PLAID Party @ PS-14

On a dreadful-looking Saturday night, soaked bohemians and music fans alike sought refuge from the unrelenting rains of Miami at PS-14 Downtown. There they found an abundance of local artists ready to perform for them, whether soothing or energetic, until the wee hours of the following morning. The event is known as the PLAID party, a recurring live music party whereby attendees simply wear plaid clothing and get a discount on the price at the door. Not that the event needed an excuse, but if anyone were to ask for one then you’d tell them it was to bid farewell to “our local heroes” (as proclaimed by Pretty Please), The Jean-Marie. They’re about to embark on their out-of-Florida 2009 tour, along with Miami’s Indie queen, Rachel Goodrich.

Sirens & Sealions got things going with a set of folky tunes and enchanting harmonies that attracted casual attendants to the front of the stage, and set off a group of plaid clad lasses into what appeared to be a hoedown. With songs such as “Tumbleweed”, we all became aware that this young group of musicians will not remain openers for long. They continue to improve with every show. Various other local favorites such as Jesse Jackson and Pretty Please (PLAID party hosts), took the stage, but the band of the night was, after all, The Jeanmarie.

Personally, I believe there is no specific genre to entrap this eclectic, rambunctious band into. I’ll go ahead and label them “Indian rock”, thanks to the misinterpretation of a bouncer trying to explain to an elderly woman that The Jean-Marie was playing “indie rock”. Regrettably Jason, TJM’s drummer, was sidelined as he recently broke his finger just before going into the studio to record the follow up EP to their album “Annie Jump Cannon”. There was no need to panic, their percussionist, Geneva (who also plays with Rachel Goodrich), aptly filled in for him on the drums. So, as they have a tendency of doing, particularly in the absence of a fellow member, they experimented with their live show. They extended their songs and suddenly became a jam band; it seemed natural, and unpremeditated. To end their set they premiered a new song for the crowd. As good as it was then, I cannot wait to see them perform this song again when they come back, after it has been refined, developed, and cultivated. Plainly said, all around they treated the crowd with a fun and exciting show, as always, as they prepare to go off to such cities as Toronto, New York, Chicago, and St. Louis, to spread their brand of dancy, ruckus-causing rock.

Make sure to catch these bands on Local Radiation, and get information on the next local PLAID Party.

-A.F.