Saturday night's Eclectic Sounds Unite event at Studio A is something of a locals-only extravaganza, featuring an unlikely mishmash of Miami-bred acts playing everything from reggae-injected punk (Music Is a Weapon) to rock en español (Tereso). Among the up-and-coming standouts are Astari Nite and Rimsky. The former, helmed by the enigmatic Michael Ghost, has crafted a cohesive, melancholic sound, dark without sliding into goth pigeonholing, and cold and postpunky without aping Joy Division. Ghost seems more than a little visually and sonically inspired by Brian Molko, of the equally anomalous UK act Placebo, with his eyelinered paleness and literate, introspective lyrics. Although boasting only a few shows under its belt, Astari Nite is a local act to watch.
Meanwhile, Rimsky is the side solo project, of, um, Rimsky, usually spotted playing with the endearing stoners of Humbert. By himself, he crafts charming, lo-fi, twangy tunes about love and stuff that should have Jeff Tweedy fans' hearts aflutter. Live, he's backed by a varying constellation of local rock scenesters who play under the moniker the Rockford Beats.
