Florida Sound Archive Podcast

Jeff Kaiser
  • 5.0 (11)
  • Music Interviews
  • Updated Biweekly

Explore the vibrant music scene of Florida, past and present, through in-depth conversations with the artists, musicians, and industry insiders who shaped it. From the pioneers of Florida's punk and rock scenes to the contemporary sounds of today, our podcast delves into the stories, experiences, and memories that have made the state a hub for musical innovation and creativity. Tune in for insightful interviews, fascinating anecdotes, and a journey through the Sunshine State's rich musical heritage.

  1. #44 Re-release: Mike Alén (Nobuhjest)

    May 22

    #44 Re-release: Mike Alén (Nobuhjest)

    Recut 2022 Episode: The Story of Mike Alén - Nobuhjest, Brown Study, Secret Service, Beings, and More This episode, originally recorded in November 2022, features Mike Alén of Nobuhjest, Brown Study, Secret Service, Beings, and more reflecting on his upbringing in the Miami area and his path into South Florida’s punk and independent music scenes. Remastered and reedited for improved clarity, this re-release revisits an important era of South Florida underground music and the community that surrounded it. Mike discusses growing up in Hialeah and Kendall in a Cuban household, discovering music through family influences and bands like KISS, and later finding Florida punk through Quit. He reflects on local record stores, early live shows, and the experiences that drew him deeper into the South Florida scene. The conversation traces Mike’s progression from music fan to active participant through early bands such as Lift and Nobuhjest, along with memories of local venues, DIY culture, recording demos, touring, and building lasting friendships within the scene. Mike also reflects on his involvement in numerous bands and creative projects over the years, the evolution of different groups and collaborations, later touring experiences including with Torche, and the importance of continuing to create and stay connected to music.

    43 min
  2. #136 The Cravens (John and Bill Storch, Bill Meredith, and David Simone)

    May 15

    #136 The Cravens (John and Bill Storch, Bill Meredith, and David Simone)

    The Story of The Cravens: From Black Box Approach to Ata-tat and Beyond In this episode we explore the history and evolution of The Cravens, a Lake Worth, Florida–based rock band rooted in the long-running creative partnership of brothers John and Bill Storch. Joining the conversation are drummer and percussionist Bill Meredith and guitarist David Simone. We trace John and Bill Storch’s musical beginnings in the early 1980s with Black Box Approach, a synth-driven new wave band formed during their high school years. Active from roughly 1980 to 1983, the band reflected the era’s shift from arena rock into punk, new wave, and electronic influences, earning regional attention and college radio airplay. During this time, they were also part of the broader South Florida music landscape, engaging with local venues, record stores, and a growing network of musicians shaping the scene. From there, the story follows the transition into Ata-tat, marking a move into alternative rock as the Storch brothers relocated to Boston and became part of the mid-1980s underground music scene. The group found radio success and continued strong college airplay while further developing the collaborative songwriting approach established in their earlier work. After this period, John and Bill Storch continued writing and collaborating in a variety of creative settings, including composing music for modern dance companies in Palm Beach County. Their work gradually shifted away from traditional band structures toward more experimental and instrumental compositions before reconnecting with the local music community. The episode captures the formation and evolution of The Cravens, which emerged around 2014 as an acoustic trio before expanding into a full band by 2016 alongside additional longtime collaborators from the local music scene. Note: Bassist and guitarist Dennis Ambrose was unfortunately unable to participate in the interview.

    44 min
  3. #136 Space Fish (Mike Brown, Michael Bales, Rich Thibault, and Matt Simmons)

    May 8

    #136 Space Fish (Mike Brown, Michael Bales, Rich Thibault, and Matt Simmons)

    Space Fish Is Back! A Deep Sea Dive Into Orlando's Iconic Club, Label, and More In this episode, we revisit the legacy of Club Space Fish, one of Orlando’s most influential underground venues and a driving force in the city’s late 1980s and early 1990s DIY music and arts scene. Through stories from Mike Brown, Michael Bales, Rich Thibault, and Matt Simmons, the conversation traces Space Fish from its themed Beach Club events to its evolution into a weekly gathering and eventually a standalone venue built entirely through grassroots collaboration. The episode explores the venue’s unpredictable creative energy through stories of themed nights like Roman Orgy, Kiss The Cook, and Wheel Of Fish, along with live performances, DIY theatrics, Splash magazine, and the community that helped define its identity. The guests also discuss the challenges of sustaining an independent venue, the upcoming reunion show featuring bands including Damage, Love Gods in Leisure Suits, The Riddlers, Target Earth, and Bloody Mary, plus renewed activity surrounding Space Fish Records and Splash magazine.

    1h 2m
  4. #135 The Funyons (Steve Funyon and Robert Price)

    May 1

    #135 The Funyons (Steve Funyon and Robert Price)

    Steve Funyon and Robert Price on Miami’s The Funyons, Street Performances, and More In this episode we welcome Steve Funyon and Robert Price of the experimental folk band The Funyons, a project that emerged in 1991 in Miami and operated largely outside traditional music venues. The conversation traces the band’s origins through friendships connected to the Churchill’s scene and explores how they rejected conventional club settings in favor of street performances across Miami Beach, Lincoln Road, and other public spaces. Robert Price also reflects on his work founding experimental bands The Prom Sluts and Kreamy 'Lectric Santa. The discussion covers the band’s unconventional setup, including junk percussion, found objects salvaged after Hurricane Andrew, minimal amplification, and spontaneous arrangements. They share stories of encounters with police, difficult crowds, and surreal performances in places like Metrorail cars, abandoned boats, and punk picnics in the Everglades and quarries, all of which became central to their identity and reinforced their focus on live, moment-driven music rather than recorded output. They also reflect on the broader DIY culture that surrounded the band, with brief mention of punk zines like Scam, created by Eric Dawn Lyle, known at the time as Iggy Scam, along with the tight-knit community that supported their work.

    1h 1m
  5. #134 Return of The Stick Figures (Maready Evergreen, Bill Carey, and Robert Dansby)

    Apr 17

    #134 Return of The Stick Figures (Maready Evergreen, Bill Carey, and Robert Dansby)

    The Stick Figures Return: Late 70s–Early 80s Tampa Art Punks on Newly Released Recordings and More In this episode we welcome back Maready Evergreen, Bill Carey, and Robert Dansby of The Stick Figures, following their 2022 episode. The conversation revisits the band’s origins in the late 1970s and early 1980s Tampa and USF art scenes, and how they developed their creative approach within a DIY community. They discuss influences including punk, post-punk, 1960s rock, experimental film, and visual art, along with early recording sessions, studio experiments, and the challenges of making music outside major cultural centers. They also reflect on the recent release of early recordings that had remained unheard for decades. The episode explores legacy, collaboration, and reconnection, with reflections on friendship, artistic curiosity, and the lasting value of simply getting into a band and creating something meaningful.

    1h 1m
  6. #133 Jeff Howe (Reveral Of Man)

    Apr 10

    #133 Jeff Howe (Reveral Of Man)

    The Story of Jeff Howe: Orlando Roots, Reversal of Man, Touring, and More In this episode, Jeff Howe traces his musical roots from growing up in Orlando and discovering punk, hardcore, and metal through skateboarding culture and DIY record stores, to becoming a deeply embedded figure in the underground scene. He discusses his earliest band, Adversary, before joining Reversal of Man at fifteen, which led to extensive touring across Florida, the U.S., and Europe. Howe reflects on the DIY ethos of the era, from basements and skate parks to squats and touring life. He also talks about other projects including Shroud of Turin, Combat Wounded Veteran, Horsewhip, Heaven’s Gate, and more, and how each reflects different stages of his musical evolution.

    56 min
  7. #132 Romulo Del Castillo (Phoenecia /Schematic Records)

    Apr 3

    #132 Romulo Del Castillo (Phoenecia /Schematic Records)

    Romulo Del Castillo on Miami Music Culture, Soul Oddity/Phoenecia, Schematic, Touring, and More In this episode, we’re joined by Romulo Del Castillo for a deep dive into his journey through South Florida’s experimental electronic music scene. We trace his path from early encounters with sound and club culture to decades of creating, touring, and building community. Romulo reflects on growing up in Miami during the 1980s and 1990s, and how those experiences shaped his approach to experimental electronic music. He discusses early projects like Super Soul, Soul Oddity, and Phoenecia, along with the rise of rave culture in South Florida. He also talks about touring internationally, working with Astralwerks and Warp, and co-founding Schematic Records to support independent artists. Today, he remains active through DJing, live performances, and mentoring, sharing perspectives on longevity, community, and adapting to new technology.

    1h 11m
  8. #4 Re-release: Fritz Dorigo (Crease)

    Mar 27

    #4 Re-release: Fritz Dorigo (Crease)

    Recut 2020 Episode: The Story of Fritz Dorigo – Crease, Excessive, South Florida Rock Scene and More  This is a recut and re-released episode featuring Fritz Dorigo, originally recorded in 2020 during the early years of the podcast. The audio has been refined for improved clarity. This episode captures an in-depth conversation from a formative period of both the show and the South Florida music community it documents. Fritz Dorigo shares his story of growing up in South Florida, discovering music at a young age, and immersing himself in the region’s rock, punk, and metal scenes. He reflects on learning multiple instruments, committing to guitar, and the years of practice that shaped his playing. The discussion traces the formation and evolution of Excessive into Crease, the close bonds between longtime band members, and the DIY path of rehearsals, local shows, radio exposure, and building an audience. Fritz also talks about recording experiences, record label challenges, and the unpredictable rise and fall of momentum in the music industry. The conversation expands to the wider South Florida scene, recalling clubs, radio stations, influential bands, and moments that defined a unique era. Fritz also discusses later projects including Dirty DNA and other collaborations, as well as his continued role as a teacher, musician, and manager. This re-release offers both longtime listeners and new audiences a chance to revisit an important chapter in South Florida music history and a key early episode of the podcast.

    59 min
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5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Explore the vibrant music scene of Florida, past and present, through in-depth conversations with the artists, musicians, and industry insiders who shaped it. From the pioneers of Florida's punk and rock scenes to the contemporary sounds of today, our podcast delves into the stories, experiences, and memories that have made the state a hub for musical innovation and creativity. Tune in for insightful interviews, fascinating anecdotes, and a journey through the Sunshine State's rich musical heritage.

Information

  • Creator
    Jeff Kaiser
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    90
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Jeff Kaiser/Florida Sound Archive 2024
  • Show Website
    Florida Sound Archive Podcast

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