AFTERS the podcast

Two Chicago icons collide as Pageant Queens (Ariel Zetina & Miss Twink USA), bringing relentless sounds and energy to captivated dance floors worldwide. Two of the Windy City’s sharpest selectors sat down with me for our long-overdue AFTERS chat ahead of summer 2026, and a time was had!We got into their origins, artistic journeys, and took a deep dive into the zeitgeist, something these two have become known for. We veered into pure comedic territory as I fumbled my first-ever Zoom recording, but I kept it all in because it made for the realest (and funniest) way to hang with the Pageant Queens.Listen to the Pageant Queens Mix for AFTERS on SoundCloud. Press play and ride the chaos with us.Ariel Zetina is a multi-hyphenate artist and all-knowing force at home in Chicago and the global underground. In addition to producing original music and DJing, Ariel has scored and acted in independent films, and has her sights set on poetry, screenwriting, and the performance stage. Ariel co-founded Rumors and continues building spaces that center our trans and queer siblings. Ariel will be releasing a new EP on Local Action in winter 2027.Miss Twink USA aka Del Hale is a superstar from the heart of Chicago, commanding and moving entire rooms with their high-energy fusion of techno, house, and club. Del followed up their 2025 single Fourth Wall with the Lead / Dismissed EP this summer in collaboration with Drumset. Miss Twink USA was recently featured alongside Ariel Zetina and a cast of Chicago cover stars in The Nocturnal Issue.Listen for a special message from Mizz Softee inviting you to her upcoming party at Signal on October 11th and a big announcement from the QT*BIPOC collective TRINA on their first-ever party outside of Whole Festival in Berlin on November 14th at LARK. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Before headlining some of the biggest parties in the world, Will Automagic honed his sound as DJ Will in New York City’s most legendary spaces. After leaving Austin, Texas for Manhattan in the 1990s, he immersed himself in the city’s underground nightlife, working alongside the iconic David Mancuso at The Loft while earning residencies at era-defining spaces like The Limelight, Vandam at Greenhouse, and Flamingo East. After composing music for the runway and fashion world throughout the late ’90s and early 2000s, Will went on to launch the beloved queer party SPANK, helping shape a new era of queer nightlife culture.Alongside his work as a DJ, Will built a celebrated career as a producer, label head, and artist as one half of Automagic, later co-founding The Carry Nation with Nita Aviance. Following a decade-long residency at Good Room, the duo launched They Went On Forever, a marathon 12+ hour party built around the art of the extended b2b set and the shared energy of the two in conversation behind the decks.In the episode recorded earlier this year, Will Automagic and I talk about nightlife history, queer culture, and the moments that shaped one of dance music’s most enduring underground careers. To accompany this interview, Will and I created a playlist of tracks referenced in our conversation. Listen on Apple Music or Spotify.Tune in this very special episode with questions from DJ Michael Magnan, Mizz Softee, gaystrychef, and a special invitation to Maritek on Friday July 3 at Honey's. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ron Like Hell is a trailblazing underground figure, an enigma whose uncompromising sound and mystique have earned them cult status.With decades rooted in the underground, Ron’s journey spans years behind record store counters, an early start DJing at renowned venues, partying at the height of 1990’s NYC club culture, and ultimately co-founding the now-legendary party Wrecked (Basement, NYC) alongside their co-conspirator Ryan Smith.Listen to Ron Like Hell's mix for AFTERS on SoundCloud here.A lifer with a sharp instinct for the raw and unexpected, Ron has helped shape scenes rather than chase them while operating entirely outside of genre boundaries. Still curious, still dangerous, and very much booked & busy, Ron’s got a number of new musical projects and upcoming gigs, proving that their journey is nowhere near done.Tune in for this special AFTERS chat with Ron, featuring questions from Makadsi, T.Wan, Sterling Juan Diaz, Sploofi, and special messages from the Raver Realignment Hotline and Damn Steven of Mercury in Reggaeton.Pick up your copy of the super limited-edition micro-zine VÖUCH with photography by the talented photographer zzacchh, some of which is graciously featured here.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Neon Christina builds worlds without borders, spanning New York to the Caribbean, the African diaspora, and beyond. Through his platforms Ragga Nyc, Connek JA, and Creatures of the Night, the New York-based artist connects communities across geographies, cultures, queer identities, and music genres. That said, Christina was the obvious first choice for the season 2 launch of AFTERS. Our conversation is a full serving of educational, thought-provoking, and valuable perspectives that'll stick with you long after listening.Christina is booked and busy with the International Revolution Fundraising Party on September 28th, Creatures of the Night on October 2nd featuring a rare performance, and the Doll Ball on November 8th. Mark your calendars and support these necessary movements.To top it all off, Christina enlisted Ragga resident and crowd favorite SHYBOI for an accompanying mix that absolutely wakes it up. Listen here. GoFundMe for the Doll Ball linkVisit AFTERS on: SoundCloud | Instagram | Substack Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the season 1 finale, I'm joined by a truly visionary force in electronic music—Manu Miran, a Venezuelan-born, New York-based DJ via Boston. As the founder of VISCERAL, a global multi-disciplinary platform, he curates sonic experiences that push boundaries and invite listeners on a sensuous trip into an abyss of sound.In this episode, Manu Miran shares his journey through music, creativity, and resilience, offering a rare and personal perspective on navigating the industry while living with deafness. From shaping dance floors to breaking barriers, this conversation is one you don’t want to miss.After listening to this episode be sure to hop over you the AFTERS SoundCloud to hear Manu Miran's accompanying mix inspired by the intimate and sensual journey experienced at an afters.Damn Steven of Mercury in Reggaeton also calls in to invite you to the next party on March 22nd!#aftersthepod #aftersthepodcast #manumiran #djmix #djinterview Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the first time ever AFTERS is releasing a podcast episode and accompanying mix together simultaneously, and who better than Marco Gomez aka Junior M to kick off!Raised in Boston of Guatemalan descent, Marco Gomez moved to NYC and quickly made an impact on the city’s techno underground as part of the #KUNQ collective and a regular at the legendary #GHE20GOTH1K. After some time in Berlin, Marco has returned stateside (for now) reborn as Junior M. Recorded the day after Halloween 2024, Marco and I discussed global politics, the autistic experience, party ethics, queer identities, and his journey to finding himself again musically.Inspired by our conversation Junior M has crafted an exclusive sexy mix that includes a brand new demo(!!!) and is built around the sounds of gay dark rooms - deep, reflective, hypnotic, playful, and raw. Get your double dose of Junior M via the AFTERS podcast across all platforms and listen to the Darkroom AFTERS Mix now on SoundCloud!Listen up for a message from actualfag and Big Dumb Top announcing FUNDLE - A queeriously silly & chaotic night of ferocity for you to queen out & get spun - just like a circus.#juniorm #marcogomez #falsewitness #aftersthepod #aftersthepodcast #djinterview #djmix  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We all know and love Naija Couture (aka @biblicallyaccuratebutchqueen) for his memes, hot takes and encyclopedic knowledge of music history and pop culture. Last month, I had the pleasure of sitting down with the New York-based DJ (by way of the rural South) just days after the 2024 election. Together we reflected on the state of the world, queer identities, rave culture, growing up in the 90’s, and his incredible journey from performance artist, musician, producer, DJ and online personality. This was a very important and insightful conversation and I hope that you'll join me in carrying his message of community care forward into the new year.Listen up for a special invitation from Hue to the Revival New Years Day celebration! I want to thank each and every one of you who has listened to, liked and shared a podcast episode or mix. AFTERS will continue to be a labor of love into the new year and I hope that you’ll come along with me. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of AFTERS, New York’s Kilopatrah Jones and I dive into their journey from learning house dance with NYC legends as a teenager to becoming the ultimate life of the party—both behind the decks and on the dance floor! Kilo shares their tips to prep for a weekend of partying, the joy of body movement, and their dedication to uplifting the dance community. I had an amazing time getting to know Kilopatrah Jones in this episode, and I hope you will too!Also, tune in for a special message from Chaupelo of Slouch Studio.AFTERS credits:produced, edited & directed by Anthony Cuellarrecorded & mastered by Rhino Clarkart & motion graphics by Waldo Baezart concept by Anthony Cuellaroriginal music by Nicolò Bernardirecorded in Brooklyn, NY Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With roots in the Seattle rock and rave scene, T.Wan is crafting a unique sound that is all their own. Informed by a deep musical knowledge, T.Wan’s sets blend genres and heavy basslines, evoking nostalgia and a sense of unity between mind and body on the dancefloor.Get to know T.Wan in episode 7 of AFTERS a thought-provoking discussion on everything from gatekeeping in the music industry and politics to learnings for emerging DJs and curating a dream line-up that celebrates Asian diasporic artists.Tune in for an exciting announcement from host and founder Anthony! He will be hosting one of his favorite parties, Mizz Softee on Friday September 20th! Line up includes Julia Govor, Rachel Noon, Partok & Sammy Fish! See you there!Additional content:Read A guide to the AFTERS with T.WanListen T.Wan's Heady AFTERS MixAFTERS credits:produced, edited & directed by Anthony Cuellarrecorded & mastered by Rhino Clarkoriginal music & score by Nicolò Bernardioriginal artwork by Waldo Baez Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the midst of her summer tour, multi-hyphenated artist & infectiously fun gal Scarlett O’Malley sat down with me for a chat at her home in West London. Scarlett knows how to get your body moving, successfully curate for some of the biggest festivals & venues in the world (hello Glastonbury!), make space for the underrepresented, run a label all while having a great time! If you aren’t familiar with her work, check out her official releases, mixes, Club Cowgirl imprint and lock in on the dancefloor for one of her sets at a club near you.Stay tuned for a special message from Safe Rave NYC and Damn Steven of DL Presents.Additional content:Read A guide to the AFTERS with Scarlett O'MalleyListen Scarlett O'Malley's Tech House MixAFTERS credits:produced, edited & directed by Anthony Cuellarrecorded by Scarlett O'Malleymastered by Rhino Clarkoriginal music & score by Nicolò Bernardioriginal artwork by Waldo Baez Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.