I just returned from Miami for the 25th Anniversary of The Winter Music Conference or WMC for short. I’ve used the last few days to reflect upon my 6 days there and as well as recover from the damage I put my body through.  This was my third year attending WMC and though the last two years were a blast, this year tops them both.  I went to some amazing parties, had a blast with my awesome friends, met some really great people and got to have dinner with and a chance to interview Shinichi Osawa who is one of my favorite producers at the moment.

Prior to WMC, I was introduced through a friend to a couple of guys from the mostly electronic music based British blog We Are Not A Rockband Where I was going to stay down there was still up in the air and they kindly offered me an extra spot they had at the place they were staying.   I was not only the only girl amongst four guys in our room, but I was also the only non-Brit.  I was hoping that I would leave after my time spent with them with a better faux British accent than I have now, but sadly there is no improvement there.  The guys from WANARB are super awesome and the best roomies an American girl could ask for.

WMC is basically a non-stop party. There are always tons of events to chose from and every electronic dj that you could possibly want to see is there.  Chosing the parties you’re going to go to can be a very time consuming task.  If there is anytime that I wish I could duplicate myself and be at more than one place at a time, this is the time.  I’ve learned some tricks during my past few years at the conference to do it on a budget.  #1 Try to find a way to be press.  It’s worth writing for free about events in order to get free access to the parties (and get to meet really great people). #2 sneak in alcohol to the day parties.  Drinks are extremely expensive and they never check your bags during the day. #3 always have your business card handy, people who attend WMC for the most part are successful people who can afford to attend this. You never know who you’re going to meet.  It might go past the conference or it might just end up being some hookups at later parties.

Without a doubt, the top party that I went to was the Hard Pool Party at the Fountainbleau Hotel.  The line up consisted of some of the top Electro DJ/ Producers at the moment and my personal favorite genre of music.  As I approached the door, I could hear Fake Blood on and he was playing his song “I Think I Like It” which I LOVE.  I was supposed to be guestlisted as press but communication lines obviously got mess up and I was not on the list.  The door guy was being unpleasant and tried charging me.  To my luck ,when he walked away for a second, the bouncer looked at me and whispered “go” and opened the rope and my girl @pererica and I snuck right in.  I would have been super bummed if I had not gotten to attend this.  I got a chance to see Fake Blood, Busy P, Erol Alkan, Boys Noize, Aeroplane and Annie Mac.  All of them did a stellar job and the music was soooo good.  I don’t think there was a moment I was at that party that I wasn’t dancing.  (There is some video incriminating video out there of myself & @pererica bikini clad “shakin’ it” on stage in front of Boys Noize)

Without a doubt, Fake Blood was one of my favorite producers of 2009. His quirky electro sound is innovative and unlike what I’ve heard before. Busy P is a legend in his own.  He is not only the owner of Ed Banger Records and a great producer but, he is also the person who discovered Daft Punk.

The duo Aeroplane from Brussels, Belgium are one to look out for.  Anything song they remix is perfection.  In particular, their remix of Friendly Fire’s ‘Paris’ ft Au Revoir Simone is one of my favorites and everyone I’ve introduced it to, love it as well. I am really looking out to what more they are going to bring the world.

Sharam’s newest album is titled ‘Mach’ and the launch party for the album was thrown at Dream with Pacha.  The theme of the party reflected the album and was car racing. There were television screens everywhere with different shots of car engines and racing. It even went as far as the dancers sporting checkered print leotards. The party was packed and everyone was having a blast. A good amount of people stayed until the very end dancing their faces off until they shut Sharam at 530am.  He looked like he didn’t want to stop and neither did everyone there.  My feet throbbed the next day from all the dancing I had done in stillettos but it was worth it.

The Circo Loco Pool Party at Eden Roc Hotel was another stellar party.  If you were a guest of the Eden Roc Hotel, you got into any of their day parties for free.  I was not a guest but luckily had a friend who was.  All you needed to get in was to show your room key and they let you into the party with a few people (no lists!).  It was that easy (thanks Eden Roc!).

The Circo Loco party got its start at DC 10 in Ibiza as an after-hours party know for its incredible and cutting edge music as well as it’s wild and crazy crowd.  I normally on my own don’t listen to the minimal techno music but it’s always done right at Circo Loco parties.  As I expected, no matter what DJ was up, they were on point and the crowd was great.  All different types of party people were there from the “Costumed Raver” to the “Average Joe” to the “High Heeled Vixen” and they were all dancing side by side like there was no tomorrow having the time of their lives.  DC 10 was closed last September when I was in Ibiza so I didn’t get to go to the Circo Loco party.  I heard it has reopened so it looks like I’m going to have to find a way to get there this summer!

Beatport.com always throws some of the best day parties during the conference.  They have the top djs and the best part is that they’re free.  My last full day there I decided to go to their day beach party. 

I really liked the stage they had set up and the lights behind the DJ’s were always changing and fun.  The lineup included Wolfgang Gartner, Kaskade, Afrojack, AN21 and closed with Steve Angello and Sebastian Ingrosso from the Swedish House Mafia.  I am a fan of all of their music and their sets were great tune after great tune.  The Swedish House Mafia has been getting tons of hype and they get it for good reason.  Not only do they have great energy as the DJ, they play music that you can’t help not dancing and singing along to.  The party was at packed and those who couldn’t get in were watching and dancing from the pool overlooking the beach as well as the boardwalk.  The energy was amazing and I had a blast dancing in the sand with my friends as the sun set.

Thanks for the free tshirts and music downloads Beatport!

I ended my time in Miami seeing Sander Kleinenberg at Shine at the Shelbourne.  I don’t know if the air conditioning didn’t work but it ended up being sweaty dance fest.  Luckily the music was awesome and no one seemed to mindl  Ending the story of my WMC adventures is my signature heel stretch (you didn’t think I would go a week partying in Miami without taking one!)

xoxo SKW