Central Florida songwriter Van Plating brings ‘Orange Blossom’ Americana to Tampa this weekend

There are some artists who define the sound of Florida Americana, and others reinvent it completely. Rachel van Plating falls in between, with an eye on past tradition and an ear to push the genre forward.

While you can feel her family’s generational presence in the Sunshine State on a new album, Orange Blossom Child, released this month, the 11 songs—about love that shouldn’t work (“The Sugar Palm Club”), big Covid feelings (“Hole In My Chest”), almost dying (“The Hard Way”), and shitty dudes (“Big Time Small Shot”)—feel like a tide change in the state’s alt-country scene.

A host of special guests—including Auburndale country-rock OG Jon Corneal, dobro-weirling Rob Ickes, plus Wildwood country star Elizabeth Cook and even Reckless Kelly—bring the record to life, making it feel like a family affair. Van Plating opens a heck of a songwriters show under the Skipperdome.

Tickets to see Van Plating open for Rebekah Pulley Duo and Harper Wynn at Skipper's Smokehouse cost $10 at the door.