and varied the Miami music scene is," Greg says of the
project.
First episode showed the weird ways of Raja Khan, one of the most underrated, unique bands around these parts. Then there's the bluesy Deaf Poets, romantic Latin rockers by Arboles Libres, and Broward saxophonist Kenny Millions with Miami noise guru Rat Bastard. There's the psych outfit Ice Cream, tropi-rockers Animal Tropical, and the metal goodness of Shroud Eater.
First episode showed the weird ways of Raja Khan, one of the most underrated, unique bands around these parts. Then there's the bluesy Deaf Poets, romantic Latin rockers by Arboles Libres, and Broward saxophonist Kenny Millions with Miami noise guru Rat Bastard. There's the psych outfit Ice Cream, tropi-rockers Animal Tropical, and the metal goodness of Shroud Eater.
The bands don't
fit any one genre. They choose them based on intrigue, quality, and the
idea that the bands have something to say. "We are truly audio junkies, and seeking new sounds and ways of expression has always interested
us. For example, when we shot the Kenny Million and Rat Bastard episode,
we were totally ignorant as to what 'noise' was, and as soon as we
shot the episode, we immediately gained a new perspective and
appreciation of the art form."
Not only do the
brothers put out videos but they also perform as the Jellyfish
Brothers and put on genuine underground shows at their
warehouse/apartment space Suite 206. He says they "always loved the DIY
attitude and wanted to give people a different experience to the other
live venues in South Florida, something more intimate and impactful." People come out for the music, not just for flirting or partying.
The gatherings at Suite 206 have the same values and intent as the video series. Audio Junkie is doing what others only talk about: creating a real underground scene of existing bands in South Florida and bringing those bands to the world. It is homegrown, authentic, awesome in the most real sense of the word, unpretentious, and, most of all, musically delicious.
Keep your bleeding ears peeled for an upcoming fundraiser. And "like" Audio Junkie on Facebook, because these guys are cool. Check out their YouTube and Vimeo channels.
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