WMC Miami 2007
Drum & Bass writer Shamanta Chandran recollects on this year's journey to South Beach, Miami for the Winter Music Conference 2007.
Photography by Heather Shaw
It’s the most awkward time of year for most Torontonians. It’s supposedly spring, but the winter wind still tingles the skin and the long for warmth is a taste away. As awkward it may seem for most people, it’s a sure time for club heads and music fanatics around the world to head to a destination where they can embrace heaven at the Winter Music Conference in South Beach, Miami. It’s where music enthusiasts can dwell and drool over surreal instrumental riffs that could somehow be connected to the art of modern space and time. But in effect, from March 20th to 25th drum & bass heads, house heads, techno, hip-hop and break heads gather around the sunny sidewalks of South Beach every year. Originally a pow-wow for record label representatives, promoters and DJs to network, showcase skills and tracks, WMC is the ultimate destination where music business and pleasure go hand in hand since the 1980’s. I had the luxury to escape from my Toronto realm and immerse into Miami heat, where I could indulge and witness first hand the drum & bass scene during this international electronic surge.
My initial thought as I arrived in South Beach was to be physically and mentally prepared for more than a regular night of club hopping. In fact, it was more like 5 days and 4 nights all wrapped in to one. I drop off my bags in the hotel look behind me: Heather and her camera, check. Wallet, check. Bathing suit, check. Alcohol, check, check, check. And last but not least, The List. The List from WMC organizers that has the official line up of every single party. It can be a matter of closing your eyes, moving your finger on one page and saying “I’m gonna hit this party. With over 80 events taking place day and night, you’re bound to find one for you, with DJ lineups representing every subgenre of the electronic world.
“Alright. Good to go.” Heather downs her Corona, the bass from the iPod turns into bass from Studio A for the Bass Session, courtesy of DJ Craze, A-Trak, Krafty Kuts and more. This crew has been getting lots of publicity these days for their mashups and skillful turntablism. To be honest, I was a tad skeptical, with the lineup unlike what I had expected for my first Miami night. I was expecting a house vibe, although this was no house night, it is Miami and I was anticipating twirls and random half kicks in the air. Dead wrong. The wooden floors gradually got covered with Adidas laces and stripes as I start tasting empty gin and tonic bubbles. I look up and my heart is bumpin’. I became mesmerized by Craze’s nibble fingers from fader to table as his playful screwface makes the crowd perspire. “I screwface, you screwface” -- it was a new dance move as he switches from banging track to track. I look to my left; my girl is sitting on the speaker showing off the new dance move while she’s raising her gold chain and hand up in the air. “This is Why I’m Hot” mashed with Chilli Peppers; oh my God I love this track now. My face was so torn from feeling every grind in bass that I didn’t want to leave, but I probably would have looked twisted for the rest of my stay if I did. My thoughts came back to me, this is only the first night. Tomorrow is another club joint away.
11:00 AM, need water. Vitamin D is the only way to cure my hangover. Never fail, pizza and beer will be my savior. Interesting enough, our press package provided us with hangover pills. Sunglasses on and bathing suit on, we are South Beach. Scattered showers may have hindered the mood of some partygoers but the breaks of the sun maintained the vibe. Walking down Collin’s Ave, the ‘come hither’ whisper from each lounge bar and taunted us to drink and dance. People looked ready and it was easy to get suckered in. After all, we had to prepare. Prepare for another night. A night of World of Drum & Bass.
It was so nostalgic. I felt like I was 16 again walking up to gateways into a concrete building. Area 51 was the venue where BBC’s radio one/1Xtra gurus’ Grooverider, Fabio, Bailey with Shy FX, DJ SS and Dara provided pure rumbling drum & bass to the massive. MC Shabba and the gyrating Narni Shakers provoked every dnb head at the main stage. The stamina of Shabba’s R’s rolled at the same tempo as the Narni Shakers’ assets. These dynamic rhythms made it hard to believe that such gyrations are humanly possible. But once again I stand corrected. Jungle massive was in its true form on the main stage with blue and purple strobe lights and white round ceiling lanterns. I was amazed to hear such high frequency sound fade and crescendo as I stumble from room to room. I found myself next to the DJ booth and observe Heather coordinating each shot with dance. The screwface is back. “This music is hard!” the expression is written all over her face. My movement is slow motion now. I blame it on the Heinekens. No worries, I believe the intoxication brings out clarity in every beat. Arena parties are so convenient because if you are bored with a DJ set you can always mission to the next room and hear another. In my curious, matrix state, dark bassline drones drew me into a smaller room where Planet of the Drums spun deep, dark gut-wrenching drum & bass. Recognizing and enjoying different decibels of loud made me feel like I belonged in this intimate setting. As my eardrums popped and my sense of slow motion came surging back (blame it on the Heinekens), I proceeded back to the familiar dnb wobbles provided by Fabio at the main stage. The Narni Shakers were still at it. Then, with a rewind of a record it was a new day and new party.
By this time, water was alien to me and beer was suited best for survival. We were able to catch our breath at The Kent Hotel for an afternoon of drinks, music and some dancing. The Bassrush party definitely had a Miami feel with everyone smiling and DJs Chase and Status spinning under a canopy umbrella surrounded with palm trees. The ‘friendly’ music coming out of the speakers was a nice change to my distorted ears. I enjoyed people watching with my cold beer and noticed that even Heather got to twirl. Some of us reminisced about last night, while others came to the venue to do what WMC is known for, schmooze. We all shared our club and music experiences with people from all over. A whole day of schmoozing turned into night when it suddenly dawned on me that I only have one day left. We devoured pasta, and then found ourselves at the ViRAM party in downtown Miami. I didn’t feel as nostalgic this time. The rooms were replaced by levels where Virus Recordings and Ram Records showcased talent like Andy C, Ed Rush & Optical, Subfocus Moving Fusion and so much more. Heinekens weren’t slowing me down this time; I was still in my schmooze mood so I switched to a more sugary drink. The different dynamic between the two floors was unbelievable, and it was crazy to hear dnb from two totally different scales. Guided by the sounds of the familiar Andy C, you would find yourself pulled up and immersed by wall to wall people dancing under a halo of fantastic colours projected on faces lost in a trace produced by the massive projection screen above. Finding that common beat with only inches to move was an experience in itself, everyone had their own space and made use of it. With a little more than half a drink in my hand a quick decision was made to head back down. The Ram Records showcase had open room for socializing and an even smaller room for the underdog hard drum & bass fanatic. No strobe light or images, just dungeon dark glamour. The MC with his mic and head tilted back set off speedy lyrics while sweating on all those around him. Had to check for Heather, she was also on her schmooze tip, shooting snaps and receiving drinks. My mind was boggled with the entire crowd. I’d step back, take a sip and admire everyone just feelin it. By the end of the night we represented enough and we were known as ‘Toronto Trouble’.
Nothing like beautiful weather to warm the body and great breakfast off the beach side to nourish the soul. It was hard to imagine that this would be our last day of our Miami blitz. Within three fourths of our bottle of rum going down like butter, we got in a cab and headed off to our final club destination. Time was of the essence. We gallivanted to the sweet melodic sounds of dnb MC Tali strictly representing for the ladies, while the techno room with its dancing neon light and space age equipment dominated. In every space, love of the music was embraced. Our set time at hand came with a newfound apathy towards the music we love, and only reassured us as to why we came. We did not want to leave.
With sugar in our stomachs and clouds in our brain we set off at 7am with such distain.
The vibe never left us, beats embedded in our brain.
We arrived back in Toronto,
Feeling like we had accomplished out game. Scene.
Big up to the Toronto Massive. BOH!
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Bomb Article!!
A funny and good read. Keep them articles coming Sham!
PEACE!