To kick start our exciting Miami 2008 coverage, warming things up nicely in the lead up to next week, today’s 5pm Interview meets Mike Bindra and Laura De Palma, the prolific promoters behind no less than 15 major parties during this year’s WMC week.

Starting out promoting nights at the New York venue shared by Danny Tenaglia’s Be Yourself parties and the legendary Body & Soul, their business has grown in recent years to see them as one of the most important party promoters in the USA today.

Consistently booking interesting DJs and artist across all genres for their sold-out events, whether that be bringing Berlin’s finest to Cielo or throwing a huge open air gig for Underworld in Central Park, Miami looks set to be their biggest challenge to date…

Tell us the history of Made Event, and how the brand has got to be in such a strong position in the US market?

“Made Event grew out of a club we had in NYC called Arc. We did Saturday nights called ‘Made at Arc’ and some bigger events outside of the venue. Once the club closed we kept the nights going at venues around NYC and at the Winter Music Conference in Miami and it grew from there.
In terms of position in the market, that comes with hard work and continuing to strive to be innovative. We are always looking to top ourselves, and thankfully it translates.”

This year’s Miami line-up looks like your best yet, what’s it like promoting virtually back-to-back parties for a week?!

“It most definitely takes good organization and a great staff, we like to think of it is as Extreme Promoting.”

Which of the parties are you particularly looking forward to this year and why?

“Sunday School is always a fun one as we (and everyone else) is beyond crazy at that point, but we’ve got a lot of new events this year that we are really excited about, all the events at B.E.D. are new for us at WMC. The AM Only party will be a good one, we are doing that in collaboration with Pacha NYC.”

The promotional ‘supermarket’ artwork is cool, tell us about that concept?

“For this campaign we referenced the ‘generic’ products that were big in the US in the 80’s. On those products the labels were always white with black text and no other branding. The visuals of those labels were so strong that they in effect became branded. We like the idea behind ‘generic’ – our focus has always been on delivering the best product, and the best value. In terms of WMC, everyone is trying to market their brand, promoters, labels, clubs, etc. so it’s kind of an in-your-face on that. But as with those 80s labels, the catch is, we will have a strong visual presence at WMC.”

What do you have planned after Miami?

“Sasha and John Digweed the weekend after we get back to NYC (April 4th @ Webster Hall). We also have a lot of great techno artists coming in May, and focusing on our big outdoor summer events with Armin van Buuren, and Paul van Dyk…”

Mike & Laura’s Download Chart

(& where to hear the artists at WMC!)

1. Gui Boratto - Beautiful Life - Kompakt
March 27 Kompakt vs RA
Gui Boratto (Live), Ewan Pearson, Dominik Eulberg @ The Pawn Shop

2. Radio Slave - Bell Clap Dance (Sebo K Remix) - Rekids
March 25 Wave Music Party
François K , Radio Slave + Special Guests @ The Pawn Shop
3. Dominik Eulberg - Kriechender Günsel (Ajuga Reptans) -Traum Schallplatten
March 27 Kompakt vs RA
Gui Boratto (Live), Ewan Pearson, Dominik Eulberg @ The Pawn Shop

4. Josh Gabriel – Summit (Dusty Kid’s Pseudotek Remix) -Organized Nature
March 28 Organized Nature
Gabriel & Dresden @ The Pawn Shop
5. Adam Freeland – Hate - Marine Parade
March 27 Marine Parade
Adam Freeland, Z-Trip, Alex Metric, Sta @ B.E.D.

For more info and WMC events: www.made-event.com

(Interview: Tom Kihl / Photo: Peter Drier)