Sweat Records' Lolo Reskin on the Miami Music Acts to Watch in 2019

If anyone can sniff out local talent better than a nose identifying the strong scent of a freshly Fabuloso-mopped floor, it's Sweat Records owner Lauren "Lolo" Reskin. Her independent record store has been a pillar of the Miami music scene for nearly 14 years and has helped empower, elevate, and provide a platform for Miami's emerging acts. Between Sweat Records and the neighboring local institution Churchill's Pub, the corner of NE Second Avenue and 55th Street is a safe haven and hub for music nerds — and without those venues' contributions, the 305's music community wouldn't be thriving today.

Last August, the Little Haiti record store launched its own independent label, Sweat Records Records. Asked what inspired her and partners Emile Milgrim (Sweat's managing partner/music buyer and cofounder of Other Electricities) and Vivek Jayaram (intellectual property lawyer for artists) to start a label, Reskin says, "We're a boots-on-the-ground record store. We're there every day interacting with tons and tons of people, talking to them about music, hearing what they're listening to, talking to them about where they get their music, and, you know, trends in the general industry as far as creative trends and retail trends." She adds, "So with all this sort of knowledge... we know what we want to see in records, and from our activities and involvement in the music scene, we see the people we wish had records, and that's kind of the impetus behind the first three releases we have slated with current artists."

Reskin gushes that the label takes pride in having "incredibly tight releases coming out of Miami that defy all expectations of what 'Miami music' sounds like." So it comes as no surprise that acts on Sweat Records Records' roster, such as Richie Hell and Dracula, were included on III Points cofounder David Sinopoli's list of Miami music acts to watch in 2019. Reskin says many of Sinopoli's and Jacuzzi Boys' Diego Monasterios' picks for artists on the rise are ones she'd also choose.

Here's her roundup of local up-and-coming acts to look out for in 2019.

Suzi Analogue

Photo by Chelsey Croucher

Suzi Analogue. "Suzi is a multitalented queen who has already injected so much fresh, positive energy into the Miami scene. Her production is sick, she’s got a record label (Never Normal), and she cares about engaging the community at large, like with her recent WAV.R00M pop-up interactive space during Art Basel. Always excited to hear what variety of things she’s working on next."

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Las Nubes

Photo by Mariana Mendoza

Las Nubes (formerly known as Smvt). "Their first full-length will be one of our spring releases on Sweat Records Records. It started as [Wastelands bassist and Sweat employee] Ale Campos’ solo project and evolved into a tight three-piece with Emile Milgrim on drums and Nina Carolina on bass. Their songs are lo-fi and catchy as hell, and I watch them convert passionate new fans at every single show. [I] am so psyched to be putting this record out."

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Haute Tension

Photo by Jayme Gershen

Haute Tension. "No Miami act worked harder in 2018 than surf-noir trio Haute Tension, and I’m sure they’ve got plans for 2019. They played countless shows last year (including a show a day for all of August) and released their first album on vinyl. They host a happy hour with live bands Wednesdays at Gramps and are on the bill at III Points this year."
Poorgrrrl. "Echoing what David Sinopoli said: Poorgrrrl is a supernatural force, and each every live show I’ve seen by her turns into something delightful and/or debaucherous. Loved her last LP and can’t wait for the world to hear her upcoming album — it’s something else."

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Coffintexts

Photo by Half/Full Creative

Coffintexts. "[She's] an exciting local underground electronic producer. Her latest single is a dreamy techno track called 'Juice,' which has a great video, too. Looking forward to more." 

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