Close Friends Only Interview @ Electric Forest 2026

The Podcast for Producers Chicago DJ, producer, Hood Politics Records A&R, and Sherm In The Booth host Sherm joins Poducer for a conversation about building a lasting career in electronic music. We get into what labels actually listen for in demos, why your strongest track might be the one you’ve been sitting on, and how collaboration can turn a good idea into a record DJs want to play. Sherm shares his approach to building a fanbase before touring, balancing music with a day job, and staying connected to the reasons you started. We also explore Chicago Music Nexus, the conference he co-founded with Olivia Mancuso, and how showing up, asking questions, and following through can create real opportunities. Along the way: Malört history, Avicii in an Indiana cornfield, Skrillex’s Chicago takeover, AI, and the shows that changed everything. Chicago Music Nexus November 20–21, 2026 Day 1: Concord Music Hall Day 2: The Joinery Website & tickets https://www.chicagomusicnexus.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/chicagomusicnexus Connect with Sherm Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sherminthebooth TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@sherminthebooth YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@sherminthebooth Facebook https://www.facebook.com/sherminthebooth SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/sherminthebooth X https://x.com/sherminthebooth Spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/5GaFjMsAVZru8XDlDkCaN0 Website https://www.sherminthebooth.com Linktree https://linktr.ee/sherminthebooth Follow Poducer Instagram https://www.instagram.com/poducerpodcast TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@poducerpodcast Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/28RT0Mv5mMFr2ozrO2dav Apple Podcasts https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/poducer/id1327594929 Linktree https://linktr.ee/poducerpodcast Chapters 00:00 Malört & the Chicago Handshake 12:27 Sherm In The Booth & Staying Consistent 17:12 First Concerts, Avicii & Discovering Electronic Music 25:36 Skrillex, Being Present & AI 37:51 How Chicago Music Nexus Started 42:23 Community, Opportunity & Showing Up 46:27 When the Early Hype Wears Off 48:42 Artist Management & Building a Brand 50:10 Build a Fanbase Before You Tour 51:33 Balancing Real Life & Expanding Music Nexus 54:51 Workshops, Mentors & Industry Access 56:39 Building Nexus With Olivia Mancuso 1:01:47 The Reality of Running a Music Conference 1:06:25 Showcasing Chicago & Artist Success Stories 1:10:46 Getting Outside the Bedroom Producer Bubble 1:16:06 Helping Others While Growing Your Own Career 1:20:21 Finishing Tracks & Making Music DJs Can Play 1:25:13 What Hood Politics Looks for in Demos 1:28:54 Mixing, Mastering & Making Your Demo Ready 1:31:00 Chicago Music Nexus Dates, Venues & Details 1:34:30 Why We Started Our Podcasts 1:39:26 Game-Changing Concerts 1:40:30 Claptone at CRSSD & the Art of Selection 1:43:10 Opening for Galantis & Finding Momentum

Mr. Bill joins Poducer for an NSW collaboration episode about music production, creativity, technology, and the future of making music. We get into his early days on YouTube, burnout, social media, his live AV setup, vibe coding, custom Ableton tools, AI, and why he believes making something genuinely great matters more than constantly making content. Follow Mr. Bill https://mrbillstunes.com/ Follow Poducer Instagram https://www.instagram.com/poducerpodcast TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@poducerpodcast Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/28RT0Mv5mMFr2ozrO2dav Apple Podcasts https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/poducer/id1327594929 Linktree https://linktr.ee/poducerpodcast Chapters 0:00 Intro 2:10 Mr. Bill’s First Concert 5:34 Getting Into Music Production & Early YouTube 11:48 Burnout, Creativity & Staying Inspired 15:15 Social Media vs. Making Great Work 20:06 Starting Over as a Producer Today 26:46 Podcasting & Having Better Conversations 36:31 Quality Over Quantity 44:25 Inside Mr. Bill’s Live AV Setup 53:59 Becoming Technically Minded 56:34 Vibe Coding & Building Producer Tools 59:51 Mr. Bill’s Ableton Project Browser 1:18:39 Using AI to Code Without Knowing Code 1:25:05 AI, Music Production & Advice for Producers 1:29:24 Meditation, Purpose & Burnout 1:38:46 Audio Classification & Problems AI Still Can’t Solve 1:44:28 Will Better Tools Actually Make Better Music?

MUZZ joins us backstage at Electric Forest 2026 for a conversation about his journey into drum & bass, the importance of concept albums, and why he believes the genre has so much more to offer than what's currently on the surface. We discuss how MotorStorm and Pendulum inspired his career, his passion for cinematic world-building in projects like F Minor Factory, why he's stepping back from touring to focus on creating deeper, more ambitious records, and his advice for new fans looking to explore the rich history of drum & bass. Follow Poducer Instagram https://www.instagram.com/poducerpodcast TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@poducerpodcast Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/28RT0Mv5mMFr2ozrO2dav Apple Podcasts https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/poducer/id1327594929 Linktree https://linktr.ee/poducerpodcast Chapters 00:00 Intro 00:20 Discovering Drum & Bass 03:11 Concept Albums & World Building 05:02 Production & Creative Process 10:14 What's Next for MUZZ? 11:18 The Growth of Drum & Bass 15:01 Outro

Couch stopped by to chat with us at Electric Forest about life on the road, staying independent, and building a band from the ground up. We talked about their evolution from FaceTiming song ideas in college to recording their album Big Talk with $15k mics, what it takes to stay self-managed without a label, and pinch-me moments like selling out Roadrunner in Boston and hearing fans sing along in Stockholm. Plus first concerts, band dynamics, and a chicken parm debate. A fun, honest conversation with a band that's earned every bit of their success. Follow Poducer Instagram https://www.instagram.com/poducerpodcast TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@poducerpodcast Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/28RT0Mv5mMFr2ozrO2dav Apple Podcasts https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/poducer/id1327594929 Linktree https://linktr.ee/poducerpodcast Chapters 00:00 - Intro & First Impressions of Electric Forest 01:11 - "What Was Your First Concert?" 02:56 - "How's the Chicken Parm?" 03:56 - "What's Van Life Like With the Group?" 05:19 - "How Has Your Songwriting Process Changed?" 09:58 - "How Do You Know When to Step Back on Stage?" 13:24 - "What Have You Learned Staying Independent?" 19:38 - "Have You Had an 'I Can't Believe This Is Happening' Moment?" 22:36 - "What Actually Makes You Feel Successful?" 25:21 - "Where Do You See Yourselves in a Few Years?" 27:46 - Wrap Up & Thanks

We caught up with Close Friends Only backstage at Electric Forest 2026 to talk about their first Forest, the origins of the Boom Boom Room, building a community through authenticity, their rise from Twitch streams to festival stages, and why "Hug Your Homies" has become their motto. If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and let us know who we should interview next! Poducer: The Podcast for Producers features conversations with producers, DJs, artists, and music industry professionals about the creative process and the stories behind the music. Instagram https://www.instagram.com/poducerpodcast TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@poducerpodcast Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/28RT0Mv5mMFr2ozrO2dav Apple Podcasts https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/poducer/id1327594929 Linktree https://linktr.ee/poducerpodcast #CloseFriendsOnly #ElectricForest #EDM #MusicPodcast #Poducer

The Podcast for Producers Dr. Ushūu returns to Poducer for a deep conversation about his new 140 era, the rise of “Camden Town,” rediscovering why he loves making music, and learning how to stop overcomplicating creativity. We talk about the shift from heavy dubstep into deeper, dance-focused 140, going viral by simply enjoying his own music, rebuilding his artist identity around who he actually is, and the mental health realities that come with touring, comparison, pressure, and trying to survive as an artist. Follow Dr. Ushūu Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danyushuu/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5UCxi2O9gdyXj7fNgQE9xR SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/danyushuu Follow Poducer Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poducerpodcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@poducerpodcast Chapters 00:00 Intro 02:10 Reassessing life, music, and turning 27 04:51 The Instagram post that changed everything 12:20 Hitting rock bottom and posting honestly 16:23 The set that reignited his passion for music 20:03 Separating “Dr. Ushūu” from Dany 24:23 Why simple music makes people dance 31:25 Stop trying to sound like everyone else 43:59 Artists as startups and music as a product 49:10 The meaning behind the Camden Town rollout 54:56 Learning self respect and confidence 1:03:55 Dubstep niches and evolving as an artist 1:23:04 The highs and lows of being an artist 1:29:58 Therapy, burnout, and mental health 1:40:44 Health, touring, and the long game 1:41:30 NSW Chicago show plug & outro

Poducer | The Podcast for Producers Wreckno and Gardella pull up for a chaotic, funny, and honest conversation about bass music, queer identity in EDM, social media burnout, and the reality of building a career in electronic music. A big part of this episode dives into Wreckno’s experience navigating the scene as a queer and gender non-conforming artist, the evolution of inclusivity in dance music, and how representation in bass music has changed over the years. They also talk about rave culture, self-expression, and why creating space for people to fully be themselves matters. Outside of that, the conversation spirals into Survivor audition tapes, trap-era nostalgia, getting kicked off stage at Brillz shows, algorithm fatigue, touring life, and the weirdness of being an artist online in 2026. Follow Wreckno https://www.instagram.com/wreckno/ Follow Gardella https://www.instagram.com/gardellaaa/ Poducer Discord https://discord.gg/qSaPcpJAET Instagram https://www.instagram.com/poducerpodcast TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@poducerpodcast Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/28RT0Mv5mMFr2ozrO2dav Apple Podcasts https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/poducer/id1327594929 SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/poducer Linktree https://linktr.ee/poducerpodcast Chapters 00:00 Intro 03:08 First concerts 06:27 Defining “cunty dubstep” 08:47 Queer identity and representation in EDM 12:35 Rave culture, PLUR, and self expression 25:38 Fan interactions and being visibly queer on stage 31:23 Fighting the algorithm as an artist 40:42 Personal mantras and creative philosophy 42:37 “What we’re selling is not what they’re selling” 46:25 Game changing concerts 49:20 Empty rooms, flop shows, and touring realities 52:59 Carnage, trap music, and the golden era of EDM trap 59:25 Final shoutouts 1:00:40 Outro

Poducer | The Podcast for Producers Jerry sits down with PAV4N, legendary MC, rapper, and founding member of Foreign Beggars, for one of the most in-depth conversations in Poducer x NSW yet. This episode explores UK rave culture, drum and bass history, MC culture, bass music, and PAV4N’s journey from growing up between Dubai and the UK to becoming one of electronic music’s most respected voices. PAV4N https://www.instagram.com/pav4nco/ https://linktr.ee/pav4n PAV4N reflects on his earliest musical memories, from hearing rock, hip-hop, and metal through his family to discovering jungle tape packs and early UK rave culture as a teenager. He shares firsthand stories about MC culture, sound system tradition, and how those underground scenes spread before streaming and social media. Jerry and PAV4N also dig into identity, belonging, and how growing up Indian between different worlds shaped his perspective. PAV4N opens up about reconnecting with his heritage through his solo work, using Hindu mythology and visual storytelling in a way that feels both personal and intentional. The conversation also explores the rise of Foreign Beggars, the making of I Am Legion with Noisia, and what it was like witnessing the Skrillex era and electronic music’s rapid evolution up close. PAV4N also speaks candidly about grief, losing Metropolis, and what it means to carry forward a legacy while continuing to grow as an artist. This episode is packed with history, perspective, and stories from someone who has lived through multiple eras of music culture. Poducer Discord https://discord.gg/qSaPcpJAET Instagram https://www.instagram.com/poducerpodcast TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@poducerpodcast Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/28RT0Mv5mMFr2ozrO2dav Apple Podcasts https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/poducer/id1327594929 SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/poducer Linktree https://linktr.ee/poducerpodcast Chapters 0:00 Intro / PAV4N Joins the Show 1:08 Early Music Memories / First Concert 8:48 Growing Up Between Dubai and the UK 18:26 Discovering Jungle / Starting to Rap 23:18 MC Culture and UK Rave History 33:52 Identity, Heritage, and Solo Evolution 48:22 Collaborations / Bass Music and Career Growth 57:10 Grief, Legacy, and Losing Metropolis 1:02:54 Noisia, Foreign Beggars, and I Am Legion 1:21:47 Skrillex, the Lost Album, and Outro

Poducer | The Podcast for Producers Super Future and Daggz join Jerry on Poducer, the podcast for producers, to talk about life as touring DJs, music production, and the realities of building a career in electronic music. From bass music and DJ culture to burnout and creativity, this episode covers what it really takes to sustain a long-term path as an artist. Follow Super Future & Daggz: Super Future https://www.instagram.com/superfuturedj/ Daggz https://www.instagram.com/daggz/ They discuss becoming fathers while actively touring, how it changed their priorities, and why it actually made them more focused and productive in the studio. The conversation also dives into burnout, overcommitting, and learning how to balance touring, releases, and personal life. On the production side, they break down their musical roots, from metal and hip-hop to house and bass music, and how those influences shaped their sound. They also talk about the current state of bass music, DJing for different crowds, and how community plays a major role in the electronic music scene. Poducer Discord https://discord.gg/qSaPcpJAET Instagram https://www.instagram.com/poducerpodcast TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@poducerpodcast Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/28RT0Mv5mMFr2ozrO2dav Apple Podcasts https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/poducer/id1327594929 SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/poducer Linktree https://linktr.ee/poducerpodcast Chapters 00:00 Intro + Cult of Cube story 02:50 First concerts + early influences 04:45 First electronic music experiences 10:30 Becoming dads + what actually changes 17:30 Time management, touring, and burnout 23:10 Creativity, purpose, and community 29:30 Musical roots (metal, hip-hop, house) 40:00 Bass music scene + crowd dynamics 55:30 Current projects + what’s next

Poducer | The Podcast for Producers Jerry sits down with Loqum to talk about club music, cultural identity, and finding your sound within a globalized music landscape. The conversation covers Loqum’s roots in Turkey, his journey into Chicago’s dance music scene, and how genres like footwork, juke, and jungle continue to evolve today. Loqum Instagram https://www.instagram.com/_loqum/ Linktree https://linktr.ee/loqum Loqum shares how his background shaped his approach to music, from classical training to playing in metal bands, and eventually discovering electronic production and DJing. Jerry and Loqum dive into how Chicago’s dance music culture influenced his sound, and why the city continues to play such a major role in shaping global club music. The conversation also explores the deeper context behind genres like footwork and juke. Beyond just patterns and sounds, they talk about the culture, history, and communities that define these styles, and why understanding that matters more than ever in an era of fast content and instant access. They also get into topics like gatekeeping vs accessibility, the impact of the internet on music discovery, and how oversaturation is changing the way artists build careers. Loqum shares his perspective on respecting the origins of genres while still pushing things forward creatively. Toward the end, they talk about live performance, DJing for dancers vs listeners, and the importance of real-world experiences in a time where so much of music exists online. The episode closes with reflections on community, collaboration, and what it means to truly contribute to a scene. Poducer Discord https://discord.gg/qSaPcpJAET Instagram https://www.instagram.com/poducerpodcast TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@poducerpodcast Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/28RT0Mv5mMFr2ozrO2dav Apple Podcasts https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/poducer/id1327594929 SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/poducer Linktree https://linktr.ee/poducerpodcast