WMC Preview: Q&A With Booka Shade

The international dance floor domination of the German electro-house duo Booka Shade, as well as that of the record label they co-founded, Get Physical, came serendipitously. “The plan was not to have a plan,” says Arno Kammermeier, half of the twosome, of Get Physical’s heady early days. It was around…

WMC Preview: Q&A with Surkin

Angel GhostsSurkin, the self-proclaimed Internet child. Compared to most DJs, Benoit Heitz, better known as Surkin, is a relatively young to be so far ahead of the game. Yet, the 23-year-old proves he has plenty of maturity when it comes to laying down the beats. Tracks likes “Ghetto Obsession” and…

WMC Preview: Q&A with Carles of HipsterRunoff.com

Carles, is that you?When we heard that the “blog worth blogging about” Hipster Runoff was hosting a party during Winter Music Conference, we admittedly thought WTF. Not because it’s a bad thing, but because this means we might be able to meet the man (or woman, we aren’t sure) behind…

Crüe Fest 2 invading South Florida on August 27th

In case you’ve missed the last 38 chances this year to see Motley Crüe, don’t fret. The band has announced plans for the second Crüe Fest on August 27 at Cruzan Amphitheater. Nikki Six and pals will be bringing Godsmack, Theory of A Deadman, Drowning Pool, and Charm City Devils…

The Original Wailers

With Bob Marley at the helm in the late 1970s, the Wailers reengineered the reggae blueprint on Exodus by embracing pop, funk, and R&B and by teasing out multiple layers of riffs, melodies, and harmonies on each song. But even following Marley’s death, the band continued in various forms over…

Old Wives’ Tale

The Weston-based indie up-and-comers Old Wives’ Tale are nothing if not professional — the band’s entire existence argues further for the end of record labels. Its website and debut disc are snappily designed and art-directed by the band itself, with a high-gloss, new wave style much like the band’s music…

George Benson

As an ace jazz guitarist with a husky, syncopated voice, George Benson straddled the line between Quiet Storm R&B and adult contemporary during the mid-1970s and early 1980s. His singles from that era sound both of the time and utterly ageless: “Turn Your Love Around” predated the Police’s “Roxanne,” with…

Todd Rundgren

With his soaring voice and arena-rock fluency, Todd Rundgren seemed destined for hit-after-hit superstardom when he released his third album, the entirely self-recorded Something/Anything, in 1972. Looking back, though, it was clear that Rundgren had too many experimental itches to scratch — and the progression of his career has arguably…

Afro-Cuban All Stars Announce Miami Date

Even if you’re neither Cuban nor into Cuban music, you’ve no doubt heard of the Buena Vista Social Club, originally a members club where musicians would meet in Cuba during the 40’s, but better known for the rediscovery in the 90’s, championed in large part by American guitarist/producer Ry Cooder. …

Locals Only! Pre-WMC Show at Black Sheep Bar

EDM Productions and Gooshie House (from House 101 Sundays) will be hosting the 5th annual Locals Only! show at Black Sheep Bar on Sunday, March 22. This special pre-Conference gathering will feature a dozen-plus local DJs in an impressive 15-hour spinning marathon, and includes an exclusive live performance by soulful…

Former Circa 28, Electric Pickle, Opens Tonight

The Adventures of the Electric Pickle start tonight. When Circa 28 suddenly shut down last year, it came as a shock to many. Well its back, er, sort of. We reported about the Electric Pickle taking over the space back February, and just in time for Winter Music Conference, the…

Get Physical Miami Playground at Charcoal Studio CANCELED MOVED

Not happening! Back on!We received word that Get Physical Miami’s event Saturday, March 28 at Charcoal Studio has been canceled. Calls to Charcoal Studio confirmed that it was true. We still are looking into the specific reason why the party was scraped. We did some snooping around on our own…

WMC Preview: Q&A with Para One

Camille VivierPara One promises that cherries will be popped at Les Six Years du Institubes party at Louis Wednesday, March 25.While 2008 was a quiet year for Jean-Baptiste de Laubier — better known as Para One — 2009 promises to be a busy one for the DJ/producer. Laubier will be…

WMC Preview: Andy Butler of Hercules and Love Affair

Andy Butler, the cunning mind behind Hercules and Love Affair, is a champion of saucy, sweaty disco and house, and his DJ sets reflect this focused style. The group’s self-titled record was easily one of the biggest exclamation points in dance music’s lexicon last year. Alongside singers Nomi and Kim…

WMC Preview: Q&A with Late of the Pier

The English quartet Late of the Pier are among their homeland’s best, brightest young hopes, with all the high cheekbones and music press praise that usually entails. But don’t mistake them for one of the dour, fedora-ed Brit indie groups of recent years. This band makes fun music for the…

WMC Preview: Alex From Tokyo

via www.backroom-entertainment.deWorking in both New York and, well, Tokyo, the artist known as Alex from Tokyo has shifted from an experimenting house dabbler to a member of the lauded Berlin Innervisions label. Tokyo Black Star, his production group with Tokyo-based producer and engineer Isao Kumano, released their latest studio effort…

Coldplay announces May 15th date with Cruzan Amphitheater

Hold on to your heartstrings boys and girls: Radiohead Travis Coldplay is coming to Cruzan Amphitheater on May 15, bringing its signature brand of rock and roll to lucky South Floridians. Chris Martin and company just expanded their tour, and chose West Palm Beach to kick off their U.S. leg…