The EDM Prodcast

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#142: Cosmic Gate on the Secret to Sustained Success in the Music Industry Jul 09, 2020

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Show Notes: edmprod.com/142 This week, DJ Bossi (one half of the duo Cosmic Gate) sat down to chat on the EDM Prodcast. Cosmic Gate is a Grammy Nominated electronic music duo who’ve been at the top of the dance music industry for over 20 years. In this episode, we start off with Bossi’s background, discussing what the DJ and production scene was like for him during the 80s and 90s. We talk about the chance encounter he had with Nic Chagall, whom he teamed up with to create the Cosmic Gate project. We discuss their early vision for Cosmic Gate (or the lack thereof), and how they successfully turned it into a full-time career. We spend a while discussing the decisions that have helped them stay relevant in the music industry, focusing on how they stayed true to their original vision for the project while adapting to the evolving scenes within dance music. We also discuss how they maintain motivation to continue to grow their Cosmic Gate project, and what their focus is in 2020. On the production side, Bossi offers his best advice on how to find your unique signature sound. He also discusses what he does and doesn’t like about producing in the box, diving into the pros and cons of working in the digital domain. Connect with Cosmic Gate: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cosmicgate Twitter: https://twitter.com/cosmicgate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realcosmicgate/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6ySxYu68zTsO5ghsThpGtS Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/cosmicgateofficial

#141: Max Vangeli & Denis Hiller (NoFace Records) on How To Build an International Brand Jul 02, 2020

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Show Notes: edmprod.com/141 This week, Max Vangeli & Denis Hiller from NoFace Records sat down to chat on the EDM Prodcast. NoFace was originally launched in 2016 as a partnership with Armada, and they recently brought it back as a label, distribution, and education platform. Max Vangeli is well known his classic releases on Armada and Size Records, and his collaborations with artists like Tiesto, Steve Angelo, and AN21. In this episode, we start off with Max & Denis’s background, discussing how they both got their start in the music industry. We look at how they grew Max Vangeli’s brand to an international level with minimal connections in the music industry. There’s a lot you’ll be able to learn from the DIY, entrepreneurial mentality they put into growing Max’s artist project. On the label side, we discuss their initial concept for NoFace Records and how they transformed it last year to create the record label they wish they had early on in Max’s career. We also discuss their production school and distribution platform NoFace Academy, and why aspiring artists shouldn’t shy away from indie labels. Later on, we discuss the importance of building a community for your artist project, and why gaining DJ support does next to nothing for your project growth. We also talk about the importance of the right living environment, as well as their advice on starting a music business from scratch, whether it’s an artist project, a record label, or something else. Connect with NoFace Records: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nofacerecordsofficial/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/NoFaceRecords Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nofacerecords Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/nofacerecordsofficial

#140: PLS&TY on Chasing Your True Sound and Accelerating Your Growth Jun 25, 2020

Show notes

Show Notes: edmprod.com/140 This week, PLS&TY sat down to chat on the EDM Prodcast. PLS&TY is a DJ and producer known for his pop-influenced dance records. Getting his start with viral remixes, he’s now hit #1 on the US iTunes electronic charts three times, and he’s also been remixed by industry heavyweights including Morgan Page, Rusko, Cazzette, and more. We start off with PLS&TY’s background, discussing his evolution from DJing into production. We discuss why he avoided DJing until he had his own original music, and what his growth strategy was early on in the project. He also talks about why he dropped out of film school after one semester, as well as his main takeaways from attending the Icon Collective music school in LA. On the production side, we discuss how PLS&TY found his unique signature style. We talk about how he blew up off a throwaway track, and how he dealt with the expectations that came with that track’s success. We also look at his approach for finding unique samples, getting creative with layering, and adding organic textures into his music. Later on, PLS&TY discusses how he’s using the pandemic to reset and focus on his personal health, an invaluable lesson during this turbulent time. He also offers his advice for artists who want to write vocal driven music but struggle to find quality original vocals. Connect with PLS&TY: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/plsandty Twitter: https://twitter.com/plsandtybased Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plsandty/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/14byx2nRysWNtgauCXscKT?si=Wsz_YeaHQ12NRu1Lbd-DCw Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/pls-ty

#139: Lindgren on Honing Your Writing Skills & Breaking Into The Music Industry Jun 18, 2020

Show notes

Show Notes: edmprod.com/139 This week, Lindgren sat down to chat on the EDM Prodcast. Lindgren is a multi-platinum music producer and songwriter from Berlin, Germany. His lengthy list of credits includes Dua Lipa, BTS, Halsey, Sia, Cheat Codes, and Illenium. We start off with Lindgren’s background, discussing how he fell into writing and producing pop music. We discuss what he learned attending the renowned Pop Academy in Germany, and how he built his first connections in the music industry. We also discuss the importance of writing camps to his development as an artist, both to help him sharpen his skills and to connect with other artists. On the music side, we dive deep into Lindgren’s songwriting workflow. We discuss where he finds inspiration for his music, writing alone versus with collaborators, and why speed is essential to his writing workflow. He breaks down where he picked up his lyric and melody writing skills, offering his best advice for songwriters looking to improve their skill set. He also discusses what he’s learned working with producers like Yoad Nevo and Virtual Riot, and some of the other lessons he’s picked up from his many collaborative writing sessions. Later on, Lindgren explains how to know when your music is good enough to release, how he picks what projects he does and doesn’t work on, and why he doesn’t have a solo artist project. He also discusses what a typical week looks like for him, and how he balances writing with everyday life. Overall, Lindgren offers heaps of advice for aspiring songwriters, whether they’re looking to develop their technique, build up connections, or simply to start releasing music. Connect with Lindgren: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lindgrenofficial/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MisterLindgren Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamlindgren/

#138: Steve Void on Building a Successful Music Business and Breaking Through The Noise Jun 11, 2020

Show notes

Show Notes: edmprod.com/138 This week, Steve Void sat down to chat on the EDMProdcast Steve Void is a music producer based in the Netherlands who’s also the founder of the popular record label Strange Fruits. Although Steve Void is a talented producer with over 4.5 million streams on Spotify, he wanted to focus this episode around his early growth and what he’s learned creating and running a successful label. We start off with Steve Void’s background, looking at the early experiences that led him to pursue a career in music. We discuss attending the renowned Herman Brood Academy in the Netherlands, which features Martin Garrix and Julian Jordan as alumni. He actually was mildly depressed during his first semester due to the steep competition in his class, and we talk about how he overcame that pressure to move from the bottom to the top of the class. Next, we look why he created his record label Strange Fruits and how he grew it early on. We discuss how he learned the skills necessary to run a label and what he looks for in people he hires to help run it. We also focus in on the unique marketing and promotion strategies Strange Fruits has in place that has resulted in the tremendous growth they’ve seen over the past few years. Later on, we discuss what it takes to manufacture a hit record and whether or not you should release with a label. We also discuss Strange Fruits' other creative ventures, including their upcoming restaurant as well as their Strange Fruits characters that they’re developing into a full animated movie. Connect with Steve Void: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/voidmuzik Twitter: https://twitter.com/stevevoidmusic Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevevoidmusic/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3WSK3JppX3N41XHVwQp7Gt Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/stevevoidmusic

#137: Villem on Innovative Sound Design, Sticking to One Genre, and Building Your Musical Confidence Jun 04, 2020

Show notes

Show Notes: edmprod.com/137 This week, Villem sat down to chat on the EDM Prodcast. Villem is a Drum & Bass producer based in the UK who’s released on DnB heavyweights like UKF, Spearhead Records, and Drum&BassArena. In this episode, we look at how Villem initially got into DnB and what made him decide he wanted a career in music. We discuss the various music schools he went to and, looking back, how he would have approached his music education differently. We talk about the first steps of launching the Villem project, which took longer than it should have because of the anxiety he had sending out his music. We later look at the lengthy process it took for him to turn music into a full-time career, diving into the multiple streams of revenue he’s built up over the years. On the production side, we dive deep into Villem’s songwriting and sound design workflow. We discuss the two different ways he starts a track, and how he knows whether or not an idea is worth finishing. We talk about his favorite analog synths, his unique parallel distortion approach, as well as his detailed bassline processing. We also discuss how he gets creative with background textures, advice for anyone who struggles with arrangement, and why he doesn’t spend much time in genres outside of DnB. Later on, we discuss the common issues that come up during the one-on-one mentoring sessions he has with producers, his series of best-selling sample packs, and the keys to his Spotify playlist success. We also discuss how he manages his time for music with his family, as well as his approach towards music during the pandemic situation. Connect with Villem: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VillemUK/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/VillemUK Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/villem_murkt/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3mupfXo95OeusJKhAJVCUf Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/villem

#136: Lenno on His Mixing Workflow, Improving Your Musicality, and Making Money Without Shows May 28, 2020

Show notes

Show Notes: edmprod.com/136 This week, Lenno sat down to chat on the EDM Prodcast. Lenno is a Finnish producer and songwriter who’s well known for his disco and funk inspired dance tracks. Outside of his impressive catalogue of solo releases, he’s remixed dozens of big artists like Zayn and Tove Lo, and he’s also a sought after co-producer, regularly working with artists such as Oliver Heldens and Seeb. With over 100 million streams on Spotify alone, Lenno is a staple in the dance music industry. In this episode, we start with Lenno’s background, discussing his classic music upbringing and the shift that made him take electronic music seriously. We discuss how he fell into remix work early on, and what the process was like to find management. We later look at how he built a financially viable career in the music industry without relying too heavily on live shows. We also look at the burnout he had with the Lenno project, and how he fell into the healthy writing balance he has now. On the production side, Lenno dives deep into the technical side of his production and mixing workflow. He walks step by step through his drum bus processing, how he mixes his synths, and his favorite guitar chain. He also discusses the importance of microvariation in your arrangements, his favorite virtual analog synths, and where he falls on the analog versus digital debate. Later on, we discuss the importance of finding and sticking with a unique sound, how he began co-producing for Oliver Heldens and Seeb, and his advice for producers looking to improve their musicality, even if they don’t play an instrument. He also discusses the importance of proper monitoring and acoustic treatment, as well as brand new Splice pack. Connect with Lenno: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lennomusic Twitter: https://twitter.com/helloimlenno Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helloimlenno/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4IRw3ME1D0lYOyFyXAjDv7/about Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/lenno

#135: Kandy on Finding Your Identity and Keeping Things Simple May 21, 2020

Show notes

Show Notes: edmprod.com/135 This week, Kandy sat down to chat on the EDMProdcast. Kandy is a Brooklyn based DJ/producer who’s currently signed to Thrive Music. Alongside his billboard charting solo releases, he’s collaborated with artists such as Nervo and released official remixes for artists such as Katy Perry and Selena Gomez. We start off with Kandy’s background, discussing his evolution from attending raves to taking up music production. We discuss the early days of the Kandy project, and his evolution from writing heavier bass music to the pop-friendly dance tracks he’s making now. We also discuss the hiatus he took back in 2018 that helped him to reflect and redefine his sound. On the production side, we spend a while discussing Kandy’s approach to songwriting and arrangement. He offers advice on how to write music on a more emotional level, a focus that has made him much happier with the music he’s writing. He discusses how to keep things simple with your productions and arrangement, and why he avoids hoarding synth and effect plugins. He also discusses how to identify a creative direction for your music, and where he looks for creative inspiration (especially during the current pandemic situation). Later on, Kandy offers insight into his social media content strategy, why every producer should download TikTok, and the biggest lessons he’s learned in the eight years of this project. Connect with Kandy: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thisisKANDY Twitter: https://twitter.com/thisisKANDY Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisisKANDY/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4mPFPLedaotlYFB3GLn6r7 Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/thisiskandy

#134: Wuki on Finding Your Sound, High-Profile Collabs, and Creative Distortion Techniques May 14, 2020

Show notes

Show Notes: edmprod.com/134 This week, Wuki sat down to chat on the EDM Podcast. Wuki is a Grammy nominated producer who’s collaborated with industry heavyweights including Diplo, Skrillex, Kayzo, Valentino Khan, and Anna Lunoe, and he’s released music on imprints such as OWSLA, Atlantic Records, Fool’s Gold, and Ultra. We start off with Wuki’s background, discussing his band Innerpartysystem and the golden era of Myspace. We talk about his transition into EDM, looking at the tracks and bootlegs that launched his career. We also discuss how he found his signature sound, and why after 7+ years of this project he’s decided to release his debut album. On the production side, we discuss how Wuki gets creative with distortion, looking at the Max for Live and 3rd party plugins he relies on. We also talk about how he mixes his kicks and bass, recording vocals on his iPhone, and whether or not you should use Sausage Fattener on your master bus. Later on, we discuss what he’s learned collaborating with artists like Skrillex and Valentino Khan, what he’s learned during his Twitch feedback streams, and what to expect from his debut album. Connect with Wuku: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IAMwuki/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/wuki Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wuki/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6Se1y4vDcu9fVHLqdj1N3q Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/iamwuki

#133 Niiko x Swae on Leveling Up Your Production and Crafting Memorable Live Shows May 07, 2020

Show notes

Show Notes: edmprod.com/133 This week, Niiko x Swae sat down to chat on the EDMProdcast. Niiko x Swae are a DJ and production duo based out of LA. They were recently a 2019 Hakkasan Group Resident, allowing them to open up for some of the biggest artists in the industry at one of dance music’s most important venues. We start off with Niiko & Swae’s background, looking at their journey from DJing frat parties in college to playing clubs all across the US. We discuss how they built relationships with promoters and club owners, which allowed them the opportunity to play increasingly bigger venues. We also talk about the years they spent crafting a live show that truly resonates with audiences, a process that’s been tantamount to the success they have. On the production side, we spend a while discussing songwriting and arrangement tips for producers who aren’t too knowledgeable about music theory. Niiko x Swae also discuss practical tips and strategies for producers who struggle with the last 10% of a track. They also dive into the 3rd party plugins that helped level up their production quality, as well as what they’ve learned from the talented producers at Prodigy Artists. Later on, we discuss their strategy for social media content and how they’re making the most out of the current quarantine. They talk about the lessons they learned being mentored by Randy Jackson, as well as their overall strategy when it comes to networking. Connect with Niiko x SWAE: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/niikoxswae/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/niikoxswae Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/niikoxswae/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7ui1kBUIbujvJnIXxDjoWz Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/niiko_swae

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