Can You Colloquy Andrew Kochinka

This week's episode features Awaystead, a two-piece bedroom pop group hailing from the Daytona area. I had a fun time catching up with my old friend Evi and getting to know her band partner Josh outside Will's right before their first performance at the venue, and seeing them bring to life the demos they had released back in February was a wonderful experience. The duo (at the time) were getting ready to release their debut album "Shiver", which recently came out Sunday July 18th. Bedroom pop doesn't quite sum it up; there's grandiose elements accumulating in the dense layers of pianos, synths, acoustic guitar, and somber (yet powerful) vocals that paint vivid pictures of coming to grips with life, loneliness, and trying to overcome. I highly recommend you check out the album on whatever streaming platform you use.  

Check out Awaystead on social media and streaming platforms with the links below:  

https://www.instagram.com/awaystead/?hl=en 

https://www.facebook.com/awaysteadfl/ 

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/awaystead/1574191651 

https://open.spotify.com/artist/7zHSTpbOcdyPrCyTrtVbLr?si=5jWaYjI9QmaizkaYcozmSQ&dl_branch=1

Collateral is a three-piece grungy "swamp rock" band coming out of the Central Florida area. I caught them right before a set at (yep, you guessed it) the Bat Ranch and talked about conspiracy theories, the problems presented by recording, and smokin' Camel Blues. Be sure to catch Collateral performing with the Amphetamines and Atom Dive at Grumpy's Underground on 7/31 at 8pm!

Check out the band's singles and social media at the links below:

https://www.instagram.com/collateral.fl/ 

https://collateral2.bandcamp.com/

Cat Register is an Orlando act featuring Gerardo on guitar, Matt on drums, and Adali rounding out the three-piece on bass. They play laid-back, mathy instrumental tunes full of charm and brimming with grooves, reminiscent of acts like Chon and Strawberry Girls. They currently have three self-produced projects out (a live EP and two singles) on all streaming platforms for your listening pleasure, and are hard at work recording a new, full-length LP with yours truly. Wanting to let go of the some of the behind-the-scenes responsibilities and focus more on creating the best tracks that showcase what Cat Register is and what they can do, Gerardo reached out sometime after this interview was recorded (right before their performance at the legendary Bat Ranch in Apopka, by the way) and recruited me to help with the production of the record. Get hype by checking out their previous work wherever you listen to music, and follow them at the links below to stay tuned in on the recording process.

Cat Register is also performing this Saturday June 26th at the Henao Contemporary Center with fellow bands Raspberry Pie, Not Enough Space, and Michael Higgins (of the Forum), all put together by legendary supporter of the Central Florida scene Marshal Rones (aka Montgomery Drive).  

Links to find all things Cat Register across the web:

https://www.instagram.com/catregister/ https://www.facebook.com/catregister/ https://catregister.bandcamp.com/

https://open.spotify.com/artist/5rHQkqwsW7TRj6Tf4PZ5cj 

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/cat-register/1463411150 

Link to the Saturday June 26th show at the Henao Contemporary Center:  

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/raspberry-pie-not-enough-space-cat-register-michael-higgins-the-forum-tickets-156366080155?fbclid=IwAR3X28ck6JD9t8YI2weq2rL2XY72-tMGenQuWz1ErkiEMFZsyb-922WROYg

This week's episode features Casey, Jack, and the spirit of Cam, also known as Rocko English. Self-proclaimed "Modest Mouse cover band", they have been gracing the stages of Florida for five odd years with mathy indie rock infused with a refreshing bit of noise and zany aesthetic. If you haven't checked out any of their self-produced EPs and singles, hurry up; they recently released a full-length album produced by local recording engineer extraordinaire entitled "Rocko English". A sort of celebration of life, if you will, Rocko English has described it as a farewell album, and I couldn't think of any better way to say goodbye to so many good friends and extended family than this record.

Besides of course, a free farewell show, which will be taking place at Uncle Lou's (also of Orlando local legend) on June 21st featuring fellow Orlando acts Jen in the Right Light and Atom Dive. Show up, show your love, and say goodbye to three of the greatest Orlando artists this town has seen.

Check out all of Rocko English's music on every streaming platform you could think of with the links below:  

https://open.spotify.com/artist/2rUOymBWBsuyDpN1sWxF1N?autoplay=true

https://rockoenglish.bandcamp.com/

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/rocko-english/1256199100

Episode 8 features Marco Estorino, the founder and brain behind the Orlando project Sonic Halls (originally with a "z"). Finding great inspiration in the likes of other pop bands, particularly One Direction, Sonic Halls fronts its energy with catchy hooks and power-pop vocals. Marco records (and plays) everything himself, and has been refining his sound and techniques in the studio over a majority of the past ten years of his life. All of his experiences have culminated in the release of April's "Lemon Zest"; a powerful single showcasing his journey and the development of his talents as a DIY multi-instrumentalist.

Check out Sonic Halls everywhere across the Internet with the links below:

https://www.sonichalls.com/?fbclid=IwAR0jsjXJG5VUe-dEPtqmwbNCnvegEqj3O9XF0NPeDtsKZ4QagHa7l0F5CnQ https://www.instagram.com/sonichallsmusic/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/SonicHallsMusic/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4_4LXvXpf0cJSTlgF2yWLA/featured

Blueage is a unique blend of folk inspirations and blissful pop melodies. With frontman Gabe Solorzano infusing his raspy vocals over pretty layers of keys and synths, the band comfortably slides into groove after groove, hypnotizing listeners with catchy choruses and melodies. Plus, with two of the members graduating from Valencia (which is how they originally met) with training in sound production, everything from composition to production is homebrewed by the band. Certainly a unique act coming out of Orlando's scene which has a heavy punk and metal presence, Blueage caught my attention, and should be catching yours too.  

Check them out on social media and streaming platforms at the link below:

https://www.blueagemusic.com/