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Read their advice and put it into practice.

Andrew Luce

Why Should You Listen: Andrew Luce has been wowing fans online since he was fifteen. After making a name for himself off of remixes, he moved on to crafting stunning original work that includes his debut EP BLANC. As the Co-Founder of Daruma he’s helped put on a multitude of artists and is consistently working to help develop new talent.

Advice: “When you’re getting started, learn the technical and musical basics first. Put genres, cool artwork and branding, and everything else aside until you learn those skills, because those are things you have to learn, not talent you’re born with. When you have your basics in order, think about what’s unique about yourself that you can translate into your music. Always have a clear vision – if you don’t, stop everything you’re doing and figure it out. When you have it figured out, work towards that vision every single day. And save as much money as you can.”

Anna Lunoe

Why You Should Listen: Anna Lunoe is the queen of electronic music. She’s a Producer, Singer, DJ, Radio Host and Label Owner. She was the first solo female to ever play EDC Las Vegas’ main stage and continues to break down gender barriers in the dance music space. With two massive brands (her own and Hyperhouse) and over ten years of grinding, she’s proof that hard work pays.

Advice: “Invest in your creativity and owning your work. Each person’s situation is different so it’s tricky to give blanket rules here, but I wish I had realized that no one is going to come along and make my project happen… and if they do, it might be at a bigger cost than it’s worth! If you have a body of work you are proud of, and you are in a position to make it work within your own resources, it’s possible now. A catchy song can spread like wildfire, and even the songs with the biggest budgets can go nowhere if they don’t react, so it really comes down to focused creative work, timing, and a little bit of luck! At this point, doing music is only for people who would do it even if no one was listening, because there are no guarantees! Anything and nothing is possible at all times and I mean that in the most encouraging way.”

Chad Kenney

Why You Should Listen: Chad Kenney is the Events Producer behind Brownies & Lemonade. The company went from throwing house parties to becoming one of the most well-respected brands in the industry. From small art gallery shows to curating stages for biggest festivals in the world including Ultra, their drive to consistently debut new talent is what helped them to carve out an ever expanding niche. Expect to see their name on events around the world and even more festivals. He is also the Co-Founder of Shifty Rhythms and is currently working with Fool’s Gold as an A&R Consultant if that wasn’t enough.

Advice: “I would say that anyone starting out in any creative field should have a rough business model or frame of reference that they can use to establish some consistency in their work. When you are an artist of any kind, having some semblance of structure allows you to harness that creativity and executive ideas better. Whether it be a release schedule, a list of goals you hit every week, or anything of that nature, you should enable yourself to do something day-to-day that adds to the foundation of your career.”

Craze

Why You Should Listen: Multiple DMC World titles, Co-Founder of Slow Roast Records and 20 years in the game makes Craze the definition of an OG. As half of 2 Cents he recently flipped the game on its head calling names and deading all the bullshit. Raw skills and knack for always being ahead of the curve have made Craze a certified legend.

Advice: “New artists should invest time in becoming good at whatever it is they wanna be doing.”

HXV

Why You Should Listen: Aside from helping to birth the trap movement with artists like Mayhem, Flosstradamus and a few others, HXV is always looking to push boundaries. He’s been a mainstay in the Atlanta music scene for years and is constantly reinventing himself without ever drifting too far from his core. Whether it’s on Twitter or in interviews, few artists drop more gems than HXV.

Advice: “I think one of the best investments new artists can make in their careers is to spend time researching art and artists across all spectrums. All genres of music, all mediums, really study art that is universally considered great. I realize all art is subjective but look at the classics or things that have stood the test of time – not just what is popular at the moment. Pick it apart and study what’s good or what’s bad about it. Taking that time to sit with and learn and then going on the journey of discovering your own voice in your art allows you to be able to stand on the shoulders of those who came before you. The internet has given us such an opportunity to obtain information – use it.”

Jadu Dala Team

Why You Should Listen: Jadu Dala is the future of labels in electronic music. No label has been as consistently pushing the boundaries while providing quality releases (weekly) like Jadu Dala. They find new talent before anyone else in the industry and are always working to help artists expand.

Advice: “There are a lot of important things that artists should invest their time into, with that being said, one of the most important things is the people around you. You want to surround yourself with positive and uplifting people. Making the right connections from the start will pay off in the long haul.”

Mayhem

Why You Should Listen: Mayhem has over 20 years in the game. From his DnB days, to pioneering trap and working to help evolve the genre, Mayhem is simply the man. He’s also the head of Skrong, a fresh label and management group. Anyone who runs a label and displays this kind of longevity as an artist is rich with wisdom.

Advice: “I think all artists new and old should invest as much energy as possible into creating works of art that have purpose. Creating a dope record sonically is far too easy with Cymatics, Vengeance,
Nexus and the likes at our disposal. Crafting a record that is larger than life comes from designing an environment that the listener can submerge themselves in. Utilizing video and cover art to convey the concept you’ve crafted in audio will be worth it’s weight in gold as we move forward into the era of infinite. At the core of it all is a concept that binds the purpose of the record to its visual counterpart. Find your purpose, take your time, and drop content that matches the blood, sweat and tears we pour into our music.”

Nick Catchdubs

Why You Should Listen: Producer, DJ, Music Writer, and Co-Founder of Fool’s Gold Records, Nick Catchdubs isn’t just in the industry, he is the industry. Building one of the most highly regarded independent labels in music doesn’t happen by chance. He can also speak from more perspectives than pretty much anyone out there, combining his broad experience into one extremely well-informed viewpoint.

Advice: “The most important thing an artist should be investing in – at any stage of their career – is the art itself. It’s very tempting to measure yourself against others, to look at a studio pic and say ‘if I get this piece of gear, I’ll make music like so and so.’ But it’s not about the gear, it’s the ideas that go into it. (Steven Soderbergh has an Oscar and makes his movies with an iPhone now, you know?) Learn your existing setup inside and out. MAKE THINGS constantly…if you’re always learning, each track will be better than the last. Put the work first, and everything else will fall into place.”

TroyBoi

Why You Should Listen: TroyBoi is the embodiment of independent success while staying true to ones art. His music is unapologetically weird and genre-defying. With an incredible debut album under his belt that boasted a feature from Ice Cube and multiple solo headlining tours around the world, it’s hard to not look up to the London producer. While many artists sell out at their first chance, Troy continues to remain committed to the art and somehow still find massive success.

Advice: “New artists should definitely invest time in working and perfecting their craft. Quality is always better than quantity. If you believe in yourself, investing money into your vision is key. At the end of the day, if you pull off what you intended, the reward and further opportunities are priceless.”

Stööki Sound

Why You Should Listen: Stööki Sound are UK trap legends who also helped define the genre. With millions of plays online, multiple world tours and collaborations with some of the biggest artists in the game, their reputation is well-established. Stööki Sound’s is ever expanding, adding influences from grime, world and experimental bass music while retaining the core elements that fans love. They always know how to keep things fresh without ever bending to keep up with trends.

Advice: “Invest time into your mental health. People underestimate the importance of having a strong foundation to work from. Everything moves so fast nowadays that it’s easy to lose yourself.”

YehMe2

Why You Should Listen: YehMe2 went from a party-rocking local DJ in Chicago to becoming half of one of the most iconic duos in dance music with Flosstradamus. But his success didn’t happen overnight, it took years. He also opted to leave Flosstradamus at its peak to explore his own solo pursuits and regain full creative control. He started from nothing and won the race. Now he’s on a victory lap. All that said, he still remains a humble family man who consistently impresses with every release.

Advice: “Save your money. Set up a SEP IRA. Be patient. It’s a marathon not a sprint. Take calculated risks. When you fail, fail BIG. Learn from your failures…that’s where all the best lessons are.”

Willy Joy

Why You Should Listen: As a DJ and Producer he’s played around the world and dropped tracks on the hottest labels out including Fool’s Gold, Mad Decent, TWONK and more. Finding a gap in the dance music scene, Willy Joy recently launched his Back To Back podcast, the first long form talk podcast for the dance community. With guests like Diplo, Keys N Krates, NGHTMRE, and Destructo, Willy is soaking up game every week and is truly doing it for the culture.

Advice: “Learning the craft has to be treated like a full-time job, and you have to show up for work every day. I think one of the most valuable things a new artist can do for their career is to exercise patience, try something new every day, and make hundreds of songs that no one will ever hear. A large investment in time early on will pay off huge down the road.”

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What made you decide to start a podcast? Was there a specific moment where it clicked and you said, “I have to do this?”

I love podcasts because you learn so much more about a person than you would from any other medium. When I listen to an artist I admire have a real conversation with someone they know & respect, it deepens my love and appreciation for their art. It’s another level of fandom. At the time everything I was listening to was from comedians, actors, rappers…but I kept wondering why no one was doing it for electronic music. I know a lot of the people in the industry and I know how many amazing stories are out there. It was something that I really wanted to hear. Eventually I decided that if no one else was stepping up, then I’d have to be the guy to make it happen.

Eventually I decided that if no one else was stepping up, then I’d have to be the guy to make it happen.

What lessons or tips have you’ve learned as an interviewer since starting the show?

Listening is an art. You’ll never connect with someone until you really, truly listen to them. When I’m able to shut everything else out and only focus on the person sitting across from me is when the best moments of the show happen. I still don’t think of myself as an interviewer to be honest. Most times the second I’m done recording an episode I’m just thinking about everything I could have done to make it better. I’ve also learned how concentrating on someone else instead of yourself can help your own artistic process. After I have a really good conversation with someone I can come back to my own music with new energy and inspiration. So I think shutting up and listening has made me a better artist too.

You’ve had an incredible cross section of guests so far. Are there any dream guests that you’re chasing?

There’s a million. Beyond famous people I try to think about people who really would have something to say. Sometimes I don’t know much about a guest’s background going into the recording and those moments of surprise can be really rewarding too. Off the top of my head, a few I think would be cool: Skrillex, Pasquale, Deadmau5…I want to bring rap producers into the conversation…some of the acts that influenced me as a kid like the Prodigy, Moby, Carl Cox, Armand Van Helden would be awesome…I could literally name a hundred people so I’ll just stop. All the big names killing it currently obviously too but that’s a boring answer.

Do you have a timeline in mind for Back To Back? (E.g. I want to get to X episodes) or are you just going to keep at it until it’s no longer fun?

Right now it’s on an infinite timeline. I feel like I’ve barely started, it’s way too early to think about stopping. I love doing it, and the awesome reaction from everyone so far just makes me want to keep going harder.

What’s the most meaningful or inspiring story someone has told on Back To Back?

There have been so many already. I was really touched when Diplo talked about how he fills up his days with work while he’s on tour because he misses his kids and would feel guilty if he was across the world just relaxing. Talking to Wolfgang Gartner about the relationship between drugs and making music and the brain was fascinating. I think hearing about the hard times and struggles we all face in the industry is often the most meaningful, because those are the trials we all go through but never talk about. When I recorded with Flosstradamus right after Josh left the group we spent a lot of time talking about the darker side of the business. It was really emotional but I think it was a therapy session for both of us.

You’ve mentioned your music has a bit of an escapist element to it. Do you think “the escape” is more important now than ever with the craziness going on in the world?

That’s a tough question, because escapism has become more important to me than ever. But at the same time, the more you want to escape the more important it is to balance that out by also engaging in the world and dealing with all the terrible stuff going on right now. If someone just tunes out entirely I have no problem saying they are probably a shitty person. Wax Motif and I actually talk about that idea in his episode of the podcast. I think we as people can have it both ways – we can come together at a show and create a special moment, an escape from everything – then in the morning, we can still wake up and stand up for what we believe in.

You’re not owed anything, and if you’re not being authentic to yourself it won’t work in the long run. The true successes in this business are the ones who come in with a new idea.

From producing to DJing and podcasting, you’re pretty deep in the industry. What advice do you have for people trying to break into the industry?

Slow down. Be patient. Do it with your friends. Be realistic about your skill level. If you’re not as good as the person who’s in the position you want, put in the work to get better. If you are as good as them, figure out how they got there and see what you can learn and incorporate from that. You’re not owed anything, and if you’re not being authentic to yourself it won’t work in the long run. The true successes in this business are the ones who come in with a new idea. Your biggest advantage is your unique experience and personality, figure out how to express that.

You’ve produced across a wide range of genres. What style or sound has you most excited at the moment?

I’m most excited about the fact that you don’t have to stick to one sound or one style anymore. It’s definitely a good time for heavy music and my new material that will start dropping in 2018 is trying to push those boundaries…but regardless of the style, I just try to make music that makes me feel like a kid again. As far as innovation and new ideas I think the biggest leaps are being made in rap music. There’s a new generation of rap happening right now that feels pure and raw and exciting.

Anyone whose intention is just to pump out bangers to stay hot is playing a losing game.

The music scene right now seems to be very fast food oriented. It’s here today and gone tomorrow. Do you want to try to create timeless music or is it best to just keep pumping out bangers to stay hot?

I mean would anyone not say “timeless music”? Haha. Anyone whose intention is just to pump out bangers to stay hot is playing a losing game.

You’re well known for your skills as a DJ. What are the key ingredients to Willy Joy set?

Key ingredients would be: adrenaline, sweat, sex, and joy (no pun intended). Playing a show is literally my favorite thing to do in the world and I try to make people feel the same way I do. Almost everything I play is my own edits or my own music. More and more of my sets are just becoming a pure reflection of my personality – if you really want to get to know me just come out to a show.

What would you like to see disappear for 2018?

Our president. Also people who walk too slow.

Listen to Back To Back on SoundCloud and iTunes.

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Twonkilation Vol.1 – Tracklist

1. Brillz, Jackal, Kstylis – Twerk Star
2. Hydraulix – Head Bang
3. Bro Safari, ETC!ETC!, UFO! – Badd
4. Barely Alive, Nonsens – Kaos
5. 2SCOOPS – SOCIO
6. DISKORD, JVST SAY YES – Be Alone
7. YOOKiE, Holly – Money Shotz
8. Wuki – Catch Ya Breath
9. Lil Texas – Hey Ho
10. Willy Joy – Get Down
11. Sam F – OSGD
12. Tascione – Run Away
13. Eliminate – Jump Kick
14. Masayoshi Iimori – Rubbish
15. Command Q – Choo Choo
16. Trav Piper – In This Bitch

Twonkilation – Vol. 1 Artwork

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