Podcast Archive

Today we’re proud to present one of our hometown heroes, Ike B (da bad boy). Ike has an impressive DJ resumé, and has spent many years on FM radio as a mix show DJ. In today’s episode, he shares with us a little bit about his history, what he misses about old-school radio, his love for hip-hop (especially The Magnificent Jazzy Jeff). Today’s show comes with a language warning!

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On today’s episode we’re joined by special guest Firecat 451. He’s a DJ, MC, and Producer, and has an entire repertoire of gigs ranging from headlining act, to direct support, to host and MC. Today he joins us to talk about his love for House, various forms of Drum n Bass, and for DJing in general.

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Sayonara, 2020! It’s a fresh new year, and for Episode 213, we’re bringing you our year-in-review, backed by some killer tunage by our own Trip Turlington. We talk about the things Passionate DJ did in the past year, the guests we talked to, and the topics we covered. What kind of topics did we cover? […]

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For Christmas Eve this year, we’re releasing our fourth annual Ten Years Ago episode. This time around, we’re taking a look back to 2010. We talk about what was happening in pop culture and music, what was popular in the world of DJing, the films that were released that year, some notable events, the people we lost, and more.

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Today’s show features the return of DJ Axcess, who joined us in-studio for an interview and live performance. We talk about the new MASCHINE+ and CDJ-3000, DJing in the Covid-era, streaming services, and much more… all while Mike plays a smattering of great tunes.

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In today’s episode, Tony DeSaro tells us all about the recent drive-in concert phenomenon, springing up during an otherwise dismal year for live events. We talk about these socially-distant music experiences from Tony’s perspective while working with Prime Social Group. Thanks to these shows, people in the Midwest have been given a little slice of normalcy.

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Today we have the brand new Pioneer DJ CDJ-3000 multi-players in studio. In this episode, David, Tony, Trip, and Mo spend about an hour messing with the decks and talking about their first impressions.

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In today’s episode we feature Columbus-based DJ/producer ZAANDR. He showed up in-studio a few weeks ago to perform a live stream, but Passionate DJ was having some unfortunate internet issues at the time. So, we decided to bring his music to you in this week’s podcast episode. Today’s show will consist of original music, mixed and recorded live in our studio, and our interview with ZAANDR sprinkled throughout.

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Today we are speaking with highly-skilled turntablist, hip-hop aficianado, and all-around nice guy Fatty Lumpkin. After coming up around the rave scene and finding an interest in DJing, he eventually honed his skills in hip-hop… becoming a member of the former Skratchmatik crew. Now, he plays regular private gigs for comedy legend Dave Chappelle… sometimes multiple times a week.

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Today is all about the state of DJ software, streaming, podcasting, and services. In today’s “industry update” epsiode, we look at all the latest happenings in the digital DJing space (since we last covered this topic in February), and talk about our personal struggles with the idea of DJing via streaming services in a live environment.

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Today we’re joined by Vegas-based DJ/Producer Black A.M. We talk about his journey through music, including his former role lead guitarist for Machine Gun Kelly and touring with NGHTMRE. In the last decade, multi-talented instrumentalist/producer/writer Sinclair Wheeler (born in Indianapolis)was signed as rapper MGK’s guitarist for multiple tours, Wheeler went on to perform live, as […]

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In Episode 203 we are joined by DJ Brains to talk about some basic tips for making sure your livestreams go smoothly. “Going live” has become rather popular in the DJ community during the year 2020 for obvious reasons, so today we’ll discuss how to make sure they look great, sound great, and keep a […]

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Today we bring Bit Flip back from Episode 200, because a full proper episode was necessary to contain all the goodness he has to share with us Passionate DJs! Mark Naegel is a multi-genre dance DJ, and the founder of #Freshlist in Cincinnati. As a supporter and proprietor of Midwest dance music culture for 15 years, Mark’s insight was much appreciated while discussing event promotions, DJ hardware, collaborations, “portablism”, and much more.

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Today’s show features special guests Shawn (DJ Freeman) and Noel (DJ Serrato), here to talk about mobile DJing… or the current lack thereof. We talk about the current state of affairs, considering the pandemic and stay-at-home orders, and how this affects those who rely on DJing for income. How are mobile DJs coping? Episode 201 is hosted by our beloved Mo Dingo.

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In today’s episode, we celebrate 200 episodes of The Passionate DJ Podcast. To properly highlight this milestone, we brought in a giant roster of guests. Unfortunately, due to current stay-at-home orders, we had to do it virtually. We talk about Passionate DJ, and about what we’re doing with our extra time at home. Plus, a surprise special guest appears!

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In today’s episode, Mo Dingo shares with us some of his favorite workout tracks, and his reasons behind choosing them. Mo is particularly qualified to talk about this, since it’s a perfect intersection of worlds. Not only is Mo a fitness coach and health nut, but he’s also a DJ. Mo has spent a lot of time DJing for people while they are literally working out, doing CrossFit, lifting, and just generally getting sweaty. Today, he shares with us some of his go-to tracks.

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Our Bad DJ Gig Stories series is BACK for a third installment, featuring several previous guests of The Passionate DJ Podcast, as well as submissions from our Facebook group. Since the world is basically on lockdown right now, we thought it was a good time to remember how going out isn’t always sunshine and rainbows!

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On today’s episode we talk about the latest news and happenings in the DJ industry in the past month or two, starting with COVID-19 and its potential effect on the festival scene. We move on from that after about 10 minutes, and talk about things that you aren’t already tired of. There is also a rather large segment where we explore the new division of techno as defined by Beatport. Peak/Driving/Hard, vs. Raw/Deep/Hypnotic.

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On today’s episode, we are visited by Cody and Gerrad of the band Cryztal Grid. Since their inception in 2017, Cryztal Grid has exploded into the electronic music scene. This is the first time they’ve been on the show since moving across the country. We wanted to catch up with the fellas, and hear what they’ve been up to in the past year. The Cryztal Grid project has relocated, but is it still going strong?

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In today’s episode, we talk about all the changes we’ve been making to our home studio setups. All four Passionate DJ co-hosts have been changing up our personal DJ booths and production desks. We talk about the various reasons for these modifications, such as aesthetics, convenience, ergonomics, efficiency, and more. Coming soon, we’ll post a video tour of these changes on our YouTube channel so that you can see for yourself!

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In Episode 194, we focus on The Passionate DJ Community – an official Facebook Group for fans of Passionate DJ and other music lovers. David scrolls through the past few months of posts, picking out a few questions and giving responses from the microphone. We talk about creating flow in a mix, thoughts on the Reloop Kut mixer, staying prepared to play on anything, and more.

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Now that NAMM 2020 is over, and your social media feeds have calmed down a bit… this episode of The Passionate DJ Podcast summarizes all of the DJ-related hardware releases that happened this month. We talk about the Denon DJ SC6000 & SC6000M PRIME, the X1850 PRIME, the PRIME 2 and PRIME GO, the Pioneer DJM-V10, the Numark DJ2GO2 Touch, The Rane SEVENTY, and the Akai MPC One.

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Today we’re presenting an episode that was recorded about a year ago, but never got published. This is a freeform discussion about various topics, such as Tony’s adventures on the road (working the festival circuit), Mo’s experience with the DDJ-1000 (which he had just purchased), the time we spent at Dayton Podfest (a live audience event from last year), and much more. Not much else to say… just some studio chat amongst friends. Sit back, and enjoy!

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Happy New Year, Passionate DJs! In today’s episode we look at the year in review. What kind of topics did we cover? What were the most popular episodes? What were some of our favorite moments? And why did the podcast disappear for a few months in the middle? We play clips from previous shows (including some off-air blooper moments…), present a bonus segment from last week’s holiday episode, and then wrap up the episode with a letter from David to all of you.

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We’re back with another Holiday episode! In one of our favorite shows of the year, all four Passionate DJ hosts exchange records with each other for Christmas. We then share our spoils with you by playing samples from each record, and giving our reactions as we listen together. David, Tony, Trip and Mo all have a great time in this episode as we share some laughs, and prepare to wrap up another great year of podcasting.

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As the third entry in our “Ten Years Ago” series, today’s episode will focus on the music and happenings of 2009. From the death of the King of Pop, the creation of Glee, and the launch of Farmville… we leave no stone unturned as we explore the events of a decade ago. Before diving in to our main topic, we take some time to discuss the latest release from Pioneer, the XDJ-XZ standalone DJ system, and how it stacks up vs. the Denon DJ Prime 4.

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Today’s episode features Matt Masin, a DJ from Long Island who has been doing serious work as a club and festival DJ for the past year and a half. Matt joined us for a two-part interview about Up & Up Festival, for which he was playing direct support under headliner Elephante. As a relatively new DJ, Masin has gained more experience in the past year than many DJs ever will. We wanted to talk to him about his active new music career, and get a feel for how he approaches his music.

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In today’s episode, David and Trip crawl over the Denon Prime setup… consisting of the SC5000 and X1800 Prime. This rig has made waves in the industry (being pushed along by Denon’s #ChangeYourRider advertising campaign)… and now that Trip owns them free and clear, we take the time to explore the system in-depth and record our results.

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Today, David and Mo talk about common mistakes made by inexperienced DJs. If you’re worried about making common faux pas as a DJ, this is the episode for you! Trainwrecking, poor gain staging, getting drunk, chasing fame, and much more!

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The Passionate DJ Podcast RETURNS from a long break! After a long summer… and spring… David, Tony, and Mo get together in the studio to catch up and talk about the happenings of the season. We talk about our break (and Passionate DJ going forward), happenings in our home town, Fam Jam I, new hardware, and streaming service updates.

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In today’s episode, David and Trip talk about DJ hardware upgrades, the struggles of time management, the pros and cons of RGAS (Rapid Gear Acquisition Syndrome), gaining motivation, and general life stuff. Trip recently picked up a new production toy, trading up his old Kontrol S25 keyboard for the sexy new edition of the S49, with all black keys. We get his first impressions on the new keyboard, talk about some of the latest features of Kontrol and MASCHINE, and drool over the “murdered out” look.

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On today’s episode of The Passionate DJ Podcast, David speaks with Alex Pyatetsky of The DJ Hookup. Alex has a long history within the DJ community, including a 10-year pursuit as a DJ himself. Now, Alex runs the highest-rated online retailer for DJ hardware for several years running. We talk about why some DJs are perpetually broke, networking as a DJ, existing within the DJ community, getting more DJ gigs, the value in mobile DJing, and much more!

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Today is the return of our Pick 3 series, and this time it’s all about TRANCE! On Pick 3, each co-host brings in three tracks that fit the category and shares it with the group as we react and discuss. Today, you’ll hear trance magic from several different time periods, from the 90’s on… and our special returning guest B-Funk shares his own brand of rainbows and unicorns with the rest of us old school trance-heads. He has been producing music since late 2012. He started making house edit and trap bootlegs of classic hip hop songs before stepping into making original house music tracks in 2013.

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In today’s episode we speak with Mike Salone, also known as DJ Axcess. Mike is a busy guy to say the least: he plays 40-50 weddings a year, hosts loads of corporate events (with a specialty in sports), and has worked with clients such as NCAA, The Ohio State University, IBM, Target, and many more. Not only that, but he has an impressive club and festival resume, having performed alongside artists like Boyz II Men, Kesha, Martin Garrix, Steve Aoki, Skrillex, Claptone, 3LAU, and Nicole Moudaber.

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This week, we bring back our #AMA segment and answer your questions, as received through our Facebook community page. If you’re not already a member, you can join at PassionateDJ.com/Community. This is the fourth time we’ve done this segment, and we really had a great selection of questions to choose from. We talk about the resurgence of vinyl, paying to book proper talent, the Akai Force, our production of this show, and much more.

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Back in September, Paul Oakenfold visited our hometown, and played a set that none of us will soon forget. Our very own Trip Turlington was tasked with the responsibility of being direct support… in other words, he would play before Paul, and ultimately hand the decks over to him. Today we take a look back on that special day, as Trip takes a deep dive into his approach to the music on that night. He talks about the importance of maintaining energy without “showboating” or burning out too early.

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In today’s episode we speak with James Caudle, also known as Corrupt. Early in his career, he was at the forefront of the music industry around The Ohio State University. While successfully managing four college nights simultaneously, he quickly became the performer everyone planned their weekend around. Fast-forwardinging a few years, Corrupt’s first originals received massive artist support from the likes of Tiesto, Don Diablo, and The Disco Fries.

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On today’s episode we sit down with B-Funk: a multi-format, multi-faceted DJ from Athens, OH. Brandon drove several hours to meet with the team and talk shop. Raised on Hip Hop and Top 40 music in his home of Athens, Ohio he has a strong understanding of the crowd and uses this past knowledge to weave a seamless mix between Electro, Progressive, Trap, Moombah, and Party Jams in his sets. B-FUNK is a DJ first, keeping things fresh with a constant mix of genres and styles focused on creating a truly kinetic experience.

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My first trip to The NAMM Show was, in a word, overwhelming! There was a lot to see and, I don’t think I could’ve visited every booth I wanted to if my life depended on it. NAMM is an annual event, described as “The World’s largest trade-only event for the music products, pro audio, and event tech industry.” NAMM stands for the “National Association of Music Merchants”, and was founded in 1901. It’s a business show which caters to dealers and distributors, with the main draw being product exhibits where manufacturers show off their latest in music products and technology.

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It’s February, which means The Passionate DJ Podcast is back! During our break, the Internet was abuzz with the unveiling of two rival documentaries about the utopian island festival that never was. We watched both the Netflix and Hulu versions, and then brought our perspectives back to this episode. This episode contains SPOILERS! If you plan on watching the documentaries, you may want to watch them *before* watching this episode.

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Well folks, that’s another great year in the bag! 2018 was a busy one for Passionate DJ, and like we do at the end of each year, we looked back and reflected on everything that made it special. We start out by having a look at some interesting stats including what the most popular episodes were, and which countries had the most listeners. We then have a look at all the “firsts” of this year. And of course, we check in with lots of friends of the show.

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In this episode of the Passionate DJ Podcast, the whole crew gets together to exchange records for Christmas. We then open the records and play them for each other, while talking about what we like about the tracks, or the memories they bring back. David, Tony, Trip and Mo all have a great time in this episode as we share some laughs, and prepare to wrap up another great year of podcasting.

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Today in Episode 169, we present a conversation between Mo Dingo and another one of our Passionate DJ Ambassadors, DJ Serrato! Noel listened to our episode with DJ Brains last week (Mobile DJ Life), and a Craigslist scam was mentioned that sounded very familiar. In this episode, we explore some of the red lights and warning signs to help keep yourself (and your money) safe!

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In Episode 168, David and Mo hang out with special guest and Passionate DJ Ambassador, DJ Brains! In our conversation, we talk about the ins and outs of mobile DJing. Brains (aka Leo) specializes in weddings, corporate events, and other types of mobile gigs. With the help of his wife, Leo has been able to run a successful mobile DJ business for years, making sure that he does it on his own terms.

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Today on The Passionate DJ Podcast we have a chat with Brian Savage: club DJ, mobile DJ, radio personality, and a brand ambassador for Denon. He also works behind-the-scenes with the team for Shaquille O’Neal – aka DJ Diesel. Brian and Tony have known each other for over two decades (in fact, Brian introduced Tony to many DJing concepts back in the early 90s). Brian’s body of work covers many different areas of DJing. He’s basically done it all, and has always fearlessly pursued gigs of all kinds.

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Today, David sits down with KimL to chat about small-town DJing, electronic music, mixing hardware, and more! Kim has been DJing for about three years, and in that time she has made a name for herself in her local scene. From warming up rooms for the likes of AC Slater and Paul Oakenfold, to her bi-monthly gig at an extremely successful Silent Disco, Kim has quickly built a resumé to be proud of.

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Today on the Passionate DJ Podcast, we’re taking a trip to local legendary venue The Asylum, with special guest co-host Matt Freeman. What’s The Asylum? Well, during the 90s and early 2000s, it was an alternative dance club on Patterson Rd. in downtown Dayton, OH. Matt used to DJ at this legendary local venue, which brought many different cliques and social groups together.

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In Episode 164 of the podcast, David is joined by Passionate DJ Ambassador Greg Lane, aka Gmoney. Greg and David crawl over responses from our Passionate DJ Facebook Group, answering “What’s unique about your own DJing style?” We take these responses and turn them into ten individual traits of unique DJs. In today’s episode, we hope to inspire you to embrace what’s unique about YOUR DJing style.

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In Episode 163, we explore the music of a quirky old box from the 1980s called the Commodore 64. Thanks to the power of its onboard synthesizer, called the SID chip, the C64 was capable of producing lots of amazing and iconic sounds. To do this episode properly, I brought in a special co-host: my Dad. Back when I was growing up, I watched him create several volumes of mixtapes containing the music of this weird old computer. Today, we share some of these old chiptunes.

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In today’s episode, we talk about all the recent news in the DJ software space… including the latest release of Traktor Pro 3! We also talk about SoundCloud, and it’s coming integration with several pieces of DJ software including Traktor, Virtual DJ, and Serato. We wrap the episode with an edited-down version of David’s Traktor Pro 3 “unboxing” video.

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Electronic music duo Cryztal Grid re-joins us this week on The Passionate DJ Podcast to chat about their first year of performing together. Since forming their band last August, Cody and Gerrad reflect on what they’ve learned by performing in night clubs and festival stages all across Ohio…. and what their next steps are, to stay on their hustle. These fellas are very motivated to further their careers as musical artists, and there is much to be learned from their experiences as they constantly “throw themselves under the bus” for the good of the music.

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Today we’re talking with John Becker of Fresh Local Producers. The goal of FLP is to spotlight and bring together producers of electronic music who live, work, record, and perform in the Midwest. Based out of Cincinnati, FLP aims to bring together music creators, and to show fans that they don’t have to travel far to hear incredible quality electronic music while supporting their own scene. John explains to David that he wants to promote a feeling of togetherness in the scene which escaped him when he entered the scene.

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Jaded-ish (Passionate DJ Podcast #159) In today’s episode, Tony and David are joined by a special guest who is a DJ and long-time participant in a local electronic music community. In this candid discussion, Marcus tells us about the changes he’s noticed in the overall scene… and how not all of those changes have been […]

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Today’s episode features the recording of a Facebook live stream from last Friday – a “stream of consciousness” recording where David answers questions from the chat room and addresses recent posts in the group. We talk about mixing in key, organization of tracks, shady business deals, marathon DJ sets, and much more. Before the main topic, you get an exclusive teaser clip featuring co-host Trip Turlington, as he discusses his mindset before stepping up to the decks as direct support for a Paul Oakenfold show.

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n Episode 157, we talk about the idea of “real DJing”, and ask the Passionate DJ Community YOUR thoughts on beatmatching, fast-mixing, and what makes someone (or keeps someone from being) a real DJ. In the Group, we posted two separate questions: Is Beatmatching an important skill in 2018? Why or why not? And: What’s YOUR definition of a “Real DJ”? We got a lot of similar responses, but also got a feel for the different types of things that Passionate DJs value. While some DJs find it crucial to have a core set of fundamental DJ skills, others think that intent matters more.

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This week, we spend most of the episode highlighting the work of iconic superstar DJ/producer Paul Oakenfold. David plays 10 different tracks which show the breadth of Oakenfold’s work… you’ll hear many different styles represented, including trance, hip-hop, breaks, pop, and more. On September 22, Paul will be traveling to our home town to grace the decks and give us a night to remember. This is made possible by 3DMentional Entertainment (half of which is our own Tony DeSaro), and direct support is being provided by our very own Trip Turlington.

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Native Instruments has finally made some recent announcements in regards to new hardware and software coming down the pike this year. Namely, new revisions of the Kontrol S2 and Kontrol S4 are on they way, along with Traktor Pro 3 which is said to be written “from the ground up”. Traktor fans are excited to see signs of life, but there has been a larger conversation taking place for many months now. Has NI abandoned Traktor? Has it fallen off their priority list? Did they stop listening to their fans? David and Mo give their thoughts on the new announcements, and the overall problematic few years that Traktor has had.

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We’re back from break! In this episode, we take a Question of the Week from our Facebook Group (PassionateDJ.com/Community): “What do you wish other people understood about DJing?” We read all of your great responses to this question, and give our own reactions. One recurring theme we found: feeling underappreciated. Do you ever feel like you don’t get enough credit for your role as a DJ? We’d love to hear your thoughts… send us a voicemail and tell us what you think.

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Today on the Passionate DJ Podcast we’re talking about DJing, growing older, and celebrating the knowledge of seasoned DJs. In Episode 153, David skims over his article Twenty DJs Over 50 Who Still Top The Bill. Along the way, we listen to various clips from these seasoned and insightful DJs, pulled from the interviews found below. We hear from legends like Jazzy Jeff, Carl Cox, Giorgio Moroder, Grandmaster Flash, Greg Wilson, Joey Negro, Larry Heard, and more.

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Today we discuss mobile DJing. We talk about the importance of knowing your music, anxiety over the size of your music library, the need for using contracts, and more. We discuss the need to set aside ego, and the special considerations that come into place when DJing as a service. Mo Dingo spends many of his weekends setting up DJ gear, talking on the mic, mixing music, and making sure someone’s special event is going off without a hitch. In today’s episode, David picks his brain about the struggles of mobile DJing, and they both break it down into a list of Dos and Don’ts.

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Ahhhhh… this episode is really fresh! Today we’re exploring some of the earliest DJ scratching noises ever put on a recorded release. Back in the 1980s, hip-hop DJs were just beginning to discover how a turntable (or two) could be used as a sort of musical instrument. Some examples of these early scratches landed on albums or singles… there, to be preserved for all time. In Episode 151, David picks one track from each year in the 1980s and we explore some early turntablism together.

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Hayoooo, we made it to Episode 150! Today, David and Tony talk about recent club shutdowns, lawsuits, and legal issues within the DJing, EDM, and festival communities. We talk about Fyre Festival, libel lawsuits against Midifan, a lawsuit against Orlando Police, nightclub shutdowns, office raids at Yamaha and other audio companies, the “war on raves”, the Ghost Ship fire, and a Miami-based ban on… horses in nightclubs??

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On The Passionate DJ Podcast, we encourage everyone to dream big, make bold moves, and constantly get out of the comfort zone. But Episode 149 is about the small wins. Today, we’re going to talk about 20 different ideas that can help get you get mild (but immediate) results! These are things which you can do to improve your DJing, boost your promotion, expand your horizons, or simply make your life easier… all without taking longer than an afternoon break.

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In today’s episode of the podcast, we give our thoughts on the struggles people are having within the Passionate DJ community. We reached out to our Facebook Group, and pulled lots of great topics. Not a member of our Facebook group? Well, what are you waiting for? You can join for free at PassionateDJ.com/Community. David also takes a few minutes to discuss other happenings within PDJ, including lots of incoming hardware reviews on our YouTube channel.

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Today, David talks about happenings in the DJ industry, and the latest hardware to come out during the summer so far. We kept this one brief, as we didn’t want to drag out the news stories out too much. But there’s a lot going on, and you should know about it! We talk about the XONE:96 mixer, the launch of the DDJ-SX3, a new Virtual DJ release, a Mac version of FL Studio, and much more.

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Today we’re giving you a full preview of Afterparty, our monthly bonus show which is exclusively for Patreon subscribers of The Passionate DJ Podcast. In this exclusive, free episode, you’ll hear: Bonus tips from How to Get More DJ Gigs, extended discussion from our interview with DJ 2nd Nature, a deeper exploration into Detroit Techno and its iconic tracks. We understand that not everyone is willing and able to support Passionate DJ monetarily, and hope that you will continue enjoying The Passionate DJ Podcast!

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2008: the International Year of Languages, Planet Earth, Sanitation… and Potatoes. The Summer Olympics were in Beijing, Bitcoin and Spotify were born, the Large Hadron Collider was built… and Rihanna takes over the pop charts. Today we explore what was happening ten years ago, in the realm of music, DJing, and life. We listen to the tracks that topped the charts at Beatport and the Billboard Top 25, explore the 2008 DJ Mag poll, and more.

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In honor of the Movement festival, where techno heads converge on Detroit over Memorial Day weekend, we spend Episode 144 diving in to the Belleville Three: Juan Atkins, Kevin Saunderson, and Derrick May. Here, we listen to clips of interviews and some of the iconic tracks that put “Detroit Techno” on the map. This is a bit of a misnomer, in that these pioneers actually developed their sound from living in Belleville, a rural town about 30 miles away from Detroit. But, regardless of that technicality, there’s no denying that their contribution to music history became a worldwide phenomenon.

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Episode 143 focuses on a heavily requested topic: HOW DO WE GET MORE DJ GIGS?! While there’s no magic formula, we do have some tips to try and connect with more people and line up more opportunities. Here are some things we cover in today’s episode of The Passionate DJ Podcast: your online presence, promotional materials (such as press kits), promo videos, doing research, thinking outside the box, doing outreach, and collaboration.

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It’s time for one of our favorite recurring episodes of The Passionate DJ Podcast: Pick 3! Each of our co-hosts brings in three tracks in a “show and tell” format, where we listen and give commentary. For this installment of Pick 3, we decided to go to each of our respective “back in the day” memories and picked some tracks that invoke those old school memories! We present everything ranging from MC Breed’s “Ain’t No Future in Yo Frontin'” to Parliament’s “Flashlight”.

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In Episode 141, we catch last week’s guest co-hosts Gerrad Wise and Cody Christianson for a deep dive in to all things Cryztal Grid. Despite being a very new performing duo, they’re getting all sorts of attention and we were able to snag them as they have just finished performing for Number Fest (16) in Athens, Ohio. Join us as we do a deep dive in to how they met, how and what they use to perform, their methods and approach to DJing and music production, and the philosophy behind everything they do.

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Episode 140 has us pushing back some of our regularly scheduled content, in order to bring you some of the latest headlines in DJ and dance music related news! And, our good friends Cryztal Grid join us for some in depth discussion! If you’re not up on Cryztal Grid, yet, make sure you tune in NEXT week, where we will be interviewing Gerrad and Cody and giving you an up close look in to their music, performances, and insights.

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Episode 139 is a continuation of last week’s latest installment of “Ask Us Anything”! Do we avoid food like tacos before recording sessions What will DJs who rely on iTunes do now that their business model has changed? What music did we used to love that we no longer don’t?
What spirits does the team like to drink? Is DJing getting older or younger (in terms of the new people coming in to the craft)?
How to fill the room with an audience? Do virtual assistants really help? Prodigy or Chemical Brothers?
What’s a lie about the industry that you believed when you started, what’s a truth?

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Episode 138 of The Passionate DJ Podcast brings all of the co-hosts back together for another installment of Ask Us Anything! There were a ton of great questions, and we had a lot of fun with this one. We answer: Is spinning vinyl more fun? Are you ever too old to start learning how to DJ? Is it ok to sample/use older music? When do I know that I need an agent/manager? Who should it be? how should they be compensated? What are some favorite ways to mask mistakes in a mix?

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Today’s episode features a side conversation between David and Tony, about interactions within a personal circle. You’ll hear their brainstorm session, as they discuss how to network with DJs (and other influencers within the music community) in a positive way. As DJs, it’s often necessary to reach out to others within our community in order to help both parties reach their goals. At Passionate DJ, we try to encourage a spirit of collaboration whenever possible… and we hope that spirit shines through in this conversation.

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In Episode 136, we ask….what is longtime fan? Where do you find them? How do you make them? How do you KEEP them? Spoiler alert, we rehash SEVERAL topics that we cover frequently, here at Passionate DJ, because guess what? It’s MOST relevant here, when you’re trying to create and grow the audience that is in to your music and DJ craft.

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Episode 135 of the podcast is all about playing well with others, social cues, and respect.. in other words: Etiquette 101 for DJs! We can all think of at least a handful of DJs we know or have seen that violate everything we consider to be good etiquette. But, do we know what it really means to practice “good etiquette”, in and out of the booth?

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In the interview, we ask KRANE about his live setup, and how much his live shows influence the music that he creates in the studio. We ask about his history with music and his career (and the struggles of becoming a full-time musician). We get insight from KRANE on what he aims for his audience to feel, and his approach to building a cohesive album. Overall, we got the impression that he truly cares about the overall experience for his fans.

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We know how much you all have been digging the “genre deep dive” episodes. o here’s another coming at ya for Episode 133, with some help from a close friend of Passionate DJ: Matt Freeman. Matt takes the next hour to share some of his favorite Acid tracks (known by their iconic squelchy, resonant 303 leads), while chatting about his experiences as a DJ.

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Today’s episode is all about showing love for the HOUSE PARTY! For Episode 132, we discuss what we like about house parties, while sharing some stories and tips for throwing and enjoying house parties. What’s not to love about a smaller, more intimate crowd? You can generally play what you want, with lower stress than a full scale event, in an environment that’s typically a bit more lax and tolerant.

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What makes a song, a classic? Totally depends on the context, time period, and the listener. What is classic for some, may not be for others. We left the term “dance classic” to be interpreted by the presenter, so it could have included anything from Funk to Disco, 80’s New Wave to 90’s Club, Warehouse Techno to UK DnB, and literally anything else in between. We think as you listen to this episode’s candidates, you’ll agree they all fit the bill. Special thanks to Firecat 451 for joining us, again.

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Way back when, in Episode 17, David did a show all about bad DJ gigs from the audience…and it’s been a fan favorite, ever since. There was so much ground to cover this time, that we brought in extra-special guest Firecat 451 to guest host! He’s an established DJ, MC, and Producer in the Midwest music scene, with his roots in Cincinnati, Ohio. This episode is packed FULL of all kinds of stories of gigs gone wrong….from the irritating, to the painful, and the flat-out ridiculous.

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It takes a little extra something to pull off a great set with someone else in the booth with you, so that’s what Episode 129 is all about! Between NAMM and some other industry news, there’s plenty to cover from Ableton, Pioneer, Reloop, Native Instruments, and Phase! As we’re talking about sharing the booth, though, we cover everything from why you would want to, different approaches on how, and even some ways to make even more fun.

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For Episode 128, David & the whole crew are together and rummaging through a lot of interesting news that gives us some insight in to the state of the music industry, right now. From Spotify offering up an unconventionally filed IPO, to cryptocurrencies and their role in protecting artists’ rights, things are getting pretty exciting and charting some new territory. But that’s not to say the tried and true markers of success, such as live ticket sales and [*gasp*] VINYL SALES aren’t beaming as well…because they are.

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For Episode 127, we present an exclusive interview with 2nd Nature. In this interview, Brett touches on everything from how he got started, to his work flow and how under pressure he performs as if it were “second nature”, as well as what it takes to make it and maintain at his level of success. But, we also got an unprompted raw, uncensored look in to what kind of toll it can take on one’s physical, mental, and emotional health, as well as a number of techniques Brett uses to combat those issues.

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Googling things can be such a fun rabbit hole, and David & the PDJ crew are doing it again in the second installment of “The Google Episode”! We take a bunch of random questions related to music and DJing, and run it through Google to see what happens! Find out the answers to questions like, “who was the highest paid DJ in 2017?”, “what was the world’s first drum machine”, and “what was the first mp3 file”?

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For Episode 125, fresh back from our 2 week break, we want to start things off on a positive note and find out what inspires us! David, Trip, Tony, and Mo go through some of their main points of inspiration, which range from nature to emotionally charged situations, exposure to new genres to searching for new music for a gig, festivals and headliners to driving in the car.

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Strap in, because we’re going to go over the industry happenings of 2017, the gear no one could stop talking about, and the stuff our team did throughout the year. We’ll also cover some of our favorite moments on the show over the last year, allude to what’s on the horizon for us in 2018, and even take a crack at our clairvoyance skills and see if we can speculate what to expect in the next year.

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Last year, we went shopping for a vinyl record exchange with each other, Pick 3 style. And it went over so well, we decided to do it again, this year! Among today’s picks, we take a little detour from our typical electronic and hip hop roots, to explore a little more of our eclectic musical tastes. Though there’s a couple of hip hop classics (it just wouldn’t be us if there were none), we dive in to everything else from the 80’s, to metal, blues, and even parody diss track, among others.

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The end of 2017 is fast approaching, and the whole gang got together to reflect back on a crazy year! As we look back on ourselves, in terms of artist development, we discuss our gigs for the year, mixes we did (or didn’t do), and what we wanted to do, but missed the mark on. Things have been busy at Passionate DJ, this year, and they’re only going to get bigger and better for 2018!

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In this week’s episode, the crew is doing another deep dive in to a specific genre. This time, it’s Glitch Hop! From its humble roots in the obscure Glitch movement of the 90’s, to the bass music heavyweights of today like Bassnectar, Glitch Hop has certainly come in to its own. To illustrate this, Trip guides us through his experience with the genre, and shares some of his favorite tracks from different time periods, and the crew gives their reactions and thoughts on each track.

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Introducing, for Episode 120: Arguably, the driest, most nerdy, technical discussion we’ve had, yet! Today’s episode consists of CABLES. Specifically, all of the cables you may, or may not, run in to as a DJ. Here, we go through the differences between digital and analog signals, as well as balanced and unbalanced connections. We also get a little in to what it means to have a dirty power source, and what noise and interference are, as well as how to combat it.

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Ever wonder what you can do to set YOUR mix apart from everyone else’s? If you answered YES, then pay attention to Episode 119! David, Trip, Tony, and Mo touch on several ways to bring something unique to a set or studio mix: Create a diagram or story arc, while utilizing a design, such as a Ramp, Hill, Smile, or Waves to keep the listener interested. Give the listener some context to relate to the message you are trying to convey, and think of creative ways to share rather than add to the noise.

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In Episode 118, we started with a show outline, and had a plan. But, sometimes you have to deviate from the plan. What started out as some solid advice from PDJ Ambassador DJ Brains, turned in us going deep in to a tangent on each of the points proposed in his voicemail message. Mo Dingo also rejoins us in the studio after being on the road for his sons’ football season, and we chat about our Thanksgiving plans, and some things we are thankful for.

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Now that we are all back together for Episode 117, this seemed like a great time to do another “Ask Us Anything” episode…aka our take on #AMA. And, you guys came up with some great stuff! Before we get started, Trip gets to drop a “toldjaso” on the crew upon learning about Pulselocker closing their doors very abruptly. We wrap up the episode with some great advice for beginner DJs from a couple of our Ambassadors.

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It’s November! Time for us to get caught up on the seasonal updates with our Fall 2017 Bulletin! First, we respond to a voicemail from Avery looking for some clarity on DJ terminology. We also talk about the Pioneer DJS-1000, the XDJ-RX2 standalone DJ system, the Reloop Touch, and the fact that Rusko is cancer-free! Get caught up on today’s latest DJ news.

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Episode 115 of the podcast invites the evil spirits and psychotic demons in to the PDJ studios for a Halloween themed Pick 3! Trip’s 3 Picks: Gravediggaz – Diary of a Madman. Spice 1 – Born II Die. Ray Parker Jr. – Ghostbusters. David’s 3 Picks: DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince – Nightmare on My Street, Rockwell – Somebody Watching Me, Mike Oldfield – Tubular Bells. Mo’s 3 Picks: Audio & Donny – Horribly Ribbed, Dr Dre & Ice Cube – Natural Born Killaz, Q-Lazzarus – Goodbye Horses.

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For Episode 114, we get real. We’ve dug up some clips of world-famous DJs and then dissected their own words to discuss how it applies to the rest of us. It’s not all glitz and glam, despite these people being where they are, and they all have some very unique insight due to their experiences as mega-stars of the DJ community. During the episode, we also review some feedback from Episode 112, the Ambassador Program, and provide some marketing insight to a listener in Nirobi, Kenya.

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What we gonna do right here for Episode 113 is go back. WAY BACK. Back in to time… Ten years ago. Sounds like a long time, doesn’t it? Well, David and Trip take a look back and see how much different everything was. 2007 marked the beginning of the mobile revolution with the announcement of the iPhone. The DJ Mag Top 100 was rife with voting controversy. The Beatport Top 10 was laced with electro-house in the years before dubstep domination. Traktor Scratch came into being after splitting off from Final Scratch. And much more!

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In today’s episode, we spend some time digging into the progressive house and trance sounds of the 1990s and early 2000s. A close friend joins David as a guest co-host, and together, they explore the dark, tribal, melodic, and hypnotic rave sounds of “the Bedrock era”. Predictably, we spend much of the episode talking about Sasha and Digweed, though a few other names come up along the way.

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In Episode 111, we review 13 key points that we feel are good things for new DJs to know. While there are certainly more than 13 things that every DJ should know, these were key points we felt were especially important for newcomers to the art and craft. We broke these points down in to 3 categories: Technical, Social, and Philosophical… because believe it, or not, there’s a lot more to DJing than your technical skill!

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For Episode 110, Tony is able to sneak home to talk all about his summer adventures with us. From the grueling schedule, to the intricacies of preparing a stage for a major festival, to the different personalities, Tony doesn’t pull any punches when describing his duties as a stage manager. We also take a voicemail, where we unpack a controversial new app called Spinfire that aims to put DJs and producers together in a free marketplace.

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Way back in the day…Trip had an idea for a blog: Feature songs he loved from WAY WAY WAY WAAAAAAAAY back in the day, telling stories and pointing out the features of these songs that he admired about them. Well intentioned as that idea was, he just couldn’t stay on top of it. David and Trip bring this concept to the podcast and take a trip down memory lane. We talk about a handful of powerful tracks, full of yesteryear’s glory, all while digging through the mail bag and answering more of your questions on the show.

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Today’s episode of the Podcast is a little different than normal. Every year, David gives a major update to The Controller Compendium: an ultimate buyer’s guide for DJs who are trying to decide which DJ controller is right for them. This episode is an audio version of that guide, for those who prefer to listen on the go.

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In this week’s episode, Mo Dingo travels to Jamaica and brings us an interview from a local DJ and seasoned industry worker. In his chat with DJ Crazy, we learn about the rich and varied DJ culture in Jamaica. The beautiful island country has been influencing the art of DJing (and music in general) on a global scale for generations. In this very raw interview, DJ Crazy explains to us the difference between a DJ and Selector. He also shares his thoughts on the future of DJing in Jamaica, and his advice for up-and-coming DJs in its smaller and more rural areas.

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Hailing from Miami, Florida, we landed an extra special interview with the ONE, THE ONLY, DJ CRAZE! He’s an award winning turntablist and record producer, known for his skillful mixing of genres like hip hop and Miami bass, trap, breaks, and drum & bass. To date, he is the only solo DJ in history to win the DMC World DJ Championships three times consecutively…so if ANYONE has anything to say about DJing, this guy is probably one to listen to. We talk about why he prefers Traktor, what music is on his iPhone, his favorite rap artists and where hip-hop is headed.

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For Episode 105, we landed an interview with James Araujo of the Mixed In Key marketing team. As the product that has been the leader of the key detection and harmonic mixing game in the digital DJ world, we are honored that they took some time to help explain not just what Mixed In Key is, but how their software is another tool we DJs can use to create better sets. For those who are not familiar, Mixed In Key is software which analyzes your music library, and then properly tags the music with the key the track was written in.

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For Episode 104, David and Trip do a run down of the year’s biggest gear announcements, before the Summer NAMM event. We have mentioned some of the gear, throughout the year as it came up, but now we can revisit the highlights and put the spotlight on some of the other gear that we overlooked. Also, we know everyone is talking about Denon, and their new Prime line, and trust us… we are, too! But, we also talked about it so much, this year, that we intentionally didn’t go too deep.

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In Episode 103, we discuss trends that aren’t necessarily directly related to DJing, YET, but that technology is definitely moving us in that direction. Automation. Artificial Intelligence. Big Data Analytics. We touched on some of these topics back in Episode 33 – “Pyro-mania” when Serato dropped their new mp3 beat matching iOS app, Pyro. But for this episode, we dig a little deeper into the possibilities of implications on “the human element” of DJing.

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For Episode 102, we take a dive in to Mo’s digital crates for the next iteration of our “Crate Invasion” series. Knowing he’s likely holding on to the most eclectic collection of all of us, we hold his feet to the fire, while also learning a little more about how he organizes his music. As an added bonus, Mo Dingo does a phone interview with Rob Holtzman, who is also a Passionate DJ that provides the soundtrack for women’s body building shows, where his wife is a competitor!

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In today’s episode of the podcast, we wanted to explore some of the biggest headlines in the DJ and dance music world this summer. Of course, the hot topic right now is SoundCloud and their latest woes, so much of our time is spent speculating about the struggling streaming giant. We also discuss some Spotify fakery, the modern state of music piracy, Tomorrowland controversy, and many other industry headlines that may surprise you.

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We finally hit the triple digits! In this special episode of the Passionate DJ Podcast, you’ll hear the replay of our exclusive livestream from July 08, 2017. We were joined by previous guests Mike Donovan, Mister Shifter, and John Chapel. Not only did we have some great conversation about our struggles and successes in the realm of DJing and promoting, but we made several big announcements.

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In Episode 99, I (David) bring in five different mixes which I think that DJs should listen to. These mixes have a lot to offer, especially to DJs, because of their mixing style and programming. The first mix is Danny Howells’ Essential Mix from 2007. This mix covers a lot of ground, representing loads of different styles while somehow making it all work together. From start to finish, it’s loaded full of interesting dance music. After you’re done listening, you get the feeling that you’ve just listened to a “house mix”… yet, I would categorize few of the songs as simply “house”.

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In Episode 98, we wanted to take this opportunity to celebrate the United States Independence Day holiday to honor the American contributions to DJing. Find out more about the following advancements in DJ technology and culture from American innovators: beatmatching, slip-cueing, beat juggling, scratching, the invention of the phonograph, the term “DJing”, and the classic American radio DJ. We also talk about some of the genres that originated or flourished in the USA, such as Hip Hop, Disco, Chicago House, Detroit Techno, Florida Breaks, Miami Bass, and Funk.

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In Episode 97, we investigate the worst of the worst: What can go wrong? What do you do if your computer becomes damaged, unbootable, or is stolen? What about when USB media or hard drive can become corrupt or lost? How about when you encounter user errors like accidental file deletion? We don’t always know what will go wrong! But, with a little preparation and a proactive attitude, there are some steps we can take to mitigate some of the most devastating of issues.

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In Episode 96 we’re going to go through a list of things that just plain gets our goats. Maybe you’ll connect with some of these, maybe you’re guilty of some of these. Either way, we’re getting it off our chest! Maybe you’ve got some things that irritate YOU that we didn’t mention? If so, SOUND OFF! Hit us up in the comments, or shoot us an email or voicemail!

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In Episode 95, we tackle the subject of creating mixes. Why do we do it? To promote ourselves, obviously. If you’re a DJ, but don’t have a mix, how do you promote yourself as a DJ? Having a mix is part of the foundation of your brand. How do we do it? Digital DJ’s have it easy.. .just press the record button on your digital DJ software. Why DON’T we do it? APATHY. Aren’t we just adding to NOISE? Not enough feedback, people ignore mixes. We are our own worst critics.

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In Episode 94, we take a detailed look at the EQ, starting with some basics, then getting in to some more complex concepts. We give some tips and tricks, as well as audio examples along the way. Learn how the guys approach all manner of EQing, from how to correct audio inconsistencies and adjusting for desired audio mixing effects.
Gain an understanding of the audio spectrum and how to avoid clashing frequencies and phase cancellation. Learn the difference between quickly swapping out bands for a dramatic mix, or longer, surgical blending for a seamless mix.

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In Episode 93 of The Passionate DJ Podcast, we tackle a bunch of your questions in our very first AMA! Some questions include: The gear / software needed for a home studio set up? (warning – this conversation starts going down the “production” discussion). How to broaden your popularity when you are in a particular niche. What headphones do we all like and use? When to make a playlist / setlist? What to do when the universe seems to be pointing all signs to quitting and selling your gear?

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In Episode 92 of the podcast, we start this session with a great voicemail message that has us talking about the future of using social media to promote ourselves as DJs, the difference between producing and DJing and why Trip doesn’t currently have plans to switch from DJing to live performances of his produced tracks, and a clarification on the “press play” controversy. Then, we raided Tony’s record collection and threw the wax on the decks. (Warning: a LOT of trance ahead!)

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In Episode 91, we start the party off by taking a listen to some of the feedback from Episodes 89 & 90, and poke a little fun at Ja-Rule and his Fyre Festival debacle. Then, per popular demand, Tony DeSaro and Trip Turlington give some tips on how to pull off a proper event. Apparently there’s a lot of you out there who are interested in doing your own events, or are at least curious what all goes in to a legitimate show, so Tony bears all, with Trip chiming in with some of his experiences when he was a promoter.

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Today’s episode is all about how passionate DJs and music lovers utilize music as a sort of personal therapy. In part 2, we start out by discussing some of the actual scientific research behind music therapy. We’ve all heard about the “healing properties” of music, but what’s the evidence? Then, we listen to a call from one of our listeners, making a great point about the problem of escapism. Don’t forget: just because you use music (or anything) as an escape from your problems, doesn’t mean that the problems go away.

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Today’s episode is all about how Passionate DJs and music lovers utilize music as a sort of personal therapy. Music can be used to trigger an emotional response. As DJs, we take some level of active control over the music. This allows us to use existing music as a form of expression, to form a connection with an audience, or to just “get out of our own heads” for a while. We talk about the structure of electronic dance music, and how its accessibility, versatility, and repetitive nature influences our response.

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For Episode 88, we take some time to reach in to the mail bag and see what’s going on with you all! Before that (but after a light razzing), Mo Dingo divulges the details of one of his recent gigs, where he played a more modern set for a teenager’s Sweet 16 party. Being that Mo is the crotchety old guy that he is, he employed the assistance of his 4 teenagers to help him refine the playlist. Through the course of answering emails, comments, and voicemails, we touch on several topics, ranging from penetrating markets like Las Vegas, to gear recommendations, and more.

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In Episode 87, the gang is all together and decide to spend this time to just get all caught up with each other. First we recap the 3DMentional show “Another Trip Around the Sun” featuring Sasha. Mad props to Tony and Billy for pulling it off, David for the KILLER direct support role executed with perfection, Mo Dingo for the stone cold sentinel-like security duties, and Trip…well….he danced! We also chat about what’s next for 3DMentional, and maybe even Trip has a new event in the works.

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In this episode: we take a voicemail about motorized controllers, David discusses how he fits DJing into his “work life”, Mo Dingo tells us about some frustrations at a recent mobile gig, and we discuss the struggles of “lone wolf DJs”. Also… Can you get paid for online DJ mixes? Soundcloud recently announced the expansion of a revenue-sharing program to include “artists who create ‘recorded and live sets, remixes, and other user-generated content.’”

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In Episode 85 we discuss “Another Trip Around The Sun”, the birthday party of our very own Tony DeSaro, which will feature none other than Sasha as the headliner. We ask Tony to dive in to a deep conversation about the party, from conception to execution, and every nitty-gritty detail in between. From all of us at PDJ to everyone at 3DMentional, congrats and good luck on what is sure to be a successful show!

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For today’s topic, we talk about jaded DJs, and how to prevent burnout. After pointing out several reasons that this can happen (using an article as a starting point), David points out some ways that disenchanted DJs can get the magic back. We also talk about 3+ deck mixing and answer a listener call.

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In today’s episode, David dedicates some time to those who are undecided about becoming a DJ (or, continuing to be one). How does one know if DJing is a good fit for them, and their lifestyle? It’s not always sunshine and rainbows; there are some important considerations when deciding to actively pursue DJing as a “career” of sorts.

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Now that we have a different platform, and more ideas to draw from, we thought it would be beneficial to ourselves (and our audience) to revisit some of those earlier topics. In Episode 82 we talk about working hard, adding perceived value, leveraging your connections, quality control, and rewarding your supporters. Today, we talk about building buzz vs. hype.

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For Episode 81, the guys report back after spending the day at the Dayton Record Fair. While Trip and Tony exercised a little more restraint and didn’t purchase anything, David and Mo picked up more than enough to share. We also touched base with Tony, who is planning his birthday party in April. And, he announces the headliner for the event, which is none other than one of the iconic DJs that got Tony in to EDM, to begin with: Sasha! And, as a bonus to celebrate the upcoming show, Trip closes out the show with his 2003 remix of Sasha’s “Wavy Gravy”..

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For Episode 80, we return to the Pick 3 format! Only this time, it is David’s turn to be invaded! First up: Mo Dingo pulls DJ Lima & Evanz D’s “A Fresh Mood”…a fresh and funky house jam with lots of cool bassline movement, horn stabs, and filtered disco samples. Next, Trip Turlington pulls The Mystery’s 2002 supersaw trance giant “Devotion”. This gets the guys reminiscing about the late 90’s / early 2000’s rave scene. Finally, Tony pulls Busta Rhymes’ “Do My Thing”.

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In Episode 79, Mike Donovan drops in while David, Tony DeSaro, Trip Turlington, and Mo Dingo reach in to the mail bag to respond to some of your voicemail and email messages! The guys take a stab at responding to a listener who is looking for more clarification on how to approach making mashups. The next message focuses more on the future of DJ gear, as well as the expectations of modern DJs. Finally, one of our supporters in our hometown shares his challenges with politicking in our local scene, and about levels of gear quality.

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In this week’s episode, David and the guys finally lock down some time with Mike Donovan, the promoter and mastermind behind the Volume: Deep House Fridays event series in Dayton, Ohio. We’ve made mention of Mike several times on the show. Having come from a rich musical family history, and involved in the prime of the Midwest’s mid-late 90’s rave scene, Mike makes it easy to define passion. Mike brings a lot to the table, and he’s as passionate about the community he’s trying to help build as he is about the music he loves to share.

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Episode 77 has the guys taking an array of questions to the online oracle known as Google, ranging from the serious to the silly. We start out our episode with a question from a listener, who is new to DJing and wants some advice on how to provide an entertaining soundtrack for her yoga classes. We then dive into Google to explore the reasons your ears ring after a show, the origin of the “Fresh” scratch sample, who has the largest record collection in the world, the world’s most expensive record player, and much more.

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A lot of people are finding their way in to DJing, these days. Equipment is easier than ever to afford and use, and music is so much more vastly available than at any time in history. Despite this, so many are finding that even though the mechanics and ability to BECOME a DJ have become so much easier, they don’t understand WHY THEY’RE NOT GETTING NOTICED. Now, there’s potentially as many reasons for this, as there are DJs. But, in our experience, we’ve seen some patterns, and decided to call them out for Episode 76.

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Episode 75 is all about two important virtues which many DJs disregard: restraint and patience. We live in a world of instant gratification. Everything we do is “now, now, now!”  And anything that doesn’t deliver instant gratification is pushed off to the wayside. Because of things like tempo sync buttons, digital music distribution (legal or otherwise), and ultra-portable all-in-one DJ solutions, it’s super easy to get started in the realm of DJing without “putting in your time” in the way that many people once had to.

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This week’s show is all about how AWESOME this year was for us, so we flashback to some clips of a few of our favorite episodes, check in with former guests and play their voicemails, drop some listener comments, and look forward with some predictions about what we’ll see from gear companies and the American dance scene, in general. Each of the guys takes a moment to put forward a resolution to share, as well.

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In Episode 73, the gang is all together celebrating the holidays with a record exchange! We each went digging through the crates of our local record stores, thrift shops, and personal collections to find records that reminded us of each other. Did any of you get any wax or new tracks? While many of these tracks aren’t particularly relevant in most club settings, we had a lot of fun recording this episode, so we’re hoping you have just as much fun listening! No matter what you celebrate over the holidays, we hope the season finds you all happy, healthy, and spinning!

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In Episode 72, we thought this might be a good time to do some reflecting. We talk a little bit about the habits that we have now and wish we had earlier. 1. Using the cue/mix function. 2. Looking at, or interacting with the crowd. 3. Get out of your comfort zone. 4. Scheduling and time management. 5. Take a little time before purchasing digital music. 6. Mini-Practice sessions. 7. Learn to make a mix sound good without effects. 8. Live in the moment! 9. Know your tracks backward & forward. 10. Protect your hearing! 11. Contracts to protect yourself.

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On the flip side of Episode 68’s coin (Baller on a Budget), we decided it might be fun to give ourselves an imaginary $10,000 budget, and build some bedroom setups where money is less of an object. Of course, we tried to take some different takes on our setups, rather than all of us going straight for the industry standard all Pioneer NXS setup. We’d love to hear what you guys think about these setups, or what gear have you splurged on when you’ve had the scratch to spare?

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First, and foremost, our hearts go out to those who were lost in the Oakland warehouse party fire, and their families and friends who will be dealing with this loss, for a long time to come. In this episode, we continue with last week’s topic, offering some tips for new DJ’s (and reminders to the veterans).

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We often get a lot of questions, especially geared toward new(er) DJs, so we wanted to take an episode (or two) and address some of the topics we feel are essential for those new to the wheels of steel with some “Essential Tips”. For example, Tip 1: Have a drink to take the edge off of your first gigs, if you want. But, it’s important to know your limits and don’t get sloppy drunk! You want your senses to be “in the zone”, and even though you may have a moderate alcohol tolerance, the point is not to be drunk on stage… it’s to perform!

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One of the more common questions we get, is about quality beginner gear to get started on, that is also budget friendly. For Episode 68, we gave ourselves a (soft) $500 budget and put together 4 unique setups that would allow someone to get started DJing, learn the craft, and even play out some gigs. The only assumption we make, is that you will have some external audio source to hook up to. Remember, we’re picking out competent gear to get started with for as little money as possible, here, not trying to list the best of the best.

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Wrapping up the conversation from Episode 66, the PDJ team takes a deep dive in to what makes the combination of Sasha and Digweed so legendary, over so many years. We talk about why we think these two truly understand the idea of the “musical journey”, and the way their distinct sounds worked together to make magic. To wrap it up, we also threw a couple of hip hop collectives in to the mix, The Executioners and The Animal Crackers. We also touch on what makes a good tag team experience.

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In Episode 66, we decided that each of us should bring in a DJ duo/trio/group that we all admire and wanted to share with everyone. Of course, this spawned a lot of discussion around not just the DJs themselves, but a slew of topics as we talk about what we love about them. We broke off in to so many different branches with this episode, it warranted being broken down in to 2 parts. And, for the first time in a long time, Tony DeSaro is back in action. We take some time to get caught up on current events, especially with Tony as he shares his summer full of stage managing for several festivals.

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This time, we dug through Trip’s bins, and they didn’t disappoint: 1. Paragliders – Lithium: A quintessential trance track from the late 90’s. 2. Shades of Rhythm – Dance Among Strangers: Another 90’s dance track, but this one was unapologetically HOUSE. 3. Parliament – Chocolate City: The full 1975 LP from Casablanca records. Plus a bonus track: Mos Def & Massive Attack – I Against I (from the Blade II Soundtrack). Take a listen as David, Mo, and Trip banter over some of these random pulls from the bins.

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In this week’s episode, we are joined by our friend Kilma! Episode 64 is all about the issues and concerns which women often experience as DJs, or in the “EDM Industry”. Kilma chats with David about several issues which she’s observed in the scene. First, denial: the ability for people to admit there’s a problem. We also discuss lack of empathy, questioning one’s experience, dismissed complaints, and the fear of harassment.

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A travel agent sells products and services (such as tickets to a resort) on behalf of a supplier. The tickets are bought by the agent for a discount, and then sold to the end customer. The agent’s profit is the difference between the advertised price and the agent’s discounted price. But travel agencies were realized in a whole different era. These days, there are so many free alternatives to the traditional travel agent… one might wonder why they need one at all. How does a travel agent compete against convenient and free alternatives which serve the same basic purpose A similar thing has happened to DJs.

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David and Trip discuss ways of “making time” to devote to our passions. While realizing there are going to be some people out there that are in some very specific situations, the guys attempt to give some universal advice and tips for people to try and free up more time for the Passionate DJ whose time is frequently dedicated to anything BUT DJing. Fair warning, though: Nothing in this episode is revolutionary. It truly just boils down to if you “get it”, or not, and how bad you want it.

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For episode 61, David and Trip Turlington answer a voicemail for a new, aspiring DJ looking to fill his music collection without breaking the bank, before they dig in to this week’s main topic: Gig Preparedness. There’s a lot of things that can ruin your night: Missing an important cable or adapter. custom mapping disasters, and unwelcomed software updates are only but a few. Wouldn’t most of things that can go wrong (or HAVE gone wrong) be alleviated by just a little foresight and preparation?

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For many DJs, pre-planning sets is a cardinal sin, and gives fuel to the “button pushers” name calling going on for nearly any DJ that shows up with a controller in tow. And, for those that encounter an issue with a pre-planned set and have to pivot their strategy for a show, that juice can be worth the squeeze when they’re forced out of the box, out of their element, and have to deal with a crowd, on the fly. This was the case for Jauz at Lollapalooza, and he went as far as to be open and honest about that experience. In this episode, David and Trip sync…. er, sink, their teeth in to the hot button topic of pre-planned sets.

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In the past few years, the market has really grown for all-in-one DJ controllers. How does one even go about making a decision these days? What features are important? How much do I need to spend? Whether you’re a new DJ, or a seasoned mixmaster simply looking for an upgrade, this episode will help you get the most for your dollar. Episode 59 is an audio companion for my Ultimate Guide to DJ Controllers.

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First, we take a few jabs at the astronomically priced (and devoid of practicality) CDJ/DJM-TOUR1 system. At a hefty $16,000 for what is, essentially, a dual CDJ-2000nxs2 and DJM-900nxs2 setup with touchscreens, we couldn’t help but snicker through most of this segment. We also talk about Thud Rumble’s Invader mixer, the TORAIZ SP-16, and some announcements from Serato and Roland coming around the corner.

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In this week’s episode, David and Trip talk a bit about complacency, and the pitfalls of getting stuck in “The Comfort Zone”. You have to show up, put in the hours, and develop your craft. There’s no way around that, if you want to be good at what you do. An artist must continually make moves in order to develop, and to direct their creative energy towards something productive. When you get extremely comfortable in your DJing, you can just as easily become extremely bored… wondering why you even bother mixing together other people’s music and calling it creative.

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Episode 56 is is all about maintaining happiness, so that we can lead fulfilling and successful DJ careers. This week, we present part 2 of Happiness and Fulfillment as a DJ. DJs have a tendency to think of recorded mixes as “demos”. This makes us think a certain way. We want to show a certain level of flexibility while maintaining a cohesive flow. We want to show that we have eclectic and adaptable taste, and yet have a sense of focus. We want to show that you can move a dance floor, but leave room for people to get drinks.

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We’ve all known DJs who seem to have lost their passion or drive. This happens for any number of reasons; they get jaded because of the state of the “scene”, they get bored with playing tunes, or they are unable to make any money. Many times, this leads to the DJ’s “retirement”. Episode 55 is all about maintaining happiness, so that we can lead fulfilling and successful DJ careers. The music itself is what keeps me excited about the whole concept of DJing. I love music, I love sharing music, and I love making a connection to to others using music as the medium. Ironically, this is often the reason a lot of DJs lose interest.

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In Episode 54, we chat about a topic near and dear to our hearts: DANCE MUSIC! All of us here at The Passionate DJ Podcast are huge fans of electronic music in its various forms. In this episode, you’ll hear a little bit about how each of us got there, and what keeps us going. Some of it social, some of it emotional, some of it innate discovery. But, it’s ALL love. Special guest, Mo Dingo, shares his experiences in foreign countries as part of his military career, and how he uses DJing to motivate CrossFit events. We thank Mo Dingo for not only his service to our country, but for being a guest on the show!

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Episode 53 is a just-for-fun episode. We bring back our “Pick 3” idea… this time, with a focus on hip-hop. Trip Turlington finally rejoins the cast (after some time off to move in to a new place). As you’ll hear, we all had a blast after getting the whole crew back together. We each share three different hip-hop tracks and talk about why we like them, why they are iconic, and whatever other little bits of trivia we feel like throwing in. From rap’s infancy stage in the early 80s, to the golden age of the 90s, to modern-day sounds… there’s something here for just about any hip-hop fan.

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From the New Orleans rave scene of the early 90s, to the current festival scene, James “Disco Donnie” Estopinal Jr. has been promoting shows for decades. In Episode 52, Donnie spends some time with us to talk about modern dance music, his origins in the rave scene, and the differences between then and now. We also discuss the collapse of the rave scene circa 2001, the now-infamous “crackhouse law”, and the litigation which nearly landed Donnie in jail for up to 20 years.

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This week’s episode centers around a common problem faced by many DJs: How do I get to play what I actually want to play? A listener writes in to the podcast to ask this question, stating that he has a recurring DJ gig playing at a top 40 bar, but wants to know what steps to take in order to play what he wants. Tony and I talk about our own experiences with this situation, and the approaches we take to overcome those feelings of “selling out”. There are a lot of types of DJs, and there are a lot of reasons why people like to DJ. Sometimes, it’s all about deciding what is most important to you.

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Today, Tony and I take some time to answer your voicemail questions. First, we talk to DJ Serrato, who is running a successful mobile DJ business, but is struggling with the setup and teardown process. Mobile DJs are often placed in the position of having to bring their own sound equipment, mixing gear, lighting, and more. We talk about what we’ve learned from our own mobile gigs, and try to give some tips to make his life easier. Next is Jazon, who wants to learn more about building a team in order to further his DJ career. What about DJs who are at the level of Skrillex, Steve Aoiki, etc.? Finally, Jack is a local listener who is interested in learning more about what goes on behind the decks.

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Welcome back for Episode 49 of The Passionate DJ Podcast! This time, our main topic centers around the top 5 best and worst traits that a DJ can have (in my humble opinion). For the first half of the show, I take some time to address recent events, explain why we missed last week’s episode, and to talk about the current and future state of Passionate DJ. We then get into the main topic: best/worst traits of DJs. This episode was inspired by these two original articles: The 5 Traits Shared By Awful/Great DJs.

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In this week’s episode, the PDJ crew reviews holds discussions about laptop banning in an LA nightclub, the pros and cons of having an “industry standard” hardware set up, and the fluctuating trends between the controller and software technologies. We’ve got some opinions on the no laptop thing… and maybe not exactly what you’d think fellow DJs would say. We also weigh in on Seth Troxler and Richie Hawtin’s personal arguments on the whole “no controllers” policy.

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For this installment of Passionate DJ, we reflect on David and Tony’s experience at Movement 2016 in Detroit, Michigan. The crew express their love for the 313rd, and all things techno. As they draw parallels between Detroit and their home city of Dayton, there’s no doubt that this is a “Mecca” of sorts. David and Tony take some time to point out some favorite sets, while observing some obvious improvements over previous iterations of the festival, and a tad bit of criticism over rising VIP prices.

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David, Trip, and Tony took this episode to talk about the things we would like to change, if we were given a magic wand or magic genie that would grant us some wishes. Some of them are nerdy and technical in nature, some are philosophical and social. All of the ones we came up with are only the tip of the iceberg, we’re sure. So, make sure to drop us a line, and let us know… If *you* could have a wish granted, in the context of DJing, what would it be? We’d love to hear from you!

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In this week’s episode, Trip gives us a once over on proper care, maintenance, and modification of the original weapon of choice for DJ’s since the 1970’s: The Technic SL1200 Turntable. In this episode, we focus mainly on the MK2 model. We cover the bases in this episode: cleaning, tonearm & cartridge calibration, tips on taking the deck apart, adjusting the pitch and brake, and mods…such as painting vs powder coating, removing the “zero click” from the pitch fader, internal grounding, swapping RCA leads, and LED replacements.

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Welcome to another edition of The Passionate DJ Podcast! Episode 44 is all about current happenings in the DJing realm. David pulls several headlines from other DJ and News sites, reads them, and gives opinions on the subject. Some of the topics we cover in this episode are: the latest DJ gear (including two new Pioneer controllers, and Richie Hawtin’s beautiful new wallet-drainer), a cool Technics 1200 mod by a crafty Youtube user, hip-hop’s latest unfortunate happenings, the scoop on how streaming is affecting vinyl sales, and more!

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In Episode 43, Trip, Tony, and I realized, we’ve been doing all of this talking about the technical aspects of DJing, but not sharing what influences us as musicians and DJs,. So, in this episode, we present “Pick 3” …not necessarily our Top 3 favorites of all time, or of any specific genre, but top 3 tracks that came to mind as we were brainstorming for this episode. There’s some great variety, here, and we enjoyed it so much that our intention is to keep bringing installments of this segment.

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Many of us DJs have wide eyes and high hopes for playing those mega, big-room, headliner spots and getting paid to travel the world. Realistically, the more common scenario for a club DJ is to be an opener for such an act. The “warmup DJ” has a very specific and important role, and it can often feel like an under-appreciated position to be in. But it is an art form all its own, and one that we should find joy in. The role of warmup DJs is often debated, and there are a lot of arguments which all hold merit. In episode 42, we talk about various approaches to warming up a room for a top-billing act.

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When a guitarist comes on stage, he wants to play his own guitar. He wants his own tool to perform his own art. Should DJing be any different? The DJ industry has changed over time, where “club standard” or “industry standard” means less and less, and people are bringing their own setups to shows. Sometimes, this is out of necessity (i.e. this is “what I learned on”), and sometimes it’s actually a prerequisite of their type of performance. In episode 41, we go over the complaints on either side of the fence. Some people say that a DJ should learn to use “the real deal”.

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There is a lot happening in the world of streaming audio this year, especially when it comes to the realm of the DJ. In episode 40, after answering a voicemail from a listener asking about the use of “set rips”, we go over all the current happenings in the streaming space. We cover recent moves by PulseLocker (with Serato integration), Spotify, Apple Music, SoundCloud Go, and similar services. We chat about the pros and cons of streaming technology, how feasible it currently is for use in a DJ booth, and the ramifications of not actually owning your music.

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Many DJ and dance-music outlets are screaming, “The sky is falling!” when it comes to the alleged bursting of the EDM bubble. And it’s not a tough argument to make. After all, with the rise and fall of mega-conglomerate SFX, the falling attendance in Miami’s yearly festival, and a seeming drop in overall cashflow for large events… the argument isn’t without merit. We say that, like with most things, the truth probably lies somewhere in the middle. But, regardless of what happens… those of us who are truly here for the music and the community will be around to pick up the pieces.

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You’ve landed a gig. You bought the newest, hottest tracks. You’ve practiced a set list and gone over it so many times, you could land every mix in your sleep. The night of, it’s finally your turn, you plug in, press play, and then the worst thing happens…PEOPLE ARE LEAVING THE DANCE FLOOR! What now? Can you deviate from your predetermined set list, and bring those people back? In Episode 38, David, Tony, and Trip talk shop around the art of reading a crowd. We talk a lot about the relationship and synergy between DJ and crowd.

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In episode 37 of The Passionate DJ Podcast, we explore the ins-and-outs of what we call “The Underground”. Is underground music a sound, or an attitude? Is it determined by the amount of money involved, or the size of the culture These days, it’s hard to truly lock down what it means to be underground. Today’s modern technological climate has put us in a state of constant connection… something that isn’t inherently bad, but it does seem to have extreme effects on scenes which took a lot of sweat-equity to build.

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The first warning sign that a project is in trouble, often, is that little twinge where we begin to search for excuses. You know what I’m talking about: that pre-loading of responses that our brain begins to compile, just in case. Excuses, even valid ones, can often lend themselves to self-fulfilled prophecy. It allows us to be complacent. How can we avoid having an excuse-driven life? As DJs, how can we push forward, in spite of the hurdles that we come up against?

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On this week’s episode, David, Tony, and Trip sit down with Egyptian Lover, who shares some of his experiences, insight, and inspiration behind his unique, trendsetting style that is still rocking clubs to this very day! As a pioneer in the L.A. DJ scene of the early 1980’s, Egyptian Lover was contributing to the beginnings of the hip hop and rap scenes, while cultivating his signature electro break beat sound. (hint: if you love the 808, you probably want to listen to this!)

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In this week’s episode, we are thrilled to have Mister Shifter with us. As a founding member of Random Movement and veteran drum and bass DJ, Jack has some unique insight, as well as a lot of research and first hand knowledge of the drum and bass genre, scene, and history. David, Trip, and Tony put the artist spotlight on Jack, who takes you on an hour and a half ride through the progression of early hardcore breakbeat culture, which spawned drum and bass as we know, while also highlighting his own accomplishments with this complex and distinct genre.

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Every time we turn around, we’re getting hit with some new gear or software announcement in the DJ community. This week, it’s digital DJ software company Serato, announcing an iOS app called “Pyro”, which is a (free) music player aimed at the consumer market. However, it’s impossible to gloss over the main feature of the software, which is that it attempts to beat match your playlist together and mix them together, as if done by a DJ.

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In this episode of the Passionate DJ Podcast, David takes the time to respond to a handful of listener emails who have written in looking for solutions to their problems as a DJ. Overall, this episode is seriously loaded full of strategies and actionable tips. Also in this episode, you will find lots of gear recommendations, hear some tech-talk about speaker vs. line level audio signals, get some tips on putting together your bio and EPK, and receive *loads* of info on how to properly promote yourself via Facebook and Instagram.

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In Episode 31, our good friend Steve Gillson, aka Silent Gloves dropped by Dayton Studios just before we started recording, to say hi. Instead, we held him against his will and made him do an interview with us! Over the course of the hour, we talk about his earlier accomplishments as a Drum and Bass DJ & producer, and how that evolved in to Silent Gloves and Power 85. We also discuss what synthwave is, and the qualities in old school radio jocks that Steve strives to bring back in his weekly live show at Power85.com.

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In Episode 30, David Michael, Tony DeSaro, and Trip Turlington discuss a sometimes convoluted topic for DJs. Are we artists? Musicians? Both? Neither? Of course, there’s no clear answer, but it doesn’t stop the PDJ crew from peeling some layers back and getting deep in to the topic. We consider everything from the definition of art, the difference between artists and musicians, context, and craftsmanship. Sometimes these terms are ambiguous or harder to define, but we give it an honest go, while being honest about our interpretations and how it applies to DJs.

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In Episode 29, after adding to the chatter in the DJ community about the new gear announcements coming out of NAMM 2016, we go into a deeper discussion about some of the qualities and traits we specifically identify with DJs that make them more noticeable, memorable, and unique. The basic question we are trying to answer is, “What is the quality in a DJ that can cause me to appreciate them, even if it’s a musical style that I’m not normally interested in?” David, Tony, and Trip each pick out two standout traits, and we spend a few moments talking about each.

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In this episode of the podcast, we reflect back on the guests we’ve had the honor of featuring on the show. We’re seeing lots of growth lately, which is great! But, it also means that there are probably a lot of people who have missed out on some of the knowledge bombs our guests have dropped in earlier episodes. Episode 28 is all about re-visiting these golden nuggets, in thanks for the wisdom these guests were willing to freely share with all of us.

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It’s our second annual “Resolutions” episode! We take several questions from listeners like you, and try to help DJs find resolutions to their problems in order to have a fresh start to the new year. Don’t forget… we take questions all year long. Leave a voicemail and be featured on the show!Before we got down to business, of course, we had to talk about the big announcement: the Technics 1200 turntables are coming back!

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David, Tony, and Trip discuss one of PDJ’s most polarizing viral articles about beat matching. Tony and Trip talk about their evolution from turntables and vinyl to incorporating more modern equipment and software in to their shows and skill sets, where David talks about his experience learning modern techniques first, then learning the mechanical foundations of DJing. The panel tries to shed some light on the intent of the original article itself (hint: it’s not to scream “GET OFF MY LAWN!”), while offering their insight on the subject of modern DJing technology and mechanics.

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Welcome back for another episode of the podcast! This time around, I recorded a sort of “roundtable discussion”… the last half of a meeting of the minds in my local scene. Tony and Billy of 3DMentional Entertainment return to the show to tell us the experiences they had while booking the legendary Josh Wink this past weekend. We are also joined by Trip Turlington and Kyle Rutherford (aka Overwaves), who were also taking part in the local “scene meeting”.

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About this time last year, we were wrapping up The Story Mix Project. This was a 7-week video tutorial series in which I created a story-telling mix, and showed each step along the way. We go over some of the technical details, as well as the conceptualization, all the way through the finalization and “mastering” of the final product. For this year’s Halloween episode, we dive even further into this mix. I hope you enjoy this special, behind-the-scenes commentary of Zombie Hospital!

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Hey Folks! We’re back for episode 23. This time, we’re talking about the differences between the DJ, the producer, and everything in-between. We also talk about why these lines are so often blurred, how the role of one can bleed into another, and why some people even find themselves in the role they didn’t intend. I also answer a letter from Roger, a 68-year-old guy who is interested in picking up his headphones and beginning his journey as a DJ for the first time.

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This episode of the podcast is all about being a snob, how it affects your DJing, why it is harmful, and even why we can make a positive case for being a snobby DJ. Before I recorded this episode, I sent out a message to my beloved VIP List members asking them what they thought about this topic, so much of today’s episode was contributed by you guys. Stay tuned to learn how being a snob (and having a negative attitude towards music) can affect your DJing.

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In episode 21, I go over the ten steps needed to get started on your journey as a DJ. This one is great for beginners, those who have been out of the game for a while, or just those DJs who like to go back and pick up anything they may have missed along the way. Like our last episode, this one is a sort of “audio version” of an existing article… my most popular post to date, “How to Become a DJ: The Ultimate Guide”. If you don’t have time to sit and read, you can listen to this version on-the-go!

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This episode is a sort of audio companion to go along with my recently released Ultimate Guide to DJ Controllers. If you don’t have time to sit and read, you can listen to this version on-the-go! In the past few years, the market has really grown for all-in-one DJ controllers. How does one even go about making a decision these days? What features are important? How much do I need to spend? Whether you’re a new DJ, or a seasoned mixmaster simply looking for an upgrade, this episode will help you get the most for your dollar.

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In this episode of the podcast, not only do I answer a handful of questions submitted by listeners and readers of the blog, but we dive into the topic of going from a good DJ to a GREAT DJ! A little while back, I wrote a post (check the resource list below) titled “The 5 Traits Shared by Great DJs”. In this episode, I expand on this and explain how these traits can aid you on your path to becoming a great DJ.

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Welcome back to the Passionate DJ Podcast, where in episode 18, we talk about collaboration with other DJs and producers. I decided to discuss this topic with Jon Skinner, who invented a collaborative tool called Music Gateway. This tool allows you to find the right person to help you finish your track, mix, or project… and gives you a collaborative space to get things done.

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This one is just for fun! Join me as I share stories of terrible, strange, or hilarious gig experiences submitted by our listeners! One submission tells the story of a laptop crashing right after a big drop during one of the DJ’s largest gigs to date. Another tells of the strange (and unsanitary) mystery someone found in the hallway during a house party. And then there’s our friend Joe Pardo (a frequent guest on the podcast) who tells us how he had to run for his life after a gig!

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In this episode of the podcast, I bring in a full panel of DJ/activists to discuss the issue of purpose. I say “passion and purpose” all the time, but what does it really mean? How can you find your purpose? How can you drive your goals home so that you can advance your DJ career or skillset? An excellent and inspiring discussion takes place amongst the panel as we all present our own unique perspective on purposeful DJing. Special thanks to Joe Pardo, Casie Lane, and Kilma for joining me on the show today!

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That’s right, folks… this episode of the podcast is all about SoundCloud. My special guest, Budi Voogt, joins the discussion to teach us all about how to market ourselves online, the changes SoundCloud is making to their platform, and how to improve your presence there. This is a service which has grown exponentially since it was launched several years ago, and as such, the “big names” in the music industry are starting to wonder where their royalties are. We discuss this problem, and how SoundCloud plans to resolve it.

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Back in episode 13, I answered a call from Joseph regarding sound quality.  He asked when it’s worth it to invest in high-end audio gear (like sound cards, mixers, etc.)  But the question I actually answered had to do with production sound (speakers, amps, etc.) Duh. Apparently I wasn’t paying attention that day. Rather than just write a corrected answer, I decided to dedicate this entire episode to all things sound quality… including a re-answering of Joseph’s question.

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Happy 2015!! In this special (read: impromptu) edition of the Passionate DJ Podcast, I help 6 of my most valued listeners get answers (‘resolutions’) to their questions. We talk about organizing music, maintaining energy, harmonic mixing, investing in high-end sound, turning DJing into a legit business, playing “underground” gigs”, and more. We also talk about some of the interesting things to happen within the world of DJing in 2014. Thanks to Raymond, Ian, Brian, Thiago, Joseph and Alex for submitting voicemails!

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A listener keeps me honest in Episode 12. “Jim”, as we will refer to him, is concerned that I am not preaching the most effective methods of advancing one’s DJ career… even if I may be preaching the most “morally correct” one.  I really enjoyed having this conversation, and for Jim caring enough to write in with his thoughts on the subject. David is joined by special co-host Joe Pardo discuss self-promotion, difficulties in finding your audience, and our own experiences with positive networking.

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In episode 11, I interview Tony and Billy of 3DMentional Entertainment: a promotions company focused on bringing new and exciting electronic music events to Dayton, OH. They throw shows that Dayton is not used to seeing these days… bringing in bigger names, focusing on programming and progression of a night, and providing upper-tier production values.

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In this episode, I interview Casie Lane: a seasoned DJ and industry insider. Having worked nearly all sides of the event spectrum (DJing, promoting, artist management, etc.), she has a lot of great insight to share with us about the benefits of professionalism and smart marketing. Episode 10 is all about treating your DJing more like a business in order to build credibility, land awesome DJ gigs, build your fan base, and do justice to your craft.

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John’s been running a successful weekly electronic music night in our town for over four years, based on a local guest rotation. I wanted to get his insight on the struggles that come along with small town promotion. As you’ll hear, John is loaded full of personality and really adds some spice to today’s episode. I started loading him full of beer, which didn’t hurt. It gets fairly humorous/ridiculous towards the end.

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Today we are having a conversation with Joe Pardo, who is working on a really neat project called Adventurtorium: An Up Inspired Experience. This is a DJ mix which goes above and beyond stringing a handful of tracks together, and is the result of many man-hours of planning, mixing, editing, tweaking, recording, and promoting.

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Episode 7 is a spiritual successor to a post I made a while back, titled “Having a “Sound” vs. Having a Genre”.  In that post, I talked about the idea of generally disregarding genre labels, and trying to build an overall sound that reflects you as a DJ and as a person. In this session, we will dig a little deeper into where you might be able to look to help find and define your sound, and make it all your own.

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Episode 6 of the podcast is for all of you turntablists, or those interested in learning more about the intricacies of exhibitionist-style mixing and competition. This is a topic that has been previously untouched on the Passionate DJ Podcast, so to do it justice, I brought in an expert on the subject.  oday’s interviewee is Jake “Vekked” Meyer: winner of multiple world championship titles! In this interview, not only do we get to hear some great insight into the turntablism world, but we get to hear some of his performances as well.

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A 20+ year veteran in the underground dance music scene, Airwave has witnessed a lot: the digital revolution, the peaks and valleys of the prominence of trance music, and the commercialization of various flavors of “EDM”. Airwave is a hugely popular (and deeply respected) name in the dance music scene, with a very loyal fanbase. He is especially known for his work in the trance genre, both progressive and psychedelic, and is an open and honest speaker about the state of the industry.

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In episode 3, I introduced you to Jessica Fenner of A.part Music out of Milwaukee. Outside getting to know Jessica, we talk about some unique approaches to building nights in small or limited markets, the value of a mentor, how to please your market, how “word of mouth” is greater than any promotional tool, how to have a sense of security when planning your own event, and how to avoid burnout.

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Finally… the first Passionate DJ Podcast Interview! In this episode, I interview Jessica Fenner, also known as “Fortune”, of A.part Music in Milwaukee. Currently producing 2 weekly parties, both in their third year, one off larger scale events and a DJ collective, Apart believes in delivering music to the community by putting the spotlight on local artists, as well as bringing world class talent to Milwaukee.

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Episode two is about building buzz, whether it’s for your events, mixes, albums, or anything else you want to promote in the music scene. We talk about why you want buzz (not hype),
leveraging your connections, why having talent isn’t enough, how to build a fan base of people that matter, and more.

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This is different than other DJ podcasts in that it’s conversational (not like a mixtape or DJ set).  The idea is that I will talk about different aspects of DJing, hold exclusive interviews, and provide other content that you can’t find elsewhere on the blog.  Hopefully we can use this new feature to help and learn from each other!

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