Above & Beyond perform Thursday at the International Dance Music Awards (7-11 p.m. at the Miami Beach Resort and Spa, 4833 Collins Ave.)
Above & Beyond: Jono, Tony and Paavo
By Jay Rooney
Above & Beyond, consisting of trio Jonothan "Jono" Grant, Tony McGuinness and Paavo Siljamäki, are a British trance group which, besides performing worldwide, are also behind the famous Anjunabeats label and their weekly "Trance Around the World" radio show, which can be listened to on XM Channel 82 (8 p.m. Friday, 4 p.m. Monday). During the Conference, they’ll be performing Thursday at the International Dance Music Awards (7-11 p.m. at the Miami Beach Resort and Spa, 4833 Collins Ave.) as well as at a free in-store appearance Friday at FYE (2-6 p.m., 501 Collins Ave).
Where did you come up with your name?
Tony McGuinnes: We did this remix, it was the first thing we’d done, so we needed a name. Jono ran with a motivational trainer, he printed out his web page, and [the trainer’s] slogan was "above and beyond." As a soon as I saw it, I knew it.
What influences/inspires your music?
Classical music and indie music, from The Cure to Coldplay. Trance music is trying to connect with the human part of music, not what clothes you wear or what car you drive. It’s not gonna make you happy. Although I think trance is more soulful in that way. I write about emotional things in my life rather than physical acts. So you want the music to be universally transcending on that level.
Where do you go when you’re in Miami?
We haven’t been here other than for connecting flights, but we always have six hours, and I usually go out to Ocean Drive. Jono and I walk through Miami Beach. I love the Art Deco buildings, the restaurants, shopping - it’s not the best time to go to the clubs, but I think two years ago it wasn’t too big, it was a more interesting, amazing atmosphere.
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- Take a lesson in Brickell
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