How to Break Into a Scene From the Outside ft. Daniel Orpi | EF EP 162

0:00 No matter how much success you get, you're not going to be happier. Let's say I achieve all my goals and everything and I don't think I'm going to be happier than I am now. Daniel Orpe left Barcelona for a country where he barely spoke the language, taught himself to produce and bet everything on a dream most people told him wasn't a real job. A decade later, he's topping beat port charts and playing rooms like Amnesia with cosines from Pete Tong and the Martinez Bros. This is elevated frequencies. Ever wonder how top DJs actually built their careers? I had to do 15 years of hard work to get any of the recognition that I wanted. Where I saw a turning point in my career is when I came true to myself. From marketing and mindset to networking and negotiation, I'm giving you the tools you need to build a lasting career in dance music.

0:49 Give them bits of you and your everyday life. You have to change the way you view the word no. Like me, I'm encouraged by it. Join me, Olivia Mancuso and industry leaders as we reveal reveal what it really takes to turn your passion into profit. This is elevated frequencies, something I've learned building in this industry.

1:57 Something that I thought about while you're on your way here is I've only had American artist in the studio the past couple weeks and the World Cup is going on right now. And to America, we don't, we don't know, like we don't know anything like compared to the rest of the world. So as a DJ, you have this unique perspective that you've been to the States probably before a lot of people who are coming here for for the World Cup. When you came to the States to play music and you brought news of the US back to like, the homeland, what were you telling people? You do you mean about? Like, people have all these preconceived ideas about America that I think are being broken down now that they're here for the World Cup.

2:43 Oh yeah, yeah, 100%. I love the US, to be honest, because I met some so many wonderful people and I think there is a misconceived idea about how the society is just because they're leaders. So I believe that if you go down to the people that actually live in here, everyone gets along very well. I never had any trouble. Like everyone is so much welcoming and I feel that there is this idea about the Americans being thinking more of themselves. But when you get here, everyone is is nice. Like I don't feel that as much. Yeah, yeah. I think like for the first time, like people, like Americans were proud to be American because people are coming to our country from, you know, like Dutch people are coming, German people, Spanish, but like people from all over the world and having a good time here.

3:36 And we're like, oh, yeah, we're not so terrible because you, we get in our own heads with the media. We're like, yeah, this is a terrible place, but it's really not. Yeah, no, I don't and I don't think so. And I believe that if you see like regular people, everyone has, I don't know, kinder perspective about people than what the media actually says. Yeah, Yeah, it's so true. So you're from Spain, but you didn't cut your teeth in music in Spain. You moved to the UK, right, Which is this other when we're talking about the landscape of house music. I mean, it really is Spain and the UK that is like the beacons.

4:20 It's like the Mecca's, Yeah. What prompted that decision? And how old were you when you decided to move there? Oh, that was 2016. It all started because I decided to move. I decided to move to London. And that was 2016. And a friend told me like, why instead of going to London, you go to Ibiza for one? Week. That's what I was going to ask. And try to. I don't meet people, find opportunities, network and look at him. I was like, you know what, I think that's actually a good idea. So yeah, I went, I went on a boat to Ibiza from Barcelona with my car, didn't rent any hotel or anything. And you know, I, I went there for like 5 days and I knew a guy from the DJ school that I went just like few months before that, that told me that he was going to be in Ibiza that that season.

5:25 So I connected with him and one thing led to the other, we start to go to different parties and that's where I met these guys from Liverpool. I don't know how because at that time I wasn't speaking English at all. Like it was really broken English. I couldn't have a proper conversation and they were from Liverpool obviously, so their accent was really difficult. But some, I don't know how. We got along really well and after a few days partying together and everything, they told me like you should come to Liverpool man and stay with us making music. And obviously I felt that at that point I wasn't secure enough because of my language, like the language barrier. But after a while we met again for Ade and actually they told me seriously, like, are you moving here or not? So at some point I have, I have this story because I, I always go to the, to a turret guy that he reached me the turret. And at that point my grandma, she was really ill. So the guy told me, until you are not on your path to your dreams, she's not going to passed away. And at that point, that was November 16, I decided to go to the UK, move with them for I

6:56 stayed there for six months. So I was like, you know what, what, what's the worst thing could happen? So I decided to move there with them. They, they were really nice with me and they, they took me in their house and they were really, really warm with me and they, they were there for anything that I need. So I decided to move. That was November, mid November and two days after I moved to Liverpool my mother called me and she told me that my grandma passed away. Wow. Just two days after I left to Liverpool. Wow, so that was a sign. Oh, yeah, yeah. I mean, the time where I went to see my grandma before leaving to Liverpool, I knew that it was going to be the last time that I see I saw her.

7:42 So it was, yeah. I mean, I still feel it, but I, I, I feel her still with me. So it's, I don't know, it's such an experience. And I feel that she's with me helping all the time. So yeah, it's amazing. I'm I'm, I was very close with my Nonna. That's my grandma. I have her, I have her tattooed here. And if you think about their generation probably doesn't understand a career in the music industry at all, but they just want to see their grandchildren happy and thriving. And would it? How did she feel about you having this dream in music?

8:24 So my mother, actually, she wanted to be an actress, OK, but she never did it. Like she, like she, she does some stuff now, but she wanted to do it professionally and she never got to do it. And to be doing this for her is like achieving my dreams and she's achieving her dreams through me. So it kind of feels like a special because also my grandma, she, she wanted to be on the radio. See, so my, my family from my mother's side always been into artistic kind of dedication. Whereas my dad, on the other hand, he was like, my dad is from Lebanon. So it's more like a regular, you know, old school style. You have to be a lawyer or a doctor or businessman, you know, to make, to make sure that you do well. And so it wasn't that easy for him to take that. I want to do do music full time but I either way they they supported me all the time so.

9:31 Yeah, that's one thing that no matter where you're from, I feel like everyone can relate. Your parents just want you to have a stable job and you understand why. Like, they just, they don't want to worry about their kid, you know? It's not that they don't, you know, respect the arts or whatever, it's just that it is a one in a million chance that you can make this, you know, your thing and pay your bills from it. Especially from a generation that they were taught that you have to study, get a regular job and that's how you save money and then you buy a house and do the regular stuff. And obviously it's just the way that they know that you can try because that's what they were for them.

10:15 But nowadays I think there is a lot of possibilities. Yeah, I have. So my my dad was born in Sicily and he immigrated here when he was like 9 or 10 years old. And so he has an older brother, older sister, and they, you know, they've assimilated, obviously they've been here for a long time, but they still have that mindset. And I remember the first, not my dad, my dad is, he started his own business. So, you know, he respects that I work for myself and my brother's a DJ and he respects that. But I remember when I told my uncle that I was quitting my full time job to work for myself. And he goes, how how are you going to make money? He was, like, panicking. And I'm like, but chill, like, chill. Like, it's a different, yeah.

11:00 And it's a different world now. But they just like. It doesn't compute to them that this is something that you can do because they never really had that opportunity. Exactly. And the same thing for, let's say I would go for the, you know, the regular path. Nobody guarantees you that you're going to do well anyway, so I'd rather do something that you like. And even if you fail at this, you're doing what you like, so. And you and you gave it a try. So you so you move to Liverpool with these guys, which is so funny that you meet them in Spain because of course, because that's like all of the UK descends on Ibiza in the summer. So that's, that makes total sense. How was it?

11:45 Because I, you know, I speak English. I can barely understand that accent. Sometimes when I do have someone from Liverpool, which happens a lot on this show, I'm just like thinking in my head. I'm like, what did they just say? You know, I'm like catching up to it. So how was like learning English in that place? It was really tough. Like, trust me, I like, I had this friend that he had to translate me the accent of what they were speaking. So at the beginning, it was really tough. And imagine for me in a foreign country, nobody speaks Spanish, so I had to be on my translator all the time. Yeah, I'm trying to pick up what they were saying. I have to say it was really difficult, but at the same time it was the best decision ever because I learn English, I could have a conversation with them in two months, so I learn English in two months.

12:34 Because you have no choice. You're there like. Since I was waking up to go to sleep, I had to practice English. So at some point, and I think it's really important because most of the, let's say the big brands or hubs, most of them there in the whether in the US or in the UK. So I think it's really important to know the language. I think it's a barrier for many artists that they don't know English. That actually open my doors for. Really. Musically. Yeah. Really. Because you get to connect with many people that at some point if you don't have deeper conversations, you're not going to connect with someone that doesn't speak the same language at the same level. I always feel guilty though, because I feel like as Americans we always assume like everyone should speak English wherever we go. So whenever I'm like in a different, like I'm going to Turkey for the first time in a couple months and I already feel guilty that I, I'm going to speak to everyone. You know what, I was just in Montreal the other week and everyone speaks French first because it's, well, you know, that's the predominant language.

13:38 And I'm just like, sorry, I speak English. Like I felt I was embarrassed, you know? Yeah, I mean as long as they see you trying. Yeah. Because I was with Ranger Truko in last week and for off sonar and he was like, yeah, I'm trying with Duolingo to learn a little bit of Spanish. I'm like, I have to say though, the grammar from Spanish is way more difficult than English. So it's. You think? Yeah, like really, Especially when you say like burps. Yeah, there is so many ways of saying the same. Thing in Spanish. And in English, it's like you. Can. Expand your vocabulary, but the way of me understanding you it's way easier for English. But the way we learn Spanish, because I took eight years of Spanish, so I know I can understand almost everything. It takes me a while to respond because I'm doing the verbs in my head when the conversational way is not that way. Like no one's, you know, using, like, no one's using like vosotros in Mexico, but like I'm like thinking in my head, you know what I mean?

14:44 Is it in Spain? Is vosotros a common? Yeah, but if you go to Argentina, they say ustedes, right? So it's like there is so many same. With Mexico. Saying the same thing. Right. So that's where I get frustrated because I'm like which, which one should I say? And I think to your point, if they just see you trying, then that's good enough. Yeah. But I but I get embarrassed because I'm like I want to say the right thing or I'm not going to say it. I feel so embarrassed like especially in when I was, when I moved to Liverpool, they were speaking to each other and maybe I wanted to speak my mind and I couldn't. And it's so frustrating because I have a like I want to say something but I cannot speak at the same velocity because it was like they speak so fast, right?

15:27 That if you miss like 2 minutes to not 2 minutes like 2 seconds. Yeah, you're lost. They're like, yeah, whatever, let's keep. Talking, you know, totally. So so you started with, did you start making music with them or were you just, you know, doing your own thing but like, hanging out? Yeah, probably I, I started making music before that because I was actually in a duo with a friend before and I think we lasted for two years. And actually that friend is who introduced me to Logic 9. And that's when I downloaded on on my MacBook and start to make some bits on that. And that's how I really started.

16:10 And but then we got like, that's when I moved to Liverpool. We were still the duo, but then we got an international geek. We played a weekend in Russia, and after that, we went for two days in and out, no sleep. It was like, yeah, you know, that, that kind of style. And my friend came up to me a week later, and he was like, I don't think I can do this, man. Wow. Like, that kind of lifestyle. I'm not made for that. And he told me, like, I think you should go on your own because I cannot keep up with this. Good for him for recognizing it early and just saying I because a lot of people will do it because they're they get like the taste of the fame or the excitement or whatever and then they push themselves and it's not really what they want. Exactly.

17:00 Yeah. I mean, if you don't, if you don't like it, everybody wants to be a DJ until they have to pick up three planes. I always tell my friends because they're like, oh, you're going to, I don't know, to Miami and New York. Oh, that's so cool. I'm like, yeah, but you want to see my schedule of flights or like, how many hours do I have to sleep? And. Yeah, or actually even be able to see the city that you're in. It's rare, yeah, to experience it I. Haven't seen yet. Chicago's the most important. I know we got, we got to get you out there today. Yeah. Yeah, I have to, Yeah. So it seems like you're a very, like, spiritual person. You really listen to your intuition. I love that you go do tarot readings because I I think like a lot of men in particular don't talk about that. They don't talk about manifestation. Like it's very, I don't know, they're afraid to like seems vulnerable or whatever.

17:54 Has that always been a big part of your life? Kind of like, Oh yeah, the spiritual side of things. Yeah, I mean, this, this guy, I feel like it was my Oracle, not because he was telling me the future, but actually he was telling me what I needed to hear. Because when I moved to Liverpool, I lasted there for six months. They went, I went back to Spain and that's when I started my solo project and I did a couple of years. I stayed in Barcelona back with my parents and at some point I feel like I'm the same because I wasn't living in Barcelona, I was living outside, which is 1 hour away, right? So I wasn't into the scene. I wasn't feeling part of that. So I reached the same point.

18:37 He was like, you need to get out here because you feel stuck in the same place, like you're in a prison because, you know, I like to travel, meet people and, and I think that's, that's something that didn't really feel when I was living there. So he was like, I don't know, think about a city you would like to go to. And actually at that point, I had some flight tickets booked to go to see Crazy Pee in London. That was in October, on October 18th. So he told me that on October 12th, he was like, you should go somewhere. And I was with him and I was like, you know what, maybe I should go to London. So two weeks later, back my all all my stuff. Back in the UK, I moved there.

19:26 Wow. Wow, London's amazing. Yeah, I love London. So, so was this around the time you really started to get some traction with with some of your favorite labels or when did that come into the picture? No, at that point I was still making music. And when I got there, I started working in a Foot Locker. A friend hooked me up with an interview in there. So I started working in a Foot Locker, go to a room for like 600 lbs. And while I was working in Foot Locker, after my shifts, I went home and I was making music in this small desk that I had in the room. It was like, I don't know, I didn't feel encouraged at all, but I was like, I need to make a change. So this is the beginning. I don't, I have to enjoy the process anyway and. That's how it really started.

20:12 But since then, obviously I was more committed to that because obviously I didn't like to work at Foot Locker, so I was like, I need to make it because I don't like this type of life. How when you have parents who are like fearful for you because they like want you to, you know, have the safe route or whatever, what was going through your mind at that time? Like I got to prove this to my parents that this was another right decision. I'm on the right path or like, were you stressed about that? Well, you know what, I think moving to another country and getting a job and trying to do things for myself. I think not only for my parents, but I was also showing myself the resilience of. 100%.

20:57 Doing things for my own and building a life that I want by myself. So I think that gave me a lot of strength for maybe difficult moments that I had of challenges or. So true. Rejections because. Yeah, I I feel like that's like an underrated strategy just for your life. Like, obviously moving to a city where there's a thriving music scene makes sense, but I don't even think you have to do that. I think just getting out of your environment and putting yourself in a new place. I've, I've, I used to be ATV reporter and I had to live in some places that I would never choose to live in, you know that.

21:40 But I had, but I had to live there. And it built a different kind of resilience because I was put into a completely different environment, one I didn't want to be in. But I'm so grateful that I had that because now I know how a different part of the world works and looks. And you know what I mean? Like getting that exposure? Especially if you're an entrepreneur, just as you or as me, I think resilience is the number one skill that we need because for example, for me, I got, I'm so used to rejection because that's what we live for. Like you're going to get $1000 until you get 1, yes.

22:22 So I think that's the most important skill to, to be appreciating the process and actually enjoy when you win at some point. But yeah, I think it's for me, I couldn't try another path because that's, that's what I mean. I I don't feel that I have any other path that I could follow. So is like, I don't care how many notes I get, I'm just gonna keep pushing. Right. And that's, and that's literally the secret. Like people think there's some secret to winning at this and it's like, it's just how many difficult periods can you push through?

23:02 Because a lot of people can't. And that's not even a criticism. It's just, you know, there's other things going on in their life or like sometimes they don't want it as bad. They realize, oh, like this is too hard. But you know, I always think about even on days, you know, I have a marketing agency, so I have clients and nothing is ever guaranteed. Even during the slow periods. I've I've thought to myself, I would rather late table like do anything else before I went back to like a nine to five, like a stable job, because it's just not a life that I can ever fathom living again. The the freedom like when you wait tables or you work part time smart, that's still freedom. You can say, no, I can't work on this day with a nine to five. It's a completely different, you know. At the same time, I have to say, though, that when you are your own boss, I have the worst boss, which is myself. Yeah.

23:59 So I'm like a workaholic in that term. Like, I'm always doing something if you tell me. What are your hobbies? I recently went to play in Sri Lanka, and I discovered that I like surf. Oh, cool. And I tried a couple of lessons and I was like, yo, I want to do this. But at some point I'm thinking, OK, when do I get the time to actually go? And do it. Totally, because I am always either making music or thinking about my marketing ideas or so many things that is going on. For 100%, but you have to have something because that's where you also get inspiration when you're doing something unrelated. Exactly. I just, I just recently started taking up. I'm not wearing any of it today, but I'm I'm making jewelry now at home. I'm also doing classes, but they're really late nights on Wednesdays and I like to go to bed early. But it's worth it because it's like I'm wearing like goggles and ear protection and like I can't be on my phone. And so I just recently, like I'm talking like 3 weeks ago, forced myself because I, I have to do something else. Because when, when you're working too much, you start to get uninspired.

25:07 Yeah, you know. And The thing is like we live in a world with phones and that we get distracted so many times that actually we're thinking too many things at the same time, but we don't really think, right. You know, I, I used to, I used to watch this guy called Bob Proctor. He's had, he had a seminary on YouTube and I used to watch it every month, every morning when I was living in London. And he was talking about manifestation and how, how we think. And he was saying like 95 of the 99% of the people, no, 1% of the people think, 4% of the people think they think, and 95% of the people would rather die than think.

25:51 It's so true. So I think it's with all the distractions that we have nowadays, it's, it's really difficult to actually keep your focus on something and that's I think when you really get to have great ideas or do something great. Yeah, I love that. The Bob Proctor videos are amazing because they're like 8 hours long, so you can't really multitask. If you have it on YouTube on your phone, you just play that. Yeah. Actually, actually when I was living in London at that time, when I started watching that seminar every morning after a few months, that's when things start to move. Like finally I had my own studio at at home, like built in studio.

26:32 But I I was already starting to get signed by few labels. I did Kaluki and then I did edible. So it's like more mid table respected labels. That's when I started to get traction with that. And actually that's when I did feel bid for number ones. And at that point I I got this release from on on whipping that it's called Angel de la Guarda, which means guardian Angel. And I did that tracking honor of my on my grandma because I don't know the melody. It kind of remind me of her and yeah, I, I feel that was a really 1st circle moment for me to actually made a song in honor of her.

27:17 But I think that's, that's when I started getting traction and and after that, that's, that's when I, I think after the pandemic, that's when I did my first US tour and things start to pick up. Wow, I love that and I love that you talked about you're the first person to talk about Bob Proctor on this show. And I feel like so many artists need to just put it's free. Here's there's so many free videos out there. 10 hours of video on YouTube and you can watch like all the seminars. I mean, I'm, I'm, I wanted to show it to everybody that I know, but obviously they are Spanish speakers, so I cannot show that much. But yeah, I really recommend that one.

27:58 Yeah. Because I think and at the same time it gives you a way of thinking of life. It's. But it's not like they're selling you anything. It's just a way of viewing life. It's they tell you the same thing in thousand different ways. And I think it's so important that you think, but then you do something about it because obviously it's really great and everyone is telling you like, Oh yeah, but you can really have positive thoughts, but nothing is going to happen. I'm like, yeah, you need to have positive thoughts when you're doing something. Right, right. You need to take. You need to take a line back. Into traction, otherwise you're not going to get anything. 100% So you after the pandemic, you do your first shows in the US? It was a tour, yeah.

28:47 Have you been to the US before? I've been because I have some family in Detroit, OK, But I, I went a couple of times with my parents. Yeah, I didn't get to experience the US right. So it was actually my first time in. Somethings artists always ask me, I get. Both questions I get as an American artist, how do I break into the European or UK circuit? And then I get what do you suggest I do to break into the American circuit? And I have more thoughts on that because I come from the American perspective. But what would you say like how did you kind of break out of like whatever your local market was and where you're we're playing into like coming into the States?

29:32 What was it? Was it the music that was traveling, you know, and kind of like opening doors for you? Or was it something else? I think more and more I see that the music is what it's doing the talk lately. And at that point it was the same because I had some artist that they were playing me a music in the US, That's how I get to connect with them and they actually got interested in booking me. So yeah, I would say it's the music. I mean it it works different for many. Like, there is many ways you can get known. You never know if it's going to be a song, it's going to be a video. It's going to be, I don't know, a friend that you meet and you get along really well and they put you on a show.

30:14 You never know. But I would say for an artist I want to breakthrough, the most reliable thing that you can do is going through the music because that's going to last longer than actually having a friend that put you on a show. Or maybe, you know, you have your own show in your city and you do like an exchange. That's not going to last long, so I think the music is the most important thing. So many artists that come on the show that are from the UK or just not from the States have such an immense respect, like for Chicago in particular for being like the birth place of house music. They recognize the roots, but the overall industry still kind of overlooks America as an important place. But maybe that maybe I have a chip on my shoulder like I just when I went to Ade last year, I feel like I don't see a lot of representation.

31:04 And granted, it's in Europe, you know, but what what are your thoughts on just how how did like the American landscape kind of shape your taste at, if at all? And where do you think we stand? Well, I would say, I would say now it's merging a lot the styles. So I don't think there is that much the difference between America and Europe. Maybe Europe can still be the dominant scene because obviously you have the biggest labels that have been around for many years and there wasn't any bigger scene, bigger scene in in the US.

31:47 But I think now you go to Miami or you go to New York or you go to Chicago, there is a lot of things going on. And I don't feel that they are behind Europe at all. Like I see man, much more people, many more people interested in music in America and South America than actually in Europe. Yeah, Mark Knight said on the show. He was like, you know, the dance music is now like your parents music in the UK. I actually saw that recently and I was like, yeah, maybe he has a point. I had never thought of that. I'm like, wait, that's that's kind of true because, yeah, they have been, you know, hip to it for so long. Exactly. Yeah.

32:27 And I feel like sometimes we're fighting an uphill battle here to, like, try to educate the general public. Like you. They think like, oh, EDM and they think like that rah, rah, rah, you know, like the words, like, no, it's different. It's house. It's it's a very different thing. So, you know, yeah, Mark kind of like shed a light on and he's like, no, it's great that people don't know yet because you have an opportunity to educate them to build. Exactly. Yeah. Yeah. But at the same time, it's unprecedented times because we never had, like they never had a history of music industry before in terms of electronic music. So I feel that now you I can really tell about what's going to happen with new generations. Yeah, because obviously even for us, when I started the music 2015, phones weren't a big thing at that time. Like people were still using Facebook. Yeah, yeah.

33:22 So like, I think it's going to be different and interesting to see like how it goes. Because at the same time, what I saw in a podcast recently is that they speak about the new generation and how they see the phones on social media. Because for boomers, when they see TV, they still believe things they like. They still believe that they say the true and all this stuff. And for us, I don't even watch TV, right? So I'm not sure if that's going to happen maybe with newer generations where they don't care that much about social media or they don't believe it as much, especially with AI and, and right, and all these, you know, like fake videos and you never know what's true or not.

34:05 100% So you know, at this point in your career, starting your own imprint, like is that because you want to leave a mark on the music scene and kind of carve out an area for yourself and other artists that you don't see exists yet? Or what was the what was the impetus to to start that? Yeah. So to start that, I think I wanted to have more freedom creatively because obviously when you're waiting for labels and the higher you go on the ladder, the more expectations, the more the numbers matter more than the music. I believe some, some like, yeah, I mean half and half, I wouldn't say completely, but having my own platform, I think it's something that gets me to.

35:00 It's going to take longer, but at the longer run, I can build something bigger for myself and actually relying on other companies and groups of, right, yeah, let's say, let's say companies or something, you're relying on other people to build your own platform, right? So I think ultimately if I want to sign on big labels, I would say that it's useful for getting exposure. But having your own platform, I think it's way better because you can kind of build your whole vision board about what you represent and what you stand for. Because for me, I want to build a platform that artists feel free creatively.

35:49 Like I appreciate any good music. It's not. I don't. I don't look at numbers. When artists send me music, I appreciate more what actually is the music, and if I can do something to actually help them build something, I'm here for it. Yeah, I love that. And it's it's a way like, I think some artists maybe don't realize like this is also an opportunity to bolster your touring as well. Because if you build a label that has a crew and you have like a distinct thing that you're known for, well, that can turn into events, parties, merch. Like there's so many avenues that you can go, you don't have to, but you can.

36:32 And then that can open more doors for you because, OK, well, this club in this market doesn't want to show, but we have enough, the label has enough money to put on our own show in this private venue. And then because, you know, people will come to that. So it's just a different way to like build demand. Yeah. I mean, we actually did the first show in in Miami a couple of months ago. And even though it's a lot of work, I think it's really worth it because I think it kind of you can build everything of how you wanted to see. And, and actually my idea too is to have a platform also that it feels more integrating with everybody.

37:14 I don't want to have any VIP culture or something. I want to like. For example, I like this brand that is called Rockets because they have exactly that same thing of no VIP. It's everybody coming together. Yeah. Oh yeah. Rockets in New York. Yeah, Yeah, to. Me, I really believe in in that vision because actually in in a world of status, social media, everyone wanting to show off, I actually appreciate people coming together, leaving all the prejudice in outside of the venue, getting there and having fun because we really need to have fun lately.

37:54 Yeah, what? I 100% agree. I was just talking about this on an interview earlier today. Like there's this issue of the cool kids club in dance music, you know, and it's, I think social media has perpetuated it, but that's not, it's like not what it's about, you know, I. Mean you cannot in social media. The point of social media is actually having that, but at the same time it's it's a platform to promote yourself. So it's a double edged sword. But I agree with that. With the cool kids club is is not the best thing to have. But inevitably you're going to have people that it's more, let's say, engaging with with crowd with, yeah, with the public.

38:40 Yeah. So that's inevitable. But I think to have a platform to democratize that, I think the more we have artists that start their own brand and kind of bring people together and call up and, you know, it's, I think unite more people. Yeah. I think the worst thing that we can have is need in this industry is status. Because if you see a club, low ceiling, no VIP, everyone is having fun because I don't care what you're wearing or you have a Roll Royce, I don't really care. We're having here a good time and that's it's what it's all about, right? You're playing at Spy Bar tonight.

39:20 Have you played there before? First time. First time so they technically have tables but they're not like VIP like people who like go at the tables at spy bar are typically this is what I love about it are older and just need somewhere where they can sit if they need to like it's not like a traditional like VIP. They don't make like a big deal of like the bottle service and stuff. I've gotten tables there for my birthday often because like, no, I'm like 34 like I need to sit sometimes. Like if I'm out all day, it's utility. It's utility exclusively literally because I, I mean, if I'm not there, like I love spy bar has been my home for I have it's not up right now, but like I have tons of spy bar merch.

40:04 Like I have a framed picture in my house. I mean, it's one of the only places where I will be in the front because like. I'm comfortable there, like, and I'm not worried I'm going to get like elbowed in the face or whatever. Like it's it's crazy, but it's like home. So it's the one place where I'm like, I could be in the front. I can be in the back, I can be at a table, whatever it's it is such like I feel like just like chatting with you for, you know, this past whatever minutes in here, your vibe, I know you're going to love it. So I'm excited for you. And Speaking of touring, like, you know, you're you're still like you have a long way to go, but you've done a lot would have been the standout moments on tour for you that that you haven't been able to share before. I know there was like a like a like a you said like AB2B with green velvet.

40:54 Yeah, so. That was never documented, apparently. Not that much. I would say that was really random because the story was that I played in this festival. It's called Shipwrecks Festival in Tampa and I was playing on the festival and then I was playing at The Afters. So when I get to The Afters, it was like this massive warehouse and there wasn't that many people. And when I got there I saw that Curtis Green Velvet, he was hanging out there. I went down to him and say hey, how you doing man? You playing later? But I was just joking with him. So I went into DJ booth. I start playing and one hour later promoter comes to me and he's like yo, are you OK to play back-to-back with Curtis? I was like what?

41:39 Yeah sure bring up to bring him up and we start playing and I think we ended up playing like a three hour back-to-back, which was insane like and he was the nicest guy ever. I. Love that. Yeah, I was, I was still surprised and my girlfriend that at that time she was like doing videos for me and everything. She went to sleep. So she completely missed that. So when I went up and and, and I woke her up, I was like, you could not believe what just happened. I just played three hours back-to-back with the Green. Velvet was she like what the fuck? Like I can't believe I miss it. Yeah, that's so funny. That's the most magical thing though, about like this industry and being in this like, you never know what's going to happen. Like for example, in Miami this last Music Week, I was playing at 1800 Lucky back-to-back with Jessica Loso, and at some point I turn around and I see that Luciano was partying up there. Crazy.

42:30 So it was like I, I felt that Miami Music Week, this Miami Music Week, people that used to like have been around for a while, they told that. They told me that they felt that it used to be like they all music weeks right before pandemic. Yeah. Like where everyone is? Yeah, it's getting its groove back for sure. Yeah, 'cause I I've noticed that too. Yeah, that's what I think keeps like on your toughest days, you can just recall that memory of like B2B with green velvet, you know, 3 hour like and it's what keeps you going and the hard moments because there's so many beautiful things. Oh, yeah, yeah. I mean, it's it's inevitable to have because I think that it's what it's all about, right? Because all the success that you see, you can never judge how many times I got rejected.

43:18 You know, like people don't see behind doors or the bad moments. Because obviously when you see on Instagram, you only see the flashy things. Of course it's a highlight reel. I never judge a book by its cover because you never know what's the story that the artist been through and saying. This one, I think another key moment that I really felt like it was crazy. It was when I played the first time a row, and that was in Avant Gardner in New York, and I was actually playing right before Danny Tenaglia. And at that time I was playing kind of not earlier, but he wasn't supposed to be confetti. So Danny Tenaglia had some trouble with the laptop or something.

43:59 So he he came up to me and he was like, yeah, you can play 10 more minutes. I was like, yeah, sure, OK. And at some point the guys from a row came up to me and they were like, yo, we're going to throw some confetti, so be prepared. I was like, wow, because that wasn't planned. Yeah. And so I so right before, like the confetti went off, it was like a crazy moment I still have in my mind. And a thing that I saw from Danny that really surprised me, he was like, Oh man, sorry, I don't have the mic. Because obviously I would have wanted to like say hi to you and speak with the public about you and that introduce you.

44:39 I don't know how you say when you leave, but I was like, wow, a legend like him. And to tell that to an artist that he's playing before him. I think that's that's why I try to be when when I play or people come up to me and say, Hey, I love your music and that I, I try to remind them that I'm just, I'm just like you, man. I'm just a guy that likes music and likes to play and you know, I get the chance to play in these parties, but we are all the same man. You, it's crazy that when you realize you could really make a difference in someone's life and really make their day like Danny did for you or green Velvet or whatever. And it's an important, like just an important power that you have that, you know, you shouldn't take for granted.

45:24 Oh yeah. You know. Especially with COVID, you can say that we have a lot of things that we take for granted. And The thing is, like for me, sometimes it happens that I achieve something or I'm at some point where I'm not sure. Like let's say I start to get bookings here, here and here and then like, yeah, sure, playing back again there. And it's so easy to get things for granted. Like once you have it for maybe like 2 months, you're like, ah yeah, I'm good. I know because it becomes like the norm or whatever. And then it, I know I, I was thinking about that today because I've started to like, you know, I'm really busy right now, which is a blessing. It's amazing.

46:05 But I started to get like a little bit of anxiety or like Monday, which I when I first started working for myself, I never had. I was like, this is amazing, Like I can choose my schedule, whatever. But the more, the bigger your business gets, your artist shoe, whatever, the more demands, the more people that are expecting things of you. You have a management team. You know, I'm running this business conference called Chicago Music Nexus. We have sponsors that now I'm, you know, I'm responsible to deliver them a lot of different things. And so then that kind of anxiety can overwhelm the gratitude. And but then those moments like you're talking about flip it back and you're like, Oh, yeah, like, I need to be grateful because this is such an incredible thing that I get to experience.

46:49 Yeah, I agree with that. And at the same time, something that I've been thinking about lately is that no matter how much success you get, you're not going to be happier. Like, I don't know, let's say I achieve all my goals and everything, and I don't think I'm going to be happier than I am now. So I think it's something to consider. Mental health. It is really important that you take care of yourself at any point of your career because like probably when I was starting out, it was more exciting than maybe I feel now at some point sometimes because it's like, yeah, you take things for granted or you're supposed to go bigger on to the next level. So I think it's important to take care of of mental health and just enjoy the process.

47:36 Yeah, it it's so, I mean, it's like the most basic thing but we all forget to do it. You know, it really is the basics. Before before we started chatting you, you told me that there was AI don't want to glaze over this. You had a crazy thing happened to you on tour too, You said. Was it 2023? Yeah. So let me tell you about it. That was, yeah, October 23. I was playing in a club next close to my hometown and my girlfriend was doing some videos and she had a problem with a guy. And, you know, one thing like to the other. And I was involved in a really bad thing where I had to defend my family in there because you could imagine, I had my mom, my auntie, my friends, my family. So it was like really unfortunate situation because I, I really had to, to stood up and kind of go through that the best way possible because, you know, I, I try to avoid any bad things going, but obviously you're not going to like, you think wherever you go, people is going to be nice and kind, but that's not the case.

48:55 What actually surprised me is it was that it was a party close to my hometown, so I wouldn't never think that something like that could happen, right? But yeah, I was, I was jumped by five guys in a club where I was headlining. So it's something that I tell, I still tell people about it and they're like, I never heard of that before. Never. That's the first time I've ever like what you were on the decks. I was on the decks, I finished playing. Something happened between my girlfriend and and this guy that how to say he yeah, he he punched her. So I tried to avoid like I told her like, are you OK? She was like, yeah, yeah.

49:41 So we start packing things and like a couple of people got involved into a fight and some point I saw my brother, he was on the floor and there was all these guys kicking him. So I had to jump and and kind of go to defend him, right? I didn't even think. And at that time I was, yeah, I got hurt, but not that much. It was, it wasn't that bad. But obviously it really hurt me emotionally because I had my family there. It was a special moment. It was the first time I had my mom on the DJ booth. I was dancing with her. It was like amazing. Like the night was going amazing. So to have that unfortunate situation, it really hurt me emotionally. I am well over it now.

50:24 But obviously it didn't, it didn't feel well. But you know, these things happen and the show must go on. And if they call me tomorrow, I would happily still go and play there because I think it's about celebrating life and having a good time. So I I don't think that unfortunate situation that probably the club never didn't have anything to do with it. So I cannot blame that. And people doesn't deserve to to have a good experience, especially if people come to see me play. I wouldn't. I wouldn't say no just because of that happened. So yeah, if they call me tomorrow, I would happily go and play again. Well, it's the right attitude to have.

51:05 It's crazy. Like you had your family there. I think about when So my, my husband's parents live in Naples, FL, which is like a very chill, sleepy, you know, town, like retirees. And right after the pandemic, there was like a lot of protests and like a lot of stuff going on here in Chicago and of like, I always hope because like, you know, they're like, Oh my God, you live in the city even though they're from New York. So but they've lost their edge. You know, they're just like, Oh my God, it's crazy. You live in a city and like, do you hear gunshots every day and stuff? And I'm, and it's just like you're telling like, no, like it's so normal here. Like relax. And then, of course, like the first time they came out to the pandemic in 2021, we had flown with them from somewhere and we get on the train because the train leaves straight out of, you know, the, the airport and there's a guy going crazy on the train and there's a protest that stops the train. And I'm just like, that's what happens, though. I swear it's like your, your whole touring career will be normal.

52:08 And then The One Show your parents are at, something happens that's just like, it's, I don't know why it's, it's like watching a movie with your, your parents that you think is going to be normal. And then there's like a really awkward sex scene and you're just like, and you pick the movie and you're just like, Oh my God, why? So I just feel like that's like, of course that it happened when your family was there. But it's amazing that you have that attitude about just like, hey, like. Yeah, sometimes I think it's, that's why I think we cannot take life as serious as we do, because sometimes it's throw you this kind of jokes that you're like, really? Yeah, Yep, Yep, you just got to roll with.

52:49 It roll with it and. It's the resilience piece you talked about. Exactly. I mean, it's, it's, I think we're here to I, I feel my purpose is it's to to learn and and try to, to spread my, my best. Yeah, either because, you know, I, I actually started music. It's just quite a long story, but I'm going to make it short. I, I started when I was 1415. I started with the graffiti and all these things. And to be honest, my, my reason of why I start doing that, it was kind of a rebellion of what was the establishment thing to do, like going to lessons and that.

53:34 So I started doing graffiti to express myself. And something that I I saw recently is that I don't think the like, yeah, so I think that depression is actually the opposite, is expression. And that's how you get to, I don't know, share something good with the world. I love that depression is the opposite of expression. And I think since then, I've been having more, it's a purpose in my life since since all that wrote that led me to actually go into music. I think since then I've, I've been like on a journey where I don't know, I feel like a purpose. So it doesn't matter how many lows I have, I am still going because I, I see that as long as I am able to express myself and, and share something and I don't know, see people resonate with that, I feel that I'm, I'm going to still going. Yeah, I think that's a beautiful note to end on. And I'm just really excited to see what you do next and what you do with your platform, your label. Thank you, Thank you for having me and I admire a lot your work to be honest.

54:47 Thank you. Because it shows also the resilience and the consistency of like working in something by yourself and building your own platform, so. Thank you. I relate. You know, when I started this podcast, you know, many people said, no, I don't know who you are. I'm not coming on your show. So yeah, Well, thank you. I. Appreciate that a lot.