A couple of noteworthy concerts are happening on both sides of the bay. In Tampa, see Morning Teleportation w/Nicos Gun/Sleepy Vikings. The most recent signee to Glacial Pace Recordings – the label headed up by Modest Mouse’s Isaac Brock – is Morning Teleportation, a Portland-based electro-psyche rock four-piece that just dropped their first album, Expanding Anyway, a few weeks back. Brock also personally produced the LP, which is vaguely MM reminiscent in its frenetic pacing but diverges into brighter sonic territory with guitar textures that jump from picked-plucked Afro-jangly melodies to pedal-effected riffage to full-blast wailing solos; analog synth and keyboard flourishes; and the darting, flash-fast lyrical delivery of vocalist Tiger Merritt.
Nicos Gun, a fun electronic pop band from Philadelphia, recalls '80s-style synth with a little wackadoo glam and disco, psychedelia and the falsetto sexiness of MGMT and Of Montreal. Wait a minute: Did I just describe every trendy new band on the scene now? Regardless, they're fun and easy on the ears. Sleepy Vikings is among Tampa Bay's best — they've headlined festivals around the country and Canada, performing their ephemeral swirl of soft vocals, guitars and keyboards . (New World Brewery, Ybor City, info courtesy of Leilani Polk.)
At the Vintage Ultra Lounge at Jannus Live, nu-punk band The Material takes the stage.
Featured on MTV and MTV2, their song "Moving to Seattle" is available to download for the video game, Rock Band. Though they're still seeking high-profile recognition in the U.S., the band's tune "What Happens Next" is the title track for MTV Australia's reality-drama series Freshwater Blue.
This is a last-minute-scheduled show — go show some support and a hearty welcome for the female-fronted quintet from San Diego.
Also, this week is the huge 45th Annual Conference for the National Conference on the Education of Ceramic Arts March 30-April 2 , known as NCECA (pronounced N-Seeca) at the Tampa Convention Center. Several galleries are presenting top-notch ceramic exhibitions in conjunction with the conference and are open today for your perusal. Here are a few:
- Crossroads Gallery Visiting Artists: Islamic Influence. St. Petersburg College-Clearwater Campus, 2465 Drew St., Clearwater. 727-791-2548.
- Centre Gallery 2011 NCECA National Student Juried Exhibition. From the cutting-edge to the traditional and all points in between, the works selected are described as a "tantalizing hint of 'The Next Wave' in ceramic art." See some works exploring a variety of materials, methods and concepts by Ryan Blackwell, Heidi Casto, Steven Colby, Robin Dupont, Brett Freund and others. Opening receptions are 7-9 p.m. on Friday, March 25, in the Centre Gallery, MSC 2700, and the William and Nancy Oliver Gallery, FAS building. March 25-April 13. Free. Phyllis P. Marshall Center, USF-Tampa, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa. 813-974-5464. ctr.usf.edu/gallery.
- Florida Craftsmen Gallery Clay X 3. Three exhibitions on display: Sang Roberson, Hot and Humid and Fluid: The New Wave of Celadon Artists. The organization hosting the big NCECA event at the end of the month is partnering with Florida Craftsmen to present these high-caliber exhibitions. Opening receptions on Fri., March 11, 5:30-8:30 p.m., and Thurs., March 31, 5:30-9 p.m. March 24-April 2. 501 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 727-821-7391. floridacraftsmen.net.
