Tampa’s Emo Duo Planet Loser Grows at Their Own Pace

By: Kyla Fields

Planet Loser is the hybrid genre lovechild of longtime couple Amber Lewis and Ethan Murphy, who formed a band together in early 2018. Ethan, a veteran member of the local hardcore scene, and Amber, whose musical backgrounds comes from musical theater, approach their music in different ways. But it works. It really works.

They released their first set of songs, a self-titled EP, last summer through 6131 Records based out of Virginia,  but the songs were written and self-recorded in late 2017. Planet Loser has been a long time coming, and the two are finding their footing; finding confidence in songwriting and performing, and discovering their place in the ‘scene’ is finally coming into fruition. Getting signed to 6131 Records early in their journey helped that happen. Ethan’s last band was signed to the same label.

“My old band Blistered was the last hardcore band that 6131 really signed. They signed Julien Baker a little bit after us, and then she took off. So they kind of shifted to a more indie sound after that I think” Ethan tells Emo Night.

Ethan’s hardcore scene connections helped the duo score the spot on the label, as well as helped them schedule their upcoming tour--their first out of state run of shows. When asked what show they were looking forward to the most, they both responded ‘Philly’ at the same time, with similar excitement.

“It’s like our second family there. So I knew on this upcoming tour I knew we had to play there. We have so many friends in Philly”, Amber says happily.

Pensacola, Charleston, Long Island, and Atlanta are also stops on their upcoming tour starting in early May. Their tour setlist is comprised of songs from their self-titled EP, some fun covers, and even maybe a new song or two.

Their new songs are “more focused, with a more definite sound” Ethan describes. Their newer music is of course self-recorded-- how he’s always done it.

“I started getting into recording when I was like 14 or 15, just out of necessity because I was in a band that needed to record. We didn't know anyone who did and we obviously didn’t have the money to go somewhere, so I learned how to do it myself…Over the years I’ve gotten better and invested more in it.”

Self recording for Ethan started as a duty, but has turned into a skill over the years. But the idea of a professional recording studio in the future is something that they’re both open to indefinitely.

“It would be cool to have a producer, giving us a new perspective or new ideas. I’d like to do it at some point, but it’s just so easy for us to record at our own pace that we’ll continue doing that for a bit.” That ‘Do-It-Yourself’ attitude never dies.

The rest of this year is about growth--writing, recording, and releasing more music a physical expression of that growth. Amber and Ethan want to do things a little differently, and they have the time and talent to do so. Instead of releasing an expected full length album or another EP, they’re discussing releasing consecutive singles.

“The way that people listen to music is different now. And this way of going about releasing it is a little more fitting to how music is consumed...If we release a single one at a time the excitement will build naturally” Ethan says.

By the time 6131 Records re-released their self titled EP, Amber and Ethan were already working on new music. Ethan sticks with what he knows (and is really good at)  and still writes the structure of their songs, while Amber tackles the vocal melodies, finding herself being more comfortable with being the front-woman of Planet Loser. The more she performs and writes, the more confidence she gains.  Ethan’s musical and production experience lies in years of hardcore, but Amber’s musical background stems from a drastically different genre of performance--musical theater.

“I did both dance, chorus, musical theater growing up so I have a very big voice….with the new songs I’m singing more how I want to sing, with more range. Less of the dreamy sound. Ethan says I sing and pronunciate like a Disney Princess” Amber emotes.

“Whenever Disney princesses can be tattooed, I’ll be first in line”.

Amber and Ethan are growing Planet Loser at their own pace. The longtime couple and musical duo, although functioning on the same wavelength for years, both bring a different approach to music. Their right brained and left brained attitude towards their band creates an intangible balance portrayed through their music and live performance. Catch them on their East Coast tour in May and see the magic (no Disney pun intended) in person.

Planet Loser plays Emo Night Tampa at The Bricks April 6. Always free. (No spoilers but expect some fun covers).

Boston Marriage Talks Inclusivity,  Recording, and the Orlando Scene as They Prepare for Their Emo Night Tampa Debut 

By: Kyla Fields 

Boston Marriage released their debut LP ‘Personal Space’ in  2017, and really hasn’t stopped touring Florida since. The indie rock band is known for their signature harmonization of Melissa Perreria and Kris Lane, the two lead vocalists and guitarists. Their voices intertwine in a tender melody backed behind a powerful riffs and emotion-packed songwriting, overall creating a true catharsis. The band describes their sound as “dreamy” , and fans everywhere would agree.  

The two frontwomen and guitarists are joined by drummer Shane O'Brien, and newly added bassist, Russell Beard. In the beginning, around fall of 2017, Shane’s scene connections from previous projects helped them book shows since Melissa and Kris had not been in bands before Boston Marriage. But in the short time that Boston Marriage has existed, they’ve certainly made a name for themselves in emo scenes across the southeast. 

“We spent the last two years playing as many shows as we could all across Florida. It’s very tiring and hard work but in the end it’s rewarding” the band says. 

Emerging from the thriving Orlando music community, Boston Marriage is focusing on growth, touring, and releasing more music within this year. They express gratitude towards their scene and the people in it for it’s perpetual venture towards a more inclusive and diverse creative environment. “There is always room to improve, but we love that the culture is shifting to something more accepting and more safe for everyone” the band states in an email interview. 

Boston Marriage  just released their single “Man Who Wasn’t There” the day after Valentines day, and they expect to release more music throughout this year. The recording process for their newer music is much different than that of their 2017 debut album. 

“When recording Personal Space we had everything completely fleshed out, so the recording process was pretty cut and dry. For our new music, we’ve been going into the studio with ideas instead of complete songs so the music is taking shape in a totally different way.”

The band name itself is inspired from a an old-fashioned term for women who would platonically live together, financially independent from a man.  The double-entendre and coyness of the band name is almost a metaphor for the band themselves, as they express queer underlying themes in their music--but don’t let it define them completely. 

“We don’t write music explicitly about the queer experience but it’s a very important part of who we are as people. We like that our name is subtle but strong.” they say collectively. 

They plan to record, tour out of state, and continue what they do best-- play emotionally-packed songs to the people who will listen. And people always do. 

Boston Marriage plays Emo Night Tampa March 2nd at the Bricks. No Cover. Always Free. 

Diealps! Does Not Care What We Think Going Into 2019 

By: Kyla Fields 

2019’s first Emo Night Tampa showcases local indie band Diealps! on January 5th at The Bricks. It’s actually pronounced  pronounced “Dee-Alps”, but it’s a common mistake and conversation starter of a band name. One of their last gigs of this year was at Microgroove Records’ 7th birthday show, sharing a stacked lineup with other local acts like Grampire and label-mates Permanent Makeup.  In a recent interview with ⅘’s of the band after their Microgroove set at the pizza spot Cappy’s next door, they discuss their creative process of songwriting, highlights of 2018, what they’re looking to accomplish in the new year. 

Diealps! started in 2012 when the newly married Austrian-born Connie Calcaterra and Tampa Bay native Frank Calcaterra  decided to start a band, as they naturally worked off of each other’s creativity and songwriting. Fast forward to the end of 2018, and Diealps!, now a five piece, have earned their “Tampa veteran” status, as Connie coined the term in the interview. Now a five piece, the married duo are joined by Jonathan Robbins on drums, Ariel Cortes on bass, and Erin Robbins on the keys. 

Over the years Diealps! have encompassed the spirit of Tampa Bay music, playing all of the local venues while releasing music through New Granada Records, one of Tampa’s leading record labels. 

There was a clear band consensus that the Diealps! favorite Tampa Bay venue to play was the now closed New World Brewery, but they named The Bricks, Crowbar, and The Bends as other favored venues in the area. They also agreed that the band highlight of 2018 was playing South By Southwest festival in Austin, Texas. They played three showcases, with the guidance of the Microgroove and New Grenada Owner, Keith Ulrey, who helped them schedule the sets at SXSW. 

“Keith doesn’t like being called a manager. We call him a band dad.” keyboardist Erin Robbins said about the Tampa Bay music renaissance man, as her bandmates laughed in agreement. 

 Every member of the band contributes creatively, as their new music is anticipated by the band themselves and Tampa Bay music fans alike. They are currently in the process of recording new music at Atomic Audio in Tampa, where Frank works. 

“We are Diealps! And we don’t care what you think!” drummer John Robbins yells half-jokingly about recording their new tracks. Diealps! Has been a working band long enough to not really care what everyone else thinks when it comes to their new music. It’s music for them to love, and for us to decide if we do, too. This free-spirited attitude will carry them to the new year, as they plan to release new music in 2019. 

Their music has evolved over the years--going from dreamy indie-pop to a more 90’s alternative influence. Diealps! plans to be done recording at the end of 2018, and to have those recordings released by sometime next year. 

“This is going to be the first record with these people” Frank said as he gestured to the newer members of the band. “It sounds a little different. It’s louder.. and faster”, as the rest of the band nodded in approval of his description. 

Come watch Diealps! Be louder and faster at 2019’s first Emo Night Tampa at The Bricks January 5th. Always free.