Stay ConnectedThe Will Clarke Podcast is a weekly show where Will sits down with likeminded creatives, artists and industry people from the world of Music, Food & Art. Discussing their winding journeys that got them to where they are today.
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Riordan joins me on the podcast for a proper conversation about what it actually takes to build a career in dance music today.
We get into the reality of touring, how social media has completely changed the game for DJs, why great music alone isn’t always enough anymore, and the difference between getting views and building a fanbase that actually buys tickets.
Riordan also talks about finding his sound, the pressure of following up big records, how TikTok helped launch his career, and why some artists blow up online but still can’t shift tickets. We also get into self-releasing, DJ support, playlist culture, the UK vs US scene, and the moments that make all the hard work worth it.
A really honest episode about the modern music industry, building a career the right way, and what it takes to last.
Talking points:
The reality of touring full time
How social media changed DJ careers
Why TikTok can launch records faster than ever
Great music vs great marketing
Followers vs fans who actually buy tickets
Why some viral DJs still can’t sell tickets
Self-releasing music vs waiting on labels
Finding your sound as an artist
Big commercial records vs club records
UK crowds vs US crowds
Breakthrough moments in a DJ career
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Ky William joins me for a proper conversation about where dance music is heading right now.
We get into AI, Splice, why so much music is starting to sound the same, and whether the industry is rewarding imitation over originality. We also talk about the reality of being an artist in 2026, from marketing records and running ads to DJ fees, promoters, community, and why more artists need additional income streams outside of touring.
Ky also opens up about building his label, helping new producers, and why real community still matters more than streams, followers and vanity metrics.
This is a great conversation for any artist, producer, DJ or fan trying to understand where electronic music is going next.
What we cover:
AI in music and whether it helps or hurts creativity
Why so many dance records sound the same
Splice, sample culture and originality
The pressure on promoters, artists and club culture
Why community matters more than ever
Running a label and developing new talent
Music marketing, ads and storytelling
Why artists should build multiple income streams
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This episode was filmed and sponsored by THE LINE LA, Will’s favourite place to stay in LA - for 20% off your stay use code WILLCLARKE at www.thelinehotel.com
Podcast Overview:
In this episode, Will Clarke sits down with Airrica to talk about her journey from tech sales and radiation physics into the world of dance music.
They get into how a breakup pushed her towards DJing, lying to get her first ever gig opening for Radio Slave, living in Ibiza, Tulum and LA, and how support from Black Coffee helped change the course of her career.
The conversation also dives deep into social media, community, building a team, releasing music, self-belief, imposter syndrome, and the sacrifices it takes to make a real career in dance music.
A really honest conversation about ambition, pressure, creativity and what success actually looks like in today’s music industry.
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This episode was filmed and sponsored by THE LINE LA, Will’s favourite place to stay in LA - for 20% off your stay use code WILLCLARKE at www.thelinehotel.com
Podcast Overview:
Aluna joins me for a powerful conversation about identity, independence, contracts, race, creativity and what it really takes to survive in the modern music industry.
We get into how COVID reshaped careers, why going solo can feel like starting from zero, the pressure artists face when navigating bad splits and unfair contracts, and why standing up for yourself matters more than ever. Aluna also opens up about internalised racism, the experience of being a Black woman in dance music, and why storytelling is still the most important thing an artist has.
In this episode we talk about:
How COVID changed the music industry
Why going solo felt like starting again
The truth about bad record deals
Why artists need to challenge unfair contracts
The reality of being independent in 2026
Race, identity and finding your value in music
Why storytelling matters more than ever
The future of artists, labels and AI
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https://www.instagram.com/djwillclarke
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This episode was filmed and sponsored by THE LINE LA, Will’s favourite place to stay in LA - for 20% off your stay use code WILLCLARKE at www.thelinehotel.com
Podcast Overview:
Doc Martin is one of the true originals of dance music culture. In this episode, we go deep on the early LA rave scene, the underground house movement, UK club culture in the 90s, and how the role of the DJ has changed over the years.
We also talk about what’s been lost in modern clubbing, why headliner culture has damaged local scenes, the importance of community, and how Doc has stayed relevant after nearly four decades in the game.
This is a proper conversation about the roots of house music, what made club culture special, and what the next generation needs to understand if they want to build something that actually lasts.
In this episode we cover:
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This episode was filmed and sponsored by THE LINE LA, Will’s favourite place to stay in LA - for 20% off your stay use code WILLCLARKE at www.thelinehotel.com
Podcast Overview:
TEED came on the podcast for a seriously honest conversation about music, pressure, expectations and what it actually feels like to be an artist right now.
We spoke about the culture shift in dance music, the pressure of social media, the reality of self-releasing, regrets from early deals, partying, burnout, artist expectations, and why making albums still matters. This was one of those conversations that goes way deeper than just music industry chat.
We also got into his new album, the creative process behind it, how he approaches finishing music now, and why he has let go of chasing numbers.
In this episode we talk about:
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This episode was filmed and sponsored by THE LINE LA, Will’s favourite place to stay in LA - for 20% off your stay use code WILLCLARKE at www.thelinehotel.com
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Lee Foss joins me on the podcast for a deep conversation about his lengthy career in house music, building Hot Creations with Jamie Jones, and what it really takes to survive a career in electronic music.
From the early underground days to dominating Ibiza and shaping a global sound, Lee shares the real story behind one of dance music’s most influential labels. We also talk about his journey building multiple record labels, introducing some of the biggest names to house music and how he’s continued to evolve creatively and professionally throughout different eras of the scene.
One of the most powerful parts of the conversation is Lee opening up about his sobriety, the impact it’s had on his life, and how it changed his perspective on touring, creativity and the music industry.
If you're into house music, DJ culture, or the music industry, this one is packed with insight.
Topics include:
• Building Hot Creations with Jamie Jones
• Launching and running multiple record labels
• The early underground house scene
• Ibiza and the rise of Paradise
• Touring chaos and DJ travel stories
• Producing music that actually works in clubs
• Lee Foss speaking openly about sobriety
• Balancing touring, creativity and personal life
• Advice for the next generation of DJs
Listen to more episodes of The Will Clarke Podcast for conversations with artists shaping electronic music.
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This episode was filmed and sponsored by THE LINE LA, Will’s favourite place to stay in LA - for 20% off your stay use code WILLCLARKE at www.thelinehotel.com
Anabel Englund joins me on the podcast to talk about her journey from growing up in a musical family to becoming one of the most recognisable voices in dance music.
We dive into the early days of discovering house music, working with Lee Foss and the Hot Creations crew, and writing one of the most iconic dance records of the last decade, Electricity with MK. Anabel also opens up about the realities of being a vocalist in dance music, navigating confidence as an artist, and how songwriting has always been her way of expressing emotion.
This was a really honest conversation about creativity, identity and building a career in music.
In this episode we talk about:
• Growing up surrounded by music and creativity
• Discovering house music and the UK dance scene
• Writing the global hit Electricity with MK
• The early Hot Creations touring days
• Being flown first class at 18 years old
• The realities of being a vocalist in dance music
• Finding confidence as an artist
• Using songwriting to process emotion
• The highs and challenges of touring
• What the future looks like for Anabel Englund
Listen to more episodes of The Will Clarke Podcast for honest conversations with artists, producers and industry figures from across the world of music.
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This episode was filmed and sponsored by THE LINE LA, Will’s favourite place to stay in LA - for 20% off your stay use code WILLCLARKE at www.thelinehotel.com
Claude VonStroke joins me for one of the most honest conversations we’ve had on this podcast. Ive wanted to have this conversation for a long time so lock in people its a good one. We talk about building Dirtybird from nothing, turning it into one of the most influential house labels in the world, and why he eventually decided to sell it. Claude opens up about burnout, identity, losing connection with the magic, and what it really feels like when the thing you built becomes bigger than you.
We dive into:
• The early Dirtybird days and how it became a movement
• How tech house took over America
• Why the middle class of DJs is disappearing
• The stress of running festivals and events
• The reality behind ticket sales and the business of dance music
• Saying no to Coachella style loss leader deals
• Why he refuses to chase hits
• Starting again with a new label
• Finding joy in music again
This is a conversation about evolution, ego, independence, and what success actually costs.
If you are a DJ, producer, creative entrepreneur, or someone building something from the ground up, this episode will resonate.
Subscribe for weekly conversations with artists, founders, and the people shaping electronic music culture.
Who is Claude VonStroke: Claude VonStroke is a house producer, festival organizer, and seasoned A&R. Founded Dirtybird Records in 2004 and sold it in 2022. Now the owner of Wrong Number Records.
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Who is Layton Giordani: Layton Giordani stands firmly as one of the most popular tastemakers of techno’s new school, with his pioneering musical vision serving as a contemporary voice for the younger generation. Spending years acquiring knowledge from musical greats, the 28 year old possesses a wealth of experience far beyond his years and has now undeniably earned his rank in the upper echelon of techno.
Podcast Overview: In this episode Layton opens up about taking back control of his career, leaving the comfort of Drumcode, changing management, launching his own record label, and building serious momentum in America.
We talk about:
1) Taking the driver’s seat in your career
2) The reality of stepping away from a label family
3) Meeting John Summit and witnessing the US scene explode
4) Starting a label and partnering with Armada
5) The year long process of clearing Gorillaz Dare
6) Production culture versus pure music
7) Ego, fame, money, and whether success actually brings happiness
This is a real conversation about growth, ambition, identity, and what happens when you finally achieve the things you once dreamed about.
If you are a DJ, producer, creative, or entrepreneur trying to level up, this episode will hit.
Subscribe for weekly conversations with the most interesting minds in electronic music.
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