New year, new music: checking out some of GNV’s best

Gainesville, sometimes thought of as just a college town, is known nationally for its music scene. Legendary punk acts like Against Me!, Hot Water Music and Less Than Jake made names for themselves in this small town during the ‘90s and early-2000s.

Gainesville’s own No Idea Records works to continue the punk legacy by releasing new albums every year, not only from Florida bands, but from bands across the country. This label and Gainesville’s annual The Fest music festival seem to dominate public perception of Gainesville’s music scene.

However, much of this “punk” music can feel redundant, even overplayed. Every October for the past 15 years, aging punks and punk bands migrate to our town to play their reunion sets at The Fest, but let’s face it, these bands are often comprised of older, jaded musicians who have long abandoned their urge to make independent and experimental music. They release overproduced albums and go on world tours, and Gainesville is mostly forgotten for the 362 days of the year when The Fest isn’t going on. As someone who lives in Gainesville now, I can safely say I am over the days of the ‘90s-punk resurgence. Luckily there is still a world of experimental and indie rock music teeming below the surface. Here’s a few of my favorite Gainesville locals who are pushing the envelope on Gainesville’s trademark sound.

Theo Burrows — soundcloud.com/t-s-burrows

Theo Burrows makes ambient indie rock in his bedroom. Taking influences from the great experimenters of the last 30 years, like Radiohead, Bjork and the Pixies, Theo’s releases feel fresh and original, especially since they come out of Gainesville, a town mostly dominated by straightforward punk music. Theo spends a lot of time tinkering with sounds on his computer, making his productions extremely detail-oriented.

“To be able to put a lot of time into something and bring it to life is a very rewarding — if frustrating — experience,” said Burrows, a 20-year-old UF English junior, of his music. “In recording, there is so much room to learn new techniques and skills.”

I recommend listening to the track “My Mind” to get started with Theo’s music. Its shimmering central guitar loop is hypnotizing, as are the instrumental swells, with Burrow’s voice soaring effortlessly over them. The song’s 7/4 time signature is impressive in itself. Keep in mind, this extremely dynamic track was recorded entirely by one guy in a bedroom.

EW — ewwww.bandcamp.com

Gainesville’s punk roots aren’t ignored by EW and, instead, are taken into consideration and then mutated. EW is a two-piece punk band whose vocals, lyrics, on-stage persona and instrumentals are manic and off-putting to many. Consisting of only bass guitar, drums and vocals, EW’s sound is primal and crude. Vocalist and drummer Brooke Chekofsky rants about gender inequality and body-image issues by telling obscene stories in her songs. For example, “Seriously” considers situations in which men have made the speaker in the song uncomfortable with lines like “That guy from OkCupid won’t stop calling me. I’m serious. It’s serious. That boy wanted me to be his mommy. I’m serious. It’s serious.”

While EW’s latest release, “Love Songs,” has a full and exciting sound, one has to see them play live to really experience the band’s uniqueness. Chekofsky and her bandmate, Zo, go on stage wearing absurd costumes every time. EW’s live shows are full of raw energy and sass, reminding me of what I’d expect an early Bikini Kill show to look like.

“Last New Year’s Eve, EW played a show at Superfun,” Chekofsky, 28, said. “I dressed like Father Time, and Zo dressed like Baby New Year. As an old man and a nasty little baby, we ended the show, and the place was packed. As long as people are smiling and laughing and dancing, I am satisfied.”

UV-TV — youveeteevee.bandcamp.com

UV-TV utilizes a sound that is reminiscent of Sonic Youth through their male-female vocal trade-off and noisy guitar work. However, UV-TV is not a Sonic Youth cover band. Instead they take their clear ‘90s influence and update it with upbeat drumming, flowery melodies and fast-paced songwriting. UV-TV is a three-member band, with their female bassist and male guitarist taking turns singing lead vocals. They often harmonize, or scream, into their microphones at the same time. The band’s chaotic, overdriven guitar work is kept on track by straightforward bass lines and tight drumming.

The band’s latest release, “Demo,” was re-released last year by High Fashion Industries, a Chicago-based record label. The band has been touring regularly in the last two years and are shaping up to become nationally recognized indie rock stars, potentially putting Gainesville back on the map for American indie music. This is another band whose live shows really make them stand out. UV-TV can often be seen opening for bigger touring acts at The Atlantic.