Roland & Biz - Inside Out Interview

December 16, 2004 6:47 AM
by [email]

Starting Saturday, December 18, the duo of Biz and Roland from the famed Space terrace and Lunar Sessions parties are moving back to the beach.

After a very long run at the legendary Club Space they have parted ways with the downtown club and teamed up with Amika on South Beach. Amika, formerly the Old Shadow Lounge has been open for a few months, and the Friday party with Shawn Rudnick has been a big success.

We asked the self proclaimed 'club legend' Saleeen351 to host a Q&A with Biz and Roly to get the inside story on the move and the new night...

Saleen351: Roland were you fired from Space or did you quit?

Roland: I decided to make a change after 10 yrs under the same management. Although it was hard for me to walk away from there, I know it was the right thing to do. I left in good terms and everyone at Space has been very understanding.

Saleen351: Biz were you fired from Space or did you quit?

Biz: I resigned and on good terms. After 3 and half years of building something together with Roland on the terrace, I felt I didn’t have it in my heart to continue without him there.

Saleen351: If you had to pick, which patio was better and why, old Space or new Space?

Biz: I dearly love them both, but I’d probably go with the old terrace because I learned so much there and that’s where the magic originally started.

Roland: Like Biz said, without a doubt the original space terrace will always have a special meaning to me. One would stand in the pit (dance floor) and when a track with a deep bass line came on the entire place would become one. The room was cozy and the music kept you going.

On the other hand, the new terrace has a big room feel and is more comfortable on busy weekends. Also, as a DJ you can get away with playing different styles due to the larger size of the room.

Saleen351: What was the best year for clubs in Miami?

Biz: That’s tough to answer, but I’d say anywhere from 99’ to 02’. That alongside my most memorable days of Marsbar and the Edge, sometime around 95’ (jeez, I just realized how old I’m getting).

Roland: The club scene has its ups and downs. I really enjoyed the early days of Liquid, Groove Jet, and old Space, which all fall around 98’ to 02’. Each of those clubs had their peak years and now we have moved on.

Saleen351: Amika is in the same building as the old Shadow Lounge. It’s been said by me that Shadow Lounge was overrated, what say you two being old school Miami clubbers?

Biz: Sure, it’s the same building, but it sure as hell doesn’t feel or look that way. Especially if you didn’t know it.

Shadow was a great place and many of today’s clubbing generation were introduced to electronic dance music there. It lived for more than 3 years and that’s almost unheard of in comparison to what most of today’s clubs average in lifespan.

Saleen351: You won the lottery, you now own a club, you have to choose either DT or Morillo as your resident, who would you pick?

Biz: Tough question... Tenaglia seems the more steady and long term resident, while Morillo gives you that instant spark. With Danny, you have to find your groove and once you do, it’s on for hours, even days. With Erick, he’ll cure the worst of A.D.D. cases. For the opening, I’ll take Erick!

Saleen351: Why don’t the clubs have the balls to take back Memorial Day weekend from the hip hop festival in South Beach?

Biz: Very simple $$$$! However, the large out of town crowds and the negatives that come with it seem to worsen and annoy our locals more and more each passing year. That’s why most locals take off during Memorial Day.

Saleen351: Why should I spend my hard earned money and go see you guys at Amika on Saturdays?

Biz: Our new “Inside Out” Saturday at Amika isn’t just music driven. A lot of the focus will actually be put into the “party.” Meaning the atmosphere and production.

I want you to walk in and be automatically soaked with eye candy. Everywhere you look, things should come together to give you a fun, cozy and comfortable feeling, from dancers, to visual, production, people, everything…

I want you to enjoy Roland’s music there, but I want you to go home saying’ “man, that was one hell of a party!”

Roland: I place a big emphasis on the word "fun" when it comes to my music. Those who have followed me in the past know that I take pride on being different every week.

If you are someone who enjoys a journey through both classic and new music, then you will enjoy Amika Saturday nights. When I play I am not only playing to give you a great night, I am making sure you want to be there the following week. You never know what I will do on any given night. I take care of the music & Biz takes care of the party.

Saleen351: What do you guys hate about the Miami scene?

Biz: Not much, I love Miami! Roland and I get a taste of how good we really have it as a whole, when we skip town to visit other cities.

Saleen351: Do people in Miami really give a fukc about the music or are they simply into the notoriety of the DJ and how trendy a party is?

Biz: Some do and some don’t! But with Amika Saturdays, you get a proven DJ, good music and a just the right sprinkle of trend.

Saleen351: Are you going to have door people who are French?

Biz: LOL, We’re not Mansion! We have a pretty good international mix going on.

Saleen351: Roland How do you feel about all the 80’s remixes?

Roland: As long as the remix is a well produced track it will have my support. I always say they don't make tracks like they used to. So incorporating 80's samples into todays music is actually a good thing by bridging the gap between yesterday and today's generation.

With that said, some of the remixes are pretty bad (Ghostbusters house mix), I laughed when I heard that shit. Some things are better left alone.

Saleen351: Vinyl or CDR's?

Roland: Promo CDR's are a must today, but mixing vinyl is natural to me.

Saleen351: Roland do you hate it when people train spot your sets and ask you the name of tracks?

Roland - I know I am doing something right if they are asking me for track id's.

Saleen351: What is your top track right now?

Roland: PAC - You Got the Love. I love this vocal!!!

Saleen351: It’s been said by me that clubs do not cater to us old school clubbers in terms of the music. There are plenty clubbers who still go out who have been in the scene for a decade, yet DJs never play any music from their era.

Why do DJ's feel the need to only play the newest tracks in which every DJ plays those same exact tracks as well? Why don’t they play the “ohh shit” tracks that the old school clubbers love and the new clubbers would have no idea they are old?

Roland: A DJ is responsible for what he chooses to play. Having been spinning since the 80's, I always dig back and incorporate tracks throughout the night. Some nights I will play classics and some nights I won't.

With me I like to mix it up and keep everyone guessing. Can you say "Roland + Rudnick" classics night..... (wink)

Saleen351: Is disco-house making a comeback?

Roland: Defected and Subliminal have always provided some quality funky disco-house tracks. Its good to see those labels still bringing it and keeping the sound current.

Saleen351: For years you opened the old main room for Oscar G, why did you guys get away from that? What jackass decided it was a good idea to mess up the best DJ duo in Miami?

Roland: LOL, the guy who signed my paycheck....Oscar G and I had some great nights playing together, definitely something I’m going to miss. I learned a lot from him through the years.

Saleen351: Name one disco track that you love and may one night shock us and play it?

Roland: You got me thinking, and that is good. How about: Kano – I’m ready

Saleen351: What is the music going to be like in the upstairs VIP area on Saturday nights?

Biz: It will probably remain as it is. With DBJ mixing things up with R&B, old school & Hip Hop. Compliments our format downstairs just right.

Saleen351: How do you feel about 93.1? Do they help the scene or do they simply snub the local house DJs?

Biz: It helps! At the end of the day, it's radio, so you can’t expect to hear the rarest of dance floor obscurities. Sure there’s room for improvement, but I think 93.1 is yet another gateway that reaches out to the younger generation who might not have access to EDM as easy as we clubbers do.

Saleen351: What is up with the crowds in the DJ booths here in Miami? Please explain proper DJ booth etiquette.

Biz: If you are person who is allowed to come into the booth, do it with respect. We love when our friends and fans come up and say hello. However, this is our job so you must allow us to do our job.

After the short brief stay and a friendly hello, have the courtesy to leave. For some reason people in Miami think the booth is the VIP area. In NYC, no one is usually allowed into the booth for any reason.

Saleen351: Roland do you have a website?

Roland: www.djrolandmiami.com. People can also e-mail me, roland@djrolandmiami

Saleen351: Biz what will be the secret to getting into Amika not being held at the door? We know it will be a logjam at the door, so give some tips for the non-club legends out there that have to wait in line.

Biz: Pretty simple… Previous Saturdays have had plenty of success there and you can always expect big crowds at the door. Our party will start on Saturday, December 18th.

Therefore, I can’t stress enough to the guys out there to DRESS PROPERLY! Also, make the list on time and get there before the crowds do. Amika is known for its upscale clientele and an ample supply of models.

It’s quite different from what the average Space regular is used to. In the end, Amika is not Space, just as South Beach isn’t downtown.

Saleen351: Is the rumor true, that Oscar G had someone Photoshop larger biceps into his picture for his website?

Biz: LOL, no comment.

Saleen351: Do you guys read the CoolJunkie forums?

Roland: Definitely, they're really insightful and run by a great group of individuals. COOLJUNKIE rocks!!