Last Thursday, Gary Clark Jr. returned to Tampa on his “JPEG RAW” tour. The album of the same name continues branching out beyond the blues, exploring the genres of hip-hop, funk, and soul.

At the edge of Treasure Island, beyond the condos and beachfront franchises selling neon-syrup-cocktails, lies a different kind of beach bar. Nestled between the dunes and residences of Sunset Beach, you will find a local staple called Ka’Tiki. It is a place where buckets of beer bottles are shared between beach bums and bikers. A place where people have gathered for live music and camaraderie since its opening in 1982.

Since their adolescent years opening for acts like Marcus King and The Heavy Pets, Whale Feral has encountered some growing pains. In 2020 the band relocated from their Gainesville roots to founding members Matt Urban and Ricky Cagno's hometown of Tampa. After their new slate of bay area bookings was abruptly canceled due to the Covid pandemic, they confronted another hurdle- replacing two band members. Still, the Whales didn't flounder.