Thursday, March 30

15th Annual Winter Music Conference

By Jeannie Long

What do a gazillion record execs, producers and artists have in common with a bunch of muscle bound Europeans and bikini clad Spring-Breakers wearing thongs? The 15th Annual Winter Music Conference. Held annually in South Beach, the conference unites electronic music fans by giving them a chance to see all their favorite artists and party like rock stars, er ravers, for six days straight.

Saturday, March 25:
While watching chicks in thongs and muscle-bound dudes in Speedos cruise Ocean Drive, it became apparent that 'The Thong Song' would reside in my brain for the entire trip. One may never really know who actually buys thong bathing suits, OR that it's not always the people who SHOULD, until they witness an overly orange-y tanned woman, who is obviously in her forties and has had about twelve kids, walking down the street sipping a margarita and shakin her ass at eleven in the morning. Not quite sure if this is what Cisqo had in mind when he wrote his thong ballad, but I'd bet not.

Spring breakers scammin' and cruisin' on Ocean Drive

It was my first day in Miami and I wanted to do it in style - hit all the best parties and hang out with all the really cool people. With that in mind, the MTV Beach Party sponsored by Coolworld Productions seemed like the day's deluxe event. Boy, was I wrong.

The promoters thought that it would a good idea to completely milk the conference and rape the ravers by charging an overrated $60 for admission. Hate to brag, but I was on the list, and was able to skate by without signing over my first-born. The "Rave and Bake" Event hosted a plethora of djs and live acts crowning four stages. The mixed crowd of ravers, overly tanned Europeans and Spring Breakers were slaves to the rhythm with the blaring sun doing justice to many-a-pale skinned folk. Ravers were evident in the crowd with their haven't seen the sun in 2 years tans and lollipops hanging out of their mouth. Oh-and don't worry the thong was also well represented at this event.

Paul Van Dyk, Sasha, John Digweed, DJ Rap, AK 1200, Icey, Simply Jeff and Hybrid were among others to perform at this heat-intensified event. Josh Wink belted out a high-energy techno set sending the crowd into a flurry. "It's just business," Josh told me later.

Aphrodite at Sputnik 7 party at Marlin, Bossa Nova/Sputnik 7 party at Governor

And, business it was. Obviously these people didn't learn anything from the hi-jinx that plagued this year's Woodstock. Instead, the promoters wanted to get the maximum dollar to be made. The drink lines were at least seventy-five feet long, where you were forced to buy a drink ticket first, then move on to the concession stands. A twenty-ounce bottle of water was $5. Yes, $5 - the same price as a beer and the only free water they were dishing out came from a trash tub. (Can I say NASTY!?!)

The highlight of the day was the F-111/iFUSE party, set on the top of the Sony Tower. Playing LIVE was the band Faze Action. They had a string section, as well as MCs to supplement the rest of the full band. Their sound mixes African, disco and jazz with contemporary beats, they remind me of Brooklyn Funk Essentials. It was a really mellow and chill vibe, combined with a killer view of South Beach and the ocean, which created a paradise I would've never expected. The Winter Music Conference is all about introducing people to new music and this is one band I would recommend to others.

Josh Wink at the MTV Beach Party

Sunday, March 26:
Today we spent time with a few up and coming artists from Astralwerks Records. We met Q-Burns from Q-Burns Abstract Message, Gearwhore, Q and Davey Dave from Uberzone and the Micronauts. What I learned from these artists is that many are moving towards live instrumentation in their recordings. I personally believe that this is going to put electronic music more in the mainstream. There's something to be said for a live band to be playing on stage, and having live performances will give electronic artists more credibility because most people want to see guitars. All of these artists were really nice and I'm looking forward to hearing their new material, which is due this summer from Astralwerks.

Spending the day hanging out with djs can really take it out of you, but while in Miami you have to keep going. So, we were off to The Governor Hotel for the Sunday Shining Party sponsored by Sputnik7.com, Bossa Nova, Palm Pictures, Direction and Guidance Recordings.

This was one of my favorite parties. It was a schmooze fest in the best way imaginable with many a music industry peeps scooping out the Supreme Beings of Leisure (who were incredible) as well as music by LA DJ Jason Bentley, Mocean Worker and David Alvarado. I found myself surrounded by so many talented artists - it was really surreal. I witnessed up and coming artists dishing out vinyl to dj's and asking them to play it.

The big event of the night - the Astralwerks party at Level was pretty hairy - and not in a good way. The guest list line was twice as long as the ticket holder line, everyone was dying to get in to see the Basement Jaxx, Gearwhore, Q-Burns and of course Fatboy Slim. Since there was a large presence of media at the Winter Music Conference, having a camera and taking pictures was not a problem at most parties. The camera friendly policy was not in effect at the Astralwerks party. Apparently, it's not cool to bring a camera into this nightclub - they don't allow flash photography inside. They also don't allow you to take out the batteries of the camera (note to Level Bouncers: this practice will disengage use of the camera and therefore the flash).

Short story - I was thrown out for having a camera. (Note to self: don't try and pull a fast one and pass the camera to your friend already in the club). Do you know how demeaning it is to be yelled at by a door-wench clad in a leopard dress that looks like a nightgown? Unfortunately, I do. Luckily, my friend Jimmy found a guy from Astralwerks who took my camera. I was then allowed in the club after a full-body cavity search (FUN!). The party was well worth the hassle - I got to see Gearwhore first - who's music is influenced by the old school 80's industrial sound. It was a different angle on most of the dance music I am used to hearing. His set got the crowd of thousands pumped up.

Next were Les Rythmes Digitales - who performed with a live band. Their music is really interesting - it combines disco music, house music and your standard funk. "(Hey You) What's That Sound" had the crowd bouncing - it samples Skee-Lo! The crowd was full of Miami-types (ya know-fake boobs, big heels, open chest with gold chains) - which was kind of frightening, but everyone was there for one purpose: the music. My purpose changed when I was offered $20 from a Barbie-esque bronze lady in the bathroom line to let her cut in front of me - nothing like a little free money to sweeten the evening.

Fatboy Slim then took the decks, jolting the crowd with a blast of adrenaline, bringing the energy level to new heights. There's just something about seeing a dj perform and witnessing his own enthusiasm for the music he's playing. He raised every record to the crowd after he pulled it off the decks, all the while dancing and having a good time with his pal who had a lampshade on his head. If you really want to see a great show filled with break beats and bass-building house music, the Fatboy Slim show is a must-see.

Monday, March 27:
Due to the over abundance of partying the previous night, the front desk was strictly directed to hold all of our calls while we "slept it off." Once we felt rested enough to meander back into party-mode, we made our way to Sputnik7.com's party at the Marlin and Kent Hotels. The party hosted dj's Mark Farina, Derrick Carter, DJ Spinna, Alex Gopher and Touche from the Wiseguys.

Monday could forever be known as Drum n Bass Day in Miami after the Studio K7, Compost Records, Revolution Magazine and Soundbreak.com party. Beats were hittin the wall at this party while The Smith and Mighty Soundsystem, Kruder & Dorfmeister, Jazzanova, Beanfield and a dj set by Stereo MCs performed.

I'm finding that more and more of the drum n bass dj's are adding an MC to their performances which is great to break up the sometimes monotony in the music. If I wasn't a fan of DnB before, I am now. Lady Miss Kier and Louise Rhodes belted out a beautiful set with A Guy Called Gerald: it was amazing. Other than the rain pouring down when we left the club, it was a glorious night.

Tuesday, March 28:
Today was a beautiful day in South Beach. I had lunch with Ruth Ann and Tim from Olive, they recently signed with Maverick Records and have a record coming out in May. You may remember them from their 1997 single "You're Not Alone." The new record is really laid-back and features a remake of 10cc's 1975 classic "I'm Not in Love." Sounded weird to me at first too, but it's a really beautiful song with Ruth Ann's angelic voice.

After basting in the Miami sun and swimming in the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean, I headed over to another party at the Marlin Hotel sponsored by Sputnik7.com with Palm Pictures and Direction. Tinfed performed as well as drum n bass/jungle dj's Aphrodite, Dieselboy, URB Magazine's Raymond Roker and DJ Suv of Roni Size's Reprazent. I ran into Eli Janney from Girls Against Boys and couldn't come up with anything clever to say, so my friends and I just sat at the table next to him and gawked. Yes, I am a dork. But, Aphrodite was amazing as usual, also featuring an MC to kick his music into high gear.

MTV Beach Party scene

After bobbing our heads at the Marlin, it was time to kick it over to the Jive Electro party for another poolside extravaganza. This time, break beats were the name of the game and DJ Icey was how we played. As much as I know of Florida based DJ Icey, he plays mostly his own music. This time, it was different. He played some block rockin beats (hopefully) from his new album - due out this spring - looped with his trademark sound in the background. After Icey's glorious set, the Detroit Grand Pu-Bahs performed. Their sound was bass-heavy and very loud. But, like most of the music I heard this weekend, they were really good.

Their set was cut short due to the much-anticipated performance by Groove Armada (ya know - "I see you baby - shakin that ass, shakin that ass"). And, boy was I excited. I had the chance to check out Groove Armada last time they were in Los Angeles, where they performed for over three hours, dishing out disco, house and funk to the crowd. They were really good and everyone at the party was completely stoked to see them. So, when they started out with their trademark song "I See You Baby," the crowd instantly started cheering. After that, there was silence. I'm thinking, "This is all we get? Their hit? That's bullcrap." But, sadly, the sound system blew and that was the end of that. Boo. So, I grabbed my gift bag full of vinyl and the Old School vs. New School, Volume 2 cd (which kicks ass, by the way) and headed out the door for another party.

We quickly stopped by another poolside party sponsored by XLR8R magazine (featuring Jazzanova) before heading over to the OM Records party at Lola's. Here, I got to hear a lot of really good jungle beats mixed and scratched by Ming & FS. My favorite was a remix of Blackstreet's "No Diggity" which sent my tired ass off the barstool and onto the dance floor.

Ming and FS at OM Records party at Lola's

Wednesday, March 29:
Today is the day I leave. I was extremely happy to be heading home to the solace and peace of Los Angeles. Remember, what happens in Miami, stays in Miami.