Miami Horror

Listening to Miami Horror‘s music will take you on a journey through cheesy ’80s synth-pop, dreamy electro and tripped-out dance-rock. It’s like playing “Name That Influence” – there’s Prince’s keyboard sound, there’s New Order’s trademark bassline – but the Melbourne, Australia, band makes it all its own. Led by production whiz Benjamin Plant, Miami Horror released its first full-length album, “Illumination,” on Aug. 20. The band brings its retro-yet-fresh sound to LIV at the Fontainebleau tonight (Wednesday, July 15) – you’re sure to hear plenty of new tracks, like the wistful yet upbeat “Sometimes” and “Moon Theory,” plus favorites including “Don’t Be On With Her” and a smoking remix of Stardust’s post-disco hit “Music Sounds Better With You.” Plant talked to Miami.com about what we can expect from the show and just what’s up with that name.

 

What inspired you to name the band after Miami?

Well, I guess it wasn’t named directly after it, it was more the idea of the two words kind of contrasting, with one being lighter and colorful and the other being darker. And the letters themselves are quite bold – it was more a visual thing than actually relating to Miami at all.

 

How would you describe your sound?

We’ve really changed quite a bit over the last two years, but there’s a disco influence, electronica and a little bit of psychedelia as well. Something in between combining all those genres – I don’t really know. I’ll leave you with that.

 

What can we expect from the show?

We’re a four-piece, and it’s a live show, obviously, and we’re playing most of the album, pulling out all the tracks and maybe a remix or two as well. And we’re guitar, vocals, two synths and bass.

 

Have you ever been to Winter Music Conference?

No, we’ve never been, but we might come next year, I think.

 

Have you ever been to Miami?

Yeah, I came once a few years ago, and did a DJ set, which is quite weird because the name in Miami was sort of strange – it’s like being from Melbourne and calling it Melbourne Horror. Like the band name was taken out of context.

 

Did you enjoy your time in Miami?

I was there for literally a few hours. I came in in the dark, and then left in the dark, from Fort Lauderdale. I saw nothing but the club and a few roads. So this time, we’ll actually have the time to check it out.

Miami Horror by pacificfestival

This story was originally published September 14, 2010 at 5:09 AM.