Industry Interviews

In this episode we sit down with Paul Song, the owner of Q Nightclub in Seattle and 45 East in Portland. Paul shares his fascinating journey from attending his first rave in the 1990s to building a nightclub empire that produces over 300 events annually across the Pacific Northwest.

Paul reveals how he acquired Q Nightclub in February 2025 and discusses his plans to revitalize the venue by returning it to its dance music roots after years of focusing on hip-hop. He offers insights into the challenges of nightclub ownership, including dealing with customer complaints and managing staff, while emphasizing the importance of building a reliable team.

The conversation explores Paul's background as a DJ performing under the name "sidestep" since 2000, how he met his wife at one of his shows, and how his company Red Cube got its name. Paul also compares the Seattle and Portland nightlife scenes, noting differences in drinking habits and market size.

Throughout the interview, Paul shares his business philosophy, his approach to working with other promoters, and his long-term vision of establishing sustainable venues that will provide for his family's future while preserving his legacy in the dance music community.

#NightlifeIndustry #DanceMusicCulture #ClubOwnership

In this episode, we sit down with Nathie Katzoff — the creative force behind Seattle’s Naf Revival/Naf Studios.

Nathie shares the story of how he and his team transformed his woodworking studio into a thriving warehouse venue that pays tribute to the iconic Naf Studios and its legendary role in both the rave and grunge scenes, while pushing Seattle’s warehouse culture into a bold new era.

Naf is back — bigger, better, and armed with upgraded production that delivers unforgettable experiences for music lovers across generations. Nathie opens up about the challenges of running a venue, his ambitious expansion plans (including a new rooftop space), and how his artistic vision landed him squarely in the heart of Seattle’s underground scene.

From world-class DJs to hip hop shows to Muay Thai fights — and who knows what else — Nathie and Naf are pushing the boundaries of what a warehouse can be. With innovative touches like health-focused sauna and yoga day parties, and a glowing pathway from South Seattle Community College's parking lot, discover how Naf is evolving while staying true to its roots.

👉 For event details and tickets, head to: nafrevival.com/events

#SeattleRaveScene #NAFStudios #WarehouseVenue

Follow us for more interviews with key players in Seattle's music scene!

In this episode, we sit down with one of Seattle's electronic music legends—Johnny Monsoon! This conversation is packed with mind-blowing stories from his 20+ year career.

From his early days spinning vinyl to holding down residencies at iconic Seattle venues like Last Supper Club and Foundation, Johnny has shared the decks with every heavyweight in the game. He even tells the wild story of getting just seven minutes’ notice to fill in for Above & Beyond at a New Year’s festival—no pressure, right? He also shares powerful insights on how he’s stayed passionate and creative without burning out.

If you’ve been part of the Seattle dance music scene at any point over the last two decades, you’ve definitely seen his name on flyers or got lost in the vibe during one of his unforgettable sets. Johnny gives us the inside scoop on working with USC Events, Insomniac, and drops exciting news about bringing back his legendary Sound of Trance podcast in 2025.

Whether you're a DJ, a longtime raver, or just curious about the history of Seattle's electronic music scene and it's future, this episode is gold.

Make sure to hit that subscribe button, drop a comment with your favorite Johnny Monsoon memory, and let us know who you want to see next on Seattle House Mafia's Industry Interviews!

#SeattleEDM #DJJohnnyMonsoon #ElectronicMusicHistory #trance #trancemusic #edm #edmfestivals

As a devoted father and husband with an impressive 25-year military career, Josh Jackson—aka Jaemus—is a powerhouse DJ and producer hailing from sunny San Diego.

With deep roots in underground hip-hop and drum & bass, Jaemus crafts a sound that is vibrant, funky, and deeply soulful. A true artist, he brings relentless drive, focus, and passion to dance music, aiming to leave a lasting mark on the culture.

Big things are ahead for Jaemus—don't miss out on his releases and performances!

#jaemus #djinterview #djtalk #seattle #housemusic

As we kick off Season 3 of Seattle House Mafia Industry Interviews, we’re thrilled to sit down with Sloane Cosens, aka Sloane Motion. Whether she's sharing the stage with international artists such as Dom Dolla, James Hype, Paul Oakenfold, Hannah Wants, and HoneyLuv, or lighting up Seattle’s most iconic venues like Monkey Loft, Chop Suey, Q Nightclub, The Showbox, and WAMU Theater, Sloane is a standout presence in our thriving music scene.

With her direct, humble, funny, and charismatic vibe, Sloane continues to push both herself and her sound to new heights. In this episode, we dive into her personal dj highlights, missteps, goals, industry politics, and more. Let’s go!

#dancemusic #housemusic #dj #producer #djinterview #seattlehousemafia

Part DJ/producer, part musician, part visual technician—and 100% artist. We sat down with Ian Phillips, aka Drawbird, to dive into the world of immersive and experimental dance music experiences.

From crafting intricate productions to designing mesmerizing visuals, Ian shares his creative process and approach to building a truly captivating journey for the senses. His energy is contagious, his passion undeniable, and his output prolific—constantly collaborating with a diverse range of talented artists and creatives.

#dancemusic #dj #producer #djinterview #visualart #visuals #seattlehousemafia

Darren Monroe, aka Pappa T, has been a pivotal figure in Seattle's House Music scene since the beginning. With a love for the vibrant sounds of West Coast House Music, Pappa has worked tirelessly to bring that energy to Seattle. From hosting a "who's who" of legendary House DJs to curating some of the city's most iconic House-centric events, his influence is undeniable.

As both a seasoned promoter and accomplished DJ, Pappa is known for creating unforgettable experiences. Whether collaborating to craft the perfect party or delivering a flawless soundtrack, his commitment and vision always shine through.

More than 30 years later, Pappa continues to inspire Seattle's Dance Music community—not just through music but by embracing life with vigor, enthusiasm, and purpose. Don’t miss this episode—it’s a celebration of music, community, and living life to the fullest. C'mon Seattle!

#housemusic #westcoasthouse #djinterview #djtalk #dj #seattlehousemafia

If you've been to a rave or underground event in the last 25 years, chances are you've crossed paths with Happy Hardcore phenom Annika Anderson (aka DJ Jimni Cricket). A true artist in every sense, we dive deep into her world—exploring her radio show, Twitch streams, hardcore sub-genres, trash collection, puppetry, and the complex politics of the music industry.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/cIdoR9NnIhs

#happyhardcore #djinterview #djtalk #dj #seattlehousemafia

It all began in 2018 with an unexpected phone call to collaborate from 5,000 miles away. Sen-Sei, an iconic keyboardist and producer deeply embedded in the West Coast House Music scene, reached out to Col Lawton, an ex-professional footballer, seasoned UK DJ, and radio show host who was early in his production journey. Fast forward to 2024, and their collective output has been nothing short of phenomenal, with over 50 tracks under their belt and consistently charting on both Beatport and Traxsource.

In this interview, Col and Sen-Sei share their origin stories, individual processes, and the collaborative dynamics that shape their unique sound. Be sure to stick around until the end to discover what lies ahead for them as solo artists and as a powerhouse production and performance duo.

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/HQAJjfSHaLA

#collawton #sensei #seattlehousemafia #housemusic #livekeyboard #djtalk #djinterview #producer

Christine Michelle was immersed in music from an early age. Raised by her mother, a professional pianist and composer, Christine played viola and sang in choirs before discovering Seattle's burgeoning rave scene in the '90s. Her passion for electronic music and dancing was crystallized at legendary events like Freak Night and Nocturnal Wonderland, and at iconic venues such as Vinylized, NFT, DV8, Noc Noc, and the Fenix Underground.

In the summer of 2022, Christine dove headfirst into DJing, and her reputation as a selector has quickly grown. Driven by a desire to unite the dance music community, she founded Elevated Frequencies in March 2023. By October, she was producing ethereal, bass-heavy tracks designed to transcend dance floors.

Whether collaborating on bespoke events, working on innovative music projects, or captivating crowds at Seattle's top night clubs, Christine’s rise has been both swift and impactful, with no end in sight.

Watch the interview on YouTube