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Wednesday, May 15, 2019

The Heard

CityArts In-Between Series gets a little indie with new Orlando band Tape Studies

Posted By Bao Le-Huu on Wed, May 15, 2019 at 5:00 PM

click to enlarge

Tape Studies at the In-Between Series - JIM LEATHERMAN

Jim Leatherman
Tape Studies at the In-Between Series

THIS LITTLE UNDERGROUND
Tape Studies, CityArts, May 13

The In-Between Series has such an established tradition of avant-garde music that Tape Studies – who were the featured act at this most recent edition of the monthly event – seem almost square by comparison. Not to give anyone an unnecessary complex or anything, but I’ve seen performers use things like potted plants and water as instruments here. That’s not to say, however, that the relatively new Orlando band are unworthy. On the contrary, they were a nice balance to the series’ usually unflinching esotericism.

click to enlarge

Jim Leatherman
Tape Studies at the In-Between Series

Tape Studies may be conventional next to some of the performers that have played the In-Between Series but their instrumental music is not dumb commercial stuff. Rendered with rock instruments, electronics and electric cello, it’s a sound that comes from the beautiful side of post-rock.

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Jim Leatherman
Tape Studies at the In-Between Series

Though they started on a tranquil wavelength of suspended shimmer, the arc of their set became increasingly panoramic from there, flashing alternating passages of ignition and near-shoegaze thrust. And even though it was exciting to see a gallery get rocked like this, they showed enough charged tectonics in their sound that a proper rock club is probably the best milieu in which to experience their sonic range.

click to enlarge

Jim Leatherman
Tape Studies at the In-Between Series

In the post-rock spectrum, Tape Studies play more on the dramatic end with clear melodic and dynamic intent. Where other fellow travelers may weave a more ambient vibe, this Orlando trio instead paint with definition and make their point with sharpness.

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In-Between Series curator Christopher Belt - JIM LEATHERMAN

Jim Leatherman
In-Between Series curator Christopher Belt

The open audience Q&A after the performance is a somewhat regular feature of the In-Between Series and is always illuminating. But, as a direct glimpse into the performers’ artistic DNA and background, having one for a startup local band like this is especially worthwhile.

click to enlarge

Jim Leatherman
Tape Studies at the In-Between Series

Follow Bao on Twitter (@baolehuu)
Email Bao: baolehuu@orlandoweekly.com

Tags: tape studies, post-rock, in-between series, this little underground, the heard, orlando music news, orlando concerts, orlando shows, orlando music, bao le-huu, jim leatherman, gallery shows, Image

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