Owner/Operator, Sweat Records, Miami
Words: Becca Nelson

Way down south in Miami there’s a little record store that could. Sweat Records, is one of South Florida’s only indie record shops, and has been thriving among the glitz and price gouging of Miami culture since 2005. Run by Lauren (Lolo) Reskin, Sweat’s success can give a lot of its credit to the ambitiousness of its owner. When she’s not buying records for the store or promoting and managing local acts, Lauren also finds time to promote a weekly dance party in the design district, throw an 80s booty-skate night in Ft. Lauderdale, and run meatlessmiami.com, a blog dedicated to the vegan/veggie lifestyle. Luckily for REAX, she found the time to answer a few questions.

REAX:  How did Sweat Records start, and why do you think the store has become so successful?
Lauren Reskin:  The idea of Sweat was born because Miami didn't really have an established indie music store and that was always the first thing I looked for when I traveled to other cities. The store has remained successful because we're extremely tuned in to the shifts in the scene, and we really are trying to unite Miami's musical communities.  

REAX:  Besides owning and operating the record store, you are always involved in a rotating array of projects. What do you consider your role in the Miami cultural scene?
LR:  I definitely feel like a "connector" - I try to match people up who have similar goals or musical interests, and I'm constantly called for advice, contacts, consulting jobs, etc.  I love being a go-to person down here.

REAX:  What's your opinion, as a record store owner on the way the recording industry is changing.
LR:  All the changes in the industry will eventually be for the better.  The fact that music can so easily be acquired for nothing is forcing bands to work harder and get more creative about the business, which will raise the overall quality.

REAX:  What is the local scene in Miami like?
LR:  Miami's scene is growing exponentially by the month; it's going to be the next Seattle as far as being an untapped market of fantastic talent.  My local faves include Raffa & Rainer, The Down Home Southernaires, Induce, the whole Honor Roll music crew, Junc Ops, The Jacuzzi Boys, Rachel Goodrich, Jesse Jackson, and Awesome New Republic.

REAX:  Miami maintains quite a different relationship to the rest of the state than other major cities. What's your take on the music scene in Florida?
LR:  Geographically, Miami is so far south that it used to be hard to convince bands that it made sense for them to come all the way down.  However, now that Miami's scene is really strong and now that there's more action all over the state, it's getting easier for us to bring artists in for a series of successful shows and make it really worth their while to spend a few days playing around Florida.

REAX:  Some favorites: Album this year? Show this year? DJ/producer right now?  Art Basel or Winter Music Conference?
LR:  My favorite album this year was The Good, The Bad & The Queen - I love Damon Albarn and chill music so to me it was perfect.  I love Art Basel and WMC but my personal favorite is SXSW in Austin, I go every year.

REAX:  What do you see in the future, for yourself, and your business?
LR:  If Sweat can survive a hurricane and being in a super-underground location for 2 years, I have high hopes for the future.  Personally I will just keep on my mission to help local artists and culturally enrich Miami as much as possible.  It is infinitely rewarding to be able to help.

sweatrecordsmiami.blogspot.com