Posted on Thursday, July 21st, 2011 by DannyTorres

Tags: wmc frontlineseries

It's pretty simple actually, but it's the story that makes it so much more appealing. At the end of year in 2008, I "lost" a job that I actually didn't like anyway. In the dead of a cold and snowy Wisconsin winter, I decided in less than a few weeks to go to South America ... for two months. I sold my stuff and long story short, I was backpacking around Peru and busing it to Colombia. The whole time I had my Serato gear and laptop, hoping I would stumble upon an opportunity to spin (just maybe). It never happened, though I came closest in Cuzco. Either way, I would be going back home on April 2nd, 2009. For a final treat, I made my flight pass through Miami and would figure out a way home.

I had been to Miami and South Beach a handful of times prior to this particular visit/homecoming. Over the years, I had just passed through on my way to Key West, or had dinner in little Havana, or was only at the airport where the minute you step out you're greeted with palm trees and heat. But this particular trip back, I had planned to "stay a while." I had learned the art of budget traveling and I was ready to just be alone in South Beach for a week or two.

During my stay, I met a fellow traveler who was from France or Germany -- I can't remember. He was a younger guy, cool dude, and it turned out he had been here for the music conference. "What music conference?" I asked him. I had never heard of or been to any music conference much less one with house music. While I am a DJ and producer, I had had my head in the studio for many years before I was aware of this "community" of DJs and party animals. I was just getting back into DJing after a little hiatus. So I was more consumed with the music and getting my mix game tight. Needless to say, I had such a great time those two weeks that I fell in love with South Beach and had only thought, "Hmmm. I might try and make it out here next year for this festival." So on pins and needles I waited for the dates for WMC2010. It would be my first WMC. At this point I didn't even know Ultra existed.

If you haven't been to Miami and South Beach, well you just haven't seen something really special. But for me, going to South Beach as a DJ, producer, and party animal during WMC is absolute heaven. I soaked up all the seminars, THE SCENERY!, music, and sun. The 2010 WMC was held at the beautiful Eden Rock Hotel. Everywhere you went, even the side streets of South Beach had DJs spinning and parties to fit every budget and appetite. It's amazing. It might be too much for the light-hearted but if you want to see some crazy ass shit or even just be a fly on the wall while everyone goes nuts and you can hear house music, WMC is sooooo hot.

After my first WMC, I became more motivated as an artist and vowed to be more prepared next time for networking and getting the opportunity to spin in a place like Miami is high on my list of dreams. By the next time I came to WMC 2011, it was already giving me a different look. I experimented with new parties (boutique vs. big room), new seminars, everything. It's just a great time. At one point, I thought I might not need to come back, but the truth is that I almost feel like I can't miss it anymore. Plus, I got a gig for 2012. It's a huge party with space for industry people, artists, and party goers. I love Miami and WMC.

This story is part one of a series from the front lines of a DJ/producer with a dream.

You can catch my mixes at http://dannytorres.org/livemix.html. I also have a weekly show on http://chicagohousefm.co.uk/ every Tuesday 3-5p US Central Time.

Danny Torres
Independent Blogger

The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Hudson Valley Nightlife, Inc., MiamiWMC.com, Winter Music Conference, or Ultra Music Festival.