OpenDAW Talks

This week I'm joined by The Bausa - Philip, Edward and Frederick, the Norwegian trio who went from making graduation party music in high school to a chart hit, 60,000 people the day after graduation, and now an international global hit with Magnetic. Before any of that happened, they spent years making 50+ songs a year for Norwegian school leavers with real clients, real deadlines, real feedback....

This week I'm joined by Sacha Robotti. A Brussels-born, Berlin-raised, LA-based DJ, producer, and label owner who has spent twenty years in music without taking a job outside of it. Releases on Dirtybird, Desert Hearts, Third Culture with Sian on Diynamic, and his own label Sloth Acid. We start with the moment that changed everything... making beats on a Dell laptop in Kabul while Apache helicopte...

This week I'm joined by Lau.ra - producer, DJ, vocalist, and one of the most consistently excellent self-producing artists in UK electronic music right now. Teen idol at 16, in a band Nigel Godrich, 5 years as FEMME and onto getting a Pete Tong Essential Mix. She's been doing this a long time and she's done it her own way. We get into how she taught herself to produce entirely out of necessity, wh...

Mikey V is our guest this week. LA-based producer, vocalist and DJ who's been a quiet force in house music for over two decades. Releases on Classic Records, collaborations with Steve Bug, tracks finding their way into sets by Derrick Carter. A proper career built the hard way. We talk about the moment Mikey hit a wall - creatively, physically, and personally - and what it took to completely rebui...

This week I'm joined by James Haskell. You might know the name from rugby, but for the last twelve years he's been building something completely different. DJing, producing, releasing on Toolroom, and getting tracks played by Carl Cox, Skepta and Marco Carola. Underground tech house. Just doing the work. We get into what elite sport actually teaches you about making music - the mindset, the resili...

This week I'm joined by Amy Dabbs - Berlin-based DJ, producer, and label owner who has built a music career entirely around a demanding job in digital advertising, international gigs, and a self-run release schedule. No shortcuts, no safety net - just an incredibly honest account of what it actually takes. We get into how she structures her time to protect studio sessions, the moment during covid...

This week I'm talking to James Hurr, a producer who's been behind some of the biggest records in dance music for over two decades. Over a thousand released tracks, a top 10 UK hit, a gold record for Tiesto, and a long-running studio partnership with Mark Knight. We get into James' full creative process - how he starts a club record versus a commercial one, how he uses reference tracks inside the D...

Today I'm joined by Ruth Royall, a Bristol-based vocalist, DJ, and producer. After years of working with labels and managers, Ruth made the boldest move of her career: self-releasing her debut album  Queen  - a record that steps outside drum and bass into garage, breaks, and dubstep - just after having her first child. We get into what it really means to go independent, how a serendipito...

Malika is the voice behind  Go  - a record that’s become part of the fabric of UK dance music - but this episode goes far beyond one iconic track. We get into what it means when a song takes on a life of its own, how to handle imposter syndrome as an artist, and why longevity in music comes from pairing fearless creativity with a real understanding of the business. If you’re trying to bu...

From classical trumpet to electronic beats, some musical journeys take unexpected turns that lead to extraordinary destinations. Lawrence Hart's path through jazz conservatories, indie band tours, and collaborative studios reveals how diverse musical experiences can shape a unique artistic voice. In this conversation, we explore the evolution of an artist who started with Miles Davis and ended up...

I sit down with modular synth artist, producer, and label owner David Castellani to unpack the twists and turns of a music career built on exploration, curiosity, and relentless self-reflection. From his early roots in live percussion and hip-hop to the immersive world of modular synthesis, David shares how staying open to change has shaped both his sound and his outlook. We talk about defining su...

Today we speak to Avaion - a genre-defying producer, vocalist, and live performer whose music connects by design. From SoundCloud beginnings to sold-out live shows, Avaion reveals how he built a music career on emotional honesty, sonic depth, and relentless consistency. We explore how to stay creative in a dopamine-fuelled, fast-scrolling world, how to finish music when perfectionism strikes, and...

I sit down with legendary UK producer and DJ Shadow Child (formerly Dave Spoon) to talk reinvention, artistic integrity, and the realities behind a long-lasting career in dance music. From stepping away at the height of commercial success to redefining his sound and creative purpose, Shadow Child opens up about the risks, the doubts, and the breakthroughs that shaped his evolution as an artist. We...

I sit down with Wez Saunders to explore his remarkable journey from working in a bank to becoming the CEO & Co-Owner of a Defected Records. We talk about his vision for Defected, the challenges of navigating the ever-changing music industry, and how he's managed to balance the label’s rich heritage with forward-thinking innovation. Key Takeaways: The Power of Community: How Defected has built...

Bexxie is a house music producer and DJ whose 90s-influenced sound is lighting up the electronic music scene. With millions of streams and a reputation for blending modern dance vibes with an old-school edge, Bexxie has built a career defined by passion, persistence, and connection. In this episode, Bexxie shares her journey from discovering her love for electronic music through her parents' vinyl...

Global DJ and producer Flashmob is best known for his groundbreaking releases on labels like Defected and Hot Creations, Flashmob has built a brilliant career with hit records and club anthems that have shaped Ibiza’s dance floors and the global house music scene. But it wasn’t always a smooth journey - in fact, his path has been one of constant reinvention and resilience. Flashmob shares his stor...

Rinzen is an electronic music producer and DJ known for his cinematic approach to techno and his drive to create immersive, narrative-based worlds through sound. His journey from a college dorm DJ to a sought-after producer offers fascinating insights into the creative process and the mindset needed to succeed in the industry. We explore Rinzen’s methods for maintaining a high level of creativity,...

Made By Pete is a London-based producer and DJ who has been rising steadily to the top of the electronic music scene. Made By Pete has set himself apart through a unique approach to music that champions playfulness and exploration. Expect to learn how he keeps the creative spark alive and navigates industry pressures while staying true to his sound. Made By Pete shares why he’s constantly pushing...

Kidnap is a celebrated electronic music producer known for blending evocative melodies with rich, atmospheric soundscapes. With millions of streams to his name and a reputation for crafting deeply moving tracks, Kidnap has just released his 2nd album Something Lost, Something Gained. Expect to learn about Kidnap’s creative process, how he finds inspiration beyond music, and the mindset that has dr...

The incredible Kelli Leigh, a powerhouse vocalist and songwriter behind some of the biggest dance tracks over the last 10 years is our guest this week. Kelli Leigh shares her journey as an artist, songwriter, and vocalist, exploring the highs and lows of the music industry, offering invaluable insights on how she's carved out her own path in the industry. She offers practical advice on songwriting...

Ros T is an electronic music producer from Scotland, whose debut album Teach Me reached #1 on the iTunes chart earlier this year. Ros shares his experiences growing up in a tight-knit island community and how it shaped his musical perspective. Ros talks us through the creative processes behind his music,, the challenges he’s faced, and the pivotal moments that have defined his career. KEY TAKEAWAY...

Have you ever wondered what it's like to have complete creative control over your music? In this episode, I sit down with the legendary Dave Lee, a true icon in the electronic music scene, know best for his pseudonym Joey Negro to explore the ins and outs of his 30 year career. Dave shares his journey from the early days of Glam rock to becoming a powerhouse in the house and disco world. He opens...

Steve Bug uncovers the secrets behind his enduring career in this episode of OpenDAW Talks. The German DJ, producer, and tastemaker has been a driving force in the electronic music world since the early '90s, consistently pushed boundaries and set trends. In conversation with Lex Luca, Steve opens up about his musical journey, from production techniques and mixing secrets to the art of DJing and r...

This is your guide on how to elevate your music. This week we welcome Canadian DJ and producer Sydney Blu Sydney has forged an impressive career over the last 20 years. She worked herself up from DJ’ing on her local after hours scene to touring around the world.  She taught herself how to make music and has gone on to release her tracks on some of the key labels from Knee...

This week we have the founder of Music Production For Women, Xylo Aria in conversation.  Xylo’s also a talented artist, producer and songwriter and she shares loads of tips and tricks for you guys to incorporate into your own music. We discuss a whole range of topics from imposter syndrome, and the importance of just showing. Xylo shares how she pushes out of comfort zone as well as her appro...