Miami Horror has toured with the likes of Lily Allen and Phoenix on their respective tours, but the Australian synthpop band will make its first Louisiana appearance at this year’s BUKU Music + Art Project.
In 2007, band member Benjamin Plant began releasing remixes of songs onto a blog under the alias Miami Horror. The blog became successful, which inspired Plant to pursue a music career. He started to DJ at local house parties and nightclubs where he gained the attention of Virgin Records and later Electric and Musical Industries.
“Being able to make music for a living allows us to really focus on the art itself,” Plant said.
The band’s live shows consist of members Daniel Whitechurch, Aaron Shanahan, Josh Moriarty and Plant. After the release of its 2008 EP “Bravado,” Miami Horror began appearing at festivals such as Field Day and Big Day Out.
Using influences such as Prince, Michael Jackson, Pink Floyd and The Chemical Brothers, the band creates a progressive form of house music with passionate undertones.
Its first major single “Sometimes” played frequently on Australian radio stations and nightclubs. Miami Horror released its debut album “Illumination” in 2010 to favorable reviews.
The Australian music scene is “quite varied,” according to Plant. This diversity in conjunction with a supportive underground music scene has allowed Miami Horror’s music to be heard around the world.
“I think Australians are prepared to take risks to find their own place and sound a little more than Europe or America who are more genre-fied,” Plant said.
The band expressed its excitement to perform at BUKU this year. The members look forward to performing at the Ballroom and playing music with those who know and don’t know about them.
“We’re so happy to be a part of it this year,” Plant said. “We’re really excited to check out New Orleans, too.”
The band hopes to release its new album in August and plans to play a few songs from that album at BUKU. Miami Horror said its show is guaranteed fun and everyone should see for themselves.
“A [Miami Horror] show can possibly be a life changing experience,” Plant said, “but there will definitely be dancing.”
Miami Horror’s BUKU set will be on Friday at 6:15 p.m. at the Ballroom venue. Single day tickets are $89.50 for general admission and $209.50 for VIP. Two-day general admission tickets are on sale for $169.50.

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