Avsnitt
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In this episode of What’s Cookin?, we sit down with Chanel Carmichael to unpack her journey from a classically trained musician to one of the most exciting rising DJs in the UK scene.
Chanel opens up about growing up in the world of classical music, the moment DJing first caught her attention, and what it really felt like to step away from a traditional path into something completely different. We get into how lockdown live streams helped build her momentum, and why she ultimately chose to shift her focus when the world reopened.
We also dive into the realities of building a career in music, from navigating agents, management, and eventually stepping into independence, to learning how to back yourself in an ever-changing industry. Chanel shares honest insights on moving to Manchester, building a network from scratch, and finding your place in a new scene.
From her production journey and musical influences to landing a residency at Ministry of Sound, this episode explores both the craft and the career behind the decks. We also touch on digging for music, preparing for sets, and how her classical background still shapes her sound today.
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In this episode of What’s Cookin?, we sit down with Josh Hvaal, a DJ and producer originally from Derby and now based in Manchester, to talk about reinvention, artist identity and building something bigger than just music releases.
Josh opens up about his production journey from the very beginning. We talk about the early tracks, creative breakthroughs, unfinished ideas and the habits that helped shape his sound over time. We get into what it really takes to improve as a producer, how to develop your own identity and the process of getting music heard by the right people.
A major part of the conversation focuses on navigating the label world, with Josh sharing his experiences releasing music on labels like Hot Creations, TRICK and Hottrax, including the pressure, confidence shifts and industry realities that come with breakthrough moments.
We also dive into his decision to rebrand himself as an artist and restart his social media presence, opening up about authenticity online, comparison culture, and trying to build something that genuinely reflects who he is creatively.
Alongside this, Josh talks about relaunching his label and brand, Gibberish, and the vision behind expanding it into parties and events this year, creating a platform that goes beyond just releasing music.
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Saknas det avsnitt?
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In this episode, I sit down with Gaia from Girls Don't Sync to talk about her journey from South London to becoming part of one of the most exciting names in dance music right now.
We get into what life looked like before everything took off, from studying acting at university and working random jobs, to discovering DJing and production and figuring out whether music could really become a career. Gaia also shares some of the early experiences and gigs that helped shape her, and how Girls Don’t Sync first came together before rapidly growing into the force they are today.
Alongside that, we talk about bringing her mixed heritage into her sets and sound, the realities of touring, releasing music, and learning how to balance creativity with the pressures of the industry. Gaia also opens up about being dyslexic, how it’s influenced the way she learns and creates, and why teaching DJing and supporting upcoming artists through community-focused events has become so important to her.
If you’re into DJing, production, dance music culture or the behind-the-scenes reality of building a creative career, this episode is packed with honest insight, real stories and plenty of practical advice.
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In this episode, I sit down with DJ & producer Dan White to break down what it really takes to grow as an artist in today’s dance music scene, from building an audience on TikTok to navigating the realities of the industry.
We dive into how Dan approached content creation, what actually works for DJs on TikTok, and the biggest mistakes artists make when trying to grow online. He also shares his process for coming up with content, staying consistent, and how social media has opened up new opportunities in his career.
Alongside that, we get into music production, from the early days of making tracks to the habits that helped him improve, how long it really takes to finish music, and the challenges producers face when trying to develop their sound.
We also talk about DJing, live shows, and the realities of the music industry including the pressure of gigs, standout moments behind the decks, and some honest truths about what it takes to break through.
If you’re an aspiring DJ, producer, or trying to grow your presence online, this episode is packed with practical advice and real insight.
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In this episode of What’s Cookin?, we sit down with Aleya Mae, a dance music singer-songwriter based in Manchester.
Aleya talks us through her journey into music, finding her footing in the world of drum & bass, and why she’s now feeling the pull toward house music and a new creative direction. We get into what it’s really like being in writing sessions with DJs and producers, how records come together, and the process of carving out your own identity in a fast-moving scene.
We also open up an important conversation around female safety in nightlife and events, an honest and necessary discussion that deserves more attention across the industry.
Beyond the studio, Aleya shares her love for performing and how stepping into her own artistry and taking control of her path is shaping this next chapter of her career.
We wrap things up with a quick-fire round covering her current favourites, inspirations, and what’s next as she steps into a new chapter sonically.
If you’re an aspiring singer-songwriter in dance music, this is the episode for you.
Tune in and see What’s Cookin?
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In this episode, I sit down with DJ & producer Enzo Is Burning for a deeper conversation about creativity, DJing, and what it really takes to build a career in dance music today.
We get into Enzo’s journey into music, how he developed his sound as a producer, and the mindset behind his creative process, from starting ideas in the studio to knowing when a track is actually finished.
We also talk about DJing in detail, what separates a great set from an average one, how to read a crowd when things aren’t going your way, and what’s really going through your head when you’re behind the decks.
Alongside that, we dive into the realities of the industry, including the pressures, sacrifices, and honest truths that most people don’t see from the outside. Enzo shares his perspective on where dance music is heading, what’s currently overrated, and the mistakes he sees new DJs making.
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In this episode, I sit down with rising DJ & producer James Poole to break down his journey in dance music from developing his sound as a producer to having a track go viral and signing to one of the most respected labels in house music.
We dive into the story behind “Temptation”, which took off online after clips of Dua Lipa dancing to it and Chris Stussy playing it started circulating. James shares what that moment was really like, how it impacted his career, and what happened behind the scenes as the track gained traction.
We also talk about signing to Defected Records, what the process actually looks like from a producer’s perspective, and how that opportunity came about.
On top of that, we get into how James built a highly engaged audience on TikTok, what works (and what doesn’t) for DJs on social media today, and whether TikTok is now essential for breaking through in dance music.
If you’re an aspiring DJ, producer, or just interested in how artists are building careers in today’s scene, this episode is packed with real insight.
