AZYR: The rise of hard techno

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 DJLearning to DJ and produce from scratch during COVID, with zero musical backgroundDiscovering hard techno through Teletech and early underground partiesGetting a call on the day to play Teletech after another artist dropped outBeing signed to an agency the same day he played one of his first major showsWhy being thrown in the deep end helped him avoid overthinking big momentsPlaying Boiler Room - the nerves, the pressure, and watching it back weeks laterThe rise of hard techno and why the crowds feel different right nowTikTok’s role in making hard techno explode, even though he barely uses the appNo-phone shows vs viral culture and why presence still mattersSelling out a 6,500-capacity all-night-long show in ManchesterQuitting his full-time job and choosing a world tour over a safe careerTouring Australia and South America, and why global crowds connect so deeplyHow he’s built a loyal community by staying accessible and authenticDealing with online criticism without letting it affect his confidenceWhy producing music is harder now than ever, and his plans for an albumThe strangest fan gift he’s ever receivedHis guestlist rules, and why energy matters more than numbersSponsors - a huge thank you for supporting the showTrackstackTrackstack 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 lifemy.trackstack.appLabelWorxDistribution, 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.comSounds AustraliaHuge 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.auWow CacaoMade 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: @katiehayknightSubscribe for more in-depth conversations with DJs, producers and industry voices!

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 inspiredIf 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:TrackstackTrackstack 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/LabelWorxDistribution, 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.comWow CacaoMade 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 @drinkwowcacaoSounds AustraliaA 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.auFollow Jonas Blue: https://www.instagram.com/jonasblueFollow 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.