BLERD

On this episode of Pops N Drops, we're joined by Cazrep — a DJ with 8 years of experience and one of the most unique origin stories in the scene. Before stepping into the world of clubs and festivals, Cazrep served as a sonar technician on submarines, which directly inspired his moniker. Originally from Chicago, he's now deeply rooted in the Pacific Northwest community as part of Fourth World Productions, helping bring events like Space Oasis Festival and SOAK to life. We dive into his passion for: Community-first culture Flow arts (including his work as a Flowstar artist) The energy exchange between DJ and crowd Why reading the room is the most important skill a DJ can develop This episode is all about real connection, real dancefloor wisdom, and what it means to build something bigger than yourself through music. 🎧 Tune in and let the vibes guide you.

On this episode of Pops N Drops, we sit down with SPVCEMVN, a Portland-based DJ whose rise has been nothing short of explosive. From local stages to major festival appearances, SPVCEMVN has quickly made a name for himself with high-impact sets and intentional storytelling, earning support slots for Bear Grillz, Black Tiger Sex Machine, Luxo, Jake Shore, Kendoll, Vampa, Will Sparks, and a standout performance at Dancefestopia. In this hour-long conversation, SPVCEMVN opens up about his journey into DJing, the origin of his unique name, and the deep influence his father—also a DJ—had on his path and passion for music. He shares how that inspiration continues to guide his approach behind the decks, shaping the way he builds sets that feel emotional, cinematic, and purposeful. We also dive into his philosophy on storytelling through music, trusting intuition, and recognizing when things start aligning on a universal level. This episode is a powerful look at growth, momentum, and what it means to stay grounded while everything around you starts to take off. Whether you're an aspiring DJ, a bass music fan, or someone who believes in timing, intention, and the bigger picture—this conversation hits deep.

On this episode of Pops N Drops, we sit down with KILL KADE (Killian Kade)—a true pillar of Portland's underground electronic music scene with 26 years behind the decks and a lifetime of stories to match. Based in Portland, Oregon, KILL KADE is a versatile selector known for moving seamlessly across breaks, drum & bass, house, midtempo, and other bass-driven styles, always prioritizing groove, energy, and the dancefloor journey. His approach blends deep technical knowledge with instinctive crowd control, shaped by decades of experience in clubs, warehouses, pop-ups, and renegade events. We talk about his role in Portland's electronic music history, including the unique distinction of being the first DJ to ever play Rainbow City—and later returning to play the final set, closing out an era of a legendary local venue. The conversation also touches on standout moments like his performances at the Eastbank Esplanade, where music, community, and city energy came together in a powerful way. Deeply rooted in DIY culture and the underground, KILL KADE remains an active force in the scene through his involvement with Tracers and ongoing collaborations across Portland nightlife. Whether he's opening a room, closing out the night, or pushing sound in unconventional spaces, his commitment to authenticity and the craft has never wavered. We also dive into what's next, including his upcoming headline set at Tech Tonic Thursday at Jungle Bar, where he showcased a deep breaks-focused sound that reflects both his foundations and continued evolution. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in underground culture, longevity in electronic music, and what it really means to show up for a scene—year after year.

On this week's episode of Pops N Drops, Chance the Closer and Rowdii sit down with IN THE WORKS, a Portland-based DJ who's been steadily making waves in the local scene and beyond. We talk about the story behind her name, how she approaches building intentional, high-energy sets, and how she got started DJing. The conversation also explores her lived experience navigating the electronic music world as an Asian woman. We discuss what her journey been like, what's changed since she started and why authenticity matters. This episode is a fun & thoughtful look at creativity, growth, and carving out space in a scene that's constantly evolving. Whether you're a DJ, a music fan, or just love hearing real stories from artists who are putting in the work, this one's for you.

On this episode of Pops N Drops, Chance the Closer and Rowdii sit down with BLERD—a rising DJ whose name celebrates his identity as a black nerd. With a year and a half behind the decks, BLERD recently performed at Realm and brings a fresh, thoughtful, educational perspective to DJ culture as well as the evolution of dance music. We dive into his set-building process and his approach to crafting memorable dance-floor moments. We also explore the cultural roots of house music, the importance of honoring its origins, and the differences between being a DJ who mixes versus a producer who performs. BLERD will be headlining Tech Tonic Thursday at Jungle Bar in Portland, Oregon on December 4th, 2025, and this conversation offers a powerful look into his journey, his influences, and the passion he brings to the scene.  

In this episode of Pops N Drops, Chance the Closer and Rowdii sit down with DJ Tabby West — an 18-year DJ veteran and true Pacific Northwest dance-music pioneer. Tabby shares her journey from discovering rave culture in 1999, to studying music production, to performing her first set for Mark Farina. She talks about her nature-inspired approach to sound, motherhood, DJing pregnant at Alice In Raveland 2010 as support for Andy Garcia, and her deep roots in the underground scene. A powerful conversation with one of the scene's most authentic voices.

In this episode, Chance the Closer and Rowdii sit down with OH.GEE, a Portland-based tech & bass house DJ with 10+ years in the Pacific Northwest scene. He shares how he went from raver to performer, the story behind his name, and how growing up on Guam shaped his style and energy behind the decks. We dig into his approach to building sets, what he's learned from a decade of playing shows, and his experiences opening for major artists like Bonnie X Clyde, Madeon, Lost Kings, Yultron, Eptic, and more. Catch OH.GEE live at Tech Tonic Thursday on November 20th, 2025. 

On this episode we were honored to speak with Clokwork who has been DJing for 25+ years. We discuss how he first got started, his inspiration for sets, his approach for building sets and reading the crowd. We also discussed his style of music and his overall approach to music and our community. Clokwork will be our headliner for Tech Tonic Thursday on November 20th, 2025 at Jungle Bar in Portland. We hope to see you there. 

Welcome to the relaunch. Pops N Drops is back and better than ever. On seaons 3 episode 1 Chance the Closer along with his new co-host Rowdii discuss relaunching the podcast and their new goals with it. The new direction for the podcast will be highlighting the local scene in Portland, Oregon as well as Salem and artists from the Pacific Northwest. They will be talking to DJs they are booking for their upcoming shows as well as other professionals within the electronic dance community including but not limited to music producers, promotors, bookers, Kandi makers, graphic designers, visual designers, singers, dancers and all those who love EDM. 

This week I had an amazing talk with Caspian Khw who is a synth enthusiast from the east coast of Canada, currently in Ottawa making some post synthwave style edm.  Caspian experiments with various video game sounds and themes as well as bringing some classical elements of retro disco themes to his music. An eclectic taste in music and in production, Caspian's many years of experience in the industry has molded his sound into a unique and fun brand. Caspian Khw is under Ghost Work Records, an independent Canadian label based in Ottawa, Ontario. https://caspiankhw.bandcamp.com/ https://ghostworkrecords.ca/