Music

My friend Lauren was just in town and I caught up with her to see what she has been up to and so you can get familiar with her. I have known Lauren for sometime now and she has always been very fashionable. We would see each other in nightclubs mostly. Miami is so big on nightlife that you at some point get sucked in by it. It’s always fun to dress up and go listen to some great music and even see your favorite DJ. I love that Lauren has found her passion in music and still gets decked out to spin, as she is known as DJ Cry Baby.

WIF: What got you into fashion? How do you go about your personal style evolving?

LM: My mother always owned a store and when I was little I always helped her out. When I turned 18 we opened a high-end boutique here in Miami and Los Angeles as well. After that I opened a boutique with my best friend in Miami. After working in retail for 13 years as much as I loved it I found it was time for me to move on. As for my style evolving I feel that music always made me want to change my style. It has always guided me as to what I want to wear. It’s something about what I may be listening to at the time that inspires me to dress the way I dress.

WIF: What drew you into becoming a DJ?

LM: I have always had a lot of friends in music and for some reason it did not occur to me. I know that I loved it and wanted to be part of it but didn’t know how. One day my really good friend Jona was like “Why don’t you trying doing this?” So he just gave me a turntable and didn’t even teach me. He told me this is the cross fader and this is the main volume. From that day on I could not let it go and had to do it. I the gave my 2 week notice at work and I moved to New York.

WIF: Why did you move to New York being that you have such a big music and club scene right here in Miami?

LM: Well, unfortunately when I first started to tell people what I was doing nobody was taking me serious. I knew that I was serious and have a passion for it. The first few people I told where guys and they all said the same thing, girls shouldn’t DJ. I though that’s it… That just fueled my fire and I have to do this. I practice every day, learn and get better. I also have a lot of friends in the music scene in New York that where very supportive and told me to move. They where willing to help me, so I did. As soon as I moved I had instant support and was getting booked at parties and nights at different places.

WIF: Have you found it to be challenging to learn and put your sets together?

LM: Definitely, it’s really hard. DJing you can play from song to song but I like to mix a lot and that’s not easy. It has taken me time to learn and timing in music is really important. If you don’t bring in a song at the right time you mess up everyone’s vibe. My first few gigs I had my share of train wrecks but I did not let it break me down. I went home and I practiced and pinned point where my mistakes where. That’s another thing that I love about DJing it’s always a challenge. If I become a lot better I will still always have more to learn.

WIF: What are your goals in the long run as a DJ?

LM: I want to play live and incorporate midi controllers and play live sets. I also started producing and just now am understanding the program and working on some stuff that I want to put out. I am just having so much fun and truly love what I do.

WIF: Are you planning on staying in NYC or you plan to be back in Miami?

LM: For now I am in New York, I am getting so much support there and it’s where I need to be for now.

WIF: Would you like to be signed by a label?

LM: I definitely want to stay underground. I would not mind being signed by a smaller label.

WIF: How did you come up with your DJ name Cry Baby?

LM: I guess you have to know me to understand why the name is so fitting. A friend of mine said it to me one time joking and everyone said that had to be my name. It’s catchy and growing on me.

If you’re in New York definitely check out one of Cry Baby’s house music sets. You can also find her on:

www.residentadvisor.net/dj/crybaby

http://soundcloud.com/crybaby1

Bookings: crybabybk@gmail.com

Facebook: CrybabyBK

If you’re in New York check her out:

Sunday September 23 Break Up The Family/ 96 Lafayette St/ Santos Party House/ 9pm

Friday September 28 Nurvous Records/ Sullivan Room/ 218 Sullivan Street btw Bleeker & W 3rd St/ NYC

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