Miami Music Blog

Photo by Jipsy

DJ AM at the AG Adriano Goldschmied store on Washington in 2007.

​To read past installments of Diary of a Flasher, click here.

Over the weekend I felt I was the only one not at the Depeche Mode concert. Texts and tweets blew up my phone on Saturday night about the show, but I was busy photographing a wedding up in Hollywood. All of us, including the happy couple, are fans of DM so the DJ played a nice set while we ate, which was not appreciated. We would have rather danced to it after the cake. But the DJ saved himself. Someone should have told him, when in doubt, play Madonna. His selection was a little rough at first, but ended the night with the usual but contagious party music.

Sunday afternoon we had a barbecue up in Weston, a long drive from South Beach, but hoping Flow Rida would do a surprise performance gave me that Sunday boost to find myself heading out west. The celebration of Victor Harvey's V Georgio Vodka line had mentioned Flo would be stopping in and as this was a private house party -- hey, you never know.

Photo by Jipsy

​To read past installments of Diary of a Flasher, click here.

There was a time when Labor Day weekend meant something to me. It was a nice 3-day weekend to head out to a mini-vacation. Up in the northeast, I had a choice of rivers, mountains, oceans and sand. The last weekend before fall was the last chance to enjoy the summer and everyone wanted to be outdoors.

But now after years of living in Miami, the summers never end, the beaches are blocks away and there's always a cocktail being served nice a cold somewhere nearby. My weekends to "get away" are more about staying in bed and ordering out. But not this time around.

My camera was just returned after a week out being serviced, and I want to go out. There is the re-launch of Poplife, a barbecue at some private estate on Star Island, and a wedding at a fancy hotel. That's just what I am working. Then there are the pool parties. From Exit 66 up in Broward to the pop-up ones at the high risers in downtown, there will be something to do. Hit me up to let me know what's going on.

Visit Jipsy's web site at nefariousgirl.com.

photo by Jipsy, nefariousgirl.com

​To read past installments of Diary of a Flasher, click here.

Behind every gallery I post, there are some interesting stories, especially when I am shooting a party or event at my free will. Not only do I see people as more interesting, but the entire experience is more colorful and I call it The Matrix zone, where I see moments frozen in time.

I observe carefully, by watching and listening. I find some of my best shots in a club or party are taken when the music is great, the crowd is having fun, and people get creative with their clothes -- and I'm not talking about Louis, Fendi or Dior. I love those, but the creatives always capture my attention and sometimes I make it into a session. I can't help it. I've found that it's become -- I pause because I hate saying it -- my art. There, I said it.

Photo by Jipsy

​To read past installments of Diary of a Flasher, click here.

How great is it when you find yourself at a party or show that you didn't expect, with BYOB policy and good music? Score! This past Saturday, while the hot ticket was Mos Def at the Adrienne Arsht Center, we opted for something different and headed to Hialeah, a whole world away from South Beach and downtown Miami. The occasion was, I was told, a circus-theme party thrown by a band I never heard before.

Now I wasn't sure what I was going to run into at the Annex, this tiny warehouse space in Hialeah. But I was with "the crew," had some cold and properly mixed cocktails in plastic bottles, and my camera ready to capture anything. It had been a while since we had traveled off the grid, and we were feeling adventurous. But what we found was completely unexpected and to be honest, one of the best times I've had in a while.

Photo by Jipsy

Jose El Rey takes a moment to be lone before his performance.

​To read past installments of Diary of a Flasher, click here.

This week was a rock fest here in South Florida. First Slayer, then Def Leoppard? Besides going to the show to hear the music with fans, I'd love to cover it. But I didn't ask, I didn't know and now I am left with "I wish I did."

If you didn't realize it already, I love capturing behind the scenes for anything, but a rock act, that's just stories being shot and I love telling them. I once hung out with Longwave and The Strokes (right when they were blowing up) after a show in Brooklyn. I didn't know who were The Strokes, just that they were the band my friend was opening for. The few shots I took were of me and my friend and people I never saw again. But still interesting shots that I've never posted of this one night after the bands played.

photo by Jipsy, nefariousgirl.com

​To read past installments of Diary of a Flasher, click here.

Let's be honest here for a second: I can't be as honest as I would like to be when it comes to what really happens when I am out and about shooting away the nightlife. As much as I'd love to share what I see and hear in front of and behind the velvet ropes, my camera and I are semi-well-known around these parts. If I really told the whole truth, I could be black-listed (as I already am, some places) from certain venues or parties.

I've shot in almost every club in this town and I've seen it all, from the rudest door people to the bitchiest bartenders (and this is before their tip). For out-of-towners who e-mail me asking what party they should go to, I can't really recommend anything. Everyone has his or her own preferred style of music and his or her own idea of clubbing. But please don't think you need to spend hundreds of dollars or have a door guy belittle you, because that's not all that Miami clubbing is about.

Photo by Jipsy

Tony and Tina's Wedding at Mansion.

​To read past installments of Diary of a Flasher, click here.

My images are not for everyone, as a matter of fact, this week I was reminded that I am more of an artistic photographer than a commercial photographer and this is true. I am an artistic photographer, I guess.

A while ago, I was told by an editor that I needed to stop shooting my artistic styled pictures and do more of the desired images of beautiful people and celebrities if I wanted to keep working in this business (Ed. Note: It wasn't us, we swear). Despite his attempt at 'helping' me out, I kept my ground and so far, I am working as myself, for myself and I still shoot the only way I could - my way and I'm very thankful.

As I continue in my journey of documenting my life and the events and parties that surround it, I wanted to ask you, am I the only person who hasn't seen Fuerza Bruta? I missed my opportunity when they first opened. Heard great things, but I will never know.

Photo by Jipsy

Really original there, buddy.

To read past installments of Diary of a Flasher, click here.

Jumping in and out of clubs and shooting the people posing for some lame T&A site was never me. I started my site because I wanted to shoot the party through my eyes, induced with Cosmos and a dance energy that DJs would ignite within me.  Now after almost five years, I'm over it.

It's not to say I am completely done, by no means, I have a few places I go to from time to time, capturing the party. I love to shoot at LIV, Vagabond and if there was a decent party at Cameo, that place has great lighting. I shoot freely, no posing. It happens every so often, but is that really the party? What I despise is the original pose of some douche giving me the middle finger. Yeah okay, you're fresh.

I know I can't shoot at the Latin clubs, because they HATE the candid shots. Those women go nuts screaming "ahyyee no, please" in their South America accent. I get it; you have an image to maintain. But the ones that get under my skin are the girls that attempt to grab my camera and start yelling at me to either show them or they'd have me kicked out. My response: Bitch please. Those pictures never make it anywhere but the trash bin.

This is not to say I don't respect privacy. Ask nice and I won't post. I understand. But don't touch my camera.

A band I've been listening to on my way to clubs is Rammstein (love them). Their music always brings out that nefarious side in me that has conjured up this weeks rambling. It's made for interesting shots and a more interesting night. Comment, I'm interested.

Visit Jipsy's web site at nefariousgirl.com.

Jipsy

Gabby M spinning at The Standard for the KRELwear fashion show Tuesday night.

To read past installments of Diary of a Flasher, click here.

This week, I am taking the streets for cocktail hour to swim shows and beyond, strapped with my camera covering the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim.

Music at fashion shows is as critical as the models that are selected, but a live DJ is something else. On Tuesday night, Gabby M took to the turn tables and took the KRELwear show to another level. I haven't stopped talking about this show for many reasons and the music was a big part of it. Ending with "Little Red Corvette" by Prince, dreams of neon glowing and dancing have been stuck in my head thanks to Miss Gabby.

This girl owns the title of DJ. Gabby has a phenomenal selection and some smooth ass blends. I'm not sure where she will be playing next, but she's jammed at O.H.W.O.W. and I hope to hear her more of her this summer.

If you're into having a brew or two over a game or a live band, the Brickell Irish Pub just opened. Next week after all this fashion show craze passes, I will be joining a friend after work to hear the band Hoosha on the 24th and to try the Irish Burger on the menu. I haven't been this excited over corned beef and cabbage in a while. Brickell Irish Pub is located at 1471 S. Miami Ave., Miami.

Visit Jipsy's web site at nefariousgirl.com.

Jipsy

Enjoying cocktails at Kitchen 305.

I started this diary talking about slowing down my club life, but I haven't seemed to slow down.

My Fourth of July started at the Fifth Annual IndepenDance party where I grossly ended up in the pool and was there for part of the Danny Tenaglia set. One of the murkiest pools I've ever seen. I jumped in and braved it all for the pictures.

Best thing about being at that party was the moment when DT stopped the music completely and told "the guy in the red shirt" to get the hell out if he didn't like the music. Apparently this jerk was booing and I just hope he was one of the people who paid the hundred bucks to get in and was kicked out at that moment. I love you Danny!

Jipsy

Surfcomber - when it's good, it's packed!

To read past installments of Diary of a Flasher, click here.

Some of you have a three-day weekend and will be heading out for a nice vay kay, but this chick will be sticking it out in good ol' Miami. The weather pretty much sucks, but seriously, I am feet away from a pool and a few more from the beach, and the parties just don't stop.

I wish I could share something juicy, but right now, my mind is on shooting pictures of Rye Rye this Sunday at Just Add Water over at the Fontainebleau. Haven't been in a couple of weeks, but with the pool party bug -- I am ready to catch it all in front of my lens, rain or (preferably) shine.

photo by Jipsy, nefariousgirl.com

Kayakman rocked Sushi Samba.

To read past installments of Diary of a Flasher, click here.

From Little Beard and Rotshit at So Raw on a Saturday, to Kayakman on Tuesday at Sushi Samba, my nights out shooting the beat brought some new music to my MP3 player this week.

First, the So Raw Festival last week was exactly what I expected to hear and see at this two-day punk rock art and music fest. I attended Saturday, first spending some time at Upper Eastside Garden for the day shows. I took it easy, had some Vitamin Water, snapped some cute punk rock chicks, and caught a couple of bands.

In the evening, I visited 'ISM Gallery in Wynwood for the night shows. I then found some interesting bands performing. Punk rock never gets old and it should always be as dirty and filthy as Rotshit, from Pittsburgh.

Jipsy

Ladies at O.H.W.O.W. in their fabulous thrift finds.

To read past installments of Diary of a Flasher, click here.

The other night, I had an assignment at O.H.W.O.W. art space to cover the Michael Genovese show that debuted for this month's art walk. It's one of the galleries to close last (midnight) during Second Saturdays of the month and usually fills up a little after 10 p.m.

If you take fashion serious, this is the place to be. Find a spot and watch the fashionables pour in wearing some of the best creations this side of town. High end designers mixed with thrift finds and shoes that are not sold at the mall. These fashonistas are another reason why I love the nightlife -- the club gear.

Most of the clubs don't have the same open door policy for fashion expression with their "dress to impress" -- to impress who? No sneakers? Are you kidding? I want to dance. I can't do it in my Sunday shoes. So I personally stay away from those clubs. This is not to say, I never go, you'll find me at these places from time to time, but I like the wild side of nightlife.

photo by Jipsy

To read past installments of Diary of a Flasher, click here.

There's a side of me people hardly ever see, simply because I am old enough to understand the business and the attitudes people carry. Like me or not, if I get hired to do a job, get out of my way and have the decency to respect what I do and the people who hired me to do so.

I try to be a lady and keep my domineering streak in check. But by nature, I can easily snap, especially when I am being stopped from doing the job that puts a roof over my head. Psshh, messing with my money, are you crazy?

Now that I got that out of the way, I'm sure you'd like to know the dirt on what I'm really talking about. But I'd rather share my new adventure in underwater shooting.

Photo by Jipsy, nefariousgirl.com

To read past installments of Diary of a Flasher, click here.

Here it is, the rainy season. For months it was dry. So dry, that we knew global warming was upon us and our days were coming to an end. We had a cold winter with gorgeous sunsets, dry afternoons perfect for a bike ride, star-studded clear skies for all those outdoor parties.... And now Mother Nature reminds us that she's still in charge.

It's June and the rain is back, like clockwork. Every day and night there is a chance of rain, and the weather can vary across South Florida. It could be pouring in Doral and clear in Morningside. As a photographer, you always have to be prepared for the weather -- which I was not, this past Saturday.

There I was, excited to shoot the Betty Bangs swimsuit collection at the new Solé On The Ocean up in Sunny Isles and it was dark and cloudy. Ehh, it might not rain, I thought to myself.

Photo by Jipsy, nefariousgirl.com

LIV's light show is out of this world

With all the rain and clouds, I've kept myself busy shooting all over town. Best time, in a long time, goes to the 10th annual Urban Beach Week this past weekend. Ocean Drive is wide open, but traffic was almost at a standstill. That is, of course, because part of the experience is to cruise all over South Beach showing off your chromed-out, expensive cars and that alone seemed like a parade of shiny, colorful toys.

My favorite visuals, though, came courtesy of the ladies. Most looked as though they were living in a video, dressed in high heels, bathing suits, and jewelry -- that's it, walking up and down the streets day and night. It was a live fashion show at any time of the day or night.

photo by Jipsy

Last weekend, I shot Exxxotica for New Times

Let me start off by saying, I am listening to Yazoo's greatest hit, "Situation." Man I love that track! Something about 80's electropop that puts me in a great mood and today I need it.
 
Allow me to introduce myself, my name is (by birth) Jipsy. Yes, for real. I alone shoot and run the photoblog that's documented my nightlife known as NefariousGirl.com. I love capturing a good party, especially if I'm having fun, so I invite you to come and take a look.

Now that you have an idea about the site, you can only imagine what goes on behind that lens. Take the infamous Dirty Disco parties during the summer of 2007 at Pawn Shop. For a few weeks, it was total debauchery there and the images captured put the dirty in Dirty Disco. We can't forget the days of Soho Lounge and the District in the summer of 2005, as well as the patio at Space in the summer of 2002.