INSIGHT Magazine February 2015 | Page 17

punk rock direction, eschewing some of the aquatic-sounding style for more direct musical statements, though it’s difficult to imagine Hunter or Bautista completely abandoning their ethereal style. A planned regional tour will take them around the Southeast, with stops in North Carolina and Nashville planned, as well as performing at April’s Rock Against Homelessness. Throughout, the band will continue to ask listeners to step just past the norm to see the other side. “I want to come back here and start a record label and put Jacksonville on the map, and give other bands the opportunity to tour,” said Hunter. The road to musical domination is currently paved in more songwriting; according to Bondy, the band is heading in a more overtly INSIGHT “It’s better to push yourself outside the norm; you can be a lot happier there,” said Bautista. ✤ Check out Smashing Blue’s EP, “Convenient Lo-Fi” by visiting soundcloud.com/smashing-blue-rock and keep up on Facebook at facebook.com/SmashingBlueRock. February 2015 17