Talking About… Inbal Lankry

Imagine a Hindu goddess with four hands and skin that changes color every so often. I’m recalling the Hindu goddess, Lakshmi, with the other 108 names that she has for her multitude of healing and nature powers. Whatta woman!
Now, let’s talk about facts and something more palatable that we can relate with in this magic city. Let’s dive into Inbal Lankry psyche and find out what it is that pushes this woman to live like a vampire, work as a scientist and party like there is no tomorrow. Inbal, DJ, promoter and creator of the fashion brand Phoshito. Miami also has it’s own goddesses.

Where are you originally from and how does your background influences who you are?
I was born in Israel but grew up in New York since the age of five. Both my parents are Moroccan and that is as much a part of who I am as being from Israel or Brooklyn. Moroccans are known for their hospitality and warmth and that is part of my everyday life working in the Nightlife business and relating with people. The Brooklyn girl in me is at the forefront of who I am; anyone that meets me can see it. New York definitely shaped me musically, as much as my family did.

You have been in Miami since 2002, was there any cultural shock or difference in the nightlife scene back then between New York (your previous home) and Miami (your current one)?
Absolutely!  The first year I lived here, in South Florida, I noticed a lack of so many things I had access to in New York. I treated New York as if I was a tourist. I was out and about almost every night of the week and there was constantly great live shows, DJs, plays, cultural events that were happening and I didn’t want to miss out on any of them. After a while, living in Miami, I realized we have those things here too but you really have to seek them out.  When I first moved here, I was starved for a deep soulful dance floor moment and then I found Aquabooty. I wanted to hear some great live music then I found Jazid and Churchill’s. It was all a process but there definitely was not a large variety, as there is in NY.

What were the first steps that you took to step into the music world?
In New York, at about the age of 15, all my friends and I were going to the clubs that were happening back then: Limelight, Palladium and Tunnel. As time went on, I started promoting for those venues. Also my older brother Sharone (Baby Sean) played quite often at different venues all over NY, so I had access to promoting and meeting key people in the music/nightlife scene.
But I don’t think I took actual steps. It was more of an unconscious thing . . . I was so passionate about so many different types of sounds and I just put my self in the environment where that sound was happening. If Everything But the Girl was playing at Roseland (NY), I would be there! And I would be there every night that they’d be playing.
When I moved to Miami and was about to open my venue, Sonar, I was relentless in meeting every promoter, every DJ, every band I could. One person led me to another and it was a snowball effect. After Sonar I promoted my own events and friends events, I would be out in the scene almost every night . . . it was essential to make my presence known.

When did you realize that you were becoming a DJ?
I think I always had the DJ bug in me since I started messing with my brothers records at the age of 12. I always collected music. In the late 90s I started collecting DJ sets and got caught in finding songs that DJs were playing and was so interested in the mixing styles of every different one. If you met me and we became friends I would almost immediately create you a mix tape/CD of what I thought that person would love or what I thought they needed to hear. I had access to the equipment, I was already collecting tracks and music from artists I loved. The only thing missing was actually playing out and mixing. When I actually DJed for the first time, it felt like the most natural thing I’ve ever done. Didn’t even get nervous. I tend to be shy about performing, but not when I DJ.

Please share with us the people, adventures or experiences that have shaped your life and decisions as far as pursuing your goals.
My family, especially my siblings are a huge part of all the decisions I make; they help me along the way and keep me grounded. Traveling is so important and definitely shapes who I am and the style I like.

Please describe your work in the nightlife and club scene. What are the advantages and disadvantages of such a life style?
I’m a sort of Gal Friday of the nightlife scene. I mostly work at Electric Pickle now where I manage, promote, DJ, handle booking, door girl mostly on Fridays, and take care of the graphic design. I enjoy it for all that it is and all that it isn’t. I do DJ at different venues and collaborate with nightlife promoters on certain events. The advantage is all that I get exposed to as far as people, music and learning something new each day. It’s never boring! Disadvantage would be the lack of sleep!

What does it take, according to your opinion, to be a good DJ, and who are some of the artists that you admired?
To be a good DJ you can’t pigeonhole your sound (your ear), you have to listen to everything and keep an open mind. In the house music that I play, there are so many elements of afrobeat, jazz, funk, soul, techno, hip hop; I look for those tracks that will have that something different. One of the artists I hugely admire in the DJ realm is Henrik Schwarz, he recently did a live show at Electric Pickle.  I’ve pretty much heard every DJ I’ve ever wanted to hear but this guy was mind blowing. Other DJ/producers I love: Ian Pooley, High Contrast, Jimpster, Dixon, Ben Watt, Kevin Yost, Boddhi Satva, Wolf & Lamb (all their artists),  Crosstown Rebels (all their artists), Booka Shade, Derrick Carter, just an overall great DJ, DJ T.  There are so many . . . it’s endless.

Wasabi Fashion Kult has previously collaborated with your side project “Phoshito” a life style brand targeting the funky and extroverted individuals with a craving for music and partying. How is this related to your music career and what do you wish to express with your designs?
Clothing and music go hand in hand. Every musical scene has a style that is owned by them. Phoshito crosses that barrier and is appreciated by anyone that looks at an art piece and connects to it. Phoshito was created to express an artistic point of view on to it’s own. The colors are loud, the cut is funky the images are sexy, creative and strong. I could say the same about my music or me.

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Girl Power Quizz:

-Miami tastes like what? Sour patch kids . . . it’s gonna suck before it gets sweet
-Romanticism is necessary for . . . For creativity, it can’t exist without it.
-I am proud of my . . . Music  collection. Just listen!
-I can’t live with out . . . My Sister, Betty, she’s my other half
-What is Wasabi? This funky hot chick that does amazing things and I think it is a spicy Asian condiment too.
-The best kiss is like . . . This . . . mmmmmwah! juicy and soft.
-Top 5 music wise: Sade, Led Zepplin, Aretha franklin, Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye
-A hidden quality: Cooking
-Favorite cartoon . . . Venture brothers! Cracks me up!
-What do you wear to feel sexy? A slinky cotton jersey dress, it hugs my body smoothly.
-Freedom in your own words: Being able to say, feel and do what you want and love who you want.

To see more of  Inbal Lankry find her :::
Dj @ Electric Pickle on Thursdays
Dj @ Bar 721 on Mondays
Next special event::
Inbal’s Birthday on June 25th @ Electric Pickle she will be djing with Doc Marting
www.funku2.com
www.myspace.com/sonarniteclub
www.facebook.com/inbal.lankry

Mix for download: http://soundcloud.com/inbal/01-inbal-curling-beats