Tag Archive for: tara brooks

Guest post by Jennifer King

As I drove away from the luminous sunset and into the cloudless dusk on my drive to South Beach Miami towards Do Not Sit On The Furniture, I immediately knew I was in for an impassioned and magniloquent musical chef d’oeuvre with diverse notes on my entrée. The archetype at Do Not Sit… is artlessly timeless.

As always, the experience is a lavish plate of echoing and swirling vibes are floating with mystery in an elaborate and multifaceted ambience.

The family and staff at Do Not Sit On The Furniture are supremely positive and welcoming. Dancing alongside the skillful DJs after their sets and, in the case of this particular night, with the DJ’s company the likes of New York City’s Delfic, is all a part of an typical outing at Do Not Sit.

Other industry paragons will be subservient by your side as you rollick the night away into a memorable bliss. Do Not Sit On The Furniture is indefatigable and true to its tone and consistency, making it timeless attraction.

Passions, intentions, motivations, and challenges are all coming to mind as I sit on the furniture over different areas of the club to really feel the vibrations of the music. It was effortless to sit as the furniture was completely vacant as a result of the entire venue dancing with intention, taking the club’s name to literal heart.

I danced as if I were comfortable at home, of course. The feeling of subtle xylophone chimes and courageous breaks vibrated through my core, as a hint of  classy jazz inspiration brought everything home during a particularly memorable track.

The sound at Do Not Sit On The Furniture radiates. It evokes in my mind that now now “vintage New York” sound that I used to dance my ass off to at the original Le Souk on Avenue B and 4^th Street in Alphabet City, where I lived and thrived endlessly.

As I am there, I speak to the owners of the club, Behrouz and Megan Nazari, and ask, “What feel in atmosphere at Do Not Sit On The Furniture depicts the overall sound in comparison to the ‘playa tech’ sound at Burning Man as well as the free- spirited sound at Love Burn?

“The acoustics and customizations with the analog processor and the unique make of the speakers hold it volumes above the amplified sound travel that one hears at Burning Man or Love Burn,” explains Behrouz. “Burning man sound as an art form has an unfair advantage over other art forms when the bass cannot be effectively contained with any structures.”

“At Do Not Sit On The Furniture the sound system is one-of-a-kind. I seek out custom made speakers with an Eastern origin that truly gives the sound an acoustic advantage. You can be anywhere in the venue and you will hear the music differently but never too high-sounding and intense or inaudible and subdued,” he continues. “Extra speaker components are also an important factor to take the rhythm of. Also, tuning the sound just right to an Allen and Heath or Pioneer is essential. Although I believe the sound is on point, at Do Not Sit there is always room for improvement.”

This brings me to wonder and ask, “What do you feel are the biggest challenges within your intention limitations for Do Not Sit On The Furniture? Do you feel ataraxia more or less of the time?” The response is perhaps expected, as they begin talking about the fairly small size of the venue. “Size can be a limitation. Some industry people do not like to explore and will remain creatures of habit. Although Do Not Sit On The Furniture is ahead of the curve for most all taste makers, it is still vital to prepare in advance. The staff has become our family and when everyone is happy and loving the music and what they are doing, there is that feeling of tranquility.”

So what are the true motivations and ambitions behind Megan and Behrouz’ work at Do Not Sit? As I begin to wonder, the answer comes from Megan, “We aim to create a platform for up and coming artists which we currently do. Because the community can be lacking, helping each other out with support is a goal of ours for sure. Also Behrouz’s motivation is to go out and enjoy the music and the sound and curate artists for more new music that compliments the original sound at Do Not Sit On The Furniture.”

Earlier in the night, upon arrival at the club, I had a sit-down dinner with one of the artists set to play that night, the talented Adrian Myd for “Magician On Duty”. We were able to capture his intentions behind the custom “fabulous” hats that he has had in the works for the staff at the venue. The hats offer a unique experience and “somewhat of a show to embellish special wardrobe features.” Believe me when I convey Magician On Duty’s true artistic expertise. Adrian Myd has innumerable projects in his creation including intricate hats, custom key chains and coasters, just to name a nanoscale few. 

As a Miami resident with playing experience at a variety of venues in the city, I wondered how he felt the sound at Do Not Sit compared to other clubs. “Having lived in Miami for the past ten years, I have been fortunate enough to be able to play in most of the city’s underground nightclubs. I can firmly say that Do Not Sit on The Furniture is my favorite. I think in terms of musical direction, Do Not Sit is at least two-three years ahead of most of the nightclubs. Obviously, having an underground dance music legend, Behrouz, as the owner of the club the events are extremely well crafted.”

He goes on to say that he believes, “the people that frequent the club are sophisticated, very musically savvy and they are all about having a great time! Living in an age of technology is extremely rewarding. When I walk into the club and I do not see anyone checking their phone, or sitting on the furniture, that is truly joyful.”

Magician On Duty has been running two record labels for the past three years and most notably the music from the imprints has been supported by the likes of Behrouz, Hoj, Joseph Capriati, Madmotormiquel, Rampue, Birds Of Mind, Marymoon, Denite, Riva Starr, Hraach, BLANCah, Jamie Jones, Josephine Retour, Lea Dobricic, Martin Kremser, Philipp Kempnich, Ran Salman, Sascha Cawa, Stas Drive, Alex Schaufel, Clawz SG, Leevey, Talul and many more.

“Recently, Behrouz invited me to host my own night and I am beyond ecstatic to showcase my sound and concept,” he said.

Next up I speak to Tara Brooks, a Los Angeles based artist also on the bill for the night. I ask her how she became involved with the Do Not Sit family. She opens up, “I am happy to say that I have known Behrouz Nazari for years now. We met before we performed in the same venue in San Diego called Voyeur. Since, it has been this mystical voyage into a journey of home. Do Not Sit On The Furniture is always and has been so comfortable that it feel like home. It is an honor and I feel truly grateful every time I play at the club. The vibe exudes a genuine intimacy, and it’s always an enlightened experience.”

Tara is passionate on stage, able to get the entire club grooving as one. When I have a chance, I ask her about that passion in performing at the well-managed, eclectic yet fairly small (when compared to other venues) club. “‘My home away from home’, I always say, because this family makes me feel like I am ‘home’. I have acknowledged that Do Not Sit On The Furniture has always remained consistent with its classy and captivating character as well as enticing ambience. My artistic passion is heartfelt when I play here.”

From a soft and modest woman to a strong warrior goddess, Tara whispers when she comes in but yet she comes in tough and vigorous as an artist. For myself, at Eagle Sound Agency, I am in an atmospheric heaven of sort when she is playing.

Tara’s stylistic hands drop the bass while vibrating my soul chords. She brings in a siren sound that moves the furniture around, transitions spiraling like thread to a spool spinning fabric, threading on an ambiguous tone that tunes the room to a fierce but graceful lust.

 As an entity and creative music venue that produces the type of  genres and talent that Do Not Sit On The Furniture does, it is safe to say this is the best underground scene in South Miami Beach. Everything is on point from the sound to the atmosphere to the vibe. Atmospheric lust, where sound seeks beyond expectation. Truly the home of vibe extraordinaire.

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