There is a giant gaping hole in the live music listings this week, and we’re not talking about the popcorn lung you risk getting when you gather in large groups without social-distancing and PPE.
There’s a hole because since the early ‘90s, local scenesters, music lovers and musicians could look forward to the New Granada annual Xmas Night show—a joyous night of drinking your family-fueled holiday cares away, with everyone you really wanted to be with. And the soundtrack was always great, too.
Though there are shows happening around town, New Granada head Keith Ulrey told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that “...it was just an early assumption that I wasn't going to do it and just stayed with that mindset.” He’s not judging people who are safely putting on shows, but adds that he’s just not personally ready to be out there playing.
“So I kind of feel weird asking bands to play when I'm not ready to play myself, ya know?,” he added.
And Ulrey has to be extra careful. His wife and Pohgoh bandmate Susie has multiple sclerosis, so it’s definitely a safer than sorry situation—more people should take heed. New Granada Records—Ulrey and Susie’s nearly 30-year-old Tampa-based record label—has been pretty quiet, but next up is an April 2021 release from Brooklyn band Lapêche (stylized “LAPÊCHE”).
If you miss Ulrey’s bearded face you can stop by his Seminole Heights record store Microgroove, which has been staying steady upon reopening. “People are trending toward what I would call ‘inside activity,’ so listening to music falls under that,” Ulrey said. Merry Christmas, kiddos.
See a list of Tampa Bay’s “Safe & Sound” live music venues here.
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