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"You'd tell your boss "I have to go work," then you went and got wasted for three days..."

Conventional wisdom about the Miami Winter Music Conference says it's the place where the industry meets to do business, where big records are played and made, where everyone networks all day and parties till dawn. Ibiza Voice wants more though. We want to know what it's really like on the ground. How records really break. Who - if anyone - gets any sleep. What the best thing about Miami really is.

To answer these questions we turned to experts: Miami veterans and world-class party animals M.A.N.D.Y. The pair is almost impossible to track down, unless they're actually behind a pair of decks, but after several hours of phoning and a trail of texts the Voice finally gets on the line to the ultra-charming Philipp Jung. "Sorry, I was up till 7AM with [roommate] Konrad Black," he says, by way of explanation (this, mind, on a Wednesday). Then, between yawns, he proceeds to dish the dirt on good music, bad food, big money and beautiful girls.  

How many years have you been going to the Miami WMC?
"This is the fourth year we're doing the Get Physical parties. But I've been going maybe 12 years. I used to do A&R for record companies. You'd tell your boss "I have to go work," then you went and got wasted for three days."  

Did you get any work done? Sign any big records?
"No! Never! [laughs]"  

Does any work ever get done?
"You spend the whole day talking to people, but by the pool. Not many people go there to work. It's more to meet your friends in a nice environment." 

How has the WMC changed over the years?
"When you get older you always think things were better before [laughs]. The Conference is still the key to North and South America, though so it's very important for European promoters to represent there." 

How important is it for breaking music?
"I don't think it's as important, because the internet means everyone hears new tunes instantly. It is good to promote though. When records get played there you have a good chance they'll be a big hit. Last year with Heater by Samim we put out 100 white labels and it just exploded."  

What's your big Miami record this year?
"Roar by Patrice Baumel on Get Physical. We have 50 white labels for the DJs. "

What is your tip for the best parties?
"The best parties are always some dudes sitting on the steps of their house. We like to do private parties. This year Patrick [Bodmer, the other half of M.A.N.D.Y.], Ewan Pearson, Konrad Black, Heidi and I will rent a place. We like to party but we're not too hardcore. We're adults. We have barbeques."  

How much food gets eaten in Miami, seriously?
"Ummmmm. My problem is I can't find any good restaurants [chuckles]. The food here is rubbish. I meet people for lunch and dinner but there's not a lot of eating going on."  

Do you get any sleep?
"Maybe three hours a day…"

What's the best thing about Miami?
"We're going on a boat party, which should be cool. Of course the beautiful girls…. It is "Hang out at the beach. Look at the people. Watch the big cars and big tits go by…"  nice to look but not touch - I'm a gentleman. Haha."

Have you done the whole yachts, champagne, partying with the stars thing?
"Honestly, I'm not into the whole celebrity scene. I'd rather hang out with my buddies." 

What's your secret Miami haunt?
"The Delano Hotel (www.delano-hotel.com). I like to sit on the terrace and have drinks or lunch. It's super-expensive but it's quality." 

What are your insider tips for enjoying Miami?
"If you've come for the first time decide what you really want to do and stick with it - two parties a night, max. Enjoy the weather. Hang out at the beach. Look at the people. Watch the big cars and big tits go by…"

What's the most rock'n'roll thing you've ever done in Miami?
"Kiss a transvestite. Did I know? Er, no. My friends told me afterwards "you know that's a guy, right?"  

What's in your WMC survival kit?
"Suncream and lots of cash."  

How do you recover post-conference?
"We're going to stay till the next week, hang out and take it easy. Maybe we'll fly to the Bahamas later."  

What's your best hangover cure?
"I go to spas a lot. I'm a total woman about this. The easiest way to recover is to get treated nicely. Get a massage. All that shit."  

What's next for M.A.N.D.Y.?
"We have a 20-date bus tour around the States, starting end of April. It's going to be proper rock and roll. I want to watch Fear & Loathing again… we might imitate some of the situations in real life [laughs]."

M.A.N.D.Y. & Booka Shade  Live Performance - WMC2007, Miami, Studio A  » Video here »

Once they've finished painting Miami red and rock'n'rolling across America M.A.N.D.Y. will be back in the studio to continue work on an album project with Lopazz (Read here).

They play Monza opening 2008, Ibiza, check the calendar here for info.