Episodes

Tired of waiting for someone to give you a chance? Josh Baker's story proves you don't need permission to start building something meaningful in music. Starting with literally nothing - a £20 generator and field parties where...

🎫 PRESALE ALERT: Chicago Music Nexus 2025 presale tickets are now live for 2 weeks only! Last year completely sold out, so don't sleep on this. GET YOUR TICKETS HERE Want to know what separates artists who complain about the ...

Think your local scene holds the key to your DJ success? This conversation with Hiroko Yamamura will change that perspective entirely. Even in a major music city like Chicago, waiting for local validation can be a career-limi...

For our milestone 100th episode, we're celebrating in our brand new Chicago studio with someone who's been part of this journey from day one - my brother, Proppa. His recent success with Warner Bros. offers the perfect case s...

Want to know what it takes to navigate the music industry from both sides of the table? This week's conversation with Mouna Dif offers a unique perspective from someone who's journeyed from singer-songwriter to respected mana...

Want to know why most dance music marketing fails? In this eye-opening conversation, former TikTok UK/EU music marketing lead Dan Roy Carter reveals the insider metrics, hidden paid strategies, and fundamental shifts that are...

Want to know how Mark Knight built Toolroom Records into one of dance music's most enduring empires? In this conversation with the legendary DJ, producer, and label founder, he breaks down the exact blueprint that's kept him ...

In an era obsessed with overnight success, Mary Droppinz offers a radical perspective: give yourself at least 10 years in this industry before you even consider throwing in the towel. This conversation is a wake-up call for a...

Want to know how one of dance music's biggest stars built a movement through vulnerability? In this special Miami Music Week episode, James Hype and Tita Lau reveal the counterintuitive strategies behind their massive online ...

What happens when you sell your company to Amazon for nearly a billion dollars? For Twitch co-founder Justin Kan, it meant following an unexpected passion - building one of Burning Man's most impressive art installations and ...

Want to know how to read a room when multiple distractions compete for attention? This week's guest, Mister Gray, has mastered this skill during his 11-year residency at E11even, a unique venue that combines the energy of a n...

Want to know what it really takes to build something in dance music? When Jason Euler's emails to Relentless Beats went unanswered, he didn't just try again - he threw his own block party, betting everything he had. We're tal...

Want to know why some artists leave Miami Music Week with game-changing opportunities while others just leave broke? This week's guest Paul Campbell isn't just another industry veteran - he's the ultimate Miami insider who's ...

Want to know why some artists crumble under success while others turn it into sustainable careers? When GUDFELLA's remix of "Rule the World" exploded, getting picked up by major European soccer teams and even Tiësto, it marke...

In an industry where burnout is normalized and careers end before they begin, most DJs don't realize they're one health crisis away from losing everything. This week's guest, Ethan Schiff, knows this reality all too well - af...

Name another industry where it's normal to wait three months to get paid for work you've already done. In this episode, I'm sharing my exact system for getting paid on time - the same system that earned me the nickname "The C...

Want to know why most DJs struggle to make a living while others build sustainable careers? In this special episode from Chicago Music Nexus, a powerhouse panel of industry experts breaks down the revenue streams you're proba...

Want to know why some DJs instantly capture attention while others fade into the background? This week's guest, Wardrobe Consultant, Stylist, and My Friend Camille Ries reveals how developing your signature style can be the d...

When TikTok vanished for 12 hours, most creators panicked. But Miami-based DJ and artist manager 2AR stayed calm - because he'd built something bigger than just a following. His twice-daily streams have evolved into a digital...

Want to know how I went from being an awkward outsider to building genuine industry relationships? In this episode, I break down my complete networking playbook - including the FBI agent strategy that changed everything. If y...

If you've ever felt pressure to change your sound, this episode is your permission slip to stay true to your vision. Chicago house legend Terry Hunter shares how refusing to compromise his artistry led to three Grammy nominat...

She was mistaken for a groupie at her OWN SHOW. When we pre-judge artists - for their gender, age, appearance, or background - we all lose out on potential innovation and creativity. This week's guest, Haylee Wood, shares how...

Think you know what your audience wants? This week's guest might change your perspective entirely. Moody Jones, GM of Disposable Records under EMPIRE, shares crucial insights about understanding how people actually experience...

In an era where festivals are shutting down left and right, Same Same But Different Festival grew revenue by 17% while others struggled. How? By challenging the "bigger is better" mindset and putting community first. In this ...