As a journalist covering WMC, its all about timing. With so many things going on and places to be, hitting the right place to right time is not only an art - its essential. Its a running joke between a bunch of us how I am obsessed with Benny Benassi and that I always run in to him on the street at 17th and Collins. I started the day in a mad dash to catch the bus to the host hotel and walking down Collins at 17th - guess who I ran into? Yes, the Grammy award winning, superstar DJ/producer Benny Benassi. That was a sure sign that it was going to be a great day.
Its always an honor to be invited to be on a panel - and to be on a media panel with DJ Times, ResidentAdvisor, ClubWorld, TillLate, and FAB FIVE FREDDIE - makes for quite an interesting panel. After covering the basics on how to submit material, timelines, when to hire a publicist (Plexi and GetIn were both on board) - the floor was opened to questions. Mr Dance, aka Cary Vance, of Promo Only Promotions asked the kind of question that is on everyone's mind - but never gets asked - why doesn't dance media cover the commercial succesful dance records - like Enur, Cascada, September, etc. There is an underground mentality (if not bias) in the dance world which says that underground is cool and commercial is cheesy and bad. Some panelists mentioned that the music is a lifestyle and the popdance music doesn't have a lifestyle - or that their publications focused solely on a genre. My answer - as always - is that dancemusic.about.com - covers all aspects of dance music from underground to commercial - pop to electro to trance to drum and bass to soulful house. And if you search the site - you will find interviews with Cascada, Enur and reviews covering them as well. Its all about a balance - no one wants to read about the Top 10 everyday - they want to see whats coming next.
After the press panel, I popped down to the marketing panel to get a lesson from Lainie Copicotto of Aurelia about what to do (and what not to do) with regards to digital marketing, licensing, etc. There is a full story here and its one of the things that I am aiming to do for 2008 on the site - a section on How to promote a record, How to do press, How to market. These kinds of panels are the motivation (and information sources) that help everyone. If you are an industry profressional (or aspiring music mogul), you have to attend events like WMC, ADE, DJ Times Convention, and Billboard Dance Music Summit not only to learn but to make contacts.
Leaving the Miami Beach Resorts, I ran into DJ Chris Style, my favorite DJ from Fort Myers, Florida and he graciously gave me a ride up Collins. We chatted about video DJing and how it was totally the killer app. The guys who are doing it - are "stepping up their game" (thanks Funkerman) - and setting the standards in their markets. If you are a commercial DJ, this should definitely be on your radar.
The Armani Exchange Music Lounge is taking over the Raleigh Hotel Penthouse and I was lucky enough to snag an invite from the strategic branding group BMF Media. Its all about lifestyle.. where have we heard this before. Watching Benny Benassi select a pair of AX sunglasses, Liquid Todd spin on Stanton gear, Larry Tee explore Skullcandy headphones, Cedric Gervais get interviewed by Sirius in a plush room (designed by West Elm) was a luxurious retreat from the madness of WMC. The open bar from Belvedere Vodka was great lubrication for conversations (and networking.) I will be heading back there on Thursday for some more interviews - what a brilliant concept this lounge is.
