It's here. The chaos that is Winter Music Conference. For all the industry folk and tourists clogging the streets of of Miami, take a moment to soak in some sage advice from a true WMC veteran: DJ Lee Burridge. CP recently caught up with Lee Burridge to pick his brain on this year’s WMC, what events he plans to attend, as well as some tips that he has to offer concerning Conference and the city.
Clubplanet: The Balance Series is so unique in that each disc has a different vibe to it. Did you have this in mind coming into the production of it?
Lee Burridge: Absolutely. Although I wanted to create a roller coaster journey between all three that felt like the experience of a club set from me (if you listen to the discs back to back). I also wanted them to be stand alone mixes, each having something different to say but with a thread of continuity. There is so much great music out there so why make three the same!
CP: You do a lot of traveling. What's the best and worst airline to travel across seas with and why?
Lee Burridge: Funnily enough I’m in Brazil right now and their national airlines are the worst. I’ve always had issues with them. Flight delays (16 hours), cancellations, lost bags, ridiculous excess baggage charges. The staff has always been really rude and unhelpful as well. Iberia comes a close second though with their ‘don’t give a fuck’ attitude at airports like Barcelona. If you go to Ibiza try to NEVER fly them. I never will again. The best used to be British Airways (because of the flatbeds although other airlines like American and Virgin have changed there seats and caught up now). Because I’ve flown them so much and they were the first airline I achieved status on once you get the silly little gold card they seem to be much nicer to you. Ridiculous as they should be nice to everyone in my opinion.
CP: You're coming in to WMC as a veteran now. How do you feel about you're forth Burridge Barrage?
Lee Burridge: Veteran? Wow, thanks for making me feel so old, hahahaha. I’m really excited to still be able to host my own event (with MADE EVENT’s help of course). We’re moving the show this year to Pawn Shop (I love B.E.D. but there have been issues every year with capacity and the fire marshal). I’m hoping the event will be just as deranged as the last three years. I always seem to get the best crazy partiers in Miami at my show (although this might be something to do with the fact people have been out all week at this point). WMC always seems to get knocked these days with people saying it’s not like it used to be but I’ve never had a bad time in Miami. It’s always been a great time to see DJ’s play that I never see anywhere else and always seems capable of creating the best weird and wonderful anecdotes.
CP: Other than yours, what other events are you looking forward to during WMC?
Lee Burridge: I want to see Chris Milo (Three) and Cobblestone Jazz and Danny Tenaglia (still my favorite party each year).
CP: What's a bit of advice you would give to someone who's a newbie to WMC?
Lee Burridge: Stay up late. Don’t wear sun block. Drink beer instead of water and sleep on the beach during the day.
CP: Outside of conference, what do you think the best hangout is in Miami? Somewhere low-key?
Lee Burridge: The Deuce bar of course!
CP: Where's the best place to grab a bite at any hour of the day? Or do you even eat during conference?
Lee Burridge: Eating is not part of the program usually but Big Pink hits all the right spots when you’re at your lowest point. Lime is great for a quick Burrito and I love Guru if I can bring myself to eat Indian food.
CP: What's one of the best memories or stories you have from your times at WMC?
Lee Burridge: I loved the fact the first year I went to Miami, Terry Francis was already a seasoned campaigner who stayed out so long that a salt ring started forming around his T Shirt and over a period of about a week it got wider and crispier and I would say (without proof) saltier to the taste! He never went back to the hotel!
CP: What's next for you after conference?
Lee Burridge: World Domination.
Pick up tix for Burridge Barrage at The Burridge Barrage IV / WMC 2008