Miami's Champion Sound and Soul Amazing are here to remind us that the 305 moves to more than SoBe's commercial EDM beats. Our city's scenesters bump it to alternative hip-hop, leftfield disco, and future bass too. And what better place for a local sonic smorgasbord than Wynwood underground dance music emporium the Electric Pickle?
The Neighbors, a new Saturday-night party from DJ Sire's Champion Sound and Methods' Soul Amazing, has already staked its place as one of the venue's weekly musts, thanks to expertly curated tuneage from both residents and special guests.
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"We wanted a place to be free and a place that gave us creative control, which the Electric Pickle does," Methods tells Crossfade. "We're excited to be part of the creative boom within Wynwood, and wanted to welcome and share our musical creativity with the people -- hence The Neighbours!"
Sire adds: "What sets The Neighbours apart is the fact we go into this with a fun state of mind. I feel it's a place where you can kick back and let the music diffuse the tension, as Nas would say. A place where you can get your drink on, and be introduced to different music with good vibes -- not based on hype or big-name bookings -- where you consistently know what you're gonna get every week. A good environment and sound, great music, and most importantly, a good crowd."
Of course, musical eclecticism is Champion Sound and Soul Amazing's signature style, so The Neighbours has a little something for everyone.
"We're about finding the balance between what people are familiar with and connecting them with something new," explains Sire. "Finding a balance between rocking the party and communicating our vibe -- from hip-hop to electronic, soul, and house."
Find out for yourself on Saturday, when The Neighbours kick it with J. Rocc. Underground hip-hop enthusiasts will recognize the L.A. turntablist from his celebrated Stones Throw Records mixtapes and collaborations with Madlib and J Dilla.
But in the meantime, get a taste of the vibes to come with this new DJ mix, which Methods and Sire dropped exclusively for Crossfade.
"We each did 30 minutes -- all summer vibes," says Methods about the mix. "My set includes a lot of beats, jazzy instrumentals, and overall feel-good songs. It's a mixture of what it is we do, filled with tunes you can play while driving, top down, heading east."
As for Sire's contribution: "There's some Brazilian, '80s R&B, disco, house, a couple of tracks from Miami homies Psychic Mirrors and DJ Manuvers," he says. "What I'd listen to while hanging out on a summer evening. And of course, Sade."
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The Neighbours. With J. Rocc, alongside Methods, Sire, Manuvers, and Diego. Presented by Champion Sound. Saturday, July 5. Electric Pickle, 2826 N. Miami Ave., Miami. The show starts at 10 p.m. and tickets cost $10 plus fees via residentadvisor.net. Ages 21 and up. Call 305-456-5613 or visit electricpicklemiami.com.
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