In this episode, I sit down with SYREETA, one of the most respected DJs in house music, to talk about the moment you know it’s time to leave the day job and fully commit to your path in dance music.
From waking up at 4am to drive trucks for 12-hour shifts, to playing Paradise, ANTS, DC10, Amnesia, and Space Miami with Carl Cox, SYREETA’s journey is a masterclass in graft, self-belief, and trusting your instinct.
We talk honestly about the fear of quitting stability, the reality behind the DJ lifestyle, and why there’s never a “right time” - only the moment when you finally back yourself.
This episode was recorded live at Duke of Tokyo in Amsterdam, with SYREETA opening up about confidence, staying grounded, and why not dimming to fit in has shaped her career.
We get into:
• Working as a full-time truck driver while DJing on weekends
• 4am starts, sunrise drives and learning music on the road
• Knowing when the day job is holding you back
• Why there’s no perfect moment to quit — only a feeling
• Taking the risk and going all in on dance music
• Playing with Carl Cox, ANTS, Paradise and Space Miami
• What Carl Cox taught her about confidence in the booth
• Never playing the same set twice and trusting your instincts
• Growing up around underground parties, reggae, soul and jungle
• From Cocoon at Amnesia to playing Ibiza’s biggest stages
• Hearing her own track played by Loco Dice for the first time
• Supporting emerging artists and opening doors for others
• Touring life, burnout, balance and sustainability
• Going sober, mental clarity and performing without alcohol
• Why representation, authenticity and community matter
• “Don’t dim to fit in” - and why there’s space for everyone
• Her guestlist rules
• The strangest fan gift she’s ever received
• What success really feels like when you’ve earned every step
If you’re a DJ, producer, creative, or anyone navigating the jump from stability to passion, this episode is for you.
SPONSORS
Trackstack
The all-in-one platform for music creators — send and receive promos, manage demos, discover open label inboxes, and create social-ready promo videos with Trackstack Showcase.
Use code CUPMOG for 10% off for life.
https://my.trackstack.app/auth/login
LabelWorx
Distribution, royalty management, promo tools, and insights — built by people who live and breathe dance music.
https://www.labelworx.com
Sounds Australia
Huge thanks to Sounds Australia for hosting us in Amsterdam and supporting Australian artists globally.
https://www.soundsaustralia.com.au
Wow Cacao
Made from rescued cacao pulp, Wow Cacao is a refreshing, vitamin-rich drink packed with natural electrolytes and antioxidants.
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CONNECT
Follow SYREETA: https://www.instagram.com/syreetamusic
Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/katiehayknight
Follow Can U Put Me On Guestlist?: https://www.instagram.com/canuputmeonguestlist
In this episode, I sit down with fast-rising hard techno DJ and producer AZYR to unpack one of the most unexpected breakout stories in electronic music - from training as an engineer at Rolls-Royce to selling out all-night-long shows and playing a Boiler Room set watched by millions.
We go from underground Teletech parties and getting a call on the day to play, to quitting a “safe” career and touring Australia and South America as hard techno explodes worldwide.
In this episode, we get into:
Training as an engineer at Rolls-Royce and why he never planned to be a DJ
Learning to DJ and produce from scratch during COVID, with zero musical background
Discovering hard techno through Teletech and early underground parties
Getting a call on the day to play Teletech after another artist dropped out
Being signed to an agency the same day he played one of his first major shows
Why being thrown in the deep end helped him avoid overthinking big moments
Playing Boiler Room - the nerves, the pressure, and watching it back weeks later
The rise of hard techno and why the crowds feel different right now
TikTok’s role in making hard techno explode, even though he barely uses the app
No-phone shows vs viral culture and why presence still matters
Selling out a 6,500-capacity all-night-long show in Manchester
Quitting his full-time job and choosing a world tour over a safe career
Touring Australia and South America, and why global crowds connect so deeply
How he’s built a loyal community by staying accessible and authentic
Dealing with online criticism without letting it affect his confidence
Why producing music is harder now than ever, and his plans for an album
The strangest fan gift he’s ever received
His guestlist rules, and why energy matters more than numbers
Sponsors - a huge thank you for supporting the show
Trackstack
Trackstack is the all-in-one platform built for music creators. Send and receive promos, manage demos, discover open label inboxes, and create social-ready promo videos with Trackstack Showcase.
Use code CUPMOG for 10% off for life
my.trackstack.app
LabelWorx
Distribution, royalty management, promo tools, and insights built by people who live and breathe dance music. If you are growing a label or releasing music, LabelWorx gives you the system to scale.
labelworx.com
Sounds Australia
Huge thanks to Sounds Australia for hosting us in Amsterdam. They support Australian artists at the world’s biggest showcases, festivals, and conferences, helping them reach new audiences worldwide.
soundsaustralia.com.au
Wow Cacao
Made from rescued cacao pulp, Wow Cacao is a refreshing, vitamin-rich drink packed with natural electrolytes and antioxidants. Ideal for wellness lovers, post-party recovery, or swapping alcohol for something that actually feels good.
Juliet Fox: Motherhood in dance music - touring, pregnancy, identity & building a new life.In this episode, I sit down with techno powerhouse Juliet Fox for one of the most honest and important conversations we’ve ever had on the show - diving deep into motherhood, identity, touring, and what it really means to be a woman in the dance music industry today.From DJing at eight months pregnant in a cage at Revolver to navigating promoters’ expectations, relationship growth, and travelling the world with a six-month-old baby… Juliet opens up in a way you rarely hear publicly.We talk about the things no one prepares you for - the fear of career loss, the pressure on female artists, the support (and lack of it) in the industry, and the messy, beautiful reality of creating a life while still chasing your passion.We get into:• Not planning to have children - and the “miracle baby” moment that changed everything• The fear of telling agents and promoters she was pregnant• DJing until 8 months pregnant and the reaction from the crowd• Touring with a newborn, pumping on planes and the logistics no one sees• Why Australia feels like her calmest self• How becoming a mother strengthened her relationship• Balancing identity: artist, partner, mother, woman• The lack of conversation around motherhood in dance music• Support from Amelie Lens and the women who reached out• Returning to gigs weeks after giving birth• Advice for women who want a family but fear the impact on their career• Her vision for a platform or panel on motherhood in the industry• Cosmo Fox - the most travelled six-month-old ever• Why Australian crowds are on another level• The DJs she rates• The cutest (and funniest) fan gifts Cosmo has receivedIf you care about dance music, women’s stories, touring realities, or simply hearing a raw, human conversation behind an artist’s journey, this one will stay with you.---🌟 SPONSORS — thank you for supporting the show🎧 TrackstackThe platform built for music creators: send and receive promos, manage demos, discover open label inboxes, and create promo videos through Trackstack Showcase.Use code CUPMOG for 10% off for life.👉 [https://my.trackstack.app/]🚀 LabelWorxDistribution, royalty management, promo tools, and insights - built for labels serious about growth.👉 [https://labelworx.com]🥥 Wow CacaoMade from rescued cacao pulp, Wow Cacao is a refreshing, vitamin-rich drink packed with natural electrolytes and antioxidants.👉 Follow @drinkwowcacao🇦🇺 Sounds AustraliaA huge thank you to Sounds Australia for hosting us in Amsterdam. They champion Australian artists globally through showcases, festivals, and conferences.👉 [https://soundsaustralia.com.au]---📲 CONNECT WITH USFollow Juliet Fox: @djjulietfoxFollow me: @katiehayknight
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I sit down with multi-platinum DJ and producer Jonas Blue to unpack how he creates worldwide anthems - from the melodies and emotions behind each track to the moments that shaped his career.
We go from mixing Adidas with Nike to the moment he nearly quit music, and what pulled him back.
We get into:
• Swapping grey London for sunny Miami - and why he doesn’t miss London at all
• Summers in Ibiza, living in the north and avoiding hangovers
• Edge of Desire becoming one of the most Shazamed tracks in Ibiza 2025
• The wild story of Malive nearly quitting before their collab changed his life
• How Club Reps made him want to DJ at age 11
• Fast Car turning 10, fans who grew up with his music and dealing with pressure
• The advice he got from Calvin Harris when he lost direction during COVID
• Keeping his sound credible for the dancefloor while dominating the global charts
• Why writing a great song is so difficult - and why melody is everything
• His dream to create a Balearic / Zero 7 / Air-inspired album
• The creepiest fan gift he’s received (a whole book of baby photos)
• His no-phones guestlist rule
• Where he’s heading next and what keeps him inspired
If you love dance music, Ibiza stories, songwriting breakdowns, and hearing the human side of huge artists, this episode is for you.
Thank you to the sponsors of this episode:
Trackstack
Trackstack is built for music creators: send and receive promos, manage demos, discover open label inboxes, and create promo videos through Trackstack Showcase.
Use code CUPMOG for 10% off for life.
https://my.trackstack.app/
LabelWorx
Distribution, royalty management, promo tools and insights — created by people who live and breathe dance music. If you’re growing a label or releasing music, LabelWorx gives you the system to scale.
labelworx.com
Wow Cacao
Made from rescued cacao pulp, Wow Cacao is a refreshing, vitamin-rich drink packed with natural electrolytes and antioxidants. Perfect for wellness lovers, post-party recovery or swapping alcohol for something that actually feels good.
Follow @drinkwowcacao
Sounds Australia
A huge thank you to Sounds Australia for hosting us in Amsterdam. They champion Australian artists at showcases, festivals and conferences worldwide — helping them reach new audiences.
soundsaustralia.com.au
Follow Jonas Blue: https://www.instagram.com/jonasblue
Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/katiehayknight/
Subscribe for more in-depth conversations with DJs, producers and industry voices!
What happens when music isn’t just your passion but also a family affair? In this episode, I chat with Betical, the sibling duo known for their emotive sound and deep musical chemistry. We trace their story from growing up together to finding their own workflow in the studio, how they navigate creative blocks, and the ways they keep their personal relationship strong amidst industry pressures. They open up about what they’ve learned from each other, how they handle moments of divergence, and what excites them about the future of Betical.
This episode is powered by Trackstack - the platform that helps you manage demos, promos, and sell your music expertise. Use code CUPMOG for 10% off for life.
Arodes joins us on the podcast to share the story behind his career change into an internationally touring DJ. We dive deep into his earliest musical memories, first gigs, Ibiza and how his sound has evolved into what we hear today.
He opens up about the sacrifices you have to make to become a touring artist- the long nights, missed moments at home, and trying to keep healthy while constantly on the move. From his very first official gig to playing at iconic venues and festivals like Burning Man, Arodes reflects on the surreal highs and the tough challenges that shaped his career.
We also talk about the labels he co-runs with Andrea Oliva, Unreleased and All I Need, and how stepping into the role of label head has changed his perspective on the music industry.
This episode is powered by Trackstack, the platform that helps you manage demos, promos, and sell your music expertise. Use code CUPMOG for 10% off for life.
This episode was recorded live from Soho House Barcelona in partnership with Techno & Chill.
Today’s guest is a true cultural powerhouse, Georgia Taglietti. With over 30 years in the music industry, Georgia has been shaping narratives at the crossroads of creativity, technology, and communication. You might have seen her speaking on global panels or driving cultural conversations behind the scenes. As the founder of The International Consulting Network for Arts & Culture, she now helps creatives and companies navigate change with smart strategy and deep cultural insight.
This episode is powered by Trackstack, the platform that makes managing demos, promos, and even selling your expertise seamless. Use code CUPMOG for 10% off for life.
This episode was recorded live from Soho House Barcelona in collaboration with Techno & Chill.
Today’s guest is the one and only DJ Tennis, an icon in electronic music and the creative force behind the label Life and Death. Beyond the decks, he’s also the founder of Munchie Town and a passionate foodie.In this episode, we delve into his passion for cooking and food culture, the DJs who can genuinely cook, his journey to getting started in the music industry, his experience as a manager, and how he balances multiple projects simultaneously.
Whether you’re here for the music industry insights or the kitchen stories, this conversation offers a unique perspective from one of the scene’s most creative minds.
Can U Put Me On Guestlist? is powered by Trackstack, the platform to manage your demos, promos, and sell your music expertise.Use code CUPMOG for 10% off for life: https://www.trackstack.com
Today’s guest is a master of musical storytelling, a producer whose sound is instantly recognisable: the incredible Kölsch.
In this episode, we dive into Kölsch’s reflections on the evolution of club culture, his early days starting out in Copenhagen, his first times playing in Ibiza, and the philosophy that drives the narrative quality of his productions. We also explore his brand new collaboration with Camelphat, Waste My Time, the first single from his upcoming album Kinema. The track arrives with an AI-generated video that reimagines Pacha Ibiza in the 1970s, blending real archive footage with futuristic technology. We talk about the concept behind the video, AI, and the magic of collaborating with other artists.
This episode is powered by Trackstack, the all-in-one platform to manage demos, send promos, level up your productions, and monetise your music knowledge. It’s intuitive and built for music pros. Use the code CUPMOG to get 10% off for life.
In this very special episode of Can U Put Me On Guestlist?, I reconnect with the one and only Loco Dice, 13 years after our first interview!
We take a deep dive into his journey from his early days in Hip-Hop to becoming a global force in electronic music. Dice opens up about how he curates and organizes his music, the nuances of collaboration, his perspective on an industry in constant evolution, and of course we explore his latest album, Purple Jam. All of this, plus lots of wild stories he's made along the way!
With 30 years of Drumcode on the horizon, we sit down with techno titan Adam Beyer to reflect on a career that has shaped the sound of dance floors around the world. From buying his first record in Sweden to commanding the biggest stages in global techno, Adam takes us back to where it all began, sharing stories from his early days DJing and producing, the moment Drumcode was born, and how the label grew from a gritty underground project into a worldwide institution.
We dive into key turning points: signing breakout artists, throwing the first Drumcode events, and the challenges of building something lasting. Adam opens up about the pressure of staying true to his vision, what he's learned from life in Ibiza, and the emotional moments that still give him goosebumps- from Cocoon Mondays in Amnesia's main room to sunrise sets that reminded him exactly why he does this.
As he looks ahead to Drumcode’s 30th anniversary, Adam shares the philosophy that’s carried him through three decades at the frontline of techno, and what he hopes to pass on to the next generation.
This episode is brought to you by Trackstack, the ultimate platform for building a sustainable career in electronic music. From managing demos and sending promos to levelling up your productions and monetising your music knowledge, Trackstack streamlines it all. It’s simple, powerful, and designed with artists in mind. Ready to try it? Use the code CUPMOG for 10% off, for life.
We finally made it happen! Fleur Shore, a woman I absolutely love being around and chatting to, is up next. Her dedication, drive, and all-round kind, grounded energy have taken her to the top of the game, and in this episode, we unpack the journey that got her there.
From the early gigs that sparked her passion to carving out a sound and identity all her own, Fleur walks us through her rise in the electronic music world. We dive into how Ibiza became a pivotal chapter in her story, from first stepping foot on the island to delivering some of her most unforgettable sets there.
She opens up about the challenges she’s faced along the way, including the viral moment that catapulted her from 30k to 300k followers in just one month, and the resilience it took to stay steady as everything changed around her. We also explore how vlogging became her unexpected secret weapon for connecting with fans and documenting the chaos, beauty, and growth of life on the road.
Fleur shares how she stays grounded, healthy, and creatively fuelled while constantly on the move, and gives us her honest take on where club culture is headed.
This episode is powered by Trackstack, the go-to platform to manage demos, send promos, level up your productions, and monetize your music knowledge. Use code CUPMOG for 10% off for life.
You might know him for his iconic Yellow Squares, those bold, catchy prompts that have redefined how we talk about creativity, visibility, and value in the age of social media, . What started as bite-sized creative provocations have now evolved into a brilliant new book, Close the App, Make the Ting, a manifesto for artists navigating the noisy world of social media.
But Elijah’s story runs deeper than Instagram. From co-founding the legendary label Butterz and championing grime’s rise, to blending DJing, strategy, and creative education, Elijah has spent over a decade shaping the culture from the inside out.
In this episode, we rewind to where it all began, his love for music, the roots of UK club culture, and how his purpose has shifted along the way. We talk about shaping education after struggling to connect with it himself, and the lessons he’d bake into curriculums if he had the chance. He shares his perspective on DIY vs. labels in 2025, what sustainability really means in a content-driven industry, and the creative thinking behind some of his most powerful Yellow Squares.
This conversation is loaded with insight for anyone making art in the digital age, and it’s powered by Trackstack, the platform designed to help you build a long-term music career. Use code CUPMOG for 10% off for life.
This week my guest is the wonderful Katie Bain, Director of Billboard Dance and one of the most respected music journalists in the game. For over a decade, Katie’s voice has shaped the narrative of dance music through her insightful, honest, and culturally rich storytelling. From underground risers to global icons, she’s interviewed them all, always with curiosity, integrity, and a genuine love for the scene.
In this episode, we talk about the story behind her very first interview, and how her process and perspective have evolved along the way. Katie shares how she preps, what makes an interview truly resonate, and what have been some of her favourite interview so far!
This episode is powered by Trackstack, the ultimate platform for building a sustainable career in electronic music. Whether you're managing demos, levelling up your production, or monetising your music knowledge, Trackstack makes it all seamless. Use promo code CUPMOG for 10% off, for life.
This episode features an icon, a true force of nature in electronic music: Nicole Moudaber. DJ, producer, promoter, and movement-maker, Nicole has carved out her own powerful lane in the techno world. Before she was headlining festivals and filling legendary clubs, Nicole was behind the scenes booking artists, building relationships that would later evolve into creative partnerships and long-standing friendships. In this episode, she shares the story of how she transitioned from promoter to globally respected artist, and the mindset that helped her sustain a long, evolving career. We talk about her early years in nightlife and the pivotal moments that shaped her, the ever-changing landscape of Ibiza and what it means for artists today, staying relevant and creatively inspired in 2025 and beyond, plus her passion for fast cars!
This episode is powered by Trackstack, the platform helping you manage demos, send promos, level up your productions, and monetize your music knowledge. It’s super intuitive and with promo code CUPMOG, you’ll get 10% off for life.
As former director and co-owner at Broadwick live, Mark Newton has played a defining role in reshaping the global dance music experience, from the festivals we travel to, to the spaces we party in. As the founder of Hideout Festival and a creative force behind Field Day, Snowbombing, Printworks, Depot Mayfield, and Drumsheds, Mark doesn't just book DJs, he builds culture.
In this episode, we dive into what makes a venue or festival great, and how each uniquely impacts dance music culture. We explore the rise of immersive, large-scale venues, the shifting economics of nightlife, and ask whether the festival boom is pushing clubs, and clubbing, into the shadows. We also get into the future of residencies, the challenges of licensing, and what all this means for the next generation of artists and ravers.
This episode is powered by Trackstack, the platform built to help you manage demos, promos, and your music career more sustainably. Use the promo code CUPMOG for 10% off, for life.
A week after Toolroom was crowned Label of the Year at the Beatport Awards for the second year running, I sit down with Mark Knight to explore one of the most pressing questions in the industry today: can you succeed as a DJ without producing music, or as a producer without ever stepping behind the decks?
Mark reflects on his own path, starting out in one role before embracing the other, and how that dual perspective shaped his longevity in the scene. We unpack how the DJ–producer relationship has evolved in 2025, the impact of streaming and algorithm-driven discovery, and why the divide between studio and stage is more complex than ever.
He shares his thoughts on why some modern productions lack the punch of a true anthem, whether producers without club experience miss something essential, and offers honest advice for artists trying to navigate their strengths.
This season is powered by Trackstack, the platform that helps electronic music pros stay organized and get ahead. Streamline your demos, level up your promos, and even sell your music skills, all in one place.
Use code CUPMOG for 10% off for life.
Kicking off season 7, I sit down with Chicago’s own Hiroko Yamamura, an artist deeply rooted in the city’s rich club culture, to explore the place that shaped her. Hiroko takes us back to the record stores and warehouses that built her musical foundation and shares stories of legendary underground parties that defined an era.
From early mentorship and pivotal career decisions to the evolution of Chicago’s raw, rebellious energy, Hiroko reflects on how the scene has changed, what still excites her today, and why life behind the decks can feel so strange and surreal. It’s an episode packed with history, honesty, and humor.
This podcast is powered by Trackstack, the platform helping you build a sustainable career in electronic music. Discover, manage, and grow your network all in one place at trackstack.me. Use the promo code CUPMOG for 10% off for life.
In the last episode of the year, I chat with Regal as he unveils his brand-new alias, ACIDBOY. Dive deep into the mind of a true innovator as we discuss the inspiration behind his project, we explore his early beginnings as well as reflect on his growth, pivotal moments, and the artistic ethos driving his career.
In this episode I chat with Lumi, a rising talent whose journey is as inspiring as it is relatable. Growing up in Finland, Lumi's path to the DJ booth wasn't a straight line. We explore how she juggles a full-time job while building her name in the industry, sharing insights on the hustle, passion, and perseverance it takes to make it in music.