In Vinyl Veritas

If DJs flock to vinyl like moths to a flame, then Tom Laroc better get used to wiping the bloody debris of other turntablists out of his grill. The man literally has thousands of records, and every Thursday, he brings upward of 2,000 of them to the Pawn Shop to...

By D. Sirianni

December 22, 2005

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If DJs flock to vinyl like moths to a flame, then Tom Laroc better get used to wiping the bloody debris of other turntablists out of his grill. The man literally has thousands of records, and every Thursday, he brings upward of 2,000 of them to the Pawn Shop to provide a seven-hour mix that encompasses everything from hip-hop and R&B to reggae and freestyle. His sets have become increasingly popular with the bobbing masses of SoBe exiles and ritzy wannabes slumming in the environs of downtown Miami. The New York transplant got his first set of decks on Valentine's Day of 1984 and has been perfecting his blend of old-school turntablist technique and cross-generational knowledge of urban music that is rarely, if ever, seen in a South Florida beat jockey. This is the DJ who matches beats, has perfect phrasing, gets the cues right, and actually keeps the party going. Did we mention this party has BBQ too? You know it's on.

DJ Tom Laroc spins at 10 p.m. every Thursday at the Pawn Shop, 1222 NE Second Ave., Miami. Tickets cost $10. Call 702-241-6646.

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