Belta Podcast

This episode of Belta is with Manchester-based DJ and producer Meltx. We covered all sorts in this episode: from perceptions of hard techno, to embracing your truest self and feminity, to experiences on the dancefloor and beyond. I learned a lot in this one about the scene she is involved in and some super interesting outlooks on life, and I know you will too. Find Meltx online here . Find Belta o...

This episode of Belta is with Van Damn. He is an absolutely class producer and DJ hailing from Scotland, and has many what I’m going to call ‘side quests’ through the stellar b2b podcast and design work. We spoke about plenty in this episode - from his various DJing endeavours, to Scotland and bigging up the local and making music for YOU. We gossiped til the ends of the earth if I’m honest, so I&...

This episode of Belta is with Tony y Not. Born in Germany and now living in North America, specifically NYC, she is a stellar DJ and producer who weaves between soundscapes of upbeat rhythms, funny builds, dark synths and acid tinged disco. I’ve been wanting her on Belta for a while now, and we’ve finally made it happen! We spoke about mental health and invisible illness in the music industry, som...

This episode of Belta is with Talina. Originally from Manchester and now based in London, she’s a sensational presenter, radio host and DJ who holds down regular shows on Rinse FM, has hosted Boiler Rooms, and runs her own podcast South Asian Overground.  Naturally we spoke about all of that, her absolutely instrumental and incredible efforts to talk about mental health and build open narratives a...

This episode of Belta is with Denham Audio. Originally from London but at this point an adopted Northerner having moved to Sheffield and never looked back, he’s been all over the place recently. Look no further than his 23 date tour that spanned Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand... We covered heaps in this episode and had such a class, chilled out conversation. Highlights include the mighty...

This episode of Belta is with Danny Howard. Originally from the North West, he's most widely known for heading up Friday nights on BBC Radio 1. We spoke about that, but also all sorts beyond this: from growing up in the North West, how he stays literally sane whilst spinning so many plates (did I mention he also runs a label?), the responsibility of a tastemaker and... Nando's black card...

This episode of Belta is with Rinzen. The half-North American, half-Japanese producer and DJ has just shared his new album ‘Bend To The Light’ curated on the background of a really fun, sci-fi and futuristic concept, and hopped on to Belta to chat to me all things working with some massive labels, his obsession with creative and workflow inspiration and making the transition from a music journalis...

This episode of Belta is with Alan Dixon. He’s originally from the North East - from good old Darlington - and is a cracking DJ, producer and labelowner who creates proper uplifting, anthemic and feel-good tracks. He's worked with some of the top names in the business including Defected/Glitterbox, Three Six Zero and Keinemusik. This was a super fun episode in which we spoke about all sorts –...

This episode of Belta is with Bklava. The Lebanese-Northern Irish artist is a stellar musician, vocalist and DJ, recently announcing a long-awaited mixtape. They’re also founder of label, party, and overall banging platform Spin Sugar, which intends to promote female and non-binary artists with the aim to influence young women to join the music industry and close the gender gap.  In this episode,...

This episode of Belta is with Habgud. He’s a producer and DJ from Nottingham and has recently relocated to Manchester. Often found playing a variety of techno and percussive soundscapes, Habgud has played at clubs including The White Hotel and Tresor and also runs label Burned At Both Ends. He’s also just kicked off a new project; but more on that when you listen! In this episode we discussed what...

This episode of Belta is with Cicely.  Originally from a town not far from Newcastle, she is a multifaceted creative and an exceptional photographer and DJ, who now bases herself in London. She lives by the phrase ‘shy bairns get nout’, and I do the exact same, so with that alone I knew she had to come on for a chat... We covered SO much in this episode including her photography and music career,...

This episode of Belta is with founder and director of PR agency Electric Shores Publicity and artist manager Jenn Nimmo-Smith. Catching up with Jenn the week a lot of the music industry rose from their festive break-induced slumber, we touched on all sorts: from her various job roles, the reality of working for yourself, funny (albeit tedious!) memories from her vast experience in music, and her d...

This episode of Belta - the first for 2024, hello! - is with Salford's Ghoulish.  A lad born and bred in the North West, he’s just released his debut EP ‘Weekends Goodwill’ via Skream’s IFEEL label and has played some huge gigs lately, including fabric and Warehouse Project. We covered heaps in this episode: of course, we spoke about his beloved Salford, as well as the current UK clubbing lan...

This episode of Belta is with Nyra. Originally from Sheffield - and with odes to the steel city throughout his artistry - he’s a DJ, producer and labelhead, who is unapologetically doing things on his own terms. We spoke about his iconic imprint Canoe as it celebrates its 20th release, his residency at Adonis, and his love for his home of Sheffield. We also spoke about changes in the music industr...

This episode of Belta is with Jacklyn. From Newcastle, she is a stellar techno DJ, having played at major clubs including Tresor Berlin and De School in Amsterdam. This episode covers a real mix, from the healing properties of music and its power to express, making people feel something with music, and her international upbringing and developing her career in Newcastle. Find Jacklyn online here ....

This episode of Belta is with Isle of Skye-via-Glasgow's Ros T. He’s a producer and DJ who has gone from strength to strength, forming his sonic identity as a concoction of house, disco, indie, soul and more. In this episode, we spoke about the rich music culture in the Isle of Skye, music as a consistent source of reliance and the importance of openness when it comes to consuming music, too...

This episode of Belta is with Jordan Nocturne, from Belfast, Northern Ireland. He is an exceptional producer and DJ, with the two very much ingrained into his DNA. We spoke about those formative days of his career, the importance of DIY culture - and withstanding cliquiness - as well as his party The Night Institute. In prime Belta fashion, we went through some tracks he’s loving right now, and I...

This episode of Belta is with Rory Masson, based up in Aberdeen, Scotland. He's an industry head in electronic music, founding RARE Club - which runs weekly parties across Scotland's most loved venues including Tunnels, Le Cheetah, Sub Club and SWG3 - and co-directing Cultivate Festival, the North East of Scotland's biggest electronic music festival. He cut his teeth back in the day...

This episode of Belta is with Manchester-based artist Samuel Kerridge. Musically, he takes a rather post-punk approach to techno, and has done for over a decade. What with becoming an integral part of Regis’s iconic Downwards imprint which marries broken techno with snarling metal-influenced punk, he’s also released seven EPs and five albums. In this episode, we spoke about what Samuel likes to re...

This episode of Belta is with the Scottish man of the moment, Ewan McVicar. His Ministry of Sound cut 'Groove Thang' is taking summertime dancefloors by storm, with residencies announced in both Glasgow and Newcastle. What with a Rinse FM and BBC Radio 1 residency, selling out shows left, right, and centre plus his own festival — he's got a fair bit going on. We also really got to k...

This episode of Belta is with the boys behind Aberdeen-born, now Glasgow-based, DJ and production duo t e s t p r e s s. We spoke about their immense Boiler Room - and its crowd - their love for rap, eurodance and trance, upcoming single ‘U’ and of course, their beloved Scotland. Look no further, these lads have your next night out in Glasgow or Aberdeen sorted... Find t e s t p r e s s online her...

In this episode, I spoke to the brilliant Ammara. She’s based in London, but her first release was on northern label Trick, so I thought it would be fun to have her on for a chat about that process of breaking through – alongside heaps of other things, of course! Besides her production work - and new single with Ministry of Sound - we spoke about self-expression through fashion, dealing with misog...

Today's episode of Belta is with Liverpool-based Sophia Violet. She's a DJ and producer in her own right, and also 1/4 of popular group Girls Don't Sync. We spoke about her crazy last few months (and those upcoming), maintaining a work-life balance - and doing so with Type 1 Diabetes - and the nightlife of her beloved Liverpool. We also spoke about wild crowd moments, her forthcomin...

This episode of Belta speaks to North-East based Man Power, realname Geoff Kirkwood. He’s a bit of a legend up in the region, working under the Man Power alias, alongside Bed Wetter and MPX.  In this episode, we spoke about accessibility within electronic music spaces, his plethora of projects, platforming the North East and doing music for the true love of it – amongst plenty more. Find Belta onl...

Today's episode of Belta is with Manchester-based Rudosa. He’s a stellar techno DJ with an ethos dedicated to platforming and helping upcoming artists through a variety of initiatives and schools he runs – alongside his own groovy, hard hitting output. I sat down with Rudosa and we spoke about all sorts: from the current state of techno, to renting out Pikes, to battling with self-comparison...