I remember the first time I saw a live performance of experimental music. Having recently moved back to Tallahassee from Gainesville, I was excited to dive into the thriving local punk scene in the late ’80s. After listening to alternative music for years, I was inspired by the soundtrack it created for the political and cultural climate.
I had seen films like “Koyaanisqatsi” and the work of avant-garde artists like Laurie Anderson. Thinking I was pretty hip regarding punk and punk-adjacent ethos, I set out to catch a local show.
Brandon Hanks, left, and John Brashears of PixelDeath64 at Real Cool Time Records.
That night at the now infamous CA Chapel on Macomb Street featured the experimental CA house band. I walked in expecting to find another mosh pit, but instead, witnessed something very different. Strange people were banging on various pots, pans, and other random household items hanging from metal rods. Fortunately, my confusion gave way to intrigue. The sonic universe suddenly became infinite.
I wrap my nostalgic rant by showcasing that infinite loop by saying that the Pioneers of Punk, the Art and Cultural Legacy of the 1980s Music Scene in Tallahassee, will be on exhibit at the 621 Gallery this upcoming March.
And this month, the sonic experimentation of Octronica 2 goes “underground” at Real Cool Time Records on Oct. 17.
A barrel roll into the music scene
Thankfully, the ’80s were not the only time period that had a thriving alternative and experimental music scene in our city. A little over a decade ago, you could wander into the not-yet-gentrified Railroad Square Art Park and catch some magic. This was when the area was still gritty, with various artists living (illegally) in their studios.
There were many nights of strange and wonderful music coming from both touring and local artists. You had to make sure the music cables were not touching the often-leaky warehouse roof water puddles. You also had to guarantee the shows wrapped up by 11 pm, to appease the old guard of traditional artists occupying the studios. It was glorious.
Even more recently, places like The Plant on Gaines Street and the now-defunct Square Mug Cafe offered creative spaces for local and touring artists that were outside the mainstream. Currently, the local heroes at Real Cool Time (RCT) Records are making sure that something gold can stay.
PixelDeath64 will be part of Octronica 2 at Real Time Records Underground on Oct. 17, 2025.
Another Real Cool Time production
Last year, Real Cool Time Records partnered with Glenn Swan of Burlap Productions to host Octronica, an electronic music festival taking place in October. The event was originally intended to be a one-time occurrence. However, success and enthusiasm generated the need for Octronica 2.
The upcoming electronic odyssey will take place at RCT’s newly acquired space, RealCoolTime Underground, on Oct.17. This year’s artist lineup will feature Burlap Productions, Rexford Tugwell, Don’t Tell a Soul, PixelDeath64, and Nathan Pugh. I spoke with John Brashears and Brandon Hanks from PixelDeath64 about their upcoming performance.
Performing at the table at Last year’s Octronica is Rexford Tugwell, another artist performing at Octronica 2, set for Oct. 17, 2025.
“The event this year will take place at the new RCT Underground, which is a newly transformed space in the back of Real Cool Time Records,” said Brashears. “Apparently, it’s really spacious in there, with cool tiled floors. That’s going to be the new venue.”
“We’ve only performed live once,” said Hanks, “but we’ve been making music together for about a year and a half.”
“Brandon and I met playing in another band about two years ago,” said Brashears. “When that project ended, we still wanted to make music together. Brandon was making some great tracks that I added some piano to. Then I made some tracks that he added Drum and Bass elements to. It became a really cool collaboration.”
The table equipment used by performers at last year’s Octronica. Octronica 2 takes place at Real Cool Underground from 8-10 p.m. Oct. 17, 2025.
‘My mom was a raver’
The duo released their debut PixelDeath64 EP in early 2025, which is available on all digital streaming platforms. They describe their sound as a blend of Drum and Bass, Jungle, and heavily video-game-influenced. “My mom was a raver,” said Hanks. “I grew up listening to early Prodigy, Crystal Method, and Goldie. And obviously, the video games I was playing, like Ape Escape, had a soundtrack that influenced me.”
“A lot of late 90s/early 2000 video games have those great musical elements, and we use that for inspiration,” said Brashears.
Hanks moved to Tallahassee from Fort Lauderdale when he was a child and considered himself a native. Brashears moved to Tallahassee during the pandemic, when rent prices in Atlanta began to soar.
“I love Tallahassee,” said Brashears. “I think the music scene here is super underrated. There are people here making amazing music, many of whom move on to do really big things.”
Loving and learning the art of making music
Buster Wolf, left, and Artisan P of Don’t Tell a Soul will perform at Octronica 2 at Real Time Underground on Oct. 17, 2025.
When John and Brandon aren’t creating their own music, their personal tastes cover a gamut of styles. “I was just listening to the new Earl Sweatshirt and Machine Girl,” said Hanks. “I also listen to a lot of shoegaze stuff.”
“There’s an Atlanta band called Sword II that we both really love,” said Brashears. “I’ve also been going back and listening to a lot of classical composers and jazz. I’m super into McCoy Tyner and Jackie McLean.” Although some of those aforementioned artists are legends with formidable catalogs, Brashears and Hanks don’t think music production should be an intimidating thing.
“Music was always something I wanted to do, and I finally just jumped into it a few years ago and learned the Logic software,” said Hanks. “You have to just dive in and not be afraid. Most likely you’ll end up meeting cool people who are trying to do the same thing.”
“I think a lot of people are afraid that their music won’t come out perfect the first time,” said Brashears. “I think that fear stops a lot of people from making art. You just have to love it and learn from it. Everyone that I know who is doing well wasn’t afraid to get out there and initially fail.”
Another duo performing at Octronica 2 is hip-hop group Don’t Tell a Soul, which was formed in Tallahassee by members Artisan P and Buster Wolf. They released their collaborative debut, DTAS EP, in 2023 through the label Citronella Room. The two began collaborating as early as 2015, being featured on each other’s songs over the years. Both members are gifted wordsmiths behind the microphone and a force to be reckoned with when they combine their talents.
During a time when some people fear art, it is increasingly important to support the force of fearless artists. The crosswalks may get painted over, but the importance of the messages will not be silenced. The volume only gets louder.
If you go
What: Octronica 2 featuring PixelDeath 64, Don’t Tell a Soul, Burlap Productions, Rexford Tugwell, & Nathan Pugh
When: 8-10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17
Where: RealCoolTime Underground, 1733 N Monroe St.
Details: Suggested cover $3, pay what you can; visit octronica.blogspot.com
Contact: 954-732-7549, [email protected]
Tracy Horenbein is a guest writer for The Council on Culture & Arts (COCA). Celebrating its 40th anniversary, COCA is the capital area’s umbrella agency for arts and culture (tallahasseearts.org)
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: The volume gets louder at Octronica 2 music festival with PixelDeath
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