Ep. 151 - There are there too many DJs... How can you stand out?

The DJ To Producer Course: https://wearecrossfader.co.uk/dj-to-producer/We’re back with a big one.There are more DJs than ever, so how do you actually stand out?After a week on the ground at Amsterdam Dance Event, we share what we saw and heard, from chats with major artists to honest conversations with students. We get into why flyers don’t grow an audience, what you should post instead, and why moving from DJ to producer is becoming non-negotiable if you want to cut through.www.wearecrossfader.co.ukUse code OFFTHERECORD20 for 20% off any DJ course

Join Crossfader for free 👉 get access to lessons, resources, and your own personalised learning journey:For 20% Off DJ Courses, Use Code: 20OFFTHERECORDDJ and producer HANA joins Lawrence James to talk about learning Ableton, touring with Grimes and Lana Del Rey, live-streaming her Hannadriel album on Twitch, and evolving into a global Anjunadeep artist. She shares insights on creativity, balance, mental health, and her new EP “Extended Prey.”If you’re a DJ, producer, or creative chasing balance and longevity in the music industry, this one’s packed with honesty, practical advice, and inspiration.

Join Crossfader for free 👉 get access to lessons, resources, and your own personalised learning journey: ⁠www.wearecrossfader.co.ukFor 20% Off DJ Courses, Use Code: 20OFFTHERECORDEvery DJ stresses about gear, music, and “perfection”… but most of it doesn’t matter. In this episode of Off The Record DJ Podcast we break down 7 things DJs can finally stop worrying about. We also share one of the best Reddit stories ever: a wedding that turned into a rave, complete with a bride vs groom sound clash for their first dance. 🔥Along the way we talk about ADE, our new studio setup (shoutout to RØDE for the podcast gear), and why making mistakes is all part of the DJ journey.)

Join Crossfader for free 👉 get access to lessons, resources, and your own personalised learning journey: ⁠⁠www.wearecrossfader.co.uk⁠For 20% Off DJ Courses, Use Code: 20OFFTHERECORDOur CDJ-3000X review reached hundreds of thousands of DJs across social in just 24 hours, showing how big this debate is. Is it worth the upgrade?

Join Crossfader for free 👉 get access to lessons, resources, and your own personalised learning journey: ⁠⁠www.wearecrossfader.co.uk⁠For 20% Off DJ Courses, Use Code: 20OFFTHERECORDEssel joins us to share her wild journey from dancing and cruise ships to Ibiza residencies, Beatport number ones, and touring the world. In this unfiltered conversation, she opens up about:Starting out in Ibiza with zero planWhy networking in the DJ industry feels fakeBuying followers to get noticedThe highs and lows of Beatport chart successHer struggles with social media and pressureUsing strategy (and a meme page!) to break tracksIf you’re an aspiring DJ or producer, this episode is full of raw truths, laughs, and lessons from someone who’s lived i

Join Crossfader for free 👉 get access to lessons, resources, and your own personalised learning journey: ⁠⁠⁠www.wearecrossfader.co.uk⁠⁠For 20% Off DJ Courses, Use Code: 20OFFTHERECORDFrom bedroom DJ to building platforms that power the global dance scene - Oskar (DONT BLINK / 1001Tracklists / Songstats) has transformed the way DJs and artists grow their careers.Oskar is also half of the duo DONT BLINK, known for tech-house hits like VIBTATION and high-energy global sets.Songstats is offering the Crossfader community an exclusive 10% lifetime discount! Use code CROSSFADER10 or the link below:https://songstats.com/app?ref=CROSSFADER10

Join Crossfader for free 👉 get access to lessons, resources, and your own personalised learning journey: ⁠⁠⁠www.wearecrossfader.co.uk⁠⁠For 20% Off DJ Courses, Use Code: 20OFFTHERECORDIn this episode, we break down the real steps DJs need to take to land festival gigs — and how to make the most of them once you're booked. We start by explaining why we’re launching a DJ competition, then walk through 7 key steps every DJ must follow to level up and land on festival lineups like Tomorrowland, Creamfields, or local stages.💡

Join Crossfader for free 👉 get access to lessons, resources, and your own personalised learning journey: ⁠⁠⁠www.wearecrossfader.co.uk⁠⁠For 20% Off DJ Courses, Use Code: 20OFFTHERECORD🎧 In this episode, we sit down with DJ & producer Angel Lee to talk about her journey from the Leeds nightlife scene to playing at iconic venues like Amnesia Ibiza and beyond. We dive into how she built a sustainable career in the music industry, the lessons she learned from reading crowds, starting her own booking agency, and creating Angie’s Disco during lockdown.From networking and industry connections to music production, label signings, and staying authentic in a competitive scene, this episode is packed with insights for aspiring DJs and music lovers. Whether you’re looking to break into the club scene, grow as a producer, or simply get inspired by a DJ making waves in Ibiza, this conversation is for you.

Join Crossfader for free 👉 get access to lessons, resources, and your own personalised learning journey: ⁠⁠⁠www.wearecrossfader.co.uk⁠⁠For 20% Off DJ Courses, Use Code: 20OFFTHERECORDJoin us for an electrifying deep dive into 30 years of drum & bass history with Hospital Records co-founder Chris Goss. From humble beginnings in Leeds and vinyl shops, to global domination through Hospitality events and TikTok-fueled resurgenceWhat the modern label actually does, and how A&R works in 2025The impact of TikTok, short-form culture, and why tempo mattersBehind-the-scenes of Hospitality events—booking, venues, and logisticsThe label's equality mission: women’s mentorship, business schemes, and inclusionHow Hospital discovers and supports rising talent—lens, Gabrielle Bongo, HoaxNostalgia for vinyl and dubplate era creativity vs today's algorithm-driven worldTheir long game: aiming for timelessness and musical legacySubscribe for more exclusive interviews from the electronic music underground

Join Crossfader for free 👉 get access to lessons, resources, and your own personalised learning journey: ⁠⁠⁠www.wearecrossfader.co.uk⁠⁠For 20% Off DJ Courses, Use Code: 20OFFTHERECORDIn this episode of Off The Record, Crossfader’s Lawrence James shares game-changing advice for up-and-coming DJs and producers. Recorded during a live session with Toolroom Academy, Lawrence dives deep into branding, social media strategy, content creation, storytelling, community building, and how to grow as a DJ in today’s digital world. Plus, there’s a huge announcement: Crossfader has teamed up with Rise Festival to offer one DJ the chance to play a main stage set in the French Alps this December. If you’re serious about making it in the music industry,