Episodes

Think you need to stay in one lane to build a successful music career? Night Tales just proved that wrong by creating CLR (Colour, Love, Rhythm) - a groundbreaking event series that's taking them around the country. CLR is a hybrid experience that partners with local bands, dancers, and cultural performers in each city, creating shows that reflect each community's unique identity. From working with a 10-piece marching band and Outkast horn players in Atlanta to collaborating with indigenous Nav...

The music industry will change whether you like it or not. Chicago house legend Gene Farris has watched it transform completely over three decades - from needing vinyl releases to get overseas gigs to watching sync buttons replace beatmatching skills. His survival strategy? Build your own infrastructure. With over 500 releases on Ferris Wheel Recordings, Gene has created his own platform where he controls the quality, sound, and standards. When the industry shifts in ways you don't agree with, ...

Most DJs complain about not getting booked. Sarat, a drone pilot and DJ, created his own bookings instead. In just one year, he grew his sunrise sets from 30 people to 400+ people by building the scene he wanted to be part of. Starting with nothing but a unique perspective of Chicago from his drone footage and a love for melodic house music, Sarat created sunrise events that serve a community craving something different from traditional club experiences. His story proves that when you stop wait...

Think you need millions of followers to build a successful music career? This conversation with Alex Hilburn, Co-Founder of Surge Marketing, will completely change how you think about fan engagement and marketing. While most artists are burning money on digital ads and chasing follower counts, Surge has generated $3 million in ticket sales by turning regular fans into active ambassadors. Their secret? Understanding that one superfan with 1,000 followers can sell $50,000 worth of tickets because...

THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY DEEP TROPICS. Deep Tropics is an immersive dance experience in the heart of Music City, Nashville, where party truly meets purpose. Known as the most sustainable festival in North America, Deep Tropics is an energetic celebration of culture, community, and the planet. Catch headliners like Chris Lake, Lane 8, Subtronics, and more on August 15th and 16th. Secure tickets here: https://www.deeptropics.org/ Think starting your own label is always the right move? Kyle Wat...

THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY DEEP TROPICS. Deep Tropics is an immersive dance experience in the heart of Music City, Nashville, where party truly meets purpose. Known as the most sustainable festival in North America, Deep Tropics is an energetic celebration of culture, community, and the planet. Catch headliners like Chris Lake, Lane 8, Subtronics, and more on August 15th and 16th. Secure tickets here: https://www.deeptropics.org/ Think you need to appeal to everyone to succeed? This conversati...

My studio flooded on June 25th. Everything is damaged. However, I'm here to show you how to navigate setbacks in your career without losing your momentum. In this deeply personal episode, I share the story of losing my dream podcast studio just two months after investing $15,000 into building it. From vintage furniture sourced across Chicago to countless hours of equipment setup - all destroyed by a malfunctioning pipe in the bathroom above. But this isn't a sob story. It's a lesson in resilie...

THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY DEEP TROPICS. Deep Tropics is an immersive dance experience in the heart of Music City, Nashville, where party truly meets purpose. Known as the most sustainable festival in North America, Deep Tropics is an energetic celebration of culture, community, and the planet. Catch headliners like Chris Lake, Lane 8, Subtronics, and more on August 15th and 16th. Secure tickets here: https://www.deeptropics.org/ Want to know what separates artists who build lasting careers fr...

Want to know how to read and control any room, no matter how diverse the crowd? Ms. Mada's unique perspective as both booking operations manager and resident DJ at Space Miami offers insights that most artists never get access to. From handling Miami's most eclectic crowds - mixing Space regulars with first-time tourists experiencing the legendary venue - to building her reputation as one of the industry's most respected selectors, Ms. Mada reveals what it really takes to move people through mu...

Want to expand your music career beyond your home market? Jeff's strategic approach to building Short Circuit across multiple cities offers a blueprint for sustainable geographic expansion. Jeff reveals how he identifies the right partners in each market and creates authentic events that resonate with local scenes while maintaining his brand identity. His journey from corporate lawyer to label owner proves that expansion doesn't require aggressive tactics or massive budgets - just the right str...

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 people told him to "turn this shit off" - Josh created his own opportunities when no one would book him. Fast forward to today, and he's co-founded You & Me parties, created Hide and Seek Festival, and launched Syntho, his artist education platform. This isn't about becom...

🎫 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 industry from those who actually change it? This conversation between the co-founders of Chicago Music Nexus reveals the mindset and actions required to "put yourself on" and create the opportunities you wish existed. From Sherm's journey building Sherm in the Booth into ...

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-limiting strategy. Hiroko reveals why looking beyond your hometown - even when it's a music capital - might be the most important move you make. But this conversation goes far deeper, offering insights into the psychology of DJing, crowd management, and what it really takes to ...

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 study in what it really takes to break through in music. From years of producing remixes to finally seeing his work gain major label support, Proppa's journey embodies the persistence required in this industry. Our conversation explores the reality behind "overnight success"...

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 manager and label executive. After experiencing firsthand how artists can be taken advantage of - from having vocals used without approval to never receiving payment - Mouna transformed these challenges into motivation to protect others. Now, after co-founding Quality Goods Rec...

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 reshaping how music is promoted in 2025. From his early days working with Avicii and Tiesto to leading TikTok's global music initiatives, Dan has seen the evolution of release strategies from every angle. Now, as founder of Carter Projects and World Go Round, he's helping ...

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 at the top of his game for over two decades. While most artists chase trends and quick wins, Mark has methodically constructed something built to last through principles that apply whether you're selling tech house or washing machines. From controlling your own destiny to o...

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 anyone looking for shortcuts in dance music. From her recent move to Miami to her journey of staying true to her musical vision despite industry pressure to conform, Mary breaks down why persistence might be the most underrated skill in an artist's toolkit. Her insights on b...

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 communities and why authenticity trumps "cool factor" every time. From being called "cringe" to having fake news articles written about him, James has faced every form of criticism possible - yet he's built a following of millions by deliberately showcasing the struggles be...

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 launching a music label focused on community. From constructing a 70-foot iceberg with 200,000 LEDs to learning to DJ while building it, Justin's journey offers powerful insights about community building that apply at any scale. His transition from tech entrepreneur to arti...

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 nightclub with the dynamics of a strip club. From sharing decks with Tiesto and Marshmello to working 12-hour marathon shifts, Mister Gray reveals practical insights about crowd psychology, handling requests, and maintaining your passion, which apply to DJs in any setting. H...

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 talking maxed-out credit cards, a pink slip against his car, and a call to his mom saying, "If this fails, I'm moving home." From losing thousands in a single night to massive success, Jason's journey proves that the people who 'make it' in this industry aren't the ones who ne...

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 seen it all from every angle. From throwing his first party at Club Space at age 16 to co-founding the legendary Dayglow events to now managing Grammy-nominated duo Side Piece, Paul reveals exactly how to navigate one of the most important weeks in dance music. As a lifel...

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 marked the beginning of an incredible journey - but one that came with unexpected challenges that would ultimately make him a stronger artist. In one of the most honest conversations I've had on the show, GUDFELLA opens up about transforming viral success into authentic artistry...