Miami Provocateur

Photo courtesy of Joshua Prezant, Miami Herald

Provocateur Debriefed is where Miami Provocateurs answer questions and fill us in on some of their thoughts on living in Miami. Lauren Reskin was chosen to be the first Provocateur to be Debriefed. It was a simple choice, Lauren represents all the best Miami has to offer.

Lauren Reskin better known as Lolo is one of those Miami people everyone knows and loves. I first came across the pink haired provocateur years ago at Revolver. She was throwing down some great songs and had everyone rushing to the dance floor. Lolo knew how to pack them in, she simply gave them what they wanted, great music. She continues to give us great music and as an active dj and music promoter and as the owner of Sweat Records.  Sweat Records, now in its third and so far greatest incarnation will re-open this weekend. The new Sweat records will now have even more music and merchandise along with a wireless lounge and a gourmet coffee bar with organically grown and fairly traded coffee (whenever possible). Lolo makes Miami cooler by living here and we all need to thank her for it. Sweat Records isn’t just a music store, it’s a statement. Yes, Miami has a thriving music scene and we have the spot to prove it. More than that we have the afficionado to prove it. Lolo graciously took some time to answer a few questions:

• You grew up in Miami, what is your favorite part of growing up here?

The diversity.  My parents bussed me out from Kendall to a Montessori magnet school in Goulds.  Hearing Power 96 on the hour-long bus ride there and back alone was like a secondary education.  I also spent every weekend skating in circles at Hot Wheels roller rink so I attribute my love of popmusic and my desire to DJ to those days.

• How did you get started with Sweat Records?

My whole dad’s side of the family are classical musicians so I grew up inan environment where music was not only revered but an essential part oflife.  I started working at a record store when I was 16 and only quit when I left to start Sweat at 22.  The concept was simple – Miami’s music scene and interest in indie/underground music had grown to the point where there was a real need for a truly independent music store.  It actually opened a year earlier than I had initially planned because of how perfectly everything came together.

• What is the best concert you ever went to in Miami?

In 2002 I brought down the wonderful Canadian indie pop band STARS.  They are one of my favorite bands, it was my first national booking, they were super nice people, the show itself was achingly beautiful AND I ended up meeting my best friend because of it.  The Battles show this past June at Studio A was also pretty damn transcendent.

• What is your favorite thing about the Miami music scene? And what is the biggest misconception people have about South Florida and its music scene?

My favorite thing is again, the variety – we have Miami bass, we have experimental noise, we have an amazing new outcrop of folk/acousticartists, we have scenes for dance, hip hop, Latin, world, indie rock,garage, punk, hardcore, and just about everything else.  The biggest misconception is that beyond what’s from here that’s famous (Tricky Daddy and Rick Ross, Gloria Estefan, South Beach dance music), there’s nothing else.  That couldn’t be further from the truth.

• Where do you see Miami’s music/cultural scene going in the next few years? Do you still think we’re the next Seattle?

I do.  The local bands and artists here are seriously working hard to advance their music and their careers in the industry.  Between Art Basel, WMC, Langerado, the new Fillmore space, the Gallery Walks, and several other venues slated to open within the next year (to give but a few examples), Miami culture is most undeniably growing and expanding.

• What do you think of Radiohead’s move to let fans decide on the price they wanted to pay for music and download directly from their site?

I thought it was bold, risky, and brilliant and I applaud them wholeheartedly for it.  The music industry is changing so rapidly thesedays that major moves like that are the ones that really snap people out of their bubbles.

• What is the latest song you LOVE?

Two of my favorite people recently collaborated on a track and it’sabsolutely contagious.  A/V (host of Miami’s Hip Hop Karaoke) raps and Kentsoundz (myspace.com/kentsoundz) produced the music, it’s called”Vampire” and it’s a spooky hip hop track based on the movie Lost Boys. It’s up at myspace.com/eighvee.  Kent also produced another track with the lovely Raffa (from Raffa & Rainer) on it called “Not Goodbye” that’s so pretty and mellow and twinkly it sounds like Miami Portishead.

• Tell me about a spot in Miami you think people should totally go out thereand discover/support?

I’m a staunch advocate of supporting local independent businesses -they’re what makes your community special and not just another zip codefull of strip malls.  A few to hit up are Rag*Trade, the Upper East Side Garden, Culture Kings, Selected Records, Books & Books and of course Sweat Records in Miami, and Radio-Active Records, Pink Ghost, and Tate’s Comics in Ft. Lauderdale.

• Any Miamism that you love, bro? A la the constant use of the words “bro”"super” or how we use “mission” For example people in Philadelphia use theword “jawn” that’s the jawn or I just met this jawn last night or that jawn was hot, “jawn” can be anything cool. 

Bro!  My favorite Miami expression is “True!”  I also love how everyone runs on “Cuban time” and how freely English and Spanish mix and are often interchangeable.

• What is your quintessential Miami spot for lunch? Happy hour? 

For lunch I’m all about the Garden of Eatin’ – it’s a vegan place that’s a bit hard to find but worth it.  My Meatless Miami blog has all the info and explicit directions.  For happy hour I know I’m biased but Circa28 is definitely one of the best bars in the city, and The Room on South Beach is always a sure thing.

• Describe Miami in 3 words:

Diverse, Unique, Sweaty

The Sweat Records’ Grand Opening Extravaganza starts at 7 p.m. on Friday, November 30th at 5501 NE 2nd Ave. Miami, FL 33137 Tel: 305.342.0953.