Orlando native Andy White –– who releases and performs music under the moniker Andy Boay and is also one half of experimental rock duo Tonstartssbandht –– has spent the past few years living in Montreal, Quebec, getting intimate with a city known for its booming music scene. About a month ago, he decided to move back to his hometown and, despite expressing an affinity for Montreal, said he’s been looking forward to diving back into Florida’s musical underground. After performing alongside local Sarasota acts Hapeas Porpoise and Baklavabalaklava and fellow Orlando band [...]

Last month, I began a personal campaign to visit every open Mic in the Sarasota and Bradenton areas, and report back via TWIS on the unique flavor of each one.   The idea was sparked by an impromptu visit to Growler’s Pub’s regular Tuesday event, where I was surprised not so much by my experience of the visit as I was by what the musicians and the organizer Justin Kaiser told me they got out of being part of it. In response to my last article, people responded with helpful information [...]