Pool Day

Hey kiddos! I'm still at the summer house and far, far from Miami but if i was in town I'd definitely be hitting up the Four Seasons pool for this. Uber cheap way to waste the day away.

From the release:
"Starting on May 16, Four Seasons Hotel Miami will offer access to its rooftop pool terrace Fridays through Sundays. The Dive Into Decadence pool pass is $25 per person per day includes a lounge chair, fluffy towels and poolside amenities such as Evian spritzes, cool towels, magazines and butler-passed frozen fruit. “We even clean your sunglasses,” says Koji Akaboshi, pool manager at Four Seasons Hotel Miami. Cabana packages are also available for $150 and include full day use of a cabana for 4 people, mineral water, fruit platter and one cocktail per person. Reservations are recommended as space is limited. For reservations, call 305-381-3037 on weekdays or 305-381-3190 on weekends."

Music: Might Like You Better

Peep game. Amanda's new single is the shit. Lots of new music out by some down people (It's Hardy Time!) but this one's my favorite so far. 'Course XXXchange is producing along with a little production help from Switch. Real Talk. Look for the full album, I Love You, on July 14. It's her solo debut!!!

Goodness: Cold Sweat

Season is officially over. That means emptier pockets but, hopefully, more parties for just the locals. And, when it comes to inventive ways to spend the summer, Sweat Records has always had Miami's back. Time to return the favor. Sweat has no A/C! I know, I know. A bit ironic. Laugh all you want but that's not a good look when it comes to summertime in Little Haiti. Of course, Lolo and fam have a plan.

Here's the e-mail they sent out:

COLD SWEAT - a fundraiser to get the store a new A/C system! If you've been in the shop lately, you know that our A/C is out again and it's freakin' HOT IN HERRRE. Yes, we know that we are called Sweat Records but summer is coming and this is no laughing matter!

So, this Saturday, April 11th from 7-9pm, we'll be holding a raffle party with great prizes for everyone who throws down to the cause. Prizes include:

* a pair of tickets for the Depeche Mode/Peter, Bjorn and John show in September
* a bottle of Belvedere and a table at The Vagabond
* 2 pairs of tickets for the Nine Inch Nails/Jane's Addiction concert in May
* a FriendsWithYou prize package
* a 3-pack of personal training sessions from Dan "Doormouse" Martin at CrossFit305
* an hour-long massage from Jsin (who was a massage therapist before joining Sweat!)
* 2 dozen Earthcakes vegan cupcakes in the flavor of your choice

AND MUCH MORE!

Now you may be asking, how do I enter? Well it's easy: either donate digitally via PayPal to info@sweatrecordsmiami.com starting right now, come by the store, or donate at the event on Saturday. $20 gets you one entry, $50 gets you 3 entries, and $100 gets you 7 chances to win! You don't have to be present at the party to win, but we will have catering by Cielo Cafè, ice cold beverages, and emcee JOSE EL REY helping us draw for the prizes!

The plan is to raise enough for a new system that will be installed before the giant party for Sweat's 4-Year Anniversary and Record Store Day on April 18th! Thanks for all the support!

Much love,
Lolo, Jsin + the Sweat crew


So, go spread the love. And I don't think the Sweat crew would be mad at you if you stopped by with some (all-natural?) popsicles in the meantime...just putting it out there.

WMC 09: Recovering from the Vapors

Yeah, so I know I went on and on about how I was going to post SO MUCH during Conference. And, like most of this narcissistic scene, I HATE waiting WEEKS for posts/pictures/videos to go up. Yet, here I am doing the same shit. I suck. Blah, blah, blah.

So, wanna know what happened? I slept on the Gansevoort's (not-so) plush carpet, a bench at PS14, 3rd Street Beach and, finally, in the driver's seat of my car when I was too tired to walk inside after an 18-hour drive home. I got bitched out by the management. I got a Scion haircut. I spent all my money by Friday and dipped into the petty cash. I ducked under velvet ropes. I dissed elevated booths with DJ Sega. I drank Sparks AND Mickey's. I saw every person that has crossed my path in the last 10 years (minus, notably, Michna, The Arab Parrot, Spankrock, Amanda Blank and Mapei). I was proposed to. I got dicked over on the cab fare by Hollywood royalty. I FORGOT TO TAKE PICTURES! Lil John stalked me. Lost and found my Blackberry 3x in one night. Twitter was ALIVE! I got LOTS of glass in my feet. I wrote a book with Frankie at The Room. I ate a cookie.

So, yep, a typical WMC in so many ways -- blurry. And, I'm sad to say that I wasn't as studious about my music this year as usual. To be honest, there weren't that many new faces (or old faces with new sounds) that excited me. I had my agenda and the dozen or so others that come along with knowing and hanging with so many people but in the end I was waiting for sets to just swallow me. Sometimes it useless to pre-plan what's going to be amazing. I definitely stumbled upon some goodness.

My favs? (in no particular order)

1) Hardy Boys in the Standard Spa

Duh. These dudes are amazing, I was IN A SPA DRINKING FREE MOET and Jake Jefferson shared a tub with Lloydski. Disco shower dude in a Speedo was the best!

2) U Don't Like Me, I Don't Like U at O.H.W.O.W. Gallery

Easily my favorite spot in Miami because it's mad chill and A-ron (and Karina!) are the shit. 8 beers and a banana for $8 from the bodega across the street. Drop the Lime, DJ Sega and South Rakkas Crew KILLED IT. Diplo + Lil John was interesting but I was a little too drunk and distracted 'cause I thought my foot was broken and I had glow stick poisoning (don't ask).

3) Felix the Housecat at Florida Room

This shit was RIDICULOUS. I left Purdy thinking WMC really was, finally, over and I fell into the Housecat with Lil John (again) holding it down on the private afterparty tip. Only, maybe, 20-30 heads in the place. I didn't think I EVEN liked House...


The few times I remembered I had a camera.

Hopefully some kind souls will give me some pics...pretty please?!?



I get by with a little help from my friends: Joel, Nayara, Robert, Lyla, Ani, Samantha, Andrew, Poncho, Laura, Emily, Jose, James, Caleb, Neil, Haran, Jonny, Nina, Jimmy, Craig, Ambar + everyone. xo.

WMC 09: I'm a Loser Vol. I

Ok, so my day could've been worse (see above). But, given that I'm lazy and whiny, I'm using the excuse of my missed connection and subsequent middle seat as an excuse for not putting all the shit that should be up right now. And the fact that it's already 1am and I doubt I'll make it to the Major party tonight. Blah.

Anyway, the rundown:

*All RSVP links below in Calender
*Updating Calendar SOON, I promise. Need to add the I Am Your Villain line-ups this week for Purdy Lounge (Oh Canada! on Wednesday, Spirit Animal on Thursday and Shit Ain't Over (Chocolate Sunday) on, duh, Sunday). Check them out. Also, the Dubstep I promised.
*Wanted to preview Skeet Skeet's party at the Gansevoort Pool (day) and the London Bass party (night), both tomorrow, but don't see it happening. Just go. They're all awesome. Pinky swear.

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WMC 09: Lost your luggage?

When JetBlue ships your luggage to Orlando or somewhere else that's obviously not Miami, hit up Diesel. Free Ultra tickets and they've always been pretty on point with their in-store DJs during Conference. You know, just in case spending money bores/depresses you.

WMC 09: Ultra Drum Circle

Ultra is green. Not as in the color, obviously, but as in the neo-hippie description assigned to anything that doesn't hurt (and sometimes actually helps) the environment. The festival's Eco Village, now in it's sixth year, features a recycling center for all those plastic water bottles, a few shops and some cool artistic displays. This year's include drums made from recycled plastic barrels by local artists Daniel Marosi and Eddie Bragin.

Here's Daniel's description of this year's interactive work:

The drums are recycled containers that are each uniquely adorned with our own spontaneous graffiti in gleaming metallic sharpie markers. Percussionists and enthusiasts have the chance to respond acoustically to the electronic mess happening all around them. All they have to do is pick up a drum and beat it. The sound is similar to congas. Deep and vibrant.


Though I don't know Eddie (yet), Daniel's a friend. Awesome one at that. Have to admit that I'm a little partial since his work often features lots of my other friends. This was last year's design for a canvas bag he did for Ultra featuring some people you may know.



And, my all-time favorite from the Marosi catalog.



So check him and his drums out if you make it to Ultra. Listen to the noise. Make some of your own.

WMC 09: Raleigh Hotel Deal

Totally not the type to subscribe to random services, especially those that tout "deals" ,come to your cell and use the word "tastemaker", but I signed up for Mobile Spinach when I saw that an e-mail only version was available. Verdict's still out but did get this:

Miami, The Raleigh offers discounts on rooms, food & drinks. March
23-29. Win 1 free room. Enter code to book.

The whole idea of this thing is that you can flash your phone instead of printing coupons or whatever. Anyway, if you STILL don't have a place to stay, put this on the expense account.

They also registered me to win tickets to the Om Records party (w/ hotel, etc) and discounts at some restaurant named Andu. Just so you know...

WMC 09: Beatport is Supposed to be Free ***UPDATED***

So, I go to register and get my little Remix Hotel pass thing only to find that they're charging $35-75. NAGL. Definitely want to check out the Martinez Brothers on Friday at the Beatport Pool Party but not really trying to pay. If it's that serious, I'd just hit this instead. In years past, the Remix pass has never really been a big deal. If they don't just wave you through, you can usually find one on the ground. But this year, that cheap little plastic card on a lanyard will get you a free ride on the shuttle going back and forth from The National to The Awarehouse. Apparently this new spot (which sounds suspiciously like an O.H.W.O.W. for yippies) is hosting organicArma, Swayzak, The Whip and Ellen Allien. Not really familiar. Moral of the story, the free shuttle could really come in handy. Anyone got any idea what's up with the Remix passes this year? Lemme know.

***UPDATE: Good Beatport News via Twitter: BeatportMikeL @e_y_k The BP party is still free! We have some comp tickets available at the door, so show up early @ The National to get em 4:57 PM Mar 19th***

WMC 2009 Schedule

Ok. Here you go. An exhaustive list of all the parties worth attending. I'm sure more will pop up so check back for updates. RSVPs, prices, venues, line-ups included. Mad free parties so don't be a sucker.

Music: Aaron Lacrate

The first time I saw Aaron Lacrate spin I had no idea who he was. It was WMC 2006 in that dingy little downstairs room of SoHo Lounge. Pretty much a perfect night. Andre Nikatina, Amanda Blank, Low B, Egg Foo Young. Sparks sponsored. Best Spiderpussy party EVER. Since then it just hasn't been meant to be. I've missed his sets at least five times this year...sometimes it happens like that.

Finally caught him at Afterlife a few Saturdays ago and it was amazing. Naturally most of Atlanta slept on it. Could've been worse...could've been the Toxic Avenger show at Lenny's. Sometimes I wonder what the fuck is wrong with this city? Whatever.

Of course I got pretty railed and my latent journalist decided it would be wonderful to do a little interview while he was packing up. This is what I got:



I should NEVER work while I'm drunk. Obviously.

Video: Loose, Spankrock & Benny Blanco feat. Amanda Blank

Once upon a September in Miami there was this wonderful thing called Contrapalooza. Aside from starring the obvious (DJ Contra) everyone amazing (ie the whole OMD familia) was there...Spankrock, Amanda Blank, Mapei, Juiceboxxx, Franki Chan, Egg Foo Young, Blu Jemz...yeah. You missed it. Psychedelics were imbibed, night magically turned to day and the OMD mansion was at full capacity. On the final fateful morning I found myself on Xavier's rooftop with this crew:



Drinking ghetto juice...



And, yes, Steel Reserve (not exactly pictured).



Back then the Bangers & Cash talk was buzzing but I was either too wasted or too hungover to have any idea of what these guys were up to. Fast forward a few months and I get an urgent e-mail to beat Pitchfork to the punch with a review and I spent hours listening (and learning) the album on some password-protected link. Now I can't step into a club without hearing at least a track or two worked into the set. B-boys (and girls) LOVE that shit.

The next phase of world domination? Lads and ladies, may I present the NC17 video for Loose: