What Now Takes on Tinder; Premieres Tonight in West Palm

We live in a society where face-to-face interactions have been replaced with swiping right on a pocket-sized LED screen. That is the new way we date. What Now, premiering in West Palm Beach tonight, is a film that explores the complicated world of modern dating through Tinder.  In the trailer, three…

Surfer Blood Charts Its Own Course on New Album 1000 Palms

Surfer Blood blew up nationally pretty quickly, and seemingly out of nowhere for anybody outside of South Florida, when their 2010 debut, AstroCoast, hit the blogs and indie rock fans got hold of it. The West Palm Beach-borne band is preparing to release their third album, 1000 Palms, and first…

After Five Years, Hit Play Returns With Certain Sounds

“Some of us have started families and some of them are getting bigger,” explains Hit Play’s bassist Gaston de la Vega. “Life happens as we get older. The balance we’ve found together has brought us to this album.” Hit Play’s been a bit quiet since its debut six song EP…

Is Lil Wayne a Modern Day Hemingway?

Some critics accuse Lil Wayne of lyrical atrophy. They blame fame or sizzurp or Nicki Minaj for the loss of his intricate wordplay. But I wonder if Wayne is just one of many artists who’ve matured, evolved, you might say, from the complexities of youth to the more essential expressions…

Larkin Poe on Siblings, Elvis Costello, and Improvisation

Tegan and Sara assure the world that “Everything Is Awesome” while Atlanta sister duo Larkin Poe reminds us how important it is to “Play On.” Going by these two pairs, it’s clear that the future is open for some singing siblings.  Both girls are set to open up for the…

KC and the Sunshine Band Returns to Hard Rock Live Hollywood

Despite coming to prominence more than 40 years ago, the infectious sound of KC and the Sunshine Band still seems to be everywhere these days. Denizens of the dance floor still express delight when the DJ throws on a KC classic like “Shake, Shake, Shake (Shake Your Booty),” “Get Down…

Indie-Rock Band Joywave Makes People “Feel Uncomfortable”

Joywave wasn’t popular in 2010, 2011, 2012 or 2013. But when its song “Tongues” hit the Billboard charts in 2014, it was like the flick of a light switch. “We did everything ourselves for the last four years,” said the band’s vocalist, Dan Armbruster. “Literally everything.” The release of “Tongues”…

New Times Is Getting Some Work Done

If anyone understands beauty upkeep, it’s you, South Florida. Yes, New Times is getting a little nip and tuck and coming back to you very soon looking a bit more, um, refreshed. While we’re gone, there won’t be any new content on our site until midday Monday, March 16. (It…

Music Writer Alex Rendon Dead at 39

New Times readers have long been familiar with Alex Rendon’s byline. He’s written thoughtful, intelligent, and at times beautiful stories for the paper for more than seven years. As his editor and friend, I’m very grateful to have spent that time with him and devastated that it’s over. Alex passed…

Big Time In Hollywood, FL Debuts Two Weeks Early on Comedy Central

The network premiere of Comedy Central’s Big Time in Hollywood, FL is technically two weeks away, but the channel debuted the show online this week. They announced the big news via Twitter. See also: Big Time in Hollywood, FL Creators Talk About Teaming With Ben Stiller and “the Perfect Publix”…

Five Things to do Under $5 This Weekend

5. Hootstock 2015  3 p.m., Friday, March 13, at the Burrow, 777 Glades Rd., Boca Raton. No cover. Visit Facebook. FAU’s student run record label Hoot Wisdom will commemorate its fourth CompOWLation album on Friday. And Hoot knows its shit! This college once schooled the Alex half of X Factor…

Six Tips to Help You Book Your Own Tour

Ron Cogswell / FlickrThe open road is calling your name. By Drew Ailes As musicians love to explain to anyone stupid enough to listen to them, organizing and playing shows can be a lot of work for little reward. In addition to wrangling multiple groups of morons in the same…

Top Ten Highlights of AURA Music & Arts Festival

By Tracy Block AURA Music & Arts Festival is the brainchild of two South Florida musicians who became hugely successful event curators. The hard work and dedication of Daryl Wolff and Cameron Ferguson attracted a record-breaking crowd of 5K to the grounds of the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park…