Sound Check blog

23
April

Artist of the day: Beatnik Castle

Francillia1

Local dance collective Beatnik Castle consists of Virgin Islands-born singer Francillia, above, and composer/arranger Quincy B. Scovill, a.k.a. Thomas Garcia.

The duo's disco-ready grooves call to mind Deee-Lite or Real McCoy, and right now they're focusing on a solo CD by Francillia, which might feature vocals by Lorna Bracewell, a labelmate on Garcia's Mad Monk Ltd. Debut single Will U B Mine is getting a big push from both Beatnik Castle members.

"If you ask me what (the album) is going to sound like, probably if you mix Swing Out Sister, Lisa Stansfield and Earth, Wind and Fire," said Garcia, who recently founded the local music 'zine Bay Area Beat. "When I play the Will U B Mine acoustic version, people think it's Rihanna."

You can check out Francillia with Atlanta singer Adrienne at 7 p.m. Friday at the Pro Star Sound Stage, 3220 28th St. N, St. Petersburg. Tickets are $10. Click here to listen to Francillia's Will U B Mine.

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