Épisodes

  • CØNTRA — World Bass, OCD, & The Influence of the Redwoods | NSW x Poducer EP 9

    CØNTRA — World Bass, OCD, & The Influence of the Redwoods | NSW x Poducer EP 9
    Dec 10 2025
    In this NSW x Poducer episode, we sit down with Denver-based dubstep producer CØNTRA, whose path spans Suzuki violin, metal guitar, and 16+ years of bass music exploration. From growing up in the California redwoods to relocating to Denver, CØNTRA shares how nature, travel, and rave culture shaped his sound and artistic identity. The conversation gets real as he opens up about OCD, anxiety, sobriety, gym routines, cold plunges, and how mental health shapes his creativity. We dive into the Denver scene, Submission’s role in his career, and what it actually feels like to go from fan in the crowd to artist on the agency roster. We also explore his philosophy on creativity (inspired in part by Rick Rubin’s “antenna” concept), the myth of originality, why vocals are almost always part of his tunes, and how he’s still figuring out what a “signature sound” means in modern bass music. The Podcast for Producers 📲 Follow CØNTRA: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contra.slaps https://soundcloud.com/contraslaps Follow Poducer: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poducerpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.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 02:28 – California Roots & Nature Influence 04:08 – California to Denver: Finding Bass Culture 07:40 – Denver’s Influence & Musical Training 10:15 – Rave Culture, Early DJing 13:42 – DAWs, Workflow & Life Philosophy 16:00 – Creativity Philosophy (Rick Rubin, Originality & Influence) 22:03 – World Bass, Sampling & Collaboration 24:11 – Travel & Identity 27:45 – Playing “64” (Unreleased) 32:29 – Inspiration & Range: The Widdler Effect 36:06 – Touring Life & Joining Submission 39:44 – OCD, Anxiety & Mental Health Journey 53:18 – The Widdler Remix 56:50 – Songwriting, Instruments & Live Violin 1:00:04 – Artist Shoutouts 1:05:12 – Shoutouts 1:06:44 – Where to Find CØNTRA + Outro
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    1 h et 8 min
  • Zen Selekta — From Meditation to Mainstage: Healing, Manifestation & the Energy of ATL

    Zen Selekta — From Meditation to Mainstage: Healing, Manifestation & the Energy of ATL
    Nov 12 2025
    In this episode of Poducer, we sit down with Zen Selekta, a DJ and producer whose fusion of spirituality, intention, and raw energy has defined her signature ceremonial bass sound. From Atlanta roots to festival stages, Zen Selekta shares how meditation, breathwork, and self-reflection shape her creative process and keep her grounded on and off stage. She opens up about transforming anxiety into presence, turning music into medicine, and drawing inspiration from thinkers like Joe Dispenza, who teaches the power of embodying what you want before it manifests. We also explore her path through the music industry, building community in Atlanta’s bass scene, learning the value of a great agent, and navigating professionalism behind the decks. Zen Zelekta reflects on mentorship, creative faith, and the lessons learned from Pretty Lights’ comeback shows, while offering perspective on what it means to thrive as a woman in a male-dominated space. This episode is a reminder that the most powerful artists move both body and spirit. 🎧 Follow Zen Selekta: https://www.zenselekta.com/ 🎙️ Follow Poducer: linktr.ee/poducerpodcast The Podcast for Producers Chapters 00:00 Cold open — hair talk, Lord Farquaad & the fly saga 01:15 Intro — who is Zen Selekta beyond the decks 03:40 Early inspirations & first concert (Sting at Chastain) 05:19 Big Fam memories, flamenco playlists & olive oil debates 06:35 Meditation, breathwork & finding stillness 09:45 Overcoming anxiety through creative practice 14:20 The moment meditation changed everything 16:20 Mindset, manifestation & embodying belief 19:56 Joe Dispenza teachings & quantum creation 23:06 Shadow work, journaling & personal evolution 24:13 From UKF to Atlanta — discovering purpose in music 27:23 Breaking in, early promoters & first agent 30:23 Industry lessons — community, professionalism & touring 33:42 The ATL “ho!” chant and Atlanta’s live energy 37:30 Staying out of drama & building healthy scenes 39:55 Sci-fi love, Dune aesthetics & creative imagination 48:16 Music as language — dance as worship 49:12 Ceremonial bass & the healing power of presence 52:16 Stage energy, flow state & connecting with the crowd 57:37 Women in music — normalization over tokenization 1:04:45 Pretty Lights comeback & artistic renewal 1:06:44 Mentorship, family & creative faith 1:09:57 Outro — gratitude, links & closing thoughts
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    1 h et 10 min
  • Slot-A — The Business of DJing: Value, Leverage & the Art of Connection

    Slot-A — The Business of DJing: Value, Leverage & the Art of Connection
    Nov 6 2025
    In this episode of Poducer, we sit down with Slot-A — a Chicago-based DJ, producer, curator, and community-builder whose journey bridges Detroit grit and Chicago soul. Known for his work with Jamila Woods, his Open Swim Chicago event series, and deep roots in the city’s underground, Slot-A embodies what it means to turn passion into longevity. From growing up in Ypsilanti, Michigan, to producing in New York and ultimately building a home in Chicago’s scene, he shares how faith, hustle, and self-awareness have guided his creative path. Slot-A takes us through his musical beginnings—discovering Sony Acid and Fruity Loops, experimenting with beatmaking on early software, and landing sync placements on shows like Jersey Shore and Stomp the Yard. He reflects on his time interning in New York studios, learning from industry veterans, and realizing that DJing is just as much a sales game as it is an art form—about knowing your value, understanding your crowd, and building leverage through relationships. We explore how he evolved from a bedroom producer to a full-fledged DJ, curator, and event programmer, and how each phase taught him the importance of networking, creating “randomness,” and turning luck into opportunity. Slot-A breaks down the differences between Chicago and New York as creative ecosystems, the philosophy behind Open Swim Chicago and Colors, and what it really takes to build sustainable music communities. Finally, he reflects on executive-producing Jamila Woods’ album “LEGACY! LEGACY!”, sharing how that project reshaped his understanding of collaboration, communication, and artistic integrity. 🎧 Follow Slot-A: https://www.slot-a.com 🎙️ Follow Poducer: linktr.ee/poducerpodcast The Podcast for Producers Chapters 00:00 Intro & name origin 02:30 PlayStation beatmaking & MTV Generator 05:00 DJing, events & Open Swim Chicago 08:00 Early production journey (Sony Acid → Fruity Loops) 11:00 First concerts: Prince, Missy Elliott, Alicia Keys, Ludacris 18:00 From Michigan to New York to Chicago 23:00 The Columbia College chapter 26:00 Detroit’s DIY scene & creative freedom 33:00 New York hustle, industry lessons & losing everything 39:00 Returning to Chicago & finding purpose 45:00 DJing as a sales gig — leverage, proof, & professionalism 51:00 Knowing your lane, your people, and your weapon 56:00 Networking, motion, & maintaining authenticity 1:03:00 The Chicago advantage — why the city takes care of its own 1:10:00 Executive producing Jamila Woods’ LEGACY! LEGACY! 1:30:00 The language of musicianship & learning collaboration 1:38:00 Reflections on creative faith, community & leadership 1:41:00 Closing thoughts, shout-outs, & where to find Slot-A
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    1 h et 43 min
  • Aria Pedraza | Chicago Series — Preserving the Midwest’s Rave Legacy & The Story Behind MWRCA

    Aria Pedraza | Chicago Series — Preserving the Midwest’s Rave Legacy & The Story Behind MWRCA
    Oct 29 2025
    In this Poducer: Chicago Series episode, we sit down with Aria Pedraza, community archivist and founder of the Midwest Rave Culture Archive (MWRCA) — a living digital collection preserving the Midwest’s underground electronic music history. From growing up surrounded by DJs and renegade parties to scanning and cataloging decades of flyers, zines, cassette tapes, and VHS footage, Aria shares how the project began and why documenting rave culture matters now more than ever. She opens up about the process of digitizing fragile materials, the ethics of archiving a misunderstood subculture, and how Chicago’s DIY spirit continues to shape the city’s dance music identity. Together, we explore the evolution of the Midwest rave scene — from illegal warehouse parties with 24-hour info lines to the influence of modern technology — and discuss how community-driven preservation keeps these stories alive for future generations. Aria also reflects on her vision for exhibitions, collaborations with museums, and the future of the archive as both a cultural and academic resource. For anyone passionate about house, techno, and the roots of Midwest dance music, this episode captures the heart of a movement determined not to be forgotten. 🎧 Follow Aria Pedraza & MWRCA: https://mwrca.org https://archive.org/details/@midwest_rave_culture_archive/uploads 🎙️ Follow Poducer: https://linktr.ee/poducerpodcast The Podcast for Producers Chapters: 00:00 Intro and welcome to Poducer 02:14 Aria’s career in aesthetics and how it connects to archiving 03:40 Preserving rave flyers, zines, and VHS footage 06:08 Her first rave experience and family’s role in the culture 10:38 How the Midwest rave scene spread across Chicago, Milwaukee, and beyond 14:39 Decoding rave flyers and what they tell us about the times 15:58 The era of illegal parties and 24-hour info lines 17:18 Designers, sound systems, and the artistry of early flyers 20:33 Archiving ethics: ownership, representation, and cultural preservation 27:37 Tech, scanning, and community-based preservation methods 42:49 Storage, humidity, and the science of keeping history alive 46:02 From analog to digital: when archiving meets art 50:40 Museums, installations, and building legitimacy for rave culture 52:48 House vs. rave: defining the difference in Chicago’s lineage 54:47 The philosophy behind early raves—DIY, defiance, and creativity 58:38 Why archiving matters and how memory keeps scenes alive 1:03:13 What survives: from marble inscriptions to digital decay 1:12:02 How sound evolved from jungle and acid to modern house and techno 1:14:49 The future of MWRCA and the importance of community input 1:20:40 Where to find the archive and how to get involved
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    1 h et 28 min
  • John Rynecki | Chicago Series — Building Chicago’s Electronic Music Culture & The Vision Behind CEMC

    John Rynecki | Chicago Series — Building Chicago’s Electronic Music Culture & The Vision Behind CEMC
    Oct 22 2025
    In this Poducer: Chicago Series episode, we sit down with John Rynecki, a DJ, producer, event promoter, and educator whose mission is simple: bring abundance to the dance floor. From growing up across Panama, Puerto Rico, and Germany to finding his creative home in Chicago, John shares how his multicultural upbringing shaped his sound and his vision for a more collaborative, community-driven nightlife. He talks about his early influences from salsa and Everything But the Girl to Craig David and Rusko at Congress Theater, and how those experiences evolved into his approach to DJing: sets that breathe, connect, and tell stories rather than chase drops. We explore how growing up abroad helped him view music as a universal language, and why he believes Chicago’s scene can thrive through openness and shared purpose rather than competition. John also shares the story behind co-founding the Chicago Electronic Music Conference (CEMC), an event built to educate, connect, and inspire, and how it aims to elevate dance music to the same cultural status as jazz and blues. He reflects on the realities of leaving a stable tech career to pursue music full-time, the challenges of sustaining creativity in today’s economy, and what “success” really means as a modern artist. From imagining a city-backed Chicago Electronic Music Week to breaking down how to market independent releases and use data-driven ads effectively, John offers grounded, actionable insights for artists carving their path. 🎧 Follow John Rynecki: https://linktr.ee/jryneckimusic?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaf2Dbmz2LTETyU2La0npSgj8Cz3oKyLkCfXR5XiUukwSdmkZrhecuL5ZAZaEA_aem_AwVhYoROjgZFE7nqWkJhqg 🎙️ Follow Poducer: https://linktr.ee/poducerpodcast The Podcast for Producers Chapters: 00:00 Intro and welcome to Poducer 01:34 First concerts: Shakira and Rusko at Congress Theater 06:04 Musical influences: Salsa, Everything But the Girl, Craig David 08:45 Early production talk: Reese bass and breakbeat love 12:32 Growing up abroad and third-culture identity 17:09 Chicago as home and finding purpose in house music 23:24 Founding CEMC and building a movement inspired by Amsterdam Dance Event 26:39 The city’s role in preserving house music 31:27 Mainstream vs progressive house and the art of storytelling sets 35:45 CEMC year one: Wins, lessons, and next steps 38:00 How to make dance music a respected art form 40:49 Money talk: The truth about art and survival 45:42 Defining success as an artist 51:33 The idea for a Chicago Electronic Music Week 55:15 Track break: “Sirena” (deep progressive and jazz-house blend) 1:03:27 Jazz-house culture and the future of day events 1:06:26 Smart marketing for independent artists 1:08:35 Most influential sets and final shout-outs
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    1 h et 14 min
  • Dr. Shannon Switzer — Hearing Health, Sensaphonics & Why the World Got Too Loud

    Dr. Shannon Switzer — Hearing Health, Sensaphonics & Why the World Got Too Loud
    Oct 15 2025
    In this episode of Poducer, we sit down with Dr. Shannon Switzer, Doctor of Audiology at Sensaphonics, the Chicago based clinic trusted by touring artists around the world. Specializing in music industry hearing health, Dr. Switzer bridges the gap between science and sound, helping musicians protect the very tool that defines their craft. From growing up in Vermont to studying audiology at Northwestern and joining Sensaphonics, she shares how her background in music led her to a career focused on preserving it. We dive into how hearing actually works, why the modern world has become dangerously loud, and how overexposure to sound quietly reshapes your ability to create and enjoy music. Dr. Switzer breaks down everything from the physics of hearing and tinnitus to custom in ear protection, high fidelity earplugs, and the misconceptions that make musicians ignore hearing care until it’s too late. She also explains why properly fitted, filtered earplugs can improve how music sounds and how Sensaphonics helped pioneer custom in ear monitors for some of the biggest names in the industry. From the science of the cochlea to the culture of live shows in Chicago, this episode bridges the worlds of music and medicine, showing why protecting your ears isn’t just about safety; it’s about preserving your art. 🎧 Follow Dr. Shannon Switzer: https://www.instagram.com/ears.by.shannon/?hl=en 🎙️ Follow Poducer: https://linktr.ee/poducerpodcast The Podcast for Producers
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    2 h et 23 min
  • DÊTRE — Detroit Roots, Panic Attacks & The Reality of Modern Bass Music | NSW x Poducer EP 8

    DÊTRE — Detroit Roots, Panic Attacks & The Reality of Modern Bass Music | NSW x Poducer EP 8
    Oct 8 2025
    In this collaboration episode of Poducer with NSW, we sit down with Detroit-based producer DÊTRE (pronounced “Detra”) an artist whose path runs from guitars and rap vocals to intricate bass design, blending grit, groove, and raw self-expression. He grows weed by day (as an irrigation manager) to building bass-heavy tracks rooted in emotion and precision, DÊTRE opens up about his creative evolution, mental health, and the balance between passion and stability. We explore the meaning behind his name, how Vital and additive distortion shaped his sound, and why he sometimes records his own vocal hooks instead of relying on samples. We dive into Detroit’s warehouse scene, Movement Festival, and the “homie fest” culture that keeps underground music alive. Along the way, DÊTRE shares unfiltered thoughts on panic attacks, moderation, and staying grounded while navigating the modern music industry from corporate festivals to small, community-built events. 📲 Follow DÊTRE: https://linktr.ee/detrebeats?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAacLYvf57T6mdjiybQWbGOWeEzhpKSANYlABzHC1JLo5hEjARFVH6P-MSWFIBQ_aem__Tf82tMrHP8JgfUHa6d9JA 🎙️ Follow Poducer: https://linktr.ee/poducerpodcast Chapters: 00:00 Cold open (ZYNs, Electric Forest) 03:14 Intro & name—what “DÊTRE” means 03:38 Day job: growing weed (irrigation manager) 05:46 Panic attacks, Apple Watch chaos, and coping 10:41 Healthcare costs & hot takes 11:06 From trim tables to iPad-run grow ops 12:36 Michigan vs. Chicago weed reality 15:54 Moderation, mushrooms, and festival culture 19:23 Music without substances & set-night nerves 22:55 Icebreaker → first concert (Eminem/G-Unit) 24:47 Family roots, college crew, and starting to produce 30:51 Play: “10 Bands” (vocal hooks + identity) 36:13 Sound design: Vital, harmonic distortion, additive layers 38:18 “James Cameron,” Titanic jokes, and advisors from hell 40:14 DIY Detroit warehouse parties 42:46 Movement Festival & why it matters 49:16 Is bass music “up”? Pockets, Denver, and $18 drinks 55:36 Why small festivals slap (Infrasound energy) 57:02 Growth, money, and keeping your values 1:07:17 Ignore the negativity, build what you love 1:12:48 Play: “Quarter Hook” (quarter-note concept) 1:20:37 Play: “Wind” (Wubaholics) 1:23:55 Following the signs + choosing your people 1:29:29 Favorite live memory: ZHU at Burning Man 1:33:53 Shoutouts & where to find DÊTRE
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    1 h et 35 min
  • Greg Corner — Kill Hannah, Darkwave Disco & Chicago’s Underground Music Scene

    Greg Corner — Kill Hannah, Darkwave Disco & Chicago’s Underground Music Scene
    Oct 2 2025
    In this episode of Poducer, we sit down with Chicago creatives Greg Corner — bassist, DJ, promoter, and co-founder of the legendary Darkwave Disco parties. From playing bass with Kill Hannah to booking breakout artists at JBTV, Greg has lived through multiple eras of Chicago music and helped shape the city’s underground into a global influence. He shares the journey from sneaking into raves and punk shows to sharing stages with icons, why the “bloghouse” years created a blueprint for today’s DJ culture, and what it really takes to build a scene. We dive into his philosophy on curation, taste, and trust, plus the challenges of breaking artists in a city that often celebrates its own only after they’ve left. Greg also gives his perspective on the future: how AI could flood dance music, why bands may be poised for a comeback, and why real fans — not algorithms — still decide which art lasts. 🎧 Follow Greg Corner: https://www.instagram.com/gregcorner 🎙️ Follow Poducer: https://linktr.ee/poducerpodcast 00:00 – Intro 01:22 – Darkwave Disco & Chicago’s Bloghouse Era 06:00 – From Metal to Electronic: Skrillex, Justice & Bass Culture 11:20 – Joining Kill Hannah & Blending Rock with Electronic Influences 22:31 – Life on a Major Label in the 2000s 28:20 – JBTV & Discovering Bands Before They Blew Up 36:43 – Why Music Became a Rich Kids’ Pastime 41:05 – AI, Dance Music, and the Future of Live Bands 46:16 – Culture Over Headliners: Throwing Parties in Chicago 48:46 – Daft Punk, French Touch & Chicago House Legacy 55:36 – Bands Writing Together vs. Bedroom Producers 1:12:32 – From Tracks to Songs: How EDM Went Mainstream 1:13:21 – DIY Culture vs. Capitalist Festivals 1:15:07 – Touring the World with Kill Hannah 1:20:22 – Behind the Scenes with Kesha’s Comeback 1:36:12 – Best Concert Ever: Rage Against the Machine at Metro 1:42:43 – Closing Thoughts & Shoutouts
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    1 h et 47 min