Épisodes

  • Channel — Inside Chicago’s Most Artist-Friendly Studio (w/ Zino B & Jimmy Bonks)

    Channel — Inside Chicago’s Most Artist-Friendly Studio (w/ Zino B & Jimmy Bonks)
    Sep 25 2025
    In this episode of Poducer, we sit down with Vincenzo Zino B and Jimmy Box — producers, engineers, and co-founders of Channel Recording Company, a brand-new Chicago studio designed to feel like a living room while sounding world-class. They share the story of transforming a raw warehouse into a fully treated space in Fort Knox Studios, complete with cedar diffusion walls, a 25×25 ft live room, and a glass-walled ISO booth big enough for a grand piano. We dive into their philosophy of hospitality-driven engineering, why “good sound should be the default,” and how creating a comfortable environment frees artists to focus on making their best music. Beyond the technical build, Zino B and Jimmy reflect on their paths through the Chicago scene — from Joyride sessions with legends like Buddy Guy to Grammy-nominated projects, to building a community hub where artistry, collaboration, and care come first. They also tackle big topics like AI in music, the importance of “first listeners” in mastering, and how true fans sustain independent art. 📲 Follow Channel Recording Company: https://www.instagram.com/channelingcompany/ 🎚️ Learn more & book sessions: https://channelrecordingcompany.com/ 🎙️ Follow Poducer: https://linktr.ee/poducerpodcast 00:00 Intro — Channel opens to the public 03:15 From Joyride to Channel: credits, craft, and workflow 05:45 Designing for comfort: glass wall, open doors, quiet rooms 14:35 Building a studio (cedar, diffusion, floors) 23:50 What makes Channel different (hospitality + musicianship) 33:05 Chicago scene: world/jazz, Americana, blues lineage 45:20 AI & the “first listener” argument for human mastering 52:30 True fans, community, and sustainable careers 57:40 What’s next: projects, outreach, and how to book
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    1 h et 9 min
  • Summer's End Smokeout 2025: Porch

    Summer's End Smokeout 2025: Porch
    Sep 19 2025
    In this episode of Poducer, recorded live at Summer’s End Smokeout in Republic, Michigan, we sit down with Porch (Nick Loporchio) — a multi-instrumentalist and producer whose journey bridges music, science, and spirit. From his first spark of inspiration through Weird Al parodies to years of playing guitar, handbells, and powerlifting, Porch opens up about the pivotal injury that led him toward reggae, bass, and ultimately the Porch project. He shares stories from touring with his band Iya Terra (200+ shows a year across the U.S. and abroad) and how his sound evolved into a fusion of roots, funk, hip-hop, and heavy dub. We dive into his scientific background in molecular biology, exploring how concepts like epigenetics and energy transfer connect to sound, and why he sees music as a kind of “potion.” Porch also reflects on the spiritual side of creation, from the unique frequencies of Joshua Tree to the vibrations we carry in everyday life. 📲 Follow Porch: https://www.instagram.com/porch.bass/ 🎙️ Follow Poducer: https://linktr.ee/poducerpodcast Chapters: 00:00 – First Concert & Weird Al Inspiration 01:20 – Musical Upbringing & Handbells 03:40 – Guitar, Bands & Powerlifting Years 07:00 – Injury, Recovery & Path Toward Production 10:20 – Discovering Reggae & Bass Culture 12:40 – Iya Terra, Touring & Live Shows 15:00 – Scientific Background & Epigenetics 18:20 – Music as Potion: Vibration & Healing 21:30 – Spiritual Insights from Joshua Tree 23:30 – Festivals, Cali Roots & Career Defining Moments
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    24 min
  • NSW x Poducer Ep 7 HIJINX — From Mr. K to Mischief, Evolution & Originality in 140

    NSW x Poducer Ep 7 HIJINX — From Mr. K to Mischief, Evolution & Originality in 140
    Sep 10 2025
    In this collaboration episode of Poducer with NSW, we sit down with UK producer HIJINX (formerly known as Mr. K) — an artist who’s evolved from heavyweight dubstep roots into a boundary-pushing sound that blends groove, texture, and raw energy. From his beginnings in Essex and early raves at Brixton Academy to releasing on respected labels like 1985 Music, White Peach, and his own imprint Fortune, HIJINX opens up about the creative reinvention that’s carried him through two distinct eras of his career. We dive into his transition from Mr. K to HIJINX, his shifting production style, and why he’s more interested in originality and groove than chasing trends. Along the way, he reflects on collaboration, the challenges of staying inspired in dubstep, and the crossover influences of metal, skate culture, and techno in his music. HIJINX also shares candid thoughts on the music industry — from the realities of releasing on major labels to the freedom of running his own platform, and what true success looks like outside of metrics. 📲 Follow HIJINX: https://www.instagram.com/morehijinx/ 🎙️ Follow Poducer: https://linktr.ee/poducerpodcast
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    1 h et 3 min
  • Summer's End Smokeout 2025: Hypho & CØNTRA

    Summer's End Smokeout 2025: Hypho & CØNTRA
    Sep 9 2025
    In this episode of Poducer, recorded live at Summer’s End Smokeout in Republic, Michigan, we sit down with Hypho and CØNTRA — two forward-thinking artists bridging UK and US bass culture with a shared love for heavy sound design, collaboration, and community. Hypho reflects on his roots in Manchester’s dubstep and MC scene, releasing on labels like Swamp81 before co-founding Manuka Records, while CØNTRA shares his path from classical violin and guitar to discovering rave culture in San Francisco and eventually settling in Denver’s thriving bass scene. We dive into the vision behind Manuka, the freedom of running an independent label, and their upcoming plans — from no-phone club tours to festival highlights like Wicked Woods and Lost Lands. Along the way, Hypho and CØNTRA open up about influences ranging from UK drum & bass and 90s hip-hop to French downtempo, world bass, and reggae. 📲 Follow Hypho: https://www.instagram.com/hypho.mnk/ 📲 Follow CØNTRA: https://www.instagram.com/contra.slaps/ 🎙️ Follow Poducer: https://linktr.ee/poducerpodcast
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    20 min
  • Charlie Heldman: Building Community, Creating R&B Vibes & Finding Balance

    Charlie Heldman: Building Community, Creating R&B Vibes & Finding Balance
    Sep 2 2025
    In this episode of Poducer, we sit down with Charlie Heldman — Chicago-based artist, producer, and founder of Windy City Wavs, a grassroots music production collective dedicated to building community, fostering creativity, and supporting independent artists. Charlie opens up about his journey from his early teenage band days to developing his own R&B-inspired sound — blending sweet lyrics with soulful, sexy beats. We explore his approach to growth as an artist, the role of collaboration in shaping his music, and how consistency and community feedback have fueled his development. Beyond music, Charlie shares his perspective as a studying therapist, reflecting on mental health, empathy, and the importance of creating safe spaces for expression. He talks candidly about navigating self-doubt, learning to shift negative self-talk, and balancing passion with purpose. 📲 Follow Charlie Heldman: https://www.instagram.com/cbbeatsofficial/ 🌊 Learn more about Windy City Waves: https://www.instagram.com/windycitywaves/ 🎙️ Follow Poducer: https://linktr.ee/poducerpodcast
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    1 h et 48 min
  • Summer's End Smokeout 2025: Manic Focus

    Summer's End Smokeout 2025: Manic Focus
    Aug 27 2025
    In this episode of Poducer, recorded live at Summer’s End Smokeout, we sit down with Manic Focus. The genre-bending producer who has built a reputation on soulful beats, heavy grooves, and an unfiltered approach to storytelling through music. From his first concert memories to the dynamics of working with his brother as both manager and creative partner, Manic Focus opens up about the honesty, trust, and tension that shape his art. We dive into his unique production style, how he avoids chasing trends by designing sounds with swing and swagger, and the lessons he’s learned from years of performing on stage. He also speaks candidly about living with bipolar I, how music serves as his medicine, and why being open about mental health matters not only for himself but for the wider community of fans and artists. Along the way, we touch on his biggest live inspirations, creative rituals, and what it means to keep growing while staying true to your sound. 🎧 Listen to Manic Focus: https://manicfocus.com 📲 Follow Manic Focus: https://www.instagram.com/manicfocus 🎙️ Follow Poducer: https://linktr.ee/poducerpodcast Chapters: 00:00 – First Concert Memories (Pretenders & B-52s) 01:12 – Working With His Brother as Manager 04:23 – Early Inspirations & Making Beats 05:42 – Sound Design, Wobbles, and Avoiding Trends 10:41 – Music, Mental Health & Bipolar I Journey 12:40 – Game-Changing Concert: Moby’s Play Tour
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    15 min
  • Summer's End Smokeout 2025: Joe Nice (Live)

    Summer's End Smokeout 2025: Joe Nice (Live)
    Aug 21 2025
    In this live episode of Poducer, recorded at Summer’s End Smokeout, we sit down with Joe Nice — a pioneering figure often credited with bringing Dubstep to the United States. From launching the legendary Dub War parties in New York to shaping the global spread of the genre, Joe has been at the heart of underground culture for nearly two decades. We dive into his journey as a tastemaker, his thoughts on the modern expectation for DJs to also be producers, and how he stays grounded through organization, sobriety, and a commitment to mental health. Joe also speaks on the responsibility of artists to use their platform for advocacy, his favorite sound systems around the world, and why unionization could be the future of fair treatment in electronic music. 🔥 Whether you’re a longtime Dubstep head or just discovering the roots of the scene, this conversation is packed with history, honesty, and perspective from one of the culture’s most respected voices. 📲 Follow Joe Nice: https://www.instagram.com/joenicedj 🎙️ Follow Poducer: https://linktr.ee/poducerpodcast Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction at Summer’s End Smokeout 00:20 – Joe Nice & the origins of Dub War 04:09 – DJ vs Producer: changing expectations in electronic music 07:16 – Mental health, energy, and preparation on tour 12:34 – Sobriety, veganism & living with balance 13:40 – Advocacy, activism & using your platform responsibly 18:10 – Sound system culture & community through music and food 22:13 – Unionization & fair treatment for DJs and artists 25:11 – Closing thoughts & gratitude
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    27 min
  • Arum: Indie Marketing, Artist Advocacy, Attorney, .beyond_____(ECSTASY)

    Arum: Indie Marketing, Artist Advocacy, Attorney, .beyond_____(ECSTASY)
    Aug 1 2025
    In this episode of Poducer, we sit down with Chicago-based house producer, DJ, and attorney Arum — a rising voice in the underground scene known for his soulful, groove-forward productions, community organizing, and fiercely human-centered approach to music. He shares how early influences like Crystal Castles and Death from Above shaped his love for experimental rhythms, and why he now champions house music with emotion, texture, and intention. Arum breaks down his creative process, his views on algorithm-driven promotion, and how he uses marketing tools like Meta ads with intention — all while avoiding the industry’s pressure to chase empty numbers. We also dive into his legal background, discussing music contracts, AI concerns, and why empowering artists with knowledge is at the core of his mission. Plus, we talk about Beyond Ecstasy Vol. 2, the multi-genre event he’s curating at Book Club Chicago on August 2, featuring names like Backpack, Dante Drives, Yannaa Lynette, and more — a night that blends house, hip-hop, experimental electronics, and rave history into one vibrant community gathering. 🎟️ Beyond Ecstasy Vol. 2 Tickets: https://bookclubchi.com/event/beyond_____ecstasy-2-ft-backpack-beatz-more/bookclub/?direct=true 🎧 Listen to Arum: https://linktr.ee/iswearimarum 📲 Follow Arum: https://instagram.com/iswearimarum 🎙️ Follow Poducer: https://linktr.ee/poducerpodcast
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    1 h et 56 min