Music Industry in Orlando (Miami, Ocala: appointed, living in, moving to)

[Princeamor]

I have been living in Orlando for 13 years and I am a music producer. Not everyone has the same experience however my experience is that Orlando is very poor for anyone trying to make it in the music Industry. I find no culture, no style in Orlando. You cannot say.. when you see or hear something that its that "Orlando" style. Everything here is practically copied from somewhere else. What is the favorite music in Orlando? Nobody knows... it is all so very neutral and seems like this is only a good place to retire or to live a neutral life.. so I am thinking this is not for me and considering moving to Miami. So far I see that the artists that have come from Orlando have been involved with Disney or signed with a company in another city/state. I don't even know of any good record labels located here. We have a very small amount of radio stations compared to New York, Houston and Miami and we don't have much variety (no electronic station). So.. In conclusion I am disappointed with Orlando because I need to see more "movement" in the music industry. Anyone have the same experience?

[MiamiRob]

what kind of music do you produce? I was involved in the music business in Miami and it certainly has more of a thriving scene, lots of producers,artists and studios. When I think of Orlando I think of boy bands or like what you said about Disney.

[annerk]

Wow.

There is a THRIVING and very, very active rock scene here. Hmmm, I guess you've never heard of Creed? They only sold 26 million records. Creed minus Scott Stapp is Alter Bridge, and they are local.

Half of Dark new Day are from the Orlando area, and they are generally considered an Orlando act as they record here.

Although not originally from Orlando, Shinedown might as well be these days. Some of them live here and they did most of the pre-production for their latest CD here. I think they recorded some of it here as well.

Trivium and Anberlin are both from the Orlando area. Stereoside is from just up the road in Ocala.

3 Doors Down recorded their latest CD here in Orlando, some of Sevendust's latest CD was recorded here, and SoulFly's latest CD was recorded here. The award winning producer Justin Thomas and his Gridlock Studios are here. There are at least a dozen recording studios in the area, and at least half of them have hosted major label artists in the past couple of years.

There are a handful of local acts that have recently signed development deals with major labels. I personally know local A&R people for two major labels, and three of the large indies have A&R people that visit this area regularly to seek out new talent.

Candlebox isn't from here, but their label is. Framing Hanley and Tantric are also on the label.

There For Tomorrow just got picked up for the Warped Tour.

And then there are about a dozen or so major artists that call the Orlando area home, even though their band doesn't.

My guess is that the genre of music you are involved in either has no market here, or (sorry) you just aren't very good at it. This is pretty much a rock and hip hop market, if you are involved in another style, you might be better off finding a more suitable market for it. But don't say there is no music scene here, because that statement is very, very far from the truth.

By the way, yes, we have less radio stations in Orlando than NY and Houston, but not Miami. Have you looked at the difference in population? If you compare Orlando to other cities of the same population, we have as many if not more stations. Miami has NO rock stations--Orlando has several. Again, it's YOUR perspective based on YOUR preference in music, but you are not being accurate, not in the least.

[Granny Sue]

Originally Posted by Princeamor

I have been living in Orlando for 13 years and I am a music producer. Not everyone has the same experience however my experience is that Orlando is very poor for anyone trying to make it in the music Industry. I find no culture, no style in Orlando. You cannot say.. when you see or hear something that its that "Orlando" style. Everything here is practically copied from somewhere else. What is the favorite music in Orlando? Nobody knows... it is all so very neutral and seems like this is only a good place to retire or to live a neutral life.. so I am thinking this is not for me and considering moving to Miami. So far I see that the artists that have come from Orlando have been involved with Disney or signed with a company in another city/state. I don't even know of any good record labels located here. We have a very small amount of radio stations compared to New York, Houston and Miami and we don't have much variety (no electronic station). So.. In conclusion I am disappointed with Orlando because I need to see more "movement" in the music industry. Anyone have the same experience?

I can see why Orlando wouldn't be a good fit for you. It's never been big on the music "scene". But then again, it wasn't 13 years ago either when you 1st moved here.

I'm not going to address the comment about culture because that subject has been done to death and it has been proven OVER and OVER again that it is here you just have to know what your looking for.

Good luck in Miami.

[Fnix]

Reggaeton and Rap

[DailyJournalist]

You would have better luck in Miami or Atlanta.

[ngrome]

Don't forget Lou Perlman and his boy bands, namely, N'Sync and those one-hit wannabees, O-town! He may have created Back Street Boys too, but I don't remember.

[blueoktober]

Wasn't/Isn't Matchbox 20 from here? Britney started here as well. (yeah yeah but she is a superstar whether we like it or not.)

Believe it or not, Orlando DOES have a name in the music world. The indie scene is exploding with tons of new bands from here. Just go to the Social's website and look at all the local bands playing. Also HOB has Orlando Rocks like 2 times a month now showcasing all the upcoming bands.

I can see what the OP is saying, this isn't Detroit, but Orlando really is the birthplace of Boy Bands and Disney Pop.

[annerk]

Matchbox 20 is from Orlando, although none of them still live in the area--they are scattered all over the country.

[MiamiRob]

annerk thanks for the info since I've only been in Orlando for a couple of years so i'm not familiar with the scene. As for Creed ugh!