Film Speak and White Sands conjure more parking lot magic (The Guesthouse)

THIS LITTLE UNDERGROUND 

The recent show by Film Speak and White Sands (Dec. 14) joined forces responsible for some incredible parking-lot performances back to the setting where the magic began. Film Speak’s Gerald Perez and White Sands’ Steven Head were behind the extraordinary parking lot project that dazzled the Orlando art world back in 2012 – first at the Tiny Waves one-year anniversary party (Peacock Room) and then at the Accidental Music Festival (Plaza Live) – by using the sound systems in people’s cars as the PA and ingeniously syncing them into an organic sonic whole like some post-classical urban symphony. It was one of the coolest live experiments I’ve seen anyone do in this city, exceptional enough to earn an Undie award that year for “Best Sound Experience.”

Around dusk at the original scene of their outdoor alchemy behind the Guesthouse (formerly the Peacock Room), an ad hoc setup of instruments, video equipment and screens is assembled across two parking spaces and a wall.

The waning sunlight quickly succumbs, first to the faint force of yellow lot lights and a sliver moon, and then to the tweaked, saturated colors of Broken Machine Films’ video. Once Perez starts to play, Film Speak begins.



Perez's electronic soundscaping this time comes with more pronounced noise and drone. In volume, tone and movement, it feels more aggressive. But the milieu factors in. Something about being out in the night air – beyond the politics and expectations of a room – feels especially apt for the norm-defying multimedia expeditions of Film Speak. It’s finally a physical setting renegade enough for their concept.

Afterwards, White Sands performs. With the quantum benefit of Broken Machine Films’ visual accompaniment, Head’s compositions go from ambient to astral.


Yet another cogent case for alternative show settings. 


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This Little Underground is Orlando Weekly's music column providing perspective, live reviews and news on the city's music scene.

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