Miami definitely has musical seasons based around the big international events that roll through town. The winter, or rather November and December, tend towards the artsy and experimental, with everything coming to a head with a string of performances around the time of the annual Art Basel Miami Beach fair. By February, things are gearing up for Winter Music Conference, and then until the end of March, it’s all about electronic music. WMC, though, creates a real fatigue, and that, combined with the annual summer slow-down, means that things get back into a more rock and roll mood for the locals. Lately that’s meant a lot of garage-y stuff — definitely not limited just to Miami, but swampy sounds jibe especially well with the summertime weather here.

Two of the best acts from this nascent scene are currently on tour. The Jacuzzi Boys have been blogged about on this site before, but they bear mentioning again as they’re one of the city’s up-and-coming best. Instead of playing the slick, dance-oriented hipster clubs, the Boys prefer scrappy warehouse and dive bar shows around town, quietly but steadily releasing lo fi jams that are gaining national traction.

The band’s currently on a full-scale national outing, although it’s been a while since the release of their full-length album last year. Still, they just released this video for the song “Smells Dead,” which has scored some extra cred points in the way of director John McSwain, who’s shot clips for VBS.tv and bands like Yo La Tengo.

Also currently on a national tour (a separate one) from the same related mini scene is solo artist Teepee, who started out as something of a journeyman player in nearly every likeminded band around town, but who’s branched out on his own. His work with other bands is loud and fuzzed up, but his solo sound ranges across a broader spectrum, favoring a slightly more left-field brand of psychedelia that recalls old greats like Tyrannosaurus Rex.

Back at home, the major coming rock event which both acts have played is the two-day So Raw Festival, which returns for its second year on June 18 and 19. A low-key but high-fun affair, it’s organized by a bunch of early 20somethings and always includes cheap beer and vodka with a low ticket price, ensuring good times for all.

This year ten bands are playing across two days, including some touring acts, but a good chunk of locals holding it down for real rock and roll. To celebrate, the So Raw folks are also opening a pop-up store in Miami’s Design District, run seven days a week and selling sundries like candy and cigarettes along with music and limited-edition artist-designed T-shirts.