When a band chooses a name as romantic and whimsical as Sirens and Sealions, you might expect a stage show that leans heavily on harps and incense. But this Miami band isn't really a gang of hippies. So while tonight's album release party at The Stage will involve lots of live music and plenty of good vibes, there probably won't be ton of chordophonic instruments and sweet-smelling smoke.
It's a "Beyond a Release" affair. And when planning the event, singer and songwriter Johanna Viscaino asked herself, "How can we make this bigger? How can we all team up? How can this be more than just about us?"
The answer: Bringing in really neat partners who have a lot of love and prizes to give away.
"I wanted something that was kind of like a bazaar," she says. Sirens and Sealions thus got together with the Miami Short Film Festival to give away free VIP passes and free tickets to Chromeo and TV on the Radio, courtesy of Radiate FM. Swim Drink Fish Music, a group of artists and musicians dedicated to preserving water, will also be on hand to educate the masses.
As for Sirens and Sealions, the band members have been working together for three years and they're finally releasing their first album. They started off as a quartet (with three of them having met at West Kendall Baptist Church) before expanding to six musicians. Viscaino compared them to Broken Social Scene in that they're friends playing together in different configurations.
Viscaino describes the band's simple jingles as "retro pop" with "a lot of harmonies." Though its sound has been compared to Tilly and the Wall, the six-piece has covered the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and the Knife. "A lot of the music is based on love songs," she says.
Finally, rounding out the night, the Sirens and Sealions crew has invited Boxwood, Deaf Poets, and Krisp. "I always support music that I would listen to," Viscaino admits.
Sirens and Sealions' Beyond a Release party with Boxwood, Deaf Poets, and Krisp, plus DJs Magicwarz and Runsevimrun. Friday, September 16. The Stage, 170 NE 38th St., Miami. The show starts at 9:30 p.m. Call 305-576-9577 or visit thestagemiami.com.
Follow Crossfade on Facebook and Twitter @Crossfade_SFL.
