BAAMO!

The Bay Area Arts & Music Organization, or BAAMO as the cool kids call it, is celebrating the very active (if not slightly secretive) Tampa Bay music scene with the release of its sixth compilation entitled Tales of Highways & Low Roads.




Yep, it's a concept album about traveling, with 20 original songs by local (but hardly amateur) bands and musicians. 

Cover photo by famed photographer Burk Uzzle (Car on a Pole)

Laura "BAAMO" Keene is one of the leading forces behind the organization. When asked about the future of BAAMO as CD's and radio stations are being phased out, Laura told me: "There's still plenty of college and community stations. If they're going to keep playing music, I'll do everything I can to get Tampa Bay music into the hands of their listeners."  


And indeed she has put it out there. After a very quick web search I found tracks from the new album on playlists in the Netherlands, Canada, the Virgin Islands, and all over the U.S. 


If you'd like to get in on the fun before too many people know about Tampa  - and it's overrun with hipsters and Republicans -  come out to the CD release party this Saturday at New World Brewery. The music starts at 6 p.m. 

Saturday, April 30, 2011

New World Brewery

1313 E 8th Ave in Ybor City

(813) 248-4969

Door @ 5:00 pm, Music starts promptly at 6:00 pm

$10.00 donation (includes copy of the CD or a download card)

21+

If you don't get out as often as you'd like, or don't know enough fine folks, this is the night to put your roots down.  


Genres range from Americana, Pop, and Indie to Rock 'n' Roll and Reggae and more, so there's some sound for everyone.