The Platform Podcast

The Platform 072: Blowing Up On Accident, Famous But Broke, Influencers Having A Head Start As DJs

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:00:02 +0000

The Platform Podcast Episode seventy-two features Nashville-based DJ and influencer, Kaleb Winterburn.

Kaleb shares his journey from growing up on a ranch in Montana to accidentally becoming an influencer, building a following with the Montana Boys, and now transitioning into the DJ world.

We get into how one random video changed everything, the reality of blowing up on social media, and why being “famous” doesn’t always mean having money. Kaleb breaks down the pressure of going viral, the truth behind influencer culture, and why authenticity and long-form content are becoming the new wave.

We also dive into his transition into DJing, what it felt like playing his first set in front of thousands of people with no experience, and the biggest differences between influencers and traditional DJs. We talk about why social media is now one of the most important tools for getting booked, the hate influencer DJs receive, and what actually separates those who succeed from those who don’t.

Enjoy the episode and leave any comments for myself or the guest!

Follow Kaleb Winterburn: https://www.instagram.com/kcamp.5/

Follow The Platform: https://www.instagram.com/ThePlatformMix

Follow Dex: https://www.instagram.com/TheDJDex

Watch or listen to The Platform Podcast every week on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

Episode Chapters:

0:00 Intro
1:20 Growing Up On A Ranch In Montana
5:15 Small Town Life & Freedom vs Big Cities
9:00 The Reality Of Ranching & Work Ethic
14:30 Football Career & Playing In College
18:45 The First Viral Video & Becoming Influencers
22:15 The Truth About Going Viral & Copying Trends
25:20 “If We Weren’t Good Looking We Wouldn’t Be Here”
30:25 Famous But Broke & Imposter Syndrome
34:20 Turning Down Brand Deals & Avoiding Being A Sellout
27:15 Building A Personal Brand Around Who You Actually Are
28:50 Short Form vs Long Form Content & The Future Of Social Media
48:40 First DJ Set Ever & Stage Nerves
53:45 DJ Lifestyle vs Reality (Loneliness & Pressure)
59:10 Influencer DJs vs Traditional DJs Debate
1:01:20 Advice For DJs Trying To Get Booked
1:06:10 Transitioning Into Long Form Content & Streaming
1:12:10 “Hear Me Out” Tracks That Always Work
1:15:45 Platform Playlist
1:17:35 Put Someone On A Platform
1:20:25 Upcoming Shows & What’s Next
1:21:30 Outro

The Platform 071: Building Nashville’s Hottest Club, Night We Met, No Credit For Being Early!

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 11:00:00 +0000

The Platform Podcast 71 features Nashville based DJ, venue owner, and talent buyer, Austin Knight, also known as Knyghts!

Austin is the owner of Night We Met, one of the fastest growing dance music venues in Nashville, and breaks down what it actually takes to build a club, book talent, and grow a scene in a city dominated by free-entry nightlife. From starting as a college DJ in a frat basement to transitioning into marketing, promoting, and eventually opening his own venue, he shares the full journey of how he went from playing shows to running them.

We get into how he took the risk of opening Night We Met, and why the first thing he invested in was the VOID sound system. We also talk about the early struggles and how he learned and adjusted to the market and clientele. Austin discussed how he decides which artists to book, and the real challenge of being “too early” on talent before they blow up.

Austin breaks down the reality of Nashville nightlife, why the city’s free bar culture makes ticketed shows harder, and how he’s built a brand where people trust the experience even if they don’t know the headliner.

Plus, he shares what it was like opening for Chris Lake, the pressure of playing in front of 5,000 people, and how that experience shifted his perspective as a DJ.

Enjoy the episode and leave any comments for myself or the guest!

Follow Austin Knight (Knyghts): https://www.instagram.com/knyghts_/

Follow Night We Met: https://www.instagram.com/nwm.nashville/

Follow The Platform: https://www.instagram.com/theplatformmix

Follow Dex: @TheDJDex

Watch or listen to The Platform Podcast every week on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

Episode Chapters:

0:00 Intro
1:31 Meeting Austin & Nashville Background
2:10 Getting Into DJing in College
5:01 Transitioning Into Marketing, Promoting & Booking
6:32 Why Promoting in Other Venues Doesn’t Work
7:11 Opening Night We Met & Taking the Risk
10:38 Building the Venue Around Sound & Experience
13:41 Starting Too Underground & Pivoting the Concept
16:42 Building a Brand People Trust (Soft Ticket Strategy)
19:15 Booking Strategy & Artist Selection
22:03 Booking Artists Before They Blow Up (Risk vs Timing)
25:35 Rebranding & Why You Can Start Over Anytime
28:19 Nashville’s Free Bar Culture Problem
33:54 Why You Have To Charge for Bigger Artists
37:20 Selling Tickets in a Last-Minute City
40:10 Losing Money on Shows & Playing the Long Game
41:10 Booking Relationships, Agents & Industry Politics
43:14 Opening for Chris Lake (5,000 People)
46:16 Being Comfortable as a Local DJ
49:48 How Owning a Venue Changes How You Judge DJs
53:04 Expanding Night We Met & Future Plans
57:51 Platform Playlist
1:00:03 Put Someone On a Platform
1:02:11 Outro

The Platform 070: 17 Lives, Starting Over & Re-Branding In Nashville, Networking Beats Talent

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 8 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000

The Platform Podcast Episode seventy features the Nashville based, Heidi Banks.

Heidi Banks recently moved to Nashville from L.A. and breaks down the reality of re-building a DJ career from scratch and what it actually takes to get booked in today’s nightlife scene.

From growing up in California to working behind the scenes with one of the biggest DJs in the world, to completely starting over in Nashville, she shares her journey of navigating “17 different lives” before fully committing to DJing.

We get into why being a good DJ isn’t enough anymore, how networking actually works in nightlife, why you HAVE to be outside if you want opportunities, and what it really takes to build a brand that creates consistent bookings. We also talk about rebranding her identity, adapting to a new city, and the balance between staying comfortable vs pushing for more.

Enjoy the episode and leave any comments for myself or the guest!

Follow Heidi Banks: https://www.instagram.com/heidibanksmusic/

Follow The Platform: https://www.instagram.com/theplatformmix/

Follow Dex: https://www.instagram.com/thedjdex/

Watch or listen to The Platform Podcast every week on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

Episode Chapters:

0:00 Intro
1:31 Moving From LA to Nashville
3:18 Getting Into DJing in High School
4:47 Interning in Nightlife & Landing Her First DJ Gig
6:34 17 Lives
8:47 Leaving LA & Choosing Nashville
12:19 High School Production Club & Learning Music
15:12 Learning Ableton, Production & Finding Her Sound
18:27 Rebranding to Heidi Banks
22:15 Breaking Into Nashville Nightlife
23:34 Why DJs Have To Be Outside to Get Booked
28:37 Building Residencies at Jelly Roll’s & Pushing Daisies
31:20 Working With DJ Vice & What She Learned
37:58 Branding, Photoshoots, Websites & Looking Premium
40:29 Comfort Zone vs Growth as a DJ
45:00 Do Flyers Still Work in 2026?
50:05 Reading the Room, Staff Energy & Building the Night
55:33 Biggest DJ Pet Peeve
57:36 “Hear Me Out” Tracks That Always Work
1:04:05 Platform Playlist
1:06:11 Put Someone On a Platform
1:07:39 Azure Day Party Nashville Announcement
1:11:27 Outro

The Platform 069: It's Giving Global, Going Viral vs Real Skills, You NEED To Flop

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 1 Apr 2026 18:50:00 +0000

The Platform Podcast Episode sixty-nine features the Nashville based DJ and event curator Dumb Groove to break down the reality of becoming a DJ in today’s world. From starting out carrying gear in Florida (just so he could sneak in the club) to building his brand in Nashville, Dumb Groove shares the unfiltered truth about what it actually takes to succeed in nightlife. We get into how DJing right now is one of the most accessible jobs/hobbies in the world and why that's a problem. How going viral doesn't lead to consistent bookings if you aren't actually getting better at the craft. Why DJs NEED to flop and of course, his party, It's Giving Global! Enjoy the episode and leave any comments for myself or the guest! Follow Dumb Groove: https://www.instagram.com/dumbgroove/ Follow The Platform: Instagram / TikTok / YouTube: https://www.instagram.com/theplatformmix/ Follow Dex: https://www.instagram.com/thedjdex/ Watch or listen to The Platform Podcast every week on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Episode Chapters: 0:00 Intro 2:30 How He Got Into DJing 5:15 Learning to DJ & Early Struggles 8:30 Playing Music You Don’t Like 11:00 Is It Easier to Become a DJ Today? 13:05 The Internet Doesn’t Translate to Real Clubs 13:25 Content vs Craft 14:18 “People Need to Flop” 15:15 Why Every Market Is Different 15:55 The Problem With Yes-Man Friends 17:00 DJs Who Can’t Set Up Equipment 25:00 Building a Brand & Throwing Events 30:00 Breaking Into Nashville After COVID 36:00 Why Broadway Wasn’t the Right Fit 58:00 Scaling “It’s Giving Global” & Touring 1:17:00 Building a Team & Future Vision 1:18:40 Outro & Final Thoughts

The Platform 068: LA to Nashville, Nashville DJs Don’t Scratch, Playing the Same Music Every Night

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 22:34:51 +0000

00:00 — Intro

00:45 — Meet Ax (Mexico → Cali → Nashville)

03:00 — From Producer to DJ (Making the Switch)

05:15 — First Gig → Instant Residency

06:30 — Why DJing Isn’t “Just Press Play”

07:15 — DJ Battles & Learning the Craft

10:30 — Why Nashville DJs Don’t Scratch

12:30 — Good vs Bad Scratching (What Actually Works)

14:00 — Obsession, Practice & Getting Good Fast

17:30 — Battle DJ vs Club DJ (Skill vs Crowd Control)

19:30 — Moving From LA to Nashville

21:00 — Why Nashville Has WAY More Opportunity

22:30 — Playing the Same Music Every Night

23:30 — Why One-Genre DJs Get Stuck

24:30 — Taking the Risk to Move Cities

25:30 — Nashville Nightlife Is Exploding

26:30 — Celebrity Bars & Why They Work

27:30 — Barstool vs Broadway (Marketing Difference)

30:00 — Why Nashville Bars Don’t Promote

33:00 — Copy-Paste Venues Problem

36:00 — What Makes a Great Nightclub (Ax’s Vision)

38:00 — How He’d Build a Successful Venue

41:00 — Entitled Crowds & Bad Requests

43:30 — DJ vs Crowd Control (Who’s Right?)

46:00 — Where Ax Is DJing Now

47:00 — The Problem with Booking Agencies

49:30 — No Accountability in DJ Booking

52:00 — Why DJs Get Undervalued

55:00 — How Hard It Is to Get Booked in Nashville

57:30 — DJs with Managers Too Early

59:00 — Fake Followers & Industry Illusions

1:07:00 — The Latin Scene in Nashville

1:09:00 — Why Latin Parties Always Sell Out

1:12:00 — Why Cultures Don’t Mix in Nightlife

1:20:00 — Building a Touring Latin Party Brand

1:23:00 — Nashville DJ Community vs Other Cities

1:26:00 — “Hear Me Out” (Songs That Always Work)

1:29:00 — Ax’s Current Music Picks

1:35:00 — Put Someone On A Platform

1:39:00 — Outro

The Platform 067: The Luau Party, New Music vs Nashville Crowds, Is SoundCloud Back?

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 02:58:11 +0000

The Platform Podcast episode sixty-seven features a conversation with a Nashville based DJ, D-Wake, diving into the reality of modern DJing, nightlife culture, and how the best DJs actually separate themselves. In this episode, we break down the truth behind crowd expectations, why tourists and nightlife markets like Nashville lean heavily on familiar music, and how tools like SoundCloud have become the biggest advantage for DJs looking to find tracks no one else is playing. We also get into real stories from behind the booth, including dealing with unpredictable crowds, the pressure of requests, and the moment a set can completely turn. D-Wake shares insight into building community-driven experiences, including creating a unique island party concept that’s grown into something bigger than just a typical event. If you’re a DJ, producer, nightlife professional, or someone interested in the culture behind music and entertainment, this episode gives you a real, unfiltered look at what’s actually happening behind the decks in 2026. Follow D-Wake: Instagram: @d.wakedidit Follow The Platform: Instagram / TikTok / YouTube: @theplatformmix Follow Dex: @TheDJDex Listen to The Platform every week on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. 00:00 Intro 00:45 Meet D-Wake 02:30 Open Format vs Artist DJ Sets 03:00 Why DJs Play The Same Songs 05:10 Building a DJ Project 08:20 Rebuilding a Brand From Zero 10:40 Why DJs Struggle With Content 13:00 Managing Multiple DJ Identities 16:30 Choosing the Right DJ Gigs 19:50 Why Playing Multiple Genres Matters 23:20 Nightlife Trends in Scottsdale 24:00 Are Clubs Pricing People Out? 26:10 Why Bars Are Winning 29:30 The Problem With Copy-Paste Venues 33:00 Why Some Venues Fail 38:10 Should DJs Stay in One City? 41:00 The Electronic Music Scene 46:04 SoundCloud Secrets for DJs 47:52 How to Find New Music 49:07 What Separates Great DJs 53:09 How TikTok Changed Music 57:43 Why Venues Don’t Promote Properly 01:03:40 Is Traveling as a DJ Worth It? 01:05:30 Final Thoughts

The Platform 066: Building a New Project, DJs Play The Same Songs, Scottsdale Nightlife Is Declining

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 13:37:15 +0000

The Platform Podcast episode sixty-six, I sit down in Scottsdale with DJ and producer Jonis to talk about building an artist project from the ground up, the difference between open-format DJing and artist-style sets, and why so many DJs end up playing the same songs. We get into the realities of rebranding, launching a new alias, creating content when you hate being on camera, and learning how to separate “taking gigs for experience” from protecting a long-term artist brand. We also dive into Scottsdale nightlife, why the market feels like it’s slowing down, whether venues are pricing people out, and why bars and more curated concepts seem to be winning over traditional nightclub formats. If you’re a DJ, producer, nightlife professional, or creative trying to grow a brand in 2026, this episode is packed with real conversation, industry insight, and relatable struggles from both sides of the booth. Follow Jonis / SumLite: Jonis: https://www.instagram.com/jonissounds SumLite: https://www.instagram.com/sumlite.dj Follow The Platform: Instagram / TikTok / YouTube: @theplatformmix Follow Dex: @TheDJDex Listen to The Platform every week on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. 00:00 Intro & On The Road in Scottsdale 00:45 Meet DJ & Producer Jonis 02:30 Open Format vs Artist DJ Sets 03:00 Why DJs Keep Playing The Same Songs 05:10 Launching a Second DJ Project (SumLite) 08:20 Rebuilding a Brand From Zero 10:40 Why DJs Hate Creating Content 13:00 The Advantage of Having Two DJ Aliases 16:30 Not Every DJ Gig Is The Right Gig 19:50 Why Playing Multiple Genres Makes You Better 23:20 Is Scottsdale Nightlife Declining? 24:00 Are Clubs Pricing People Out? 26:10 Why Bars Are Winning Over Nightclubs 29:30 The Problem With Copy-Paste Nightlife Venues 33:00 Why Some Venues Fail Their Own Brand 38:10 Should DJs Bet Their Career On One City? 41:00 Scottsdale's Electronic Music Scene 45:10 The Trap Of Social Media Numbers 48:30 Focusing On Real Fans Instead Of Views 49:50 Jonis' Goals For 2026 51:20 The Platform Playlist 52:40 Put Someone On A Platform 53:30 Episode Wrap Up

The Platform 065: Writing For Multiple Artists, Always Networking, Do Club Goers Want New Music?

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 4 Mar 2026 13:00:00 +0000

The Platform Podcast episode sixty-five, I sit down with Nashville-based DJ, producer, and songwriter Logan Garrett to talk about his journey in music, his growing list of collaborations, and the creative process behind some of his latest releases. Logan shares how he’s built a career by staying versatile across genres—from open-format DJ sets to producing records that blend house, hip-hop, country, and Latin influences. He breaks down the grind behind landing collaborations, the reality of working with artists across the world, and why sometimes the best opportunities come from simply sending the message or taking the shot. The conversation dives into Logan’s work behind the scenes as a songwriter, including contributing to a record connected to Marshmello, as well as upcoming releases and collaborations with artists across multiple genres. He also talks about his independent approach to releasing music and the marketing strategies he uses to grow a global audience. We also discuss the realities of DJing in today’s nightlife scene, the challenge of introducing new music to crowds that want familiar hits, and how DJs balance creativity with keeping the dance floor moving. The episode also touches on Logan’s newest role working as the in-stadium DJ for Nashville SC, what it’s like performing for a stadium crowd compared to a nightclub, and how Nashville’s growing music and entertainment scene continues to create new opportunities for DJs and producers. If you’re a DJ, producer, songwriter, or someone interested in the music business, this episode is packed with insight on collaboration, marketing, creativity, and building a career in music. Be sure to follow Logan: ⁨Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/logan_garrett/ SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/djlogangarrett Check out who Logan “Put On A Platform” during the episode. Canopy by Hilton Gulch: https://www.instagram.com/canopybyhilton As always, thank you for your continued support. Watch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast here on YouTube, or listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, and SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix Be sure to follow me, @TheDJDex across all social platforms. For exclusive downloads of my Top Tracks of the Week, subscribe to my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

The Platform 064: DJs Are All Sounding The Same, The Truth About DJ Charts, House Music Is Winning

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 13:00:00 +0000

00:00 — Intro + Meet Boom

00:02:10 — Boom’s Background & DJ Journey

00:03:25 — Turning DJing from a Hobby into a Career

00:04:27 — Moving to Nashville & Leveling Up

00:05:00 — Quitting the 9–5 to Go All-In

00:05:30 — Why Nashville Pushes DJs to Be Better

00:07:07 — Working with Crate Hackers (Curation Explained)

00:08:00 — Building Latin & International DJ Crates

00:10:03 — Why Authentic Curation Matters

00:13:16 — Do DJs Rely Too Much on Charts?

00:14:22 — Why Clubs All Sound the Same

00:15:42 — The Real Art of DJing (Breaking New Music)

00:16:01 — Why DJs Are Afraid to Take Risks

00:16:47 — “What’s This Song?” = Ultimate DJ Respect

00:17:10 — Experimentation vs Playing It Safe

00:18:12 — How Streaming Changed Music Discovery

00:20:09 — Making Edits & Remixes for the Club

00:21:20 — Finding New Artists Before They Blow Up

00:23:00 — Building an Artist Identity vs Club DJing

00:24:00 — “You’re Getting Lapped…” (Execution vs Overthinking)

00:24:56 — Why 100 Listeners is a Big Deal

00:27:34 — DJing vs Producing: Finding Balance

00:31:09 — Artist Boom vs Nightlife Boom

00:33:11 — The Rise of Curated Events

00:34:08 — Adding Live Elements to DJ Sets

00:35:21 — The Moment the Crowd Pulled Out Their Phones

00:35:54 — Why Most People Only Go Out Once a Month

00:36:16 — Making DJ Sets More Engaging

00:39:30 — Are Live Elements the Future of DJing?

00:40:40 — Why Some DJ Sets Feel “Boring” Online

00:41:30 — Social Media vs Live Experience

00:42:56 — Riot Ranch & Nashville’s Growing Scene

00:47:35 — Why Nashville Needs More Than Open Format

00:48:01 — Expanding into New Markets (Miami, LA, NYC)

00:50:20 — How to Get Booked in New Cities

00:52:03 — Networking & Building Relationships

00:53:53 — Influencer DJs vs Real DJs

00:55:03 — The Business Behind Booking Decisions

00:56:39 — Why Dance Music is Winning Globally

00:57:15 — How DJs Test Unreleased Music (IDs)

00:58:22 — Why Other Genres Haven’t Caught Up

The Platform 063: From Pizza Boy to COO, Life Phases, Toxic Staff & The Horse Poop Guy

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 23:00:00 +0000

On Episode 63 of The Platform Podcast, I sat down with one of my close friends, Ryan Cota. Ryan has worked his way up the nightlife industry ladder — starting in the kitchen at a local bar and rising to become the COO of Stanton & Bowery Hospitality, where he now oversees nine venues across the U.S., including Barstool locations in Nashville, Scottsdale, and Philadelphia. During this episode, we dive into what really happens behind the scenes — from building the right team at a venue and maintaining leadership boundaries while still being able to build genuine relationships, to staying ahead of the competition and, of course, keeping owners, staff, and guests happy. Enjoy the episode! Drop a comment below with any questions for Ryan or suggestions for future guests. Be sure to follow Ryan: Ryan Cota: https://www.instagram.com/cotabagel Check out who Ryan “Put On A Platform” during the episode. As always, thank you for your continued support. Watch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast here on YouTube, or listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, and SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. Be sure to follow me, @TheDJDex, across all social platforms. For exclusive downloads of my Top Tracks of the Week, subscribe to my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

The Platform 062: MOJO, College Game Day, Taking Advantage Of Every Opportunity

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 23:00:00 +0000

On episode sixty-two of The Platform Podcast, I sat down with a Nashville resident and DJ, MOJO. Over the past year he's had some big life changes and amazing opportunities when it comes to DJing and even starting a new career. Enjoy the episode! Leave your comments with any questions for MOJO or suggestions for future guests. Don’t forget to follow MOJO below! MOJO: https://www.instagram.com/themojodah/ Check out who MOJO "Put On A Platform." D-Wake: https://www.instagram.com/d.wakedidit/ As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. Be sure to follow me, @TheDJDex, across all social platforms. For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

The Platform 061: Slim Jxmmi Hates Me! Sobriety, Breaking Stereotypes and COVID

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 12:00:00 +0000

On episode sixty-one of The Platform Podcast, I sat down with Ekow from Dallas, Texas! He's someone I've grown close to over the years and have worked with multiple times. While he was out in Nashville to play Barstool, we got to sit down and talk about everything he has going on! Enjoy the episode! Leave your comments with any questions for Ekow or suggestions for future guests. Don’t forget to follow Ekow below! Ekow: https://www.instagram.com/_djekow/ Check out who Ekow "Put On A Platform." Blackbear: https://www.instagram.com/13lackbeard/ As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

The Platform 060: Stop Putting So Much Pressure On Yourself, Timelines & Celebrating Small Wins

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 7 Jan 2026 14:00:00 +0000

On episode sixty of The Platform Podcast, I sat down with Soppa! He's one of my best friends from Milwaukee who recently packed up everything in his life and made the move to Nashville. We get into how he made some massive changes in his life, almost stepped away from DJing altogether, the mental side of the night life industry and of course a bunch of music! Enjoy the episode! Leave your comments with any questions for Soppa or suggestions for future guests. Don’t forget to follow Soppa below! Follow Soppa: https://www.instagram.com/dj_soppa/ Check out who Soppa "Put On A Platform." The Disco_Nect: https://www.instagram.com/thedisco_nect/ BRDWY: https://www.instagram.com/brdwymusic/ As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

The Platform 059: Building Festivals, Playing With Legends, Navigating Multiple Aliases

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 00:58:56 +0000

On episode fifty-nine of The Platform Podcast, I sat down with Zewmob! He's a Nashville resident who's been killing it producing original tracks, remixes and more! From playing with artists like Dr. Fresch to headlining festivals he's helped put together, Zewmob has been trending upwards for years. With his growing presence on social media and awareness to changes in the game, he plans to continue growing and attracting new fans. Enjoy the episode! Leave your comments with any questions for Zewmob or suggestions for future guests. Don’t forget to follow Zewmob below! Follow Zewmob: https://www.instagram.com/itszewmob/ Follow Ryan Lee: https://www.instagram.com/djryanlee/ Check out who Zewmob "Put On A Platform." Big Trip: https://www.instagram.com/iambigtrip/ As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

The Platform 058: EMRGENT Media Group, Creating Art, Not Being An IG Baddie, No Gate Keeping!

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 13:00:00 +0000

On episode fifty-eight of The Platform Podcast, I sat down with the co-founder of EMRGENT Media Group, a videographer and creative, Gonzalo Londono. Gonzo has been in and out of Nashville for the past four months shooting for Barstool and cooking up some of the best recap videos you’ll see on social media. Over that time we’ve gotten to know each other pretty well so I had him come over and take a seat on the couch to talk about his life, his company and everything he’s experienced in his short time since bursting onto the creative side of the nightlife scene. Enjoy the episode! Leave your comments with any questions for Gonzo or suggestions for future guests. Don’t forget to follow Gonzo below! Follow Gonzo: https://www.instagram.com/gonzolondono/ EMRGENT Media Group: https://www.instagram.com/emrgentmediagroup/ Check out who Gonzo "Put On A Platform." Nick Wucher: https://www.instagram.com/yifnowuch/ YIFNO: https://yifno.com As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

The Platform 057: Curating Vibes For Every Set, Building A Patreon Following, New Projects!

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 12:55:00 +0000

On episode fifty-seven of The Platform Podcast, I sat down with a very well known DJ and producer, a Red Bull 3Style US Champion and exclusive editor/remixer for DJ City, Trayze. Trayze is a veteran DJ who's played all over the world and now travels frequently playing major venues and events across the US. From sneaking in friends when he was younger having them help load in vinyl records and turntables to now being one of the most well known editors in the DJ game, Trayze continues to make a name for himself as a DJ and a producer. Enjoy the episode as he talks about his experiences and his plans for future EPs and records with his collaboration, FaceTyme. Enjoy the episode! Leave your comments with any questions for Trayze or suggestions for future guests. Don’t forget to follow Trayze below! Follow Trayze: https://www.instagram.com/trayze/ Trayze Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/trayze/posts FaceTyme: https://soundcloud.com/facetymemusic As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

The Platform 056: MIME, Rebranding, Hitting The Music Lottery, Content Curry, Staying Creative

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 8 Jan 2025 18:40:44 +0000

On episode fifty-six of The Platform Podcast, I sat down with the DJ and producer known as Petie! The New York based DJ started his career and made a name for himself quickly when he went a new direction and rebranded as MIME. He burst onto the scene playing festivals in Asia and playing some of the most reputable venues in the U.S. like The Brooklyn Mirage. After some time he thought it was time to re-brand when he rekindled his passion for open format rooms. Now known as Petie, he travels constantly playing shows here in Nashville, Texas, Miami, New York and more. Aside from DJing he also has his own graphic design business called “Content Curry.” As a creative he talks about the similarities between music and graphic design and how doing both actually helped him. To wrap things up, Petie shares who he’d like to "Put On A Platform." Enjoy the episode! Leave your comments with any questions for Petie or suggestions for future guests. Don’t forget to follow Petie below! Follow Petie: https://www.instagram.com/petie/ Follow PALAZZO: https://www.instagram.com/impalazzo/ Follow Content Curry: https://www.instagram.com/contentcurry/ Follow MIME: https://www.instagram.com/imthemime/ Check out who Petie "Put on a Platform" this week! Krispy Pizza: https://www.instagram.com/krispypizza/ Nicky Rizz: https://www.instagram.com/djnickyrizz/ As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

The Platform 055: The Nashville Standard, Don't Phone It In, Poco A Poco, The Best Band On Broadway

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 16:30:07 +0000

On episode fifty-five of The Platform Podcast, I sit down with the lead singer of one of the hottest bands in Broadway, Chris Ferrara from The Common Good! Chris and his band are the residents at Barstool here in Nashville kicking off the party every Friday and Saturday night until 10:30 PM! I get the pleasure of watching and listening to their sets week in and week out and they are true entertainers. From the beginning Chris had a vision of what he wanted for his band and he stuck to it even after having discouraging conversations with managers and others in the industry. He even went as far as playing his gigs for nothing so he could pay his band first and bet on himself. Traveling to other cities Chris quickly noticed the standard that Nashville artists have to live up to and because of those expectations you HAVE to show up every night to play your best because you never know who will be watching and listening. Chris talks about the opportunities he's earned from playing at bars on Broadway like Barstool, including being asked to play in Japan recently. He gives some advice for new artists coming to Nashville and how he keeps his sets fresh playing a residency at the same venue every week! To wrap things up, Chris shares who he’d like to "Put On A Platform." Enjoy the episode! Leave your comments with any questions for Chris or suggestions for future guests. Don’t forget to follow Chris below! Follow Chris Ferrara: https://www.instagram.com/iamchrisferrara/ Check out who Chris Ferrara "Put on a Platform" this week! Luke Marshall: https://www.instagram.com/lukemarshallmusic/ CreatiVets: https://www.instagram.com/creativets/ Link Soul: https://www.instagram.com/linksoul/ As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

The Platform 054: Revoking Ableton Cards, Tracks That Check The Box, Artist Support, Ghost Producing

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 6 Nov 2024 12:55:00 +0000

On episode fifty-four of The Platform Podcast, I sit down with one of the top editors and remixers in the game, Rick Wonder. In this episode, Rick and I dive into a range of topics, including his creative process for working on tracks, legalizing "revoking Ableton cards," and the importance of testing and revising his edits and remixes multiple times before releasing them on Headliner Music Club (HMC). We also touch on issues like buying fake followers, having tracks ghost-produced, and the experience of getting support from major artists. To wrap things up, Rick Wonder shares who he’d like to "Put On A Platform." Enjoy the episode! Leave your comments with any questions for Rick or suggestions for future guests. Don’t forget to follow Rick Wonder below! Follow Rick Wonder: https://www.instagram.com/rickwonder/ Check out who Rick Wonder "Put on a Platform" this week! Stanton & Bowery Hospitality: https://www.instagram.com/stantonandbowery/ Barstool Nashville: https://www.instagram.com/barstoolnashville/ As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

The Platform 053: 4AM, It's A Marathon...Not A Sprint, Taking Care Of Everybody, Clubs Struggling

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 12:00:00 +0000

On episode fifty-three of The Platform Podcast, I sat down with Chachi, an open format DJ, producer and owner of 4AM, a talent management agency. From his start as a teenage to now touring the world, Chachi lives by the line, "It's a marathon, not a sprint." We covered how he got started in DJing and where his love for music comes from, what advice he'd have not only for himself but for other DJs and producers and how he's managed to stay one of the top open format DJs in the game. Aside from DJing we talk about his production work and the importance of making music in today's industry. We dive into how he became the owner of 4AM, a talent agency that now represents 25+ DJs/artists. From developing and helping the artists with their brands to handling bookings and back end tasks 4AM does it all and Chachi preaches the importances of transparency with his artists as well as being there for all of them equally. Lastly, Chachi says who he wants to "Put On A Platform." Enjoy the episode, leave comments with any questions you have for the guests or people you'd love to see on future episodes and be sure to follow Chachi below! Follow Chachi: https://www.instagram.com/chachiofficial/ Check out who Chachi "Put on a Platform" this week! 4AM: https://www.instagram.com/4amnyc/ Barstool: https://www.instagram.com/barstoolnashville/ As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

The Platform 052: Writers Rounds, Overcoming Rejection, Ready For New Music

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 13:00:00 +0000

On episode fifty-two of The Platform Podcast, I sat down with the talented young singer and song writer, Lauren Gottshall! Originally from just outside of Chicago, Lauren grew up heavily influenced by her mother when it came to her music taste. She started writing songs, singing and performing before she was even ten and recently made the jump to Nashville to turn her dreams into a career. Lauren and I met last year and I was happy to have her as a guest for the first episode back in a long time. We talked about her creative process when it comes to song writing, how working collaboratively with other artists for the first time brought a whole new perspective to her creatively with her music and how she learned to handle rejections. Lauren reflects on her first writers round and talks about the importance of them not only to the city of Nashville but to artists and their careers. Lastly, she says who she wants to "Put On A Platform." Enjoy the episode, leave comments with any questions you have for the guests or people you'd love to see on future episodes and be sure to follow Lauren below! Follow Lauren: https://www.instagram.com/lauren_gottshall/ Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/lauren-gottshall/1464204777 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4f24CCVzOHvPVFsApdMgmT?utm_medium=share&utm_source=linktree Check out who Lauren "Put on a Platform" this week! Song Suffragettes: https://www.songsuffragettes.com IG: https://www.instagram.com/songsuffragettes As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

The Platform 051: Rops & Charles, DJ Duos, Taking Risk For Future Rewards, Following Up

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 12:00:00 +0000

On episode fifty-one of The Platform Podcast, I sat down with the DJ duo known as Rops & Charles! Although they both live in St. Louis now, Rops & Charles met at random after both moving to the US from Latin American countries (Peru and Panama). They started their duo, Rops & Charles and since then have played in multiple areas including Washington DC, Chicago, Atlanta, Nashville and of course and home in St. Louis. We got into a wide range of topics including the difficulties of making it as a duo vs being a solo act, how you have to pitch, brand and provide value for yourselves differently and how they go about making connections and obtaining bookings Lastly, they says who they want to "Put On A Platform." Enjoy the episode, leave comments with any questions you have for the guests or people you'd love to see on future episodes and be sure to follow Rops & Charles below! Follow Rops & Charles: https://www.instagram.com/ropsandcharles/ Subscribe To Their Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/RopsandCharles/posts Listen On SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/ropsandcharles Check out who Rops & Charles "Put on a Platform" this week! Purari: https://www.instagram.com/puraridj/ As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

The Platform 050: Girls Like Me, The Right Team, Writing Hit Songs, Pushing Music To DJs

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 12:00:00 +0000

On episode fifty of The Platform Podcast, I sat down with the up and coming artist, XOLEX! Lex is a country artist from a small town in Iowa, who made the jump to Nashville to pursuit a career in music. It hasn't been easy and she talks about the things she's learned over her few years here and her stint in Atlanta. Lex talked about living in Atlanta and not necessarily having a team around her that wanted the best for her and her career, to surrounding herself with a team she loves and are all on the same page with her current vision here in Nashville. We talked about the roll out of her new EP, "Girls Like Me" and how she planned everything for how she wanted to promote her new music. With that comes making PLENTY of content and posting that, which isn't easy for everyone to do even if you know it's a necessity. Being a female especially and posting on socials there is sometimes more hate that you have to worry about dealing with. Lex gives her thoughts on her creative process when writing songs and how she would handle giving up a song that she wrote for herself and another artist wanted. I asked Lex if she's pushing her music out to DJs...and she said no! We talk about the possible disconnect between artists and DJs and how they could be missing a huge opportunity to connect with new fans by getting their music out to DJs, especially in a city like Nashville where bars/clubs have DJs almost all day, every day. Lastly, Lex says who she wants to "Put On A Platform." Enjoy the episode, leave comments with any questions you have for the guests or people you'd love to see on future episodes and be sure to follow XOLEX below! Follow XOLEX: https://www.instagram.com/xolexofficial/ Stream XOLEX on Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/xolex/1609465005 Stream XOLEX on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0KY3tpbVniKEJHmU2jHLhx?si=ns7kRGU2S1-2eWnHZSWN-A Check out who XOLEX "Put on a Platform" this week! Brandy Neely: https://www.instagram.com/brandyneelly/ The Blend: https://www.instagram.com/theblendnashville/ As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

The Platform 049: What Band Are You Guys In? Making 51% Of The Room Happy

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 14 Aug 2024 17:09:41 +0000

On episode forty-nine of The Platform Podcast, I sat down with two Miami residents who together do it all in music, Zillamatic and Gobe. Zillamatic is a DJ originally from California who moved to Dallas and now resides in Miami. Gobe is an artist who's making a name for himself with new music releases as recent as last Friday! Together they've worked on music and put a song called HOTL (Heart On The Line) and became good friends. I got to talk to both of them about their careers in music, their experiences and what they have planned for the future. We talked about DJing in different rooms and how music has become so accessible that it's harder to please the crowd. To the point that if you can get 51% of the crowd to like what you're playing, you're doing alright! They gave their insight on the creative processes they go through when making new songs and who they make them for. Lastly, Zillamatic and Gobe say who they want to "Put On A Platform." Enjoy the episode, leave comments with any questions you have for the guests or people you'd love to see on future episodes and be sure to follow Zillamatic and Gobe below! Follow Zillamatic: https://www.instagram.com/zillamatic/ Follow Gobe: https://www.instagram.com/gobe954/ Check out who Zillamatic "Put on a Platform" this week! Komodo Dallas: https://www.instagram.com/komododallas/ Sunset Sessions: https://www.instagram.com/sunset_sessionsdtx/ Check out who Gobe "Put on a Platform" this week! Poor Stacy: https://www.instagram.com/poorstacy/ As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

The Platform 048: Flaco2Tall, Hip-Hop Artists In A Country Town, Doing It All

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 7 Aug 2024 17:02:39 +0000

On episode forty-eight of The Platform Podcast, I sat down with the talented hip-hop artist, Flaco 2Tall! Flaco has been making a name for himself in 2024 and has a lot more he plans to release before the year ends. As a hip-hop artist trying to make it in a predominantly country city, we talked about the obstacles he has to overcome and how Nashville has actually helped him progress. There are gatekeepers all over the music industry and getting your foot in the door isn't easy. Flaco describes how a lot of people don't want to see you eat, if they can't eat too. We talk about music creation and how he goes through the process of making a hit and everything that comes along with it. Aside from just making the music you have to promote it, which involves making content for social media and breaking out of your shell to get on camera and create something different. Collaborating with other artists in the country industry is very normal, especially here in Nashville. It's not always the case in hip-hop, where most of the time it's frowned upon to have others write songs for you. Lastly, Flaco says who he wants to "Put On A Platform." Enjoy the episode, leave comments with any questions you have for the guests or people you'd love to see on future episodes and be sure to follow Flaco below! Follow Flaco 2Tall: https://www.instagram.com/flaco2tall/ Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/flaco-2tall/1728482320 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6B8VT4fcOOggjAR2nsxiS9?si=db-0EgHWQzG7YmVU01L0UQ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FLACO2TALL Check out who Flaco "Put on a Platform" this week! The 93rd Floor: https://www.instagram.com/the93rdfloor As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

The Platform 047: Music Was Always The Goal, Getting Creative With Song Requests, Playing For Tips, It's Fine

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 12:00:00 +0000

On episode forty-seven of The Platform Podcast, I sat down with the talented country singer, Alannah McCready! Alannah shares stories from her early years, growing up with a love for music she got from her mom. After college, a career change paused her journey in music while she moved to New York. She reflects on the moment she realized music was her true passion, sparking her return to the stage. We dive into the realities of the music industry, discussing the financial challenges of streaming and what Alannah considers a successful track. Alannah also breaks news into her upcoming projects, including her new single "It's Fine," set to release in 2024. Additionally, we touch on the unique experiences of performing live, from playing for tips to getting creative when taking song requests. Lastly, Alannah says who she wants to "Put On A Platform." Enjoy the episode, leave comments with any questions you have for the guests or people you'd love to see on future episodes and be sure to follow Alannah below! Follow Alannah: https://www.instagram.com/alannahmccreadymusic Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/19fZ2lVAwrWHiELAsDJPWH?si=pqo-i3KESuCVenv5GVEBRQ Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/alannah-mccready/898847808 Check out who Alannah "Put on a Platform" this week! Lauren Gottshall: https://www.instagram.com/lauren_gottshall/ As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

The Platform 046: Paving The Way For DJs In Country Music, RoadHouse, Record Labels, Touring The World

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 12:00:00 +0000

On episode forty-six of The Platform Podcast, I sat down with one of the pioneers in the country music DJ industry, Silver! Over the last twenty years, Silver has been playing all over the world DJing every major club, festival, stadium and event you can think of. As one of the first DJs to hop on tour with a country artist, Silver began touring with Jason Aldean 15 years ago and hasn’t looked back. Helping pave the way for many more DJs to help take country artists shows to the next level. Outside of DJing as solo as Silver, he came up with the idea for RoadHouse, which he initially started with DJ Ikon. After Ikon had to step away from the group, Silver talked about how he decided who he wanted to collaborate with next for RoadHouse. Now with Blake Horsemann from The Bachelorette, they bring non-stop energy to every gig they play. Whether it’s under the name Silver or RoadHouse, he’s never stopped pumping out edits and remixes for every major country artist and song in the world. That leads to us talking about how difficult it is to find country edits on major record pools with country seeming to be the one genre that doesn’t help DJs support their artists much at all. Lastly, Silver lists who he wants to "Put On A Platform." Enjoy the episode, leave comments with any questions you have for the guests or people you'd love to see on future episodes and be sure to follow Silver and RoadHouse below! Follow Silver: https://www.instagram.com/deejaysilver1 Follow RoadHouse: https://www.instagram.com/officialroadhouse/ Check out who Silver "Put on a Platform" this week! Bodega (Coming to Nashville Soon): https://www.instagram.com/bodegataqueria/ Jason Aldean’s (Coming to Vegas Soon): https://www.instagram.com/jasonaldeans/ As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

The Platform 045: DJ Olympics, Open Format Changes, Saying No To Gigs, Curating For Specific Venues

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 3 Jul 2024 11:00:00 +0000

On episode forty-five of The Platform Podcast, I sat down with my good friend Cazes from Miami, Florida! Cazes and I got together for our monthly meetup when he comes out to Nashville to play at Barstool, where we both have residencies. We covered a lot in this episode from how he got started originally playing guitar in a band and how his passion for music transitioned him into the DJ scene during his years in college. Fast forward to now and he's playing gigs all over the US in his home city of Miami, Texas, Cleveland, New York, Chicago, the Carolina's and more! Cazes is becoming a house hold name in the DJ scene with most in the industry playing his edits regularly during their sets. We discussed what it's like working for a record pool now that he's officially an exclusive editor for Headliner Music Club and the work that goes into making edits routinely as well as how it allows him to further brand himself as a DJ. Now that he's playing all over the US, he gave his insight on how the open format DJ has changed and things he does to stand out from venue to venue, curating different sets for each room. Lastly, we play a little "New Heat or Delete" and Cazes picks someone to "Put On A Platform." Enjoy the episode, leave comments with any questions you have for the guests or people you'd love to see on future episodes and be sure to follow Cazes below! Follow Cazes: https://www.instagram.com/cazesthedj/ Check out who Cazes "Put on a Platform" this week! Bobby Booshay: https://www.instagram.com/bobbybooshay216/ Luke Alexander: https://www.instagram.com/lukealexvnder/ As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

The Platform 044: Producing Music for DJs, Authentic Marketing, TikTok/Social Media DJs

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 12:00:00 +0000

On episode forty-four of The Platform Podcast, I sat down Carlyle from Dallas, Texas! Carlyle got into the nightlife industry and immediately knew it was where he wanted to be. Started out as a promoter, he grew a major following without even realizing what he had done. From that point on, he was off to races. With a major passion for electronic music, Carlyle had to pivot when he got asked to play a nightclub that was mainly hip-hop. He talks about how that helped him grow as a DJ and how he had to battle with branding himself as a DJ who wanted to play artist sets at festivals vs being an open format DJ. Carlyle has his hands in many business ventures outside of DJing and has started to build a portfolio when it comes to night life and hospitality. He even helped bring MELLODEATH to perform at a venue he plays at frequently for a pop up DJ set in Dallas. Being in the industry now for almost a decade, he's done everything from promoting to helping with advancing of artists, booking, DJing and of course producing. After stopping for a long time, he realized he had to get back into it if he wanted to be able to book himself out consistently around the US. He talks about the difficulty of putting out music in today's social media driven world as well. Lastly, he plays "New Heat or Delete" and picks someone to "Put On A Platform." Enjoy the episode, leave comments with any questions you have for the guests or people you'd love to see on future episodes and be sure to follow Carlyle below! Follow Carlyle: https://www.instagram.com/carlylesounds/ Check out who Carlyle "Put on a Platform" this week! Luke Alexander: https://www.instagram.com/lukealexvnder/ As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

The Platform 043: Staying Motivated, The Proper Way To Ask For Bookings, Scouting Talent

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Thu, 20 Jun 2024 01:25:10 +0000

On episode forty-three of The Platform Podcast, I sat down with the Cleveland, Ohio resident, Bobby Booshay! Bobby grew up around music and started DJing in middle school. Now he's playing all over Ohio, Florida, Chicago and more! Aside from playing music, he also produces and helps out doing the booking, advancing and more for FWD Hospitality Group. During the episode we got into his journey in the music industry, how being where he is now keeps him motivated to improve, scouting talent to book for the venues and being the guy that has to communicate with the artists. Enjoy the episode, leave comments with any questions you have for the guests or people you'd love to see on future episodes and be sure to follow Bobby Booshay below! Follow Bobby Booshay: https://www.instagram.com/bobbybooshay216/ Check out who Bobby Booshay "Put on a Platform" this week! Alycia: https://www.instagram.com/alyciaacolon/ As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

The Platform 042: BRDWY, Country Music vs. DJs, Remaining Anonymous

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 22 May 2024 11:55:00 +0000

On episode forty-two of The Platform Podcast, I sat down with two Nashville DJs that just started a new project, called BRDWY! Dirty Darren and Rod have both been on the podcast before and returned as they just recently started a new duo creating edits, remixes, mashups and more specifically in the genre of country music. Country music wasn't played in clubs very often until recently with the YEE-DM takeover. The BRDWY boys talk about the current landscape of country music and why so many country songs NEED a little help to be played in a bar or club and keep the energy of the room. They went over the thought process behind their new side project including their name and a fun easter egg found in their logo and even talked about how they at first wanted to remain anonymous. Country music has gotten so big over the past few years, yet still in the DJ world there's such a need for country music edits because most record pools don't add a lot of country songs. We dove into some of the reasons behind that and how we hopefully will see a change in that soon! I asked the BRDWY boys what their future goals were and closed out the show finding out who they picked to "Put On A Platform" this week. Enjoy the episode, leave comments with any questions you have for the guests or people you'd love to see on future episodes and be sure to follow BRDWY, Dirty Darren and Rod below! Follow BRDWY with Rod Youree and Dirty Darren: https://www.instagram.com/brdwymusic/ Follow Dirty Darren: https://www.instagram.com/djdirtydarren/ Follow Rod Youree on IG: https://www.instagram.com/djrodyouree/ Check out who Dirty Darren and Rod Youree "Put on a Platform" this week! Darren's Picks Slim McGraw: https://www.instagram.com/djslimmcgraw/ Travisty: https://www.instagram.com/djtravisty/ Rod's Pick Z: https://www.instagram.com/23penny/ SOHO Gallery: https://www.instagram.com/sohofootwear/ As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

The Platform 041: Playing Festivals, Tours and Sporting Events, Turning A Barback Into A Star

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 15 May 2024 20:51:52 +0000

On episode forty-one of The Platform Podcast, I sat down with another Nashville native, Rod Youree! Since moving to Nashville Rod has become one of my good friends and someone who is always open to helping others, especially in the music industry. He's been DJing for a long time and got to tell about his life experiences and what he learned so far! From starting out when he was 20 and Nashville wasn't anything close to what it is now, to playing on tour with Rascal Flatts, festivals like Watershed at the famous Gorge Amphitheatre and Faster Horses in Michigan as well as being the in game DJ for the Tennessee Titans for five seasons, Rod Youree has made a name for himself in the DJ world. We talked about how he got into music, and how working so hard made him ready for all the opportunities he earned. He even created opportunities for others when he was out on tour and had to make mixes for venues he couldn't be at...👀 Enjoy the episode, leave comments with any questions you have for the guests or people you'd love to see on future episodes and be sure to follow Rate below! Follow Rod Youree on IG: https://www.instagram.com/djrodyouree/ Follow BRDWY with Rod Youree and Dirty Darren: https://www.instagram.com/brdwymusic/ Check out who Rod Youree "Put on a Platform" this week! Coach: https://www.instagram.com/myycoach/ As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

The Platform 040: Building Your Own Party, Staying Consistent, 10K Followers, Boom Bap!

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Thu, 2 May 2024 02:36:01 +0000

On episode forty of The Platform Podcast, I sat down with a Nashville native Rate Wonder! I've been following Rate Wonder for years now after listening to him play over COVID on Twitch and years later we ended up living in the same city. He's been DJing for 15+ years, has toured with major artists, started his own parties and became a Twitch Partner too! During the episode we talk about how he started the Boom Bap party (https://www.theboombaplive.com), a monthly event centered around hip-hop music that some of the best DJs in the world have played. Over COVID Rate Wonder started streaming on Twitch and since then became a Twitch Partner and gained over 10,000 followers, a massive accomplishment. Now he keeps a consistent schedule playing to thousands of fans in the Twitch community every Monday, Wednesday and Friday night. Rate Wonder use to tour with country music star, Thomas Rhett so we covered his life on tour, playing sold out shows and how it differed from the usual parties he played. Enjoy the episode, leave comments with any questions you have for the guests or people you'd love to see on future episodes and be sure to follow Rate below! Follow Rate on IG: https://www.instagram.com/ratewonder/ Follow Rate on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/ratewonder Follow Rate on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ratewonder Follow Boom Bap: https://www.instagram.com/theboombaplive/ Check out who Rate "Put on a Platform" this week! Case Bloom: https://www.instagram.com/casebloom/ Tucker-Bloom: https://www.instagram.com/tuckerbloom Website: https://www.tucker-bloom.com As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

The Platform 039: Building Relationships, Music Videos, Live TV & Grammy Nominations

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 12:00:00 +0000

On episode thirty-nine of The Platform Podcast, I sat down with Nolan Pugh, a Georgia native and Nashville resident! Nolan fulfills various roles in the media industry, mainly as a production coordinator and talent manager for music videos and TV shows! Despite being relatively new to the industry, he has achieved remarkable success in just two years. Shortly after moving to Nashville he got an opportunity to work for Apple TV+ and since then is credited working with artists like Hardy, Lainey Wilson, Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert, Sam Hunt, Kane Brown, Teddy Swims and has even collaborated with Tyler Childers on the set of his hit song, "In Your Love," which was nominated for "Best Music Video" at the Grammy's in 2023. We talked about how he got into the industry, how he's found success, the challenges he's faced and how he thinks the industry will change in the coming years. Enjoy the episode! Leave your questions and future guest suggestions in the comments below and don't forget to follow the guests!

The Platform 038: Tour Life vs Open Format, Fight Or Flight, Momentum, Branding Outside Of DJing

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 15:58:19 +0000

On episode thirty-eight of The Platform Podcast, I sat down with a Chicago native and Miami resident, Crespo! Crespo is a DJ I've followed for a long time and talked with frequently over the years but now finally got a chance to meet and play direct support for. He's a very talented DJ whose resume speaks for itself playing all over the U.S. in places like Chicago, Las Vegas, New York, home in Miami and of course here in Nashville now at Barstool. Crespo takes listeners and viewers behind the scenes, sharing personal experiences that shaped his journey from a local college party DJ to touring with stars like Jaden Smith and now holding club residencies at some of the most popular venues in the world. From humble beginnings on gifted gear from his dad and childhood girlfriend and a Vestax mixer to getting kicked off the decks and facing the harsh realities of Miami’s cutthroat nightlife scene, Crespo opens up about his struggles and how failure became a stepping stone rather than a setback, thanks to mentors like Konflikt who helped him! From touring with Jaden and experiencing the anxiety and adrenaline rush of performing in cities like Cleveland, Ohio, to the sobering realization that success isn't measured by the bottom of a tequila bottle, Crespo's story is a rollercoaster of highs and lows. Through everything, Crespo takes pride on staying true to himself and his brand. He discusses the importance of turning down opportunities that don't align with his values and the significance of just being Danny and not a carbon copy of someone else. Enjoy the episode, leave comments with any questions you have for the guests or people you'd love to see on future episodes and be sure to follow Crespo below! Follow Crespo: https://www.instagram.com/crespothedj/ Follow Wired Sound Academy: https://www.instagram.com/wiredsoundacademy_/ As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

The Platform 037: Radical Grove, A Cultivating Stand, Helping The Next Generation

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Fri, 12 Apr 2024 15:15:15 +0000

On episode thirty-seven of The Platform Podcast, I sat down to connect with the Charlotte based DJ, Rowshay! Rowshay's unconventional journey into the music industry actually started in the hair industry. Through a deal with a friend and client, he was introduced to DJing, not knowing then it would become his career for the future. After placing third in Miami's regional of Red Bull 3Style competition back in 2013, Rowshay has since played all over the US and started his own company called Radical Grove. Radical Grove has become his life and passion project, helping cultivate a winning lifestyle for DJs and creatives alike. With a roster of over ten DJs and a variety of projects, Radical Grove has made a major name for itself, especially in their home state of North Carolina. Enjoy the episode, leave comments with any questions you have for the guests or people you'd love to see on future episodes and be sure to follow Rowshay below! Follow Rowshay: https://www.instagram.com/rowshay/ Follow Radical Grove: https://www.instagram.com/radicalgrove/ Check out who Rowshay "Put on a Platform" this week! Graham Funke: https://www.instagram.com/grahamfunke/ As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

The Platform 036: Realizing You Are Dope, More Than Just DJing, "Are You Playing Big Bootie Mix?"

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 3 Apr 2024 16:41:46 +0000

On episode thirty-six of The Platform Podcast, our guest was our first female DJ to join the show, Marissa Sardar! Marissa is originally from Florida where she attended school at University of Miami before making the move to Nashville 6 years ago. She tells the story of her journey into music and more specifically, how she got into DJing. From sneaking upstairs to practice on a pair of decks in the studio during breaks while she was an on air host, to playing venues all over the US in Miami, Nashville, Scottsdale and more, Marissa has made a name for herself as a DJ. It hasn't always been easy. As a female in the DJ game, Marissa talks about the challenges she's had to deal with throughout her career. Outside of DJing she shares some updates in her personal life with her recent engagement to one of the top producers and song writers in music right now, Charlie Handsome. We talked about how their relationship helps her as a DJ being able to bounce ideas off each other and talk music almost 75% of the time. Her answer may surprise you as much as it surprised me! Marissa caps off the show by shining a spotlight on two dope Nashville DJs, Rate and Rod Youree so be sure to go check them out with the links below! Enjoy the episode, leave comments with any questions you have for the guests or people you'd love to see on future episodes and be sure to follow Marissa below! Follow Marissa: https://www.instagram.com/djmarissasardar/ Check out who Marissa "Put on a Platform" this week! RATE: https://www.instagram.com/ratewonder/ Rod Youree: https://www.instagram.com/djrodyouree/ As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

The Platform 035: We Have A Kick Ass Job, Demanding Respect, Service Industry Bonds

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 27 Mar 2024 16:43:23 +0000

On episode thirty-five of The Platform Podcast, I have the pleasure of sitting down with Allyssa Althaus, a bartender at one of my favorite spots in Nashville, Whiskey Row! Allyssa, a North Carolina native, recently made Nashville her home after completing her college education at UNC Wilmington. Despite initially lacking a plan, she has thrived in this vibrant city and now calls Dierks Bentley's Whiskey Row on Broadway her professional home. This episode covers a wide array of topics, including the introduction of new segments for future episodes. We start "New Heat or Delete," where guests decide if newly introduced music stays or goes from their playlists, and I have the guest "Put Someone On A Platform," in hopes to spotlight individuals, businesses, or venues deserving of recognition and support. Allyssa kicks off the conversation by sharing her journey into the Nashville scene, discussing the various roles she's worked in the bar industry, from bartending to management. We explore her favorite spots in the city, including the popular hangout Mother's Ruin, and the connections she's built within Nashville's bar community. During our chat, we also dive into Allyssa's favorite tracks, such as 4Batz & Drake's remix "act ii: date @ 8," and I introduce her to new music from Future, Big Sean, Kane Brown, and Illenium, making her to determine their playlist worthiness. We then turn our attention to the future of Nashville, with its growing popularity and the addition of new bars. From Garth Brooks' "Friends In Low Places" to Draft Kings and PBR's rooftop bar "Ava," as well as upcoming spots like Morgan Wallen's "This Bar" and Eric Church's "Chief," Luke Comb's, Bottled Blonde and more, the city's nightlife isn't slowing down. Despite her current success, Allyssa's ambitions go much further beyond bartending. She's pursuing a Master's Degree at Liberty University with a focus on assisting individuals with special needs, contemplating the possibility of launching her own practice in the future. Allyssa caps off the show by shining a spotlight on her friend Jenna, who not only works at Whiskey Row but also runs a side business designing exceptional hats tailored to Nashville's vibe. Enjoy the episode, leave comments with any questions you have for the guests or people you'd love to see on future episodes and be sure to follow Allyssa below! Follow Allyssa: https://www.instagram.com/allyssaalthaus_/ Check out who Allyssa "Put on a Platform" this week! J. Rose Designs: https://www.instagram.com/customjsofficial/ Jenna Rose: https://www.instagram.com/justjennarose__/ As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

The Platform 034: Nashville Is A Different Breed, Never Give Out Your Number, Is That A Compliment?

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 12:00:00 +0000

On episode thirty-four of The Platform Podcast I sit down with Shay, a bartender at my residency, Barstool Nashville! Shay is originally from Georgia where she got into the service industry in college and since then has served, done bottle service and currently has been bartending in Nashville for years. As someone with years of experience in the industry, we get started talking about how Nashville's bar scene compares to that in other cities. Nashville to Shay, is a different breed. We talk about the fun you can have behind the bar meeting new people and making friends but also the times you have to put on a fake smile and deal with assholes. When she's not behind the bar, Shay is in the gym. She takes fitness very seriously and has competed in multiple body building competitions in the past few years. Balancing life in the nightlife scene while still staying focused on your personal health isn't always the easiest but Shay lays out her schedule and explains how she stays on track. Flirting is part of the job! Shay explains why she NEVER gives out her number at the bar and recalls some of the most outrageous pick up lines she's had pulled on her. Enjoy the episode, leave comments with any questions you have for the guests or people you'd love to see on future episodes and be sure to follow Shay below! Follow Shay: https://www.instagram.com/_dietitianshay/ As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

The Platform 033: Erasing T-Swift, Finding Records That Work, Tour Life, Big Impacts & Little Footprints

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 12:00:00 +0000

On episode thirty-three of The Platform Podcast I sit down with Daniel Ian Jones, a Nashville based DJ who's had over 20 years of experience in the music industry. Daniel Ian Jones is a seasoned drummer turned DJ, and he shares his experiences from his journey and insights from his career so far. As someone who's been around music for decades, Daniel Ian Jones talks about the benefits of being prepared and the current global obsession with Amapiano music As a DJ it's part of your job to break records for the guests and introduce them to new music they may not have heard before. He explains how he goes about adding his own flavor to every set. Requests happen often but they don't always fit the vibe. Daniel Ian Jones and I talk about the art of choosing the right songs for every event and crowd. As a tour DJ for the country super star, Thomas Rhett, Daniel Ian Jones goes behind the scenes of life on the road. Balancing his life on tour while maintaining relationships at home is a huge part of why he's as successful as he is and he explains why he always tries to stay connected with friends and business associates alike. As a first timer on tour with Thomas Rhett, Daniel Ian Jones said his goal was to make a big impact, with a minimal footprint. Outside of DJing, he has his own company called OffBrand Entertainment where he focuses on showcasing Nashville's diverse talent beyond country music. With 2024 just beginning, he is already planning big things! This one might cause some drama...but Daniel Ian Jones said T-Swift has to go! Enjoy the episode, leave comments with any questions you have for the guests or people you'd love to see on future episodes and be sure to follow Daniel Ian Jones below! Follow Daniel Ian Jones: https://www.instagram.com/danielianjones/ As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

The Platform 032: Zactina, No More FourLoko, Virtual Happy Hour, Side Hustles, Industry Support

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 14:32:05 +0000

On episode thirty-two of The Platform Podcast I sit down with Zac Dalton, one of the most popular bartenders in Nashville who works at Barstool! Zac and I dive into the world of bartending as he shares his experiences from over the years and we find out what pushed him to start his own side business in the meal prep. Zac has been in the industry for about 15 years bartending, serving, working for Diageo and their extensive collection alcoholic beverages, attending culinary school and more. In the midst of COVID, Zac moved to Nashville jobless and reminiscences on. his first day ever bartending in Nashville. We talk about his first and worst job ever and how the industry is skewed with managers of bars often making less than bartenders and servers even with more responsibilities. Zac talks about his trip to EDC that he'll never remember after chugging a FourLoko but he'll also never forget after waking up to pictures of him with multiple mimes and clowns. If you haven't been to Barstool Nashville, you may not know about Zactina and the story behind how he was able to have his own sign put up in the bar that truly shows how much support he receives from the industry and locals. Growing up in Chicago, Zac compares the service industry in Nashville to the industry back home and how he'd love to see Nashville change for the better. Bartending isn't all Zac does, as he recently started a side business preparing meals weekly and I can tell you as a return customer, they are great. Enjoy the episode, leave comments with any questions you have for the guests or people you'd love to see on future episodes and be sure to follow Zac below! Follow Zac: https://www.instagram.com/drinkswithzac Follow Barstool Nashville: https://www.instagram.com/barstoolnashville/ As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

The Platform 031: Broadway Girls, Six-Figure Bartenders, Irish Goodbye's, Drake's Hog

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 12:00:00 +0000

On episode thirty-one of The Platform Podcast I sit down with Caroline West, a bartender here in Nashville at one of my favorite spots in the city, Barstool! Originally hailing from West Texas, Caroline has been immersed in the service industry since before turning 18. Now a resident of Nashville, she has worked in various establishments across the city but has found a true home at Barstool, where she has been since its opening in June 2023. During our conversation, we delve into various aspects of the service industry, exploring topics such as the earnings of bartenders and servers in Nashville. Caroline shares some of the pet peeves she encounters behind the bar, and we also touch on her life beyond bartending. She runs Broadway Girls, conducting intriguing street interviews that promise unexpected insights. Tune in to discover more about her experiences and much more. Be sure to follow Caroline and Broadway Girls below! Enjoy the episode and leave comments with any questions you have for the guests or people you'd love to see on future episodes! Follow Caroline: https://www.instagram.com/carolineewestt/ Follow Broadway Girls: https://www.instagram.com/broadwaygirlss/ Follow Barstool Nashville: https://www.instagram.com/barstoolnashville/ As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

The Platform 030: Artist vs DJ, Creating More Value, Selective Booking, How To Get More Gigs

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 13:30:00 +0000

On episode thirty of The Platform Podcast I sit down with BG GOOD, a prominent Milwaukee resident DJ who has been a driving force in the city's nightlife scene for several years. Known as one of the most popular DJs in Milwaukee, BG GOOD has also had the opportunity to play national and international stages, including venues in Mexico. In 2023, BG GOOD made a significant shift from the DJ scene to the artist side, unveiling a collection of new original tracks. He tells the story behind his transition, the challenges he faced, and the lessons he learned in adapting his business approach as both a DJ and an artist. We delve into the importance of branding as BG GOOD puts a major emphasis on his career as an artist. From turning down gigs that don't align with his artistic image to organizing shows for his new releases, BG GOOD shares insights into the changes he's made. As we look ahead to 2024, BG GOOD shares his goals, ranging from specific milestones to broader aspirations. BG GOOD shares his strategies for obtaining bookings beyond his city, offering valuable advice for fellow DJs looking to expand their reach both nationally and internationally. Don't miss out on BG GOOD's latest track, "Heaven," along with his catalog of previous releases! Enjoy the episode and leave comments with any questions you have for the guests or people you'd love to see on future episodes! Follow BG GOODD: https://www.instagram.com/djbggood As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

The Platform 029: Whitetail Sunday's, Putting On A Mask, Dating In The Industry, Showing Love

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 7 Feb 2024 13:55:00 +0000

On episode twenty-nine of The Platform Podcast I sit down with two Milwaukee residents, Alberto Valle and Terrence Tucker! Two of the most popular bartenders in the Milwaukee service industry scene. We get things started with some background from the two best friends. Tuck is originally from Ohio and Berto has lived in Milwaukee his whole life. They've been working together for years now and with working together have became a dynamic duo behind the bar. Milwaukee is a small city and I always say how I love how close everyone is. There's not a night that I go out where I don't run into someone I know. The service industry is really close and always show love to one and other. Berto and Tuck talk about how going out to visit other bartenders helps their business as well. The current manager of Whitetail and Local Pub, Berto talks balancing his work and personal life. Tuck bounces between bartending at three different venues and offers some insight on how he deals with his own work-life balance issues. Dating in the industry. The boys talk about their dating history and some of the most common questions they get from others about their love life. Service industry tea is always hot when you're behind the bar as much as these guys are but it's also important to them to not air out other people's laundry. Whitetail Sunday's! One of the hottest weekly parties in the city happens at Whitetail every Sunday night. Recently it's gotten some flack from locals who weren't able to get in. As someone who's been in the service industry for years, I understand it very easily, but for those who may not get it we lay the details out. Enjoy the episode and leave comments with any questions you have for the guests or people you'd love to see on future episodes! Follow Alberto: https://www.instagram.com/princeofthemil/ Follow Tuck: https://www.instagram.com/t_michael08/ As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

The Platform 028: Industry Yard Party, The Goalie Method, Handcuffing the DJ, $50 to Pretend to DJ

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Thu, 1 Feb 2024 00:10:06 +0000

On episode twenty-eight of The Platform Podcast I sit down with Rutger Krueger from Milwaukee! He's one of the biggest DJs in the city, a promoter and long-time friend of mine. Rutger gets started telling the story of how he got started in the industry beginning with his days as a promoter, emceeing for events and other DJs and then becoming a DJ himself. After moving to Milwaukee he became well-known in the city for throwing parties at some of the most popular venues and being able to promote the events well enough that he began to establish his own following. When he started to DJ not only did that following roll over but his experience as a promoter did as well which made him an even more valuable DJ. We talked about how the industry has changed since he first got into from both a promoter and DJs point of view. Even going as far to say that if you're a DJ that's just going out to DJ, it will eventually lead to you not getting booked anymore. The Goalie Method. Rutger's family has always supported him and his career path and are very popular amongst the Milwaukee service industry not only for that, but for supporting his friends as well...and throwing one of the most fun service industry parties of the year, The Yard Party. Enjoy the episode and leave comments with any questions you have for the guests or people you'd love to see on future episodes! Follow Rutger: https://www.instagram.com/djrutgerkrueger Subscribe to Rutger's Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/DJRutgerKrueger/ As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

The Platform 027: Overcoming Adversity, Building Relationships, Super Powers, Drinking Buddies

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 14:00:00 +0000

On episode twenty-seven of The Platform Podcast I sit down with Edward DeShazer, the Executive Director of Greater Holy Temple Christian Academy. an entrepreneur, owner of multiple restaurant and nightlife venues, award winner educational speaker and more! Ed is a long-time friend of mine who has always been there for me, so it was great to sit down and talk with him. We caught up since I haven't seen him in forever and got into his life and the experiences he's been through. After being kicked out of school and suspended over 30 times, it's beyond impressive to see where Ed is here today. As someone who struggled so much when it came to school, to be in a place where he now runs a school is a complete 180. After his dreams of going to the NFL were shattered, Ed had his doubts when he came home to begin teaching. Through the experiences he went through he learned how to become the best teacher to his students that he could and also learned how to work multiple roles within the school giving him a better overall perspective. Outside of school he began to dive into other business ventures and with his past experience in the nightlife industry he has since became an owner of multiple successful nightlife venues, currently Local Pub and Whitetail in downtown Milwaukee. Ed talks about the growth he's done over the years and how some of that growth has even led to him losing certain friends. A newer path he's began to excel in is the public speaking field. He's thrived under experienced mentors and now has the opportunity to share his stories to others in the educational field all across the country. Now an award winning speaker, he is still grateful every time he's able to speak and impact other's lives. Enjoy the episode and leave comments with any questions you have for the guests or people you'd love to see on future episodes! Follow Ed: https://www.instagram.com/edwarddeshazer/ As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

The Platform 026: R&B Tuesday, Building Your Own Party, Free Agency, 2023 Ups & Downs

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 13:50:00 +0000

On episode twenty-six of The Platform Podcast I sit down with Mr. New York, a long-time friend of mine from Milwaukee who's been killing the DJ scene. Mr. New York starts off by letting everyone know how he got his start in the DJ industry from throwing house parties to now holding residencies at the hottest night clubs in the city. When he began getting his foot in the door at popular venues, it wasn't always for the biggest pay check. Now he's built up his skills, gained a following and can use that negotiate his rate and even throw his own events. Holding residencies at different venues almost every day of the week is great but it's also difficult to sustain and can be tough on you mentally. Mr. New York reminisces on 2023 and how career wise it was the best year ever but personally one of his worst in a long time. With one of his most popular residencies closing their doors at the end of 2023, I asked Mr. New York what his plans are for a new Friday night residency and where he plans to go in "free agency." Always evolving and wanting to do new things, he recently threw his own Boiler Room set at Miramar Theatre. Bringing new ideas to Milwaukee is something he prides himself on as well as throwing successful events like R&B Tuesday, Saturday nights at No. 720 and many others. His goals for 2024 are even bigger! Enjoy the episode and leave comments with any questions you have for the guests or people you'd love to see on future episodes! Follow Mr. New York: https://www.instagram.com/mrnewyorkparty/ As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

The Platform 025: Tequila Komos, Being "ON" All the Time, Unique Starts

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 10 Jan 2024 12:00:00 +0000

On episode twenty-five of The Platform Podcast I sit down with 1L, a Nashville resident DJ that also works for one of the biggest up-and-coming tequila companies in the world, Tequila Komos. 1L kicks the episode off sharing his unique experience of how he broke into the Nashville DJ scene. Outside of the DJ world, he also is the Senior Brand Manager for Tequila Komos. We discuss how he balances (or doesn't) working for a major tequila company and staying busy as a DJ. Being locked in every set isn't always the easiest thing to do, especially on nights when you aren't playing to a packed crowd. 1L talks about how staying focused and giving 100% to every set, even on those slower nights, can open the doors to new gigs. As someone who not only books for other venues in the city but plays events of all sorts from clubs to weddings, 1L details how he goes about finding the right fit for each spot and how he prepares for weddings vs nightclubs. Enjoy the episode and leave comments with any questions you have for the guests or people you'd love to see on future episodes! Follow 1L: https://www.instagram.com/iamdj1l/ Follow Tequila Komos: https://www.instagram.com/tequilakomos/ As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

The Platform 024: Life Off the Bus, Gambling with Dana White, Defending Your Friends

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 3 Jan 2024 17:09:57 +0000

On episode twenty-four of The Platform Podcast I sit down with Jack McPherson, the social media director for the hit podcast, "Bussin' With The Boys." Jack is originally from right here in Nashville and stayed home in Tennessee where he attended UT. We talked about everything from his life leading up to now and how he got the position he holds currently, to sports, music, some of his favorite guests and of course the wild experiences he's had. As a long time Titans fan, Jack highlights the season they've had and how he had some goals of not letting sports affect him this year. We talk about who we have as NFL favorites and made our picks for the CFB Playoffs. As a growing personality and team member for the major podcast, Bussin' With The Boys, Jack explains his journey with the company and how he took a risk to stay with company he truly believed in. The workload he has may seem like a lot but he also gets the opportunity to meet influential people from almost every industry. CEO and President of the UFC, Dana White, is one of those people. Jack details the tension in the room when he tags along to watch Taylor Lewan and Dana White gamble more than I've made in my life. Although it's an incredibly successful show, he doesn't plan on slowing down. Jack talks about the goals he has for 2024 for himself and the show and names some guests they have their eyes on! Enjoy the episode and leave comments with any questions you have for the guests or people you'd love to see on future episodes! Follow Jack: https://www.instagram.com/_jackmcpherson/ Follow Bussin' With The Boys: https://www.instagram.com/bussinwtb/ As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

The Platform 023: Tac-Resist, Life After The NFL, Finding New Passions, New Opportunities

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 27 Dec 2023 22:42:00 +0000

On episode twenty-three of The Platform Podcast I sit down with former NFL linebacker, creator of Tac-Resist, Ukeme "Leeway" Eligwe! Leeway is originally from Stone Mountain, Georgia where he attended high school and became one of the most highly recruited linebackers in the nation. He was offered a scholarship to attend Florida State and that's just the beginning of his story. From winning a National Championship to being let go from the team he never stopped working toward his goal of making it to the NFL and was eventually drafted in 2017 to the Kansas City Chiefs. We cover plenty of topics throughout the episode ranging from his career in the NFL, his interests during that time and how has life has changed since then. He developed a passion for firearms growing up and it expanded in the league and more-so after. He even created a product, called Tac-Resist, that helps enhance a shooter's performance through resistance training. Enjoy the episode and leave comments with any questions you have for the guests or people you'd love to see on future episodes! Follow Leeway: https://www.instagram.com/leewayboomin Follow Tac-Resist: https://www.tacresist.com As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

The Platform 022: Changing Country Music, Writing For Other Artists, Giving Up Songs, Music Saves Lives, Upcoming Albums

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 14:00:00 +0000

On episode twenty-two of The Platform Podcast I sit down with the rising country music artist, Brady Riley! Brady is originally from Winnie, Texas and now resides in Nashville where he's been grinding away trying to make his name in the music industry. From recent releases of his like Oil and Water, Pour Decisions and the popular song about his hometown called Welcome to Chambers County, he's been making noise and hopes to make more with two upcoming projects in 2024. We covered plenty of topics over the hour we sat down together including the current landscape of country music, how he hopes to break some of the stereotypes within the genre, the upcoming projects he's working on, his inspirations, who he wants to work with and more. Follow Brady: https://www.instagram.com/bradyallenriley/ As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

The Platform 021: Flipping the Switch, Mental Preparation, Cutting Bedard, Life Outside the Rink

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 12:00:00 +0000

On episode twenty-one of The Platform Podcast I sit down with a long time friend, defensemen for the Nashville Predators, Alex Carrier. We talk about what it was like for him growing up in Montreal and how in Canada, hockey is what you do. At the young age of 15, barely knowing any English, he was shipped off to live with a host family and start pursuing his career. After being drafted by the Predators, he spent his first few years playing in the AHL for the Milwaukee Admirals. The time he spent with the team was a learning experience he will forever cherish. During his third year in the minors, he received a phone call that changed his outlook on hockey and made him flip a switch that ultimately pushed him to the next level. Last season, he dealt with multiple unfortunate injuries while in the midst of a contract year. The mental toll the league takes on a player led him to seek out help from a sports psychiatrist that changed his outlook for the better. Even at the young age of 27 with a lot of career left, we discussed how he plans for life after hockey. How he brands and markets himself now and organizations he wants to work with in the future. Alex has to start one, bench one and cut one. After that, he creates his dream NHL lineup. For the first time in 9 years, he has his fiancé, Ali, by his side for the season. We talk about their upcoming wedding and what it means to have her there in person to support him this season. Alex drops a gem for all the DJs out there and answers a few rapid fire questions before signing off. Follow Alex: https://www.instagram.com/alex.carrier/ As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

The Platform 020: Tour Life, After Parties, Drinking on the Job, Life Outside of DJing, Doing It All

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 6 Dec 2023 13:52:03 +0000

On episode twenty of The Platform Podcast I sit down with my first return guests, Dirty Darren and Jevity! Two very close friends who appeared on my first and second episodes come back as a duo to discuss how things have changed in the last nine months. We got into what life is like on the road touring with a country star, the proper way to create value for yourself and obtain bookings on the road, drinking on the job, life outside of DJing and how in the current DJ landscape you really have to be able to do it all. First off, if you haven't watched the first episodes with either guest, go back and watch them now. Check out the quality difference of the show and leave some comments with what you think of the changes! If you missed the first two, Jevity is the tour DJ for country super-star, Kane Brown. He talks about the tour life, what it's like being away from his family for long periods at a time and how he's able to learn from like-minded tour members while he's on the road. Being in Nashville you never know who is going to show up to a gig and what opportunities could come from any set. Being on your game and playing 100% at every set could lead to a tour opportunity you never thought you'd get. Being an artists DJ can lead to opportunities for after show bookings but how do you go about obtaining those gigs? Jevity and Darren give their opinions and lay out some options that might help other DJs. Darren offers up some free game on how to handle birthday shout outs and song requests. DJing has to be one of the only jobs in the world where drinking on the job is not only accepted, but often encouraged. The trouble that comes with that is riding the line between drinking to entertain and going overboard where it hinders your performance. Are you familiar with double bubble, triple bubble/triple cripple? DJs now really have to do it all, you can't "just be a DJ." The boys and I give our thoughts on how promoting, producing, marketing and branding yourself and even having skills outside of DJing like learning graphic design all help your gain value as a DJ. What's your worst DJ habit? Follow Darren and Jevity on their socials below: Dirty Darren: https://www.instagram.com/djdirtydarren/ Jevity: https://www.instagram.com/dj.jevity/ As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

The Platform 019: Wisconsin Badgers Hall of Fame, Giving Back to Current Athletes, Life After Sports

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 12:54:08 +0000

On episode nineteen of The Platform Podcast I sit down with one of my favorite people, Wisconsin Badgers Hall of Fame tight end and New York Giants Super Bowl Champion, Travis Beckum. Travis and I are best friends and former roommates but now that I live in Nashville, I see him a lot less. Being able to catch up with him over the weekend in Madison, enjoy some games and see what he's doing now at the university was special. I asked Travis about his decision process when it came to picking a school, and how he ultimately ended up staying home to play for Wisconsin. Going from a super star in high school to not playing much his first year with the team. What that was like and how he transitioned from the defensive side of the ball, to the offensive side where he could make more of an impact. Now back working with the university where he played, he discusses his current role and how he's able to offer his insight to current student athletes. How important it is to set yourself up for life after sports and how being tunnel visioned can affect that drastically for most athletes. Building a brand as a player and using to market yourself on and off the field. Being drafted to an NFL team, playing for the Giants, winning a Super Bowl and the struggles with injuries throughout his career. The constant battle to try and keep his body healthy. DJ life, how music became an outlet after football. Being praised for making big hits, without realizing the damage you can be causing to another human. Follow Travis on his socials: https://www.instagram.com/travisbeckum/ As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke.

The Platform Podcast 018: Dating Your Best Friend's Sister, Beating Cancer, Rec Leagues & Fantasy

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 22 Nov 2023 15:04:26 +0000

On episode eighteen of The Platform Podcast I sit down with one of my best friend's, Josh Ryan. I've known Josh for a long time now since his days of bartending at one of Milwaukee's most popular bars, The Loaded Slate. Aside from being his best friend, he's also my girlfriend's brother... We backtrack to when Mattie and I first started dating and Josh gives his version of what went down. Rec league superstar! Josh stays young playing sports all the time, something that we all make jokes about constantly. Between hockey, softball, volleyball and kickball...he's racking up the rec league championships. After being diagnosed with testicular cancer, Josh was able to beat it and is doing great. How he found out that Sunday years ago and the "bumpy road" he took to beat it. The nightlife scene in Milwaukee is very close and Josh was very well known in the city bartending at one of the hot spots. After finding out he was diagnosed with cancer, the entire service industry came out to support and raised over $10,000. Milwaukee wasn't great to Josh when he first moved here. From getting locked out of his apartment to his encounter with a homeless woman, he almost moved right back to Chicago. Josh belongs to one of the wildest fantasy football leagues I've ever seen with punishment's that involve tattoos, bus trips alone across the country, having to do stand up comedy and more. Follow Josh on his socials: https://www.instagram.com/josh_ryan21/ As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke.

The Platform Podcast 017: Creating Something Sexy, Using Content to Build Your Brand, Client Trust

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 20:32:21 +0000

On episode seventeen of The Platform Podcast I sit down with two of Nashville’s most popular nightlife content creators, Ryan and Patrick from Winning Productions. Ryan started this company a couple years ago and in that short amount of time has been able to organically build his brand and client portfolio working with companies like Barstool and some of the best athletes in the world like George Kittle. In what is now a social media and content driven world, we talk about how important it is to have the “sexiest” looking content to represent yourself or your brand. Have creative freedom and trust from the clients that they work with is very important to them both but that’s something they had to work hard to gain from everyone they’ve worked with in the past, present and will work with in the future. People often see the work in the moment, the shots in the nightclub, following out the bottle girls or working with athletes and may think it’s not that hard…what they don’t see if the hours of editing that goes on behind closed doors. Sifting thru hours of video to put it all together in one amazing minute long clip. Using your name and social media outlets to further build your brand, your connection with followers and bring in business! How important it is to utilize all your tools and if you aren’t doing that, you’re actually losing money. Working as a team! Knowing what each others strengths are and not being afraid to use each other to create the best final product they can for their clients. Connect with Ryan, Patrick and Winning Productions on their socials! Ryan https://www.instagram.com/ryanwinn44/ Patrick https://www.instagram.com/maciel.p.h/ Winning Productions IG: https://www.instagram.com/winningproductionsusa/ Web: https://www.winningproductionsusa.com As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke.

The Platform Podcast 016: Supporting Local Artists, Audio Engineers, Nashville's Whiskey Jam, Work First

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 8 Nov 2023 11:55:00 +0000

On episode sixteen of The Platform Podcast I sit down with my first audio engineer or the show, James Myrick. James has been in Nashville for a couple years and has already made a name for himself honing in his skills as an audio engineer at his favorite place in Nashville, Whiskey Row. One thing I had to get use to in Nashville was basically always having sound engineers on site. In Milwaukee and Chicago I always hooked stuff up myself for the most part so having experienced professionals is really a game changer that can determine the success of a night. James and I break down Whiskey Jam and their move from Midtown to Broadway. We talk about supporting local acts that play at events like Whiskey Jam, and how important it is to show support for friends that could be the next big star. I feel like every time I walk in to Whiskey Row, James is working. We talk about being driven to work to the point that it takes away time from friends and family. Connect with James on his socials! IG: https://www.instagram.com/jamesmyrickaudio As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke.

The Platform 015 | Record Pool Subscriptions, Venue Vibes, Playing Hesitant

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 1 Nov 2023 18:05:56 +0000

On episode fifteen of The Platform Podcast I sit down with two roommates, Nashville resident DJs Recess and Mojo. These two not only share a passion for music but also share a roof. You can tell they live together throughout the episode as they get into a little back and forth throughout. We discuss the thriving music scene in Nashville, a city known for talented artists and musicians. How much is too much to spend on record pools? Investing t in DJ record pools and subscriptions is a must to improve your sets, Mojo talks about how he spends $250 a month to find the best tracks and stay at the forefront of musical trends. The importance of venues having top-notch equipment, from lights, CO2, fog machines and LED walls that help contribute to creating an atmosphere that the crowd can enjoy more. I bring up playing hesitant as a DJ and how being comfortable at a venue allows you to play better. Rapid Fire! What is the most important attribute of a DJ? Connect with our guests on their socials! Recess: https://www.instagram.com/justrecess/ Mojo: https://www.instagram.com/themojodah/ As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke.

The Platform Podcast E014 | No More DJing, Breaking News, Money vs Experience, Agencies or Yourself

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 13:00:00 +0000

On episode Fourteen of The Platform Podcast, I have the pleasure of sitting down with two lifelong friends, Strategy and Cutswell. Originally from Chicago, Strategy recently made a move to Houston, a decision that was made three years ago at the beginning of COVID. Now, as he heads back to the Windy City, he's invited along one of his close friends, Cutswell, who calls Scottsdale, Arizona home. Together, they're taking a cross-country journey, with pit stops at some of their new favorite spots along the way. We kick things off with a recap of their travels, from the popular streets of Houston to the unforgettable experiences they had in New Orleans. Strategy dives into some exciting life changes he's planning and shares some breaking news! Cutswell gives his thoughts on the value of not just taking gigs for the money, but also for the experiences they can offer and the potential to build a larger network. Given their different approaches to representation, one with an agent and the other without, we talk pros and cons of both paths and how they each made their decisions. Strategy offers up some secret sauce on how he provides value for venues and gets them to open their wallets a little more in the process. Cutswell asks how I am liking Nashville, talks about how the talent here sets itself apart from other cities and what the agency scene is like here. Connect with our guests on their socials! Strategy IG: https://www.instagram.com/partywithstrategy__/ Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/partywithstrategy Patreon: Patreon.com/partywithstrategy Cutswell IG: https://www.instagram.com/cutswellaz/ As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke.

The Platform Podcast E013 | Just a Dude, Value of Booking Agencies, Turning Down Gigs That Don't Fit

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 22:07:08 +0000

On episode thirteen of The Platform Podcast, I sit down with a bunch of dudes who reside right here in Nashville! Travis is the only non-DJ in the group today but has been around the block overseeing establishments in Washington, D.C. and now here in Nashville. He runs his own podcast called, "Just a Dude" and we did a little collaboration with both our shows! Joining us are some DJs from the Nashville scene including, Houndstooth, Rod Youree and Moose! With multiple DJs and Travis' management background, we talk about the industry in Nashville and ways we think it differs from other cities we've all traveled to or lived in and how we think it could improve. Nashville is an incredible city when it comes to entertainment, but it's much different than others when it comes to booking entertainment. With so many venues needing entertainment every day, quality control isn't the easiest thing to do. Some agencies aren't even based out of Nashville, yet they still do the booking for venues without even knowing the talent or hearing them. We got on the topic of taking gigs for the clout even when you know you aren't necessarily the best fit for the gig. We talk about how not all DJs are fortunate enough to turn down gigs although it may be the better option. We discuss DJs playing for themselves vs playing for the crowd. The line you have to walk between playing music that like and enjoy vs what the consumers spending money want to hear. On top of that we get into a whole bunch more, tune in and find out! Don't forget to subscribe to my Patreon, which you can try for free for a week, to see the full set lists from every show on The Platform Mix as well as every guests top tracks of the week. Follow the guests on their socials! Just a Dude https://www.instagram.com/justadudeofficial/ Houndstooth https://www.instagram.com/djhoundstooth/ Rod Youree https://www.instagram.com/djrodyouree/ Moose https://www.instagram.com/moose.audio/ As always, thank you so much for supporting the show. Watch new episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube or listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Subscribe to The Platform Mix to listen to hour long DJ mixes every Monday on Apple Podcast, Mixcloud or SoundCloud. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Tik Tok for all the best moments from the show @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Follow me, @DJDexMKE on all socials. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke Download my top tracks of the week by subscribing to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

The Platform Podcast E012 | Social Media Authenticity, Content Creation, Making New Music

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 11:00:00 +0000

On episode twelve of The Platform Podcast, I sit down with a phenomenal producer and DJ, Landis! Landis and I have known each other for a few years and finally got to sit down and talk about his journey in the music industry. He's grown as a producer and DJ and even started his own record label, "Fresh Squeeze." On top of that he co-founded Wired Sound Academy with DJ Crespo where they pass along their DJ and production knowledge to others. I asked Landis about social media and how big a part that plays in the current landscape of music. Content creation isn't easy but it's 100% needed in the industry. Landis talks about how he creates content for himself and what works for others. We even discuss if we think every artist is their authentic self or if they play a character on social media to fit their brand. Being signed to a major label like Don Diablo's "Hexagon" is a huge deal. He talks about the opportunities he's gotten since being signed and the resources he has access to as well. Don't forget to subscribe to my Patreon, which you can try for free for a week, to see the full set lists from every show on The Platform Mix as well as every guests top tracks of the week. Follow Landis, his label and Academy on Instagram! Landis: https://www.instagram.com/landisofficial/ Fresh Squeeze: https://www.instagram.com/freshsqueezehq/ Wired Sound Academy: https://www.instagram.com/wiredsoundacademy_/ As always, thank you so much for supporting the show. Watch new episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube or listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Subscribe to The Platform Mix to listen to hour long DJ mixes every Monday on Apple Podcast, Mixcloud or SoundCloud. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Tik Tok for all the best moments from the show @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Follow me, @DJDexMKE on all socials. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke Download my top tracks of the week by subscribing to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

The Platform Podcast E011 | Producer Life vs DJ Life, Aggressive Requests, Nashville vs the World

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 6 Sep 2023 21:47:03 +0000

On episode eleven of The Platform Podcast, I sit down with multiple guests at once, OMGPRKR and MGR Mike! Matt and Mike have become very close friends over the years aligning their common interests in both DJing and producing music. Although they’ve had completely different journeys along the way, they both ultimately made the jump to pursuit music as a full time job. With both of them recently putting out new originals (At The Disco by MGR Mike, and All Day by OMGPRKR), they get into what it takes to push new music and how to do it the RIGHT WAY. Nashville has plenty of talented artists and going outside of your typical crowd can give you insight into new ways of writing, producing and more. Matt talks about working with Brady Riley and connecting with a world of artists he otherwise never would’ve seen himself crossing paths with. He also teases a new track they’re working on and it sounds like a hit! As a DJ there’s a never ending discussion on requests. We dive into it yet again, as well as discuss how important it is to introduce the crowd to new music. Matt and Mike tell their stories about past experiences they’ve dealt with regarding racist management/ownership. Sadly, I think it’s something that most DJs will have similar experiences with. Nashville DJs vs other cities, I explain why I think Nashville’s nightlife actually hurts the DJs as opposed to other cities where it makes them adapt to more difficult situations with the crowd. The never ending battle between balancing your life as a DJ and your life as a producer. Matt and Mike talk about their week to week schedule and how they find the time and motivation to work on music as a DJ and an artist. Always playing with 100% effort. Not every gig is in front of a packed crowd, but you never know who is going to be there to listen to you play. Mike reflects on an opportunity he may have missed out on due to having an off night. Follow our two guests for today's show on their socials OMGPRKR: https://www.instagram.com/omgprkr/ Manager Mike: https://www.instagram.com/mgr.mike/ As always, thank you so much for supporting the show. Watch new episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube or listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Subscribe to The Platform Mix to listen to hour long DJ mixes every Monday on Apple Podcast, Mixcloud or SoundCloud. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Tik Tok for all the best moments from the show @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Follow me, @DJDexMKE on all socials. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke Download my top tracks of the week by subscribing to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

The Platform Podcast E010 | Setting The Bar For Nashville Nightlife, Winging It, Creative Marketing

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 30 Aug 2023 11:00:00 +0000

On episode ten of The Platform Podcast, I sit down with the GM of the brand new Barstool Nashville, Iga! She packed up and moved to Nashville just a few years ago without ever being to the city once or seeing what it had to offer. It's safe to say, she's doing more than alright now. Previously working with Tao Group in New York, she transitioned into a role at Nashville's Twelve Thirty Club and even worked a 9-5 before taking a position to open Barstool just a few months ago on June 23rd, 2023. Opening a bar with ZERO staff training. How not only trusting your staff, but having the trust from ownership made everything easy. Being a female in the nightlife industry with a management role isn't easy and Iga speaks on her experience so far and how she strives to be better to prove people wrong. Since opening, they've been able to keep the party going even while being off of Broadway. We talk about negative comments, the marketing that goes into the bar and the thought process behind having bands, DJs and throwing events that the city has never seen. Creative marketing brings a unique twist to nightlife that helps her staff be more involved while also giving them a major boost when promoting on social media. Iga Socials: https://www.instagram.com/iga.obrycka/ As always, thank you so much for supporting the show. Watch new episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube and listen to new mix shows every Monday on Apple Podcast, Mixcloud or SoundCloud. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Tik Tok for all the best moments from the show @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Follow me, @DJDexMKE on all socials. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke Follow our guest for today's show on her socials @iga.obrycka https://www.instagram.com/iga.obrycka/ Download my top tracks of the week by subscribing to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

The Platform Podcast 009: FOMO, Brands That Fit, Communication Being Key, One Library To Steal

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 23 Aug 2023 11:00:00 +0000

On episode nine of The Platform Podcast, I sit down with the Nashville DJ, producer and business owner, Cisco. From being a college athlete to having a job in finance before transitioning to the music world, Cisco has experience in many fields and a network that has been built up throughout the years. What was once just a COVID project now turned into a career. FOMO Ent., the perfect name for a full service entertainment company. Throwing events takes preparation and finding the right partners is a major factor in being successful. Keeping a positive outlook on life, both business wise and personal. Not viewing other companies as competition and instead working WITH them. Rapid fire questions like, "If you could have one DJs entire library, who would it be?" Cisco Socials: https://solo.to/cisco9 As always, thank you so much for supporting the show. Watch new episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube and listen to new mix shows every Monday on Apple Podcast, Mixcloud or SoundCloud. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Tik Tok for all the best moments from the show @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Follow me, @DJDexMKE on all socials. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke Follow our guest for today's show on his socials @Cisco9_ https://www.instagram.com/cisco9_/ Download my top tracks of the week and see Cisco's top tracks by subscribing to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

The Platform Podcast 008: My Favorite DJ Agency, Getting Lucky, The Secret To Continued Success

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 11:00:00 +0000

On episode eight of The Platform Podcast, I sit down with one of the most talented DJs in the world, Konflikt. Konflikt is fresh off his appearance on The ROAD Podcast and took the time to sit down with me and talk about his experience in the industry, his new business venture and more. Konflikt talks about how "Luck" got him to where he is today and recalls a specific moment where he thinks his career took off. With the current state in music he gives some insight on how he currently prepares for his sets and why he has changed his methods. When you're traveling non-stop for years, a burnout would seem inevitable. Konflikt details his past experiences and how he avoids burnouts. We obviously had to talk about his brand new business venture, My Favorite DJ Agency. Konflikt explains why he needed to create this company and quickly the roster filled up. Enjoy this episode and be sure to follow our guest, Konflikt, and check out his brand new agency, My Favorite DJ Agency. My Favorite DJ Agency https://www.myfavoritedj.agency https://www.instagram.com/MyFavoriteDJAgency As always, thank you so much for supporting the show. Watch new episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube and listen to new mix shows every Monday on Apple Podcast, Mixcloud or SoundCloud. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Tik Tok for all the best moments from the show @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Follow me @DJDexMKE on all socials. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke Follow our guest for today's show on his socials @MyFavoriteDJ https://www.instagram.com/myfavoritedj/ Download my top tracks of the week and see what the guest are listening too by subscribing to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

The Platform Podcast 007: From Addict To Entrepreneur, Support Saving Lives, After Dark, Nashville Taking Over

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 9 Aug 2023 11:00:00 +0000

On episode seven of The Platform Podcast, I got to hear one of the wildest, most inspiring stories I've heard so far. Nesh, a DJ and co-owner of After Dark Entertainment, joined the show to talk about his journey through life with an addiction to drugs and alcohol, running a successful company and being a DJ. From being addicted to drugs and alcohol at a young age to beating the addiction and being sober for the past six years, Nesh explains how the addiction was so bad it landed him in jail and how he believes he'd be dead if it weren't for the right support around him. Cleaning up. From Clean Boy Promotions to After Dark, event promotions have always been his thing. Now he's looking to take over Nashville and help build the city into an even bigger and better party destination. Building connections through events is what it's all about. Whether he's networking himself or introducing others, he's here for it. In an industry where he's surrounded by people who aren't sober, he still manages to be the life of the party while staying on track. As always, thank you so much for supporting the show. Watch new episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube and listen to new mix shows every Monday on Apple Podcast, Mixcloud or SoundCloud. Check out the show on Instagram, Twitter, and Tik Tok for all the best moments from the show @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Follow me @DJDexMKE on all socials. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke Follow Nesh @NeshWho on all socials. https://www.instagram.com/neshwho/ Follow After Dark and stop by their next party! @AfterDarkNash https://www.instagram.com/afterdarknash/ Download my top track picks of the week and see what Nesh is listening to by subscribing to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

The Platform Podcast 006: Calculated YOLO's, Balancing Your Work, Being "Underqualified"

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 11:00:00 +0000

On episode six of The Platform Podcast, I sit down with a jack of all trades, Xander! The New York native details how he went from working in corporate America, to moving to Nashville to pursuit his creative passions. Music has been engrained into xndr’s DNA since the start of his life with his mother being a music teacher. We address the difference in learning curves between DJs and how having a formal education has helped him learn quickly in the DJ world. Taking risks, or as xndr calls them, “Calculated YOLO’s.” Transitioning from music to nightlife photography and videography. How his experience in one correlates to the other and helps immensely when he’s shooting artists or events. Being “underqualified” doesn’t matter. Xndr tackles his approach to work and how opportunities can arise by putting yourself out there, even if you may not be qualified. Plus, the mistakes you make, end up making you better. I can’t stress enough how important a professional quality press kit is for an artist, yet so many don’t take the time to get it done. As always, thank you so much for supporting the show. Watch new episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube and listen to new mix shows every Monday on Apple Podcast, Mixcloud or SoundCloud. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Tik Tok for all the best moments from the show @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Follow your host @DJDexMKE on all socials. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke Follow our guest for today's show on his artist and photographer accounts @itsxndr.music and @xndr.flicks Artist: https://www.instagram.com/itsxndr.music/ Photography/Videography: https://www.instagram.com/xndr.flicks/ Download my top track picks of the week and see what the guest picks are by subscribing to our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

The Platform Podcast 005: Being True to Yourself, Discovering Your Brand, How to Make a Request

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Fri, 19 May 2023 16:00:00 +0000

On episode five of The Platform Podcast, I sit down with a Nashville resident, Diesel! From Hawaii to San Diego, Arizona to Nashville, Diesel talks about where he started and how he got to the place he is now in the industry. Paimon's episode was the longest until now, take a seat and enjoy! How do you build your brand? Is it a look, the style you play, your sound or your actions? We get into how Diesel found his identity as a DJ by staying true to himself. Don't accept low rates! Diesel gives his take on how every DJ should be pulling in at least $500 for a weekend set. We give the blueprint on how to properly request a track from a DJ and how to not get your phone thrown into the middle of a busy street. Diesel is a collector of DJ stories, so we ended the episode talking about some of the wildest things we've seen in nightlife. Let us know your stories in the comments. As always, thank you so much for supporting the show. Watch new episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube and listen to new mix shows every Monday on Apple Podcast, Mixcloud or SoundCloud. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Tik Tok for all the best moments from the show @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Follow your host @DJDexMKE on all socials. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke Follow our guest for today's show @DeeJayDiesel. https://www.instagram.com/deejaydiesel/ Check out his edits and remixes on Bandcamp and SoundCloud. https://linktr.ee/deejaydiesel Download our top track picks on the week by subscribing to our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

The Platform Podcast 004: Residencies That Fit Your Brand, Booking Locals vs Out of Town, TikTok

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Thu, 6 Apr 2023 22:39:12 +0000

On episode four of The Platform Podcast, I sit down with Iowa's DJ Paimon! From Iowa City to LA, Paimon's journey has brought him a wealth of knowledge in the music world. Our longest sit down yet and first virtual podcast, take a seat and enjoy! Paimon gets into TikTok, how he blew up on the app and how big it is within the music industry. He talks about his Iowa City residency at Bardot and how growing as a DJ makes him change his perspective when booking gigs. COVID and music! While he had downtime he learned plenty of instruments that he's now able to showcase on social media platforms. We also take a dive into how his ear for music changed during the pandemic. Booking locals vs out of town DJs in a smaller market can sometimes be a challenge. While I struggled with it in the past when managing a night club, Paimon gives his view on the situation and how it sometimes works but isn't always a perfect fit. As always, thank you so much for supporting the show. Watch new episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube and listen to new mix shows every Monday on Apple Podcast, Mixcloud or SoundCloud. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Tik Tok for all the best moments from the show @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Follow your host @DJDexMKE on all socials. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke Follow our guest for today's show @PaimonAlipour. https://www.instagram.com/paimonalipour/ Check him out on TikTok at https://www.tiktok.com/@paimonalipour Download our top track picks on the week by subscribing to our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

The Platform Podcast 003: Playing Festivals, Getting Boo'd Off Stage, Becoming More Than A DJ

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Wed, 15 Mar 2023 15:14:38 +0000

On episode three of The Platform Podcast, I sit down with Nashville's DJ Khaos. We talk about how he grew up around music and eventually turned to a career as a DJ. Playing with artists is something almost every DJ has a story about. Khaos tells us about his first time playing the Stache Bash with Juvenile and how he got boo'd off stage! With spring and summer around the corner, concerts and festivals are scheduled and Khaos shares his experience working with Breakaway as we talk about the stacked lineup they have for their shows this year. I dive into what I think is important in the DJ world and that's becoming more than a DJ. Learning how to produce, market and brand yourself is the only way you'll get to that next level. As always, thank you so much for supporting the show. Watch new episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube and listen to new mix shows every Monday on Apple Podcast, Mixcloud or SoundCloud. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Tik Tok for all the best moments from the show @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Follow your host @DJDexMKE on all socials. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke Follow our guest for today's show @WhoIsKhaos https://www.instagram.com/whoiskhaos/ Download our top track picks on the week by subscribing to our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke Picks of the Week: Khaos' Picks: 1. Sub Focus & Dimension - Ready To Fly 2. Delta Heavy- Heaven 3. Metro Boomin, 21 Savage, Young Nudy - Umbrella 4. RL Grime & NERO - Renegade 5. Diplo & Kai vs. ISOx & FrostTop - Revolution x Angels Landing (Netgate Edit) 6. Ray Volpe - Laserbeam (YOOKiE & Eliminate Remix) 7. Just Kiddin - Do You Know 8. KREAM - Numb

The Platform Podcast 002: Kane Brown's Official DJ, Tour Life, Country Music, Artist Riders

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Thu, 9 Mar 2023 19:11:09 +0000

On episode two of The Platform Podcast, I sit down with Kane Brown's official tour DJ, Jevity! We talk about how he got started in the industry finding out he is Kane Brown's brother, tour life and a whole lot more. Join us for the next hour as Jevity shares his story. Life moves fast, Jevity explains how he finally connected with his family after being separated their entire lives. The current state of country music in bars and nightclubs and how not EVERY country song needs a remix. Artist riders! We make our picks for the perfect show rider and talk about some of the most outlandish ones we've seen. From the United Center to Madison Square Garden, he tells us which spot on tour was his favorite and how he's preparing for their upcoming run. As always, thank you so much for supporting the show. Watch new episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube and listen to new mix shows every Monday on Apple Podcast, Mixcloud or SoundCloud. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Tik Tok for all the best moments from the show @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Follow your host @DJDexMKE on all socials. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke Follow our guest for today's show @dj.jevitymusic. https://www.instagram.com/dj.jevitymu... Check him out on tour with Kane Brown, starting March 16th! https://www.kanebrownmusic.com/home/ Download our top track picks on the week by subscribing to our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke Picks of the Week: Dex Picks: 1. PinkPantheress & Ice Spice - Boy's a liar Pt. 2 2. Village People - Y.M.C.A. - DJ GETDOWN REMIX 3. Eve (ft. Gwen Stefani) - Let Me Blow Ya Mind - Anthem Kingz Work My Body Edit 4. Ice Spice & Lil Tjay - Gangsta Boo 5. Ice Spice x Lil Tjay vs James Hype x Cheyenne Giles - Gangsta Boo x Ferrari (PeteDown Bootleg) 6. Where Have You Been (FAT TONY 2021 Remix) - Rihanna 7. Skrillex, Fred again.. & Flowdan vs Pickle vs Darude vs Freejak - Rumble In The Sandstorm (Smassh Toneplay Quick Mix) 8. Compton Av, Icewear Vezzo & Steelz - Feelin Good - DJ Bizzon Good Good Night Acap Intro Jevity's Picks: 1. Skrillex - Ratata 2. Lil Wayne - Kant Nobody 3. SZA - Shirt 4. Quix & Sofi - Drop Em 5. AYYBO - Bass Glide

The Platform 001: Moving to Nashville, Networking and Booking, Health in the Industry

djdexmke@gmail.com (Declan O'Connell) — Thu, 9 Mar 2023 19:08:54 +0000

On the first episode of The Platform Podcast, we sit down with Dirty Darren from Chicago! Darren and I talk about moving from the midwest to Nashville and how things are different from city to city. We also get into networking and booking in a brand new place. A DJ draft! We make our picks for a dream setup and venue to play at. Next, we get into the Nashville service industry nightlife and how we feel there is a lack of connection and sense of competition between venues. In case you're ever in Nashville, we get into our favorite places to go out and some amazing weekly events here in the city. We finally dig into some deeper topics like staying healthy within the often alcohol heavy industry. As always, thank you so much for supporting the show. Watch new episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube and listen to new mix shows every Monday on Apple Podcast, Mixcloud or SoundCloud. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Tik Tok for all the best moments from the show @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Follow your host @DJDexMKE on all socials. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke Follow our guest for today's show @DJDirtyDarren. https://www.instagram.com/djdirtydarren/ Download our top track picks on the week by subscribing to our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke Picks of the Week: Dex's Picks: 1. Miley Cyrus - Flowers (Joe Maz Remix) 2. Rihanna - Rude Boy (Klean Remix) 3. Soulja Boy vs. Showtek, GESES & LUSSO - Turn My Swag On (Angelo The Kid ‘Slow Down’ Edit) 4. Taylor Swift, Journey, Avicii - Believe The Anti-Hero (Deville Bootleg) 5. Dr. Dre - The Next Episode (STAVROS MARTINA & KEVIN D REMIX) 6. 50 Cent - 21 Questions (ANTHEM KINGZ MAKE ME FEEL EDIT) Dirty Darren's Picks: 1. Lil Uzi Vert - Just Wanna Rock 2. Fred again... - Billie (Loving Arms) 3. HUGEL, BLOND:ISH & Nfasis - Tra Tra 4. RUFUS DU SOL - On My Knees (Cassian Remix) 5. Daniel Blume - The Way I Love You