Winter Music Conference

We hadn’t planned on venturing into Miami during this entire trip, except going to and from the airport, but with a scattered selection of parties in South Beach and then Option B: the Cosmic Gate Sunset Cruise party staring at us and calling our names, we just couldn’t say ‘no’ to Option B.

Meeting at 1:45pm for sign-in, and setting sail at 3:00pm sharp, we gathered with the growing crowd at the launching point with approximately 200 of our closest friends who were obviously ready for a great day of party cruising.

Welcomed onboard by a friendly crew and a table of complimentary “greeting cocktails” of punch and vodka, it was six hours of three artists, light fare for purchase, complimentary top shelf open bar (for all six hours) and a cruise into the most magnificent sunset experience of a lifetime.

Asked a month ago by the Cosmic Gate duo to play along side them on their sunset cruise, and with the support of his family, it was an opportunity Washington D.C.’s own Roberto Gonzalez could not pass.

He opened his set with White Apple Tree “Snowflakes” (Ping Pong remix) that established the perfect atmosphere and mood for the adventure to come. Still on that theme he went on to play Jose Gonzalez “Crosses” (Dinnerdate remix) and a magical remix of Wankelmut & Emma Louise “My Head Is A Jungle.” Cue up those three tracks alone, close your eyes, and imagine you’re on a sunset cruise, or on the beach, or in a tropical setting. In your mind they’ll really whisk you away to that place away from your day-to-day and you’ll practically feel and smell that fresh, ocean air. I don’t know how he managed to fashion a perfectly fitting mix, track after magical track, but it was heaven on earth (on the ocean). Continue Reading →

Sometimes boosting up and preparing for another day of partying in the sun, into sundown, then into sunrise means eating a leftover sub sandwich in your hotel fridge from the night before while multi-tasking and getting dressed.

It’s the third and final day at the W Hotel housed party of drinks, dancing and networking. This is possibly one of most stellar events during Miami Music Week for its ambiance, quality amenities and that up close experience with today’s hottest featured artists. Day three’s a-list ranged from Paris & Simo and Dannic to W&W and Hardwell.

The finale day went off without a hitch but held a sentimental surrealism to know this was the closing of such a memorable experience. To have met and networked with Internet radio entrepreneurs, artists, liquor distributors, various PR people and those who are launching promotion companies (this list includes our favorite bartender who remembered us from previous years) is a privileged experience. It’s one that inspires to observe these people who do what they love and love what they do….and do it well in the process and who are all a part of this binding community of music entertainment.
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Fueling up for our second day of Miami Music Week (read our day one recap here) at the Sandia Bar and Grill at the Cardozo Hotel, we were treated to the taste of the true Miami flare. It’s a real bonus for restaurants to extend breakfast service to us late nighters (and all-nighters) during Miami Music Week. The outdoor ambiance of people watching, ocean breezes and the swaying palms offer a visual delight in itself. Add friendly salsa-dancing waiters and streaming salsa music that inspires passersby, including a man and his daughter and a skateboarder, to spontaneously break into dance once they hit the music stream completes the picture. Continue Reading →