Dagger Zine remarked that Pocket of Lollipops had a truly unique sound that was hard to pin down but easy to like. And rightly so, as this was the overarching impression of most attendees at the launch of Artistic License's third edition at the Museum of Contemporary Art of the Americas in Kendall. The duo put on a small concert for artists, family members, and the general public in the Aldo Menéndez hall, which typically showcases the institution's permanent collection.
The married couple comprises visual artist Maitejosune Urrechaga (vocals, bass, cello) and writer-filmmaker Tony Kapel (drums, synths, electronics). Various experts have impeccably defined their style, such as Sean Pajot from Miami New Times, who stated that Pocket of Lollipops "is an adorably angst-y indie rock kinda thing. Just imagine if pre-divorce Kim and Thurston of Sonic Youth took a couple's retreat to Japan, got real deep into Tokyo cat cafe culture, and decided to record a concept album in the hotel bathroom." Jasmine Bourgeois from TomTom Magazine describes them as: "Part band, part immersive sound project, Miami's Pocket Of Lollipops is an exceptional musical experience. Comprising Maitejosune Urrechaga and Tony Kapel, the duo delves into a broad spectrum of noise and sound-making techniques. This band delivers not only original and meticulously crafted music but a fascinating rendezvous with the unconventional that exceeds artistic confines." Colleen Dougher from SunSentinel observed, "The musicians seemed to play instinctively, with distinct personas that nevertheless originated from a singular source. The music can make the listener feel as though they too were levitating. The performers orchestrate a theatrical milieu of ceaseless intertwined transitions to suit the sounds. In the end, the audience is treated to Lollipops, an enigma that harks back to medieval times."
Beyond a musical review, the Museum of Contemporary Art of the Americas takes pride in concurrently presenting diverse art forms, like visual arts and music. This merger crafts a rich and multifaceted experience highly intriguing for our audience. Rock, being an artistic and cultural expression in its own right, can augment and enrich an art exhibit viewer's experience.
It became apparent that our venue isn't just a place to gaze at static objects but a lively and pertinent space to savor a multidimensional experience, where often entirely different artistic displays intertwine and mutually enhance each other. In today's world, dominated by screens and solitary stimulus consumption, such experiences offer a versatile and adaptable space to cater to varied interests, leaving attendees, many of whom are children and teenagers, with a sense that institutions perceived as solemn can also be quite fun. Regular visitors will notably sense a shift towards interdisciplinarity and crafting more integrated and diverse cultural experiences for the community.
