Orlando Music Scene

I may take some heat for saying this, but as a former musician and avid fan of live music I have always been a little disappointed in the Orlando music scene. This is not to say that there are not good bands and musicians in Central Florida. There are several really great artists around the area, and a surprising number of professional musicians from 50’s, 60’s and 70’s headliners who live in the area. You might not recognize them at first glance today, but may be surprised to find out who you are talking with or standing next to. Some have built some good quality recording studios and have small labels. I have just never found Orlando to have the same zest as cities like, of course Los Angeles, Seattle, Miami, or even smaller mid-western towns when it comes to the live music scene.

While there are musicians of all types playing around Orlando, they just never seem as easy to find as in other locales. More like you had to call around, go on-line, and go looking for them, compared to other towns where it is easy to accidentally stumble upon live music without even trying, like a good blues or acoustic set going on (not to mention jazz, fusion, or Latin is some cities).

One local bar in the Orlando area, The Copper Rocket Pub,  has been holding Sunday night tryouts to build a repertoire of local house bands and provide a regular live venue. The Copper Rocket is located in Maitland, outside of the theme parked tourists areas in a true “locals” part of town. The benefit: Local talent mixing originals in with some covers, rather than a polished cover band geared towards the tourists.

Recently we caught The Young Psychedelics trying out in their first ever live performance. These “kids” grew up together and have spent a lot of time in the studio over the past couple of years, however the Copper Rocket tryout was their first live playing gig.  Their first release was under the name Mandee Marie, a 6-song, much softer driven all acoustic CD, available on iTunes and via the web-site. As The Young Psychedelics, it was an all electric performance, and you’d never know how nervous they may have been once they hit it.

Before the night was over, they got the job. A new band to pack ’em in at The Copper Rocket Pub, located at 106 Lake Ave, Maitland, FL.  Kudos to the “kids.”

Check out the videos below (photo camera, no tripod – sorry).