The Standard Opens Its Doors for Back 2 Basics Vinyl Night

How we will be ingesting our music 50 years down the road is anyone's guess. But whatever it is we're sticking in our ear holes in 2065, you can bet there will be a small but vocal minority bemoaning the good ol' days of the first generation iPod. We tend to miss the things technology replaces.

This is especially true when it comes to what some call the comeback of vinyl, which, though not nearly a mainstream product, has slowly yet fervently maintained a place for itself in our digital world. Its revival, dating back to the first annual Record Store Day in 2007, has come a long way since and has even carved its niche in the nightlife of Miami with some venues making it a themed occurrence.

The Standard Spa in Miami Beach is no stranger to keeping up with cultural trends. The upscale hotel started its Back 2 Basics monthly vinyl night series almost a year ago to celebrate vinyl, music, and film.

What originally started as a private listening party for spa members eventually became what it is today for the public. Every month since has featured local DJs spinning according to a theme. Those themes, usually accompanied by a film screening, have ranged from a "Miami night," with a showing of the documentary Deep City: Birth of the Miami Sound, to a "Jamaican night" with a screening of the '73 Jimmy Cliff classic The Harder They Come.

“We made it a public event to attract likeminded locals who are passionate about music in a unique and relaxed spa setting. The art of mixing 12”, 45’s and LP’s remains the focal point,” says Ilan Segal, managing director of The Standard Spa in Miami Beach.

Segal says the series adds to the spa’s overall cultural experience, giving folks a curated musical experience “Back 2 Basics contributes to an unrivaled cultural experience. It offers our guests a chance to interact with and meet our creative Miami locals, thus adding to our communal spa feel and focus on well-being,” says Segal.

But why put such an emphasis on vinyl? Segal insists it's not just capitalizing on a trend, but presenting an experience unlike any other.

“We love the age-old process of crate digging while appreciating artwork covers and sleeves," he says. "Vinyl lends to a live sound and the humble imperfections of older records."

This month’s theme will be Motown, soul, and R&B, and guests are encouraged to dress up and bring their dancing shoes. Local DJs Action Pat and Jayjohero will be featured as the chosen music curators.

DJ Action Pat, otherwise known as Patrick Griffin, plans on busting out some underground hits for this Thursday's edition.

“The records that are in my collection are on tiny labels, made by working class black artists who saw little or no fame or fortune from the music that they made, and in many cases these records are all that is left of these amazing personalities and musicians. Playing them for people who want to dance is an honor and I hope it honors those who made this music."

Back 2 Basics with DJ Action Pat and Jayjohero. 8p.m. to 11p.m. Thursday, September 24. The Lido Lounge at The Standard Spa, 40 Island Ave, Miami Beach; 305-673-1717. To get on the list, RSVP at [email protected].