If you step into the South Beach apartment-turned-recording-studio of local underground music aficionado Frank Falestra, better known by his ubiquitous stage name, Rat Bastard, you’ve got to come prepared. From the sundry rock posters, guitars and paraphernalia dotting the walls, to the full rack of records and the ceiling-high stacks…
UPDATE Ultra 2015 just revealed its Phase Two lineup and the fest’s set times. When Ultra Music Festival’s lineup “leaked” last month, I was really hoping it was some kind of joke. The lineup was what I hoped Ultra would never become: lazy. The problem is that instead of setting…
A cool concert on a Monday… Life doesn’t get much better. But when you throw in tuneage from English singer-songwriter Ben Howard at the Fillmore Miami Beach, Michael Bolton’s kitschy classic jams at the Hard Rock Live, and Grand Hustle boss man T.I. at the BB&T Center, you’re in for…
“The first time I heard techno in a rave, it was like a real revolution in my mind.” So says Étienne de Crécy, French touch electro-house producer, DJ, and conceptual artist. Likewise, de Crécy’s original releases and live productions have been revolutionary to the worldwide dance music movement. In a…
As Michael McDonald once sang: “Grindin’ down a secret part of you…” For 40 years, folks have been making love (and occasionally babies) to the strong and sweet and syrupy strains of this St. Louis native’s soulful voice. After all, they don’t call a man by a nickname like White…
What does a hobbit do after destroying the One Ring and saving Middle-earth from becoming slaves to the Dark Lord Sauron? Become a DJ, of course. At least, that’s what Elijah Wood’s been up to since his Frodo days with The Lord of the Rings. And this Thursday, he’ll be…
Over the weekend, L.A. rapper Nipsey Hussle stopped by the 8&9 Clothing Showroom to meet-and-greet Miami. There was also a pop-up shop stocked with his Hussle’s popular Crenshaw merch. Stuff like flatbill caps, beanies, tees, and other swag. Then he cruised over to the Design District’s best party spot, The…
There’s a great boom gathering in the distance, and it’s the impending drop of thousands of DJs descending upon our shores for the Winter Music Conference/Miami Music Week season of 2015. Doesn’t it start on Monday, March 23? Nah, it gets going the week before. How will you ever keep…
Waking up at the crack of dawn, having to deal with chatty co-workers way too early in the morning, and attending never-ending meetings … Yeah, Mondays can be pretty brutal. But when you live in Miami, there’s one thing that’ll make everything alright with the world: music. And when you’ve…
King Tuff’s Kyle Thomas does not have all the answers. Shit, why should he? The Vermont native has already explored enough facets of the guitar-wielding arts to make any casual player seem innocuous. So why pester him in these nascent days of garage rock’s revival? Oh yes, why not? He’s…
“If you add up the numbers in 2015, you get eight,” says Danny Burns, singer, guitarist, songwriter, and numerologist for Miami garage rock band Grey 8s, when asked about his plans for the upcoming year. The group began in Dania, where Burns and drummer Andres Bedoya formed the foundation of…
Torche is a kickass rock band. These guys riff, shred, and open portals of feedback into annihilating dimensions of brutality. But they do so while maintaining a welcoming, accessible tone that’s drawn legions of fans and won over critics, all around the world. Their new album, Restarter, is slated to…
Sir Elton returns. It’s been 12 years since the rock legend, gay icon, and member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire has sung about “hunting the horny back toad” in Miami. He last played at the old Miami Arena. (And South Florida at Sunrise’s then-BankAtlantic Center, now…
UPDATE Ultra 2015 just revealed its Phase Two lineup and the fest’s set times. Remember that time when we told you about the rumor that Avicii, Afrojack, Die Antwoord, Deep Dish, Loco Dice, Röyksopp, and Kygo were going to be at Ultra Music Festival 2015? We were right. Ultra has…
Rock ‘n’ roll and buns. That’s what California’s Burger Records and Cheap Miami will be bringing to the Magic City when Burger Revolution 3 Fest hits the grill at Churchill’s Pub. “It’s like a worldwide festival,” explains Cheap Miami’s Patrick Garcia of the Burger party. “It’s open to every city…
There is a special place in the memory bank for that first person who turned you on to something cool, whether they slipped you a flyer or made a mixtape. For D.C.-based band Ex Hex, featuring indie veteran Mary Timony (Wild Flag, Helium, Autoclave), bassist Betsy Wright (Fire Tapes), and…
The Holidays are over. The New Year has begun. And it’s Monday. Sure, you might be feeling pretty bummed out now. But there is a remedy for those post-Holiday blues — music. But not just any regular tuneage. We’re talking about SoFla’s five best concerts. Check ’em out, from the…
There was funny energy in the room before Phish took the stage to kick off its New Year’s Run 2015 at the American Airlines Arena in Miami. It’s unusual that the first of a four-night Phish gig is also the big NYE celebration. Usually, that occasion is the climactic finale…
Opulence is the exact word to describe the Fontainebleau Miami Beach. The 60-year-old institution is one of the most historically and architecturally significant hotels in Miami. Home to the ever-lavish megaclub LIV, this decadent playground capped off its 2014 with a performance from R&B visionary The Weeknd and a closing…
J. Cole brought in the new year at the Delano Hotel on South Beach, but didn’t really offer anything new, despite coming out with a brand-new album just three weeks ago. The North Carolina-bred rapper took the mic at exactly midnight, wishing a happy 2015 to the mostly young and…
UPDATE Ultra 2015 just revealed its Phase Two lineup and the fest’s set times. There’s a rumor going around that Porter Robinson is going to be at Ultra Music Festival 2015, along with Axwell & Ingrosso, Röyksopp, Steve Angello, Loco Dice, Avicii, Die Antwoord, and dozens of others. A flyer…
With hotly tipped sonic envelope pushers like David August, Adriatique and Stimming on its roster, it’s no surprise Hamburg’s Diynamic Music would emerge as one of this decade’s most esteemed labels among discerning international house and techno lovers. At the label’s helm since first launching in 2006 is DJ-producer Mladen…
