So smooooth...

Local celebrity (and fellow blog partner) Ray Milian just had an article published in the Miami New Times.

Whoever said nice guys finish last has obviously never had the pleasure of meeting Ray Milian, who's definitely one of the nicest guys in DJdom. But don't let the soft-speak fool you. For beneath that mild-mannered exterior lies the heart and the soul and the chops of a monster, a man who knows how to kick a mean beat and kick a floor full of asses while he's doing so.

Check out the rest of the article on the the Miami New Times site. Go Ray!

Since Ray has been DJ'ing for close to a century now, what better song than the Traks version of The Doobie Brothers' Long Train Runnin' (that Prince Language happened to drop at last week's Fourth of July set at APT). I had been secretly playing that song on my iPod for a bit and did a double take when I heard the infamous guitar lick on South Beach.

MP3: Traks - Long Train Runnin' (YSI)

I have been seeing a resurgence of these tracks from the late 70's (early 80's) in DJ sets lately (and blogs) and most notably with the internet sensation of Yacht Rock (friggin' hilarious). I am guessing our generation grew up listening to our parents play The Doobies, Loggins and Messina, Hall & Oates ("Your music scene is for pussies! Co-coa!" Just watch it...I can't stop laughing) and now we realize the profoundness of the music? No wait that can't be it. I know! It's because it's soooooo smooth you can't deny it!

DISCLAIMER: Please Mr./Ms. DJ do not start playing EVERY SINGLE ironic Yacht Rock song in your set like you have just discovered some unreleased gem that no one has ever heard. The dance floor is not a doctor's waiting room. Unless, of course, you happen to be throwing a Yacht Rock party in DC (that my friend happens to be hosting) at @ Cafe Saint-Ex).

Yacht Rock - Episode 1
What A Fool Believes


Traks performing Long Train Runnin' (don't know how "live" this really is...)

488 Words About Styrofoam

Not quite, more like this guy... Arne Van Petegem, a one man glitch electronica artist from Antwerp, Belgium better known as Styrofoam. Having worked with the cream of the crop in his genre (The Notwist, Lali Puna, mum, The Postal Service, Das Pop) and been signed to Morr Music, the definitive IDM label, he has been able to fine tune his style and it shows in his latest release A Thousand Words. He has a slew of guest vocalists backed carefully crafted beats and electronic flourishes. I have only been playing the album for a couple of days, but I can see myself setting this record for a long play. The different vocalists help to keep things interesting, and the tracks going beyond those ethereal sounds some electropop songs have that might put one to sleep. Maybe this is the next The Postal Service Ray has been waiting for?

I really need to stop referencing that band as the go-to example for any electropop band this decade, for example Styrofoam was around a few years before PS's Give Up. The Postal Service might have been the one to break into the mainstream but they are not necessarily the ambassadors of the genre. Ben Gibbard actually also just recently quelled some rumors about the futures of The Postal Service...basically don't hold your breath.

“The second Postal Service album is threatening to become the Chinese Democracy of indie rock,” Gibbard tells Rolling Stone. “It will come out eventually, or maybe it won’t.”

Back in 2004, Ben also did the vocals to Styrofoams track, Couches in Alleys.

Anyways, back to artist named after packing material,his music, as opposed to sounding cold and robotic as the genre he falls into (by default) implies, has depth and a definite human touch. With each successive listen, you peel a layer back just to find something new you had not heard before...

Oh and he also has a blog, Styrofoam's Starry Skies.

I am including a remix Styrofoam did of a local Miami band (and very good friends of the blog) Dance, Jenny. Check them out too. I have an (quite possibly the only?) autographed copy of their album La Música Pop. Maybe I should drop that sucker on eBay and score some big bucks! They had a free remix EP up for download a while ago called McDonalds Put Me To Work featuring the remix below by Styrofoam and others by chiisai-oto, Sleepy Eyes, and the_viirus. If you guys are nice, drop me an email (and a comment or two every once in a while would be nice too) and I'll send you a digi-copy.

And after talking so much about The Postal Service... why not a Styrofoam remix of said band also?

MP3: The Postal Service - Nothing Better (Styrofoam Mix)
MP3: Dance, Jenny - Sex is Free (Styromix by Styrofoam) // (zp3)

From A Thousand Words
MP3: Bright Red Helmet
MP3: A Thousand Words

(And yes, according to MS Word (minus this note) the blog is 488 words long.)

DAMN SON! Tuesday @ Jazid (Upstairs)

Quite possibly the oddest Damn Son Promo Video Yet! Yours truly, Maury, Depeche Mode, Jesus & Lesbians! I always wanted to be David Gahan! Lol... I'll be doing a Guest Spot Next Tuesday, May the 26th at my old Tuesday stomping ground Jazid. If your in the area come on by...

Damn Son!
Tuesdays @ Jazid (Upstairs)
1342 Washington Ave
Miami Beach
Starts @ 11
No Cover!!
$5 Drink Specials All Night Long!

Bullet Park

Miami based electronic band 'The Waterford Landing' have just released 'Bullet Park'. This EP is their follow-up to their excellent self titled debut album which they released a couple years ago. I featured 'Skylark' a dark/synthy dance track from their debut on a PopLife Compilation CD in 2005. They also won Best Electronic Act in 2006 by the Miami New Times in it's popular yearly 'Best of Miami' Issue. Not too shabby for these local musicians who have been at the game, albeit with different projects for awhile.

Their first album was more of a New Order/classic electronic sounding affair. This new 5 Song Bullet Park EP sees them experimenting a bit more and trying out new things. Some songs are more pop oriented 'Folksong #1', 'Theme from Through the Night', some more experimental 'GetBent', 'Bullet Park'. One thing's for sure they're definitely growing as a band and trying to push the envelope, which is what every artist should strive for.

Great comic book style artwork by Dan Goldman as well.

Go to their website at www.thewaterfordlanding.com or their myspace link above for more.

My favorite track so far is the intrumental opening track 'Theme from Through the Night' and the self titled closer Bullet Park. I'm only gonna put these on YouSendIt, so they'll be up for a week or so. Get'em while they're hot!

You can buy their EP & album online at CD Baby.

MP3: Theme from Through the Night (YSI)

MP3: Bullet Park (YSI)

Here's the sleek sounding Skylark from their debut album.

MP3: Skylark (Edit) (YSI)

Foam City

(It seems the original higher quality version wasn't playing nice with IE... So here is the YouTube version... I'm waiting for YouTubeHD....)

About a month ago Sony with the help of Fallon London came to Miami to film a commercial for their line of digital products. They turned downtown into Foam City. Sucks I was at work when this happened. I live literally across the river from where this took place. I can see many of these buildings from my balcony.

Sneak some stills from the shoot here and some more over at Sony UK.

FINALLY!

Guess who I am finally going to see in concert on Wednesday?
Close but no cigar...
Much better. FINALLY! I get to see Spoon! Living at the tip of the United States, has a few perks (mainly the weather and croquetas) but sadly many tours leave us out in the cold (75 degree weather). The ones that do come down, figure that Broward country is close enough for people from Miami to drive to. Ugh.

Who cares?? I'm going to see Spoon!!!

Add to the bill The White Rabbits and The Walkmen and the evening is a sure hit.

So first up is the track that got me enamored with the band.

MP3: Lines In The Suit (YSI)

It is easily it is one of their best songs.

The next are from Spoon's latest single, Don't You Evah. The Matthew Dear mix is a dance floor ready, singable version that ends up with all the instruments swirling around you. The Diplo mix (it is a promo mix, so it fades out halfway through.. very slowly...) slows the beat down a bit and throws in a nasty bass line.

MP3: Don't You Evah (YSI)
MP3: Don't You Evah (Matthew Dear Mix) (YSI)
MP3: Don't You Evah (Diplo Remix) (YSI)

Oh and I almost forgot. I got really bored and created a "city" at http://www.myminicity.com/. And I need people to visit it for it to grow. So help a brotha out! Just click that link. That's it!

So to increase the population of Cabezitaville click here. Then to help increase industry click here. Leave a comment if you want! I want the stupid city to get past its Mongolia status.

Oh and Spoon is playing at the Culture Room on Wednesday. Oops. I meant Revolution! Which is actually way better, Culture Room gets too packed. Thanks to Jennifer for catching this!!

Why I Love This Disco Thing::A New York Story

Wednesday, March 26th, yours truly, Off the Radar and the guys from Apartment Thursdays, will present two of NYC's best for Winter Music Conference!

JACQUES RENAULT & LEE DOUGLAS!!!!!!! PLUS JUST ADDED :: JUSTIN MILLER (DFA)!!!

(Sorry if I come across as being overly excited, but I would be lying a**hole if I said I wasn't)

For the past year amazing disco edits, re-edits, re-works... (guys, honestly, the "re" phrase? I digress, that's a whole other write up) At the forefront of the best of them you'll find Lee Douglas & Jacques Renault. No disrespect to Todd Terje, Lovefingers, Dj Spun and endless others who are absolutely jaw dropping, but this post is about the aforementioned, so lets delve into their music a bit. Both of these cats hail from Brooklyn and have earned their chops creating and editing that ever beautiful Disco Beats for quite some time. They've mastered the art of the edit and can turn 70's obscure disco didley's into a full on club experience.

Now before you get the wrong idea, when I say 'Club', I am not referring to mega glowing crucifixes, neon advertisments, and distorted beat arrangements (which is alright if that's your thing) I'm refering to a gathering of smiling people, dancing, strutting, feeling a groove.

If you don't feel me, listen to the interlude intro to Marvin Gaye's 'Got to give it up', then multiply that feeling by 100! That's Lee Douglas & Jacques Renault! It's no secret to the rest of the world or influential labels like DFA with which they've worked/spun with. They've graced turntables across the globe spreading their disco gospel. Church is in session March the 26th!

Jonathan

MP3: Lee Douglas - New York Story

MP3: Lee Douglas - Our Song (YSI)

MP3: Eddie Kendricks (Lee Douglas Edit) - Thank you for the Memories

MP3: Runaway (feat Jacques Renault) - Shadows (YSI)

MP3: In the Middle of the Night (Renault Edit)

MP3: Norman's Fire (Renault Edit)

Jacques Renault & Lee Douglas spin Wednesday, March the 26th in their Exclusive WMC Performances @ PS14 for the Off the Radar 3 Year Anniverssary! Scroll down for the full line-up...

APT Moves to Love/Hate + Off the Radar/APT WMC 2008 & 3 Yr Annv!

Hey guys unfortunately the great folks over at Abraxas are having some issues at the moment and are not gonna be able to host our weekly APT 407 party... I know we're bummed too, luckily the nice folks over at Love/Hate have been kind enough to offer us their venue Thursday Nights. I'm sure most of you (from Miami) have already been to Love/Hate, but if you haven't it's a pretty sweet spot owned by the Miami Ink guys with a great sound system, full liquor bar and in walking distance of Abraxas. Check out some pics below. We hope you guys can make it this Thursday, March the 20th for our Housewarming Party! We're gonna be Off the following Thursday due to WMC (Love/Hate was already booked) so we hope you can make it Thurs. It's pretty late notice so please spread the word/repost if you can. Since Love/Hate is booked for WMC we will be holding our Scheduled APT/Off the Radar WMC Event next Wednesday, March the 26th as a One Off @ PS14. Scroll down for the full line-up. We hope you can make it to both events! Thanks!

Cheers!

APT Crew



APT 423
Thursdays @ Love/Hate
423 Washington Ave
(Between 4th and 5th on Washington)
Miami Beach
Rotating Beer/Shot Specials Weekly!
No Cover
Doors 11 PM








Off the Radar + APT
WMC 2008 + Off the Radar 3 Yr Anniverssary Celebration
Wednesday, March the 26th
@ PS14
28 NE 14 ST
Downtown Miami
Doors 10 PM
$10 Cover
offtheradarmusic. com

Tickle You With Cuteness

Miami artists/designers/friends Friends With You have created a wonderful new film as part of the Zune Arts program along with some artwork to decorate your Zune. Aaand Santogold has provided the musical backdrop with her song Say Aha.

The film is filled with puppets, magics jewels, and a pair of fuzzy characters as the protagonists. The story even has a moral to it. Be nice alright? I really enjoy how the duo explore the idea of mysticism and symbols by using ideas and concepts from past cultures but interpreting them in their projects. These narratives help to explain their ideas.

As for the film itself, the stop animation is awesome and now that CGI is everywhere, it is nice to see other media used to create animations. And a fantastic track was chosen as the musical score.

Good job Zune team! But I still love my iPod.

While we are on the topic, anybody actually own a Zune? I remember the hype about the Zune Social (the social ended a while ago) and the device being an iPod killer but ever since the 2nd generation's delay I think the player has fallen by the wayside. However this Zune Arts program is pretty interesting and relevant unlike its circuit board counterpart.

Tickle Party
Friends With You

I am posting (the much blogged) track Creator which illustrates the similarities between her and M.I.A. But after listening to more of Santogold's tracks you can tell that she is not a copy of M.I.A. (watch the film for another style of hers). This track below however has some out of control beats and basslines.

MP3: Santogold - Creator (YSI)

More Radiohead Tour Details

My last post was a little anemic. It was early and I was too tired. So here are some more details...
Radiohead Tour Dates

West Palm Beach Info (Sorry that's all I personally care about...hehehe)

Ticket prices are anywhere from $32.50 - $55.00. Pretty damn fair if you ask me. Last time I saw them was at the same place (different flavor of a corporate sponsor, was it Sound Advice Amphitheatre? Are they even around anymore).

They go on sale THIS Saturday (2/16/08) at 10:00am.

Tour Schedule
05-05 West Palm Beach, FL - Cruzan Amphitheatre

Everybody else...
05-06 Tampa, FL - Ford Amphitheatre
05-08 Atlanta, GA - Lakewood Amphitheatre
05-09 Charlotte, NC - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
05-11 Bristow, VA - Nissan Pavilion at Stone Ridge
05-14 St. Louis, MO - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
05-17 Houston, TX - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
05-18 Dallas, TX - Superpages.com Center
06-06 Dublin, Ireland - Malahide
06-07 Dublin, Ireland - Malahide
06-09 Paris, France - Bercy
06-10 Paris, France - Bercy
06-12 Barcelona, Spain - Parc del Fòrum
06-14 Nimes, France - Arenes
06-15 Nimes, France - Arenes
06-17 Milan, Italy - Civica Arena
06-18 Milan, Italy - Civica Arena
06-20 Neuhausen ob Eck, Germany - Southside Festival
06-22 Scheeßel, Germany - Hurricane Festival
06-24 London, England - Victoria Park
06-25 London, England - Victoria Park
06-27 Glasgow, Scotland - Glasgow Green
06-29 Manchester, England - Lancashire County Cricket Club
07-01 Amsterdam, Netherlands - Westerpark
07-03 Roskilde, Denmark - Roskilde Festival
07-04-05 Werchter, Belgium - Rock Werchter Festival
07-06 Arras, France - Main Square Festival
07-08 Berlin, Germany - Wuhlheide

Here is We Suck Young Blood from 2003 the last time they were at West Palm (check out Thom's hilarious dedication to Clear Channel) and the crowd's response.

No Kinda Boys

This one is going to be REALLY quick. Things are busy at work and a guy's gotta have his priorties.

Anyways, The Junior Boys are still working on the follow-up to their brilliant sophomore album This Is Goodbye. In the meantime, they hooked up with Germany's Get Physical Label (M.A.N.D.Y., Booka Shade)to put together Body Language Six which includes an exclusive new Junior Boys track.

Among the artists the guys have selected are Matthew Dear, Studio, Supermayer. It's a really well put together set. It might be a little minimal for some but the Kelley Polar track is INSANE.

Anyways, I am ambivalent about the Junior Boys track. It really belong as the album closer but I think they felt it strange to end with their own track and dumped it in the middle of some others.

Take a listen (Oh, it is a DJ mix CD, so the tracks are seamless between each and you are going to hear the start of the next song at the end):

MP3: No Kinda Man (YSI)

And Miami, they're coming back this way for WMC on March 27 to Studio A . If you missed them last year, you have a second chance! I'm wondering if this is a DJ set though? Last year was a full concert with Lo Fi Fnk opening. Great show! And I even got to hang out with them during their sound check during the day.

Oh and remember Inner City? Good life... Good life... Good life... Good life... well they're back, kinda, with a remix of another song from the same period. What makes it a big deal is that Simian Mobile Disco is the one that produced the remix. Paris Grey's vocals take me back. (When's the Soul II Soul reunion?)

Check out the video for Good Life at Nefarious Girl!!

MP3: Big Fun (Simian Mobile Disco Remix) (YSI)

*UPDATE: It's a WMC DJ set. So I wonder if this Body Language album is a preview? Or if they go in a different direction when DJing live?

Get Your Itinerary Ready

Worm-Hole Labs does it better than I do, so here is a listing of all (most?) Art Fairs taking place this week in Miami via Worm-Hole Laboratories (20+ fairs!!)

Here is my tentative schedule. Subject to ridiculous change as the evening progresses. In fact, you can take this with a grain of salt...

Tuesday
NADA Opening @ Ice Palace (Deerhoof!)
Takeshi Murakami @ Prive

Wednesday
ArtPositions
Iggy Pop & The Stooges
Cocorosie @ The Raleigh Hotel (good luck)
Jorge Sanchez Gallery
DJ Language @ White Room

Thursday
Generators ABMB @ Upper Eastside Garden - High Places performing hosted by Dublab and P.S.1 Art Radio
SCOPE Opening @ Opium (Ray will be DJ'ing with Induce)
APT407 @ Abraxas Lounge (Where I'll be DJ'ing with Ray and Friends...)

Friday
SCOPE Art Fair
Bridge Art Fair @ Catalina Hotel
GenArt Vanguard Exhibition Opening @ Palm Court (Ray will be Dj'ing)
Glass Candy @ Studio A
Italians Do It Better @ PS14

And that's only through Friday and only the evenings (except Friday, got the day off!). There are so many things to check out. Le Baron throws THE party to go to every year but I think this year they missed the mark by choosing Rok Bar as their venue but don't blame them, everything was booked by the time they started looking! That place will reach capacity in ... oh wait, it's already full. Private parties on yachts and million dollar homes. After parties for the after parties... and the art, welcome to CostCo for billionaires!

The best part of Art Basel week(end) are the surprises, you have no idea who you will meet, what you see, when you will be at a certain place, but the experience is unforgettable.

Postings will be a little sporadic this week. Back to our regular scheduled programming as soon as the writer's strike is over or Art Basel. Whichever comes first.

Murakami @ Prive

So I told myself I was going to limit myself to one event a night until Thursday since I have Friday off. Yeah, go ahead and forget those plans. So after the NADA opening (with Hot Pants DJ'ing), I will be heading off to Prive for the Takashi Murakami show.

Win Passes to see Deerhoof and Ken Kagami

The NADA Art Show Preview Party
Ice Palace Studios
Tuesday, December 4th, 8:30PM
1400 North Miami Ave

These are special price passes for reduced admission (regular tickets are upwards of $100 to $200 the day of the show! See online.). It's hard enough to get into special events during Basel, let alone pay less than the general public.

All you gotta do is leave a comment with your favorite Art Basel memory or what you would like that memory to be and we will randomly pick 2 responses to get 2 fliers each for reduced admission. LEAVE a way to contact you on the comment (email, MySpace, phone, beeper, etc...)

*Since the show is next week, we won't have time to mail them out, you will have to visit Ray at Circa28 for CircaSaturdays or Purdy Lounge for Chocolate Sundays (backroom) to pick them up. Deadline is Saturday evening~ish.

More Offsite Art

SCOPE Miami is another art fair not officially affiliated with Art Basel but occurs at the same time. It is the 6th anniversary of this emerging art fair, and it has expanded in size and reach. Over 98 exhibitors from 22 countries, and a new artist designed 60,000 square foot pavilion in the Wynwood Art District near the Rubell Family Collection, the Margulies Collection, and other Miami galleries this is a definite place to check out. Many say this fair trumps the one at the Miami Beach convention center (but it's a matter of taste and money).
There is so much going on there, take a look at the schedule and see what interests you. DJ Spooky even leads a panel discussion.

Admission is $12 unless you have a Scope VIP card.

Another cool thing I forgot to mention are the shuttle buses running between various events. There is a shuttle running daily to the SCOPE pavilion from The Standard Miami Beach, the Raleigh Hotel and Art Basel Miami Beach (Miami Beach Convention Center).

SCOPE Miami
Roberto Clemente Park
101 NW 34th St
Wynwood Art District, Miami

Here is where Off the Radar comes in....

On Thursday off-site from the fair, is the Scope Opening Party @ Opium Garden

VIP Card Holders and Exhibitors are invited to celebrate the official launch of SCOPE Miami 2007 with a Grey Goose cocktail or a chilled Grolsch Swingtop. I spoke with Andrea of SCOPE last night and she said that if you did not have a pass there would be a cover charge, but since when has that stopped Miami's finest night crawlers?

AHEM!!

In the Garden: Music provided by Ray Milian (Off the Radar, Apt 407, The Attic, Circa Saturdays, and Chocolate Sundays)

In the Imperial Room: Dj Busquelo (Radio show host of NYC "Mambo Machine") and Candela All Stars dj set ("Mi Swing is tropical")

Kid Robot Miami Beach Grand Opening

This is a very good thing for the town. The arrival of Kid Robot, indicates to the world's growing attraction to Miami. While it seems many residents are tired of the city, the world keeps flocking here. Yes, the city is young, and there a gazzillion anonymous commentors that try to compare it to NY and indicate how the "scene" doesn't exist or it is lame or the people do not support. That nobody comes out and blah, blah.

Well, they came out yesterday for the opening of Kid Robot. Hundreds of people lined Collins Ave hoping to get one of the limited edition Miamified 305 Skullhead Dunnys designed by Huck Gee and get a sneak peak of the store. I spoke to one guy at the front of the line (he had #49 of 250 reservations for the figure) and he had arrived around noon. AND from New York. Just to get the Dunny. He had a determined look on his face and anxiously kept an eye on the door to see when he would be allowed i, making sure no one sneaked by. A few minutes later, I saw him get his Dunny, tear open the foil and walk over to Gee to get it signed.

But the store, that's why I went. Inside, Kid Robot style colors exploded everywhere. All of the toys methodically arranged on the outer walls, with clothing and bags in the back of the store. They have a similar strategy like Base on Lincoln Road where the stock is stored in the back of the store and if you would like to purchase anything (minus a few products) a sales rep needs to go to the back and get it. Smart move, it allows a lot of products with minimal floor space taken up. If anyone has been to the closet of a store they have in Soho, you will feel like you walked into an airplane hanger when you go to the new beach location.

We jumped in line which conveniently moved as a snail's pace along one of the display walls and I picked up a few Smorkin' Labbits and T-shirt I have had my eye on. After chatting with some friends that were there and headed off to get ready for Apt 407.

Here are some photos of the night. I couldn't take any photos outside because I only had my camera phone with me and they would not have come out too well (and because I forgot). Tom (Grizzle) from Ocean Drive was there taking photos so I'm sure there will be some better quality ones soon.

Appropriate tune for toy shopping.

MP3: Alphaville - Forever Young (YSI)

Anybody care to join me?

We join the ranks of New York, Los Angeles, Toronto and San Francisco with our own Kid Robot store! I'll be there in my monkey suit straight outta work. (FYI... The only sticker I have allowed on my car is a Kid Robot sticker.)

Remember my wish list? You can go ahead and get me anything you want from here.

A-N-Y-T-H-I-N-G

Click for a clearer photo. I was too lazy (and too full from Pollo Tropical) to resize...

Art Positions: Iggy Pop and the Stooges

A must go to event every year is the opening of Art Positions (also known as the "Containers") on Collins and 21st St in Miami Beach. It is an exhibition of young galleries in cargo shipping containers converted to public art spaces. It gets crowded, so in order to appreciate the art arrive early or come back during the day (there are events all weekend).

It is also the home base of P.S.1's art internet radio station WPS1. (P.S.1 is the Contemporary Art Center affiliated with the MoMA).

Opening night of the event has a special free performance by Iggy Pop and the Stooges at 10:00pm. The location could not be better. They set up a stage right on the sand and for anyone that has not been to Miami in the winter, let's just say we are the envy of the nation. Past performers have been Fischerspooner, Scissor Sisters, The New York Dolls, and Peaches.

Check out a recent interview with Iggy Pop over at Pitchfork.

NOTE: The show runs on time, so when they say 10pm that means Iggy is strutting his stuff on stage at 10pm.

Containers lined up/stacked up/filled up

Art Positions

Featuring new work by
Ryan McGinness
assume vivid astro focus

plus

Skate Ramp & Cafe Installation
Skateboarding Demonstrations
DJ Dance Nights
Open Air Cinema
Live streamcasts from Miami Dec. 5-9, 2-5 p.m. US Eastern Time and on WVUM 90.5 FM in Miami (University of Miami, Coral Gables)

Here are some classics to get you in the mood!

Well c'mon!

MP3: Penetration (YSI)
MP3: The Passenger (YSI)
MP3: Search and Destroy (YSI)
MP3: I Wanna Be Your Dog (YSI)

DJ Booth or Lookout tower?

Onslaught of Art to Commence Shortly

Next week starts one of the most (if not the most) spectacular weekends in Miami. From the horse's lips:

Art Basel Miami Beach is the most important art show in the United States, a cultural and social highlight for the Americas. As the sister event of Switzerland's Art Basel, the most prestigious art show worldwide for the past 38 years, Art Basel Miami Beach combines an international selection of top galleries with an exciting program of special exhibitions, parties and crossover events featuring music, film, architecture and design. Exhibition sites are located in the city's beautiful Art Deco District, within walking distance of the beach and many hotels.

And honestly I cannot disagree. What makes it more amazing and even larger than life, is that there are dozens of other shows, private exhibits, and parties that occur at the same time (using Art Basel's popularity to draw the crowds) and it becomes a feast for the eyes, ears and mind all over the greater Miami area and not just Miami Beach were the majority of the official Art Basel events take place. I am not an art scholar or critic, I just know what I like and what moves me. So I will try and highlight shows I think (or have heard) are worth attending and hopefully discover some new along the way.

One of the (let's call them companion shows) is the New Art Dealers Alliance (N.A.D.A.) Art Fair at the Ice Palace film studios. This show is full of contemporary art with the goal of making art more accessible to the general public, and nurturing the growth of emerging artists, curators, and galleries.

The show is FREE to the public and highly recommended if you are in town next week. It closes daily at 7pm, except Sunday at 4pm. On Tuesday is the opening night preview with a special performance by Deerhoof! And featuring the art of Ken Kagami (who designed the artwork for Deerhoof's Milk Man album). I think he might be performing with the band? Who knows what can happen it's Basel. More info about the fair here.

Now about that opening preview, if you go to the NADA site, you can buy tickets there for $100-$125, which prices going up to $200 that day of the show!! The lovely Lolo of Sweat Records (go visit the new store location that opens THIS Friday @ Churchill's) happened to give us a little stack of special invites for reduce and I mean REDUCED (speculation is $10-15 but don't quote us) admission to the show... All you gotta do is leave a comment with your favorite Art Basel memory or what you would like that memory to be and we will randomly pick 2 (maybe more, if you're nice) responses to get two fliers each for reduced admission.

Deerhoof @ Ice Palace Studios
Tuesday, December 4th, 8:30PM
1400 North Miami Ave

Since the show is next week, we won't have time to mail them out. So you will have to visit Ray either at Circa28 for CircaSaturdays or Purdy Lounge for Chocolate Sundays (backroom) to pick up your tickets. Hop to it! Deadline is Saturday evening~ish.

UPDATE: Just realized that you guys will have to leave your email (or some way to get a hold of you, MySpace, etc...) so that we can communicate with the winners!

Here is a nice collection of Deerhoof tunes that spans a few albums including their most recent LP, Friend Opportunity.

MP3: Deerhoof - Green Cosmos (YSI)
MP3: Deerhoof - Siriustar (YSI)
MP3: Deerhoof - Chi-tan First Guitar (YSI)
MP3: Deerhoof - +81 (YSI)

Check back through the week, for more Art Basel updates/suggestions/comments/sightings/musings...

Wh-what? Do my eyes decieve me?

I think this is the first time I am excited for the Langerado Festival!

It takes place from March 6th through March 9th (of next year). Check out this line up. I started highlighting the blog favorites and I realized it was a huge part of the list. Local favorites The Spam Allstars and Awesome New Republic are also playing. I'm sure as the festival gets closer we will have more info and definitely photos of the event after.

(Have you guys realized it's Thanksgiving NEXT WEEK????)

Beastie Boys • R.E.M. • Phil Lesh & Friends • 311 • Matisyahu • Thievery Corporation • The Roots • Gov't Mule • Ani DiFranco • Ben Folds • G. Love & Special Sauce • Medeski, Scofield, Martin & Wood • Built to Spill • The National • Les Claypool • Umphrey's McGee • The Disco Biscuits • Mickey Hart Band • of Montreal • Robert Randolph & the Family Band • The Wailers • funky Meters • Citizen Cope • Antibalas • !!! • Dark Star Orchestra • Ozomatli • Sam Bush • Minus the Bear • Ghostland Observatory • Arrested Development • Blind Melon • Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars • The New Deal • Benevento Russo Duo • Perpetual Groove • Railroad Earth • Martin Sexton • The Avett Brothers • Grace Potter and the Nocturnals • The Walkmen • Dr. Dog • Indigenous • State Radio • Vampire Weekend • The Bad Plus • The Felice Brothers • Pelican • Yard Dogs Road Show • Brett Dennen • Earl Greyhound • The New Mastersounds • Dan Deacon • Josh Ritter • Pete Francis • Ryan Shaw • Blitzen Trapper • matt pond PA • The Dynamites feat. Charles Walker • Bassnectar • Balkan Beat Box • The Lee Boys • Shout Out Louds • Golem • The Wood Brothers • Busdriver • RAQ • Will Hoge • Spam Allstars • Phix • American Babies • The Heavy Pets • Backyard Tire Fire • The Postmarks • Steel Train • Hoots and Hellmouth • Jonah Smith • Pnuma Trio • Awesome New Republic • That 1 Guy • Trevor Hall • American Bang • School of Rock All-Stars •