PLSN: How did you get your start in the
industry?
Andre Serafini: I am a drummer and I started tinkering with live sound in high school for my friends that had bands. As a drummer, I found the production side natural, as I was working with microphones and other production gear. I actually got pretty good at handling different type rooms and such, so as time went by, my reputation grew. After building up a decent list of bands as clients, I decided to go ahead and take the plunge and make the company official. It really took off. Within the first two years, Beach had hired three employees and had branched off into other areas such as corporate shows and live events.
When did Beachsound start?
We began doing small events in the late 1980s. Probably 1989, to be exact. We made the company official in 1994. We thought Beachsound was an appropriate name, due to the frequency of shows we were doing in the Miami Beach vicinity. It was a really interesting time in Miami, with the influx of Spanish speaking immigrants as well as it being the pinnacle of the violent drug boom. In order to survive in those times, we had to learn Adaptation and Accommodation, which I believe was a fortunate lesson to learn at such an early stage in our business. Pleasing the customer was paramount in those early days, and that principle has stuck with us and is really part of our DNA.
Go through some of the history and highlights of the company.
In the early 1990s, we were operating out of a truck with a four-by-eight-foot trailer. We now have a fleet of trucks including a tractor-trailer rig. We are constantly running out of space. I bought my first building about seven years ago. We grew out of that in the second year, but we still have the meat of our gear and all of our offices at that location. Beachsound won a Parnelli Award in 2010 [Hometown Hero Sound Company of the Year], which is very important to us. I never thought a small bit of recognition would be that important, but we are all very proud. Being a part of two video shoots with [LD] Tom Kenny that won Grammys was another achievement for Beachsound. We have been fortunate to provide installation work at some of South Florida’s landmark venues, including major casinos and the Miami Heat’s home court, American Airlines Arena. All in all, we’ve done a ton of exciting gigs and remain in love with this business. I’m very proud to say that people call Beachsound when they want quality. That’s probably the best compliment we can be paid. Especially when it comes from the best artists, designers and companies in the industry.
What are some of the services that Beachsound offers?
Beachsound is a full service production company. We provide sound, lighting, video, truss, rigging, design, visual design suites, product training, support, repair, trucking and labor. While we started in audio, we’ve grown to have one of the most complete inventories in the region. Our gear is only the best. We provide d&b, L-Acoustics, Martin, Thomas, MA Lighting, DiGiCo, Christie and Avid, to name a few. We’re very proud that 90 percent of our customers are repeat customers.
Explain how a sound company gets into lighting and video.
Beachsound developed a working lighting department very early on, due to the immediate demand of our clients needs. Most people did not realize the activity of this department in whole, due to the company’s name at the time, “Beachsound.” At this point our lighting department is as large as our audio departments, and still growing, and it has been recognized by some of the top players in the industry. We are now known as “Beachsound & Lighting.” We also have been deploying LED, projection and switching for years now. Another out-of-necessity growth area.
What are some of the big name productions/events that you have put on?
Aerosmith in Ecuador was fantastic. The opening of the Miami Marlins stadium was a huge event for the city and all of South Florida. We’ve run the gamut, from presidential campaigns to top artists such as Ricky Martin. We did a beautiful Juanes DVD shoot that won a Grammy. The Mercedes Benz Corporate Run is always exciting. And I guess I couldn’t get away without mentioning the Ultra Fests we have done for many years now. These shows are getting bigger every year. Spectacular line ups and crowds. We love the collaborations that go on for Ultra. It’s becoming quite an important show for the city of Miami and it’s economy, and Beachsound is at the forefront.
What are some of the trends that Beachsound is seeing in the industry?
I see the trend of boutique companies handling different aspects of the shows. After the last five or six years of a tough economic situation, it seems as though people are gravitating towards quality over quantity. While customers were forced to use less quality equipment when given smaller budgets for the same shows, I think a streamlining of sorts has begun. If company “A” does a great job on video and company “B” has immaculate sound and lighting, I see the client splitting the duties rather than taking company “C,” who does it all at an average level. A bit more time-consuming to put together, but certainly getting the most out of their budgets. We’re lucky to have excellent quality in many areas, so we do win quite a few full productions.
What makes Beachsound stand above the rest?
Quality, quality and more quality. We place a lot of value in relationships with our clients. We take a lot of pride in what we do, and are passionate about our craft. Attention to detail, project preparation, dedication and providing creative solutions. These values and work ethic give us that repeat business and ultimately provides new business. Anyone can have the best gear and tons of events booked, but if you don’t have the right people behind the scenes, it is all for naught. I know I am biased, but I am proud to work with what I feel is the best team in the business and they lay it on the line and prove it, day after day and night after night.
What is the future of the industry, and Beachsound?
Back to the two principles quoted above: “Adaptation and Accommodation.”
Beachsound & Lighting: Company Snapshot
MILESTONES:
1989: First gigs. 1991: Three employees. 1994: Official company launch. 2010:
Parnelli Hometown Hero Award (sound)
CURRENT OFFERINGS:
Full technical production: lighting, audio and video gear along with staging, certified technicians and design services.
ADDRESS:
1001 Park Centre Blvd., Miami Gardens, FL 33169
PHONE:
305.623.3339
FAX:
305.623.3336
WEB ADDRESS:
