Poducer

In this episode of Poducer, we sit down with Slot-A — a Chicago-based DJ, producer, curator, and community-builder whose journey bridges Detroit grit and Chicago soul. Known for his work with Jamila Woods, his Open Swim Chicago event series, and deep roots in the city’s underground, Slot-A embodies what it means to turn passion into longevity. From growing up in Ypsilanti, Michigan, to producing in New York and ultimately building a home in Chicago’s scene, he shares how faith, hustle, and self-awareness have guided his creative path.

Slot-A takes us through his musical beginnings—discovering Sony Acid and Fruity Loops, experimenting with beatmaking on early software, and landing sync placements on shows like Jersey Shore and Stomp the Yard. He reflects on his time interning in New York studios, learning from industry veterans, and realizing that DJing is just as much a sales game as it is an art form—about knowing your value, understanding your crowd, and building leverage through relationships.

We explore how he evolved from a bedroom producer to a full-fledged DJ, curator, and event programmer, and how each phase taught him the importance of networking, creating “randomness,” and turning luck into opportunity. Slot-A breaks down the differences between Chicago and New York as creative ecosystems, the philosophy behind Open Swim Chicago and Colors, and what it really takes to build sustainable music communities. Finally, he reflects on executive-producing Jamila Woods’ album “LEGACY! LEGACY!”, sharing how that project reshaped his understanding of collaboration, communication, and artistic integrity.

🎧 Follow Slot-A: https://www.slot-a.com

🎙️ Follow Poducer: linktr.ee/poducerpodcast

The Podcast for Producers

Chapters

00:00 Intro & name origin

02:30 PlayStation beatmaking & MTV Generator

05:00 DJing, events & Open Swim Chicago

08:00 Early production journey (Sony Acid → Fruity Loops)

11:00 First concerts: Prince, Missy Elliott, Alicia Keys, Ludacris

18:00 From Michigan to New York to Chicago

23:00 The Columbia College chapter

26:00 Detroit’s DIY scene & creative freedom

33:00 New York hustle, industry lessons & losing everything

39:00 Returning to Chicago & finding purpose

45:00 DJing as a sales gig — leverage, proof, & professionalism

51:00 Knowing your lane, your people, and your weapon

56:00 Networking, motion, & maintaining authenticity

1:03:00 The Chicago advantage — why the city takes care of its own

1:10:00 Executive producing Jamila Woods’ LEGACY! LEGACY!

1:30:00 The language of musicianship & learning collaboration

1:38:00 Reflections on creative faith, community & leadership

1:41:00 Closing thoughts, shout-outs, & where to find Slot-A

In this Poducer: Chicago Series episode, we sit down with Aria Pedraza, community archivist and founder of the Midwest Rave Culture Archive (MWRCA) — a living digital collection preserving the Midwest’s underground electronic music history. From growing up surrounded by DJs and renegade parties to scanning and cataloging decades of flyers, zines, cassette tapes, and VHS footage, Aria shares how the project began and why documenting rave culture matters now more than ever.

She opens up about the process of digitizing fragile materials, the ethics of archiving a misunderstood subculture, and how Chicago’s DIY spirit continues to shape the city’s dance music identity. Together, we explore the evolution of the Midwest rave scene — from illegal warehouse parties with 24-hour info lines to the influence of modern technology — and discuss how community-driven preservation keeps these stories alive for future generations.

Aria also reflects on her vision for exhibitions, collaborations with museums, and the future of the archive as both a cultural and academic resource. For anyone passionate about house, techno, and the roots of Midwest dance music, this episode captures the heart of a movement determined not to be forgotten.

🎧 Follow Aria Pedraza & MWRCA: https://mwrca.org

https://archive.org/details/@midwest_rave_culture_archive/uploads

🎙️ Follow Poducer: https://linktr.ee/poducerpodcast

The Podcast for Producers

Chapters:

00:00 Intro and welcome to Poducer

02:14 Aria’s career in aesthetics and how it connects to archiving

03:40 Preserving rave flyers, zines, and VHS footage

06:08 Her first rave experience and family’s role in the culture

10:38 How the Midwest rave scene spread across Chicago, Milwaukee, and beyond

14:39 Decoding rave flyers and what they tell us about the times

15:58 The era of illegal parties and 24-hour info lines

17:18 Designers, sound systems, and the artistry of early flyers

20:33 Archiving ethics: ownership, representation, and cultural preservation

27:37 Tech, scanning, and community-based preservation methods

42:49 Storage, humidity, and the science of keeping history alive

46:02 From analog to digital: when archiving meets art

50:40 Museums, installations, and building legitimacy for rave culture

52:48 House vs. rave: defining the difference in Chicago’s lineage

54:47 The philosophy behind early raves—DIY, defiance, and creativity

58:38 Why archiving matters and how memory keeps scenes alive

1:03:13 What survives: from marble inscriptions to digital decay

1:12:02 How sound evolved from jungle and acid to modern house and techno

1:14:49 The future of MWRCA and the importance of community input

1:20:40 Where to find the archive and how to get involved

In this Poducer: Chicago Series episode, we sit down with John Rynecki, a DJ, producer, event promoter, and educator whose mission is simple: bring abundance to the dance floor. From growing up across Panama, Puerto Rico, and Germany to finding his creative home in Chicago, John shares how his multicultural upbringing shaped his sound and his vision for a more collaborative, community-driven nightlife.

He talks about his early influences from salsa and Everything But the Girl to Craig David and Rusko at Congress Theater, and how those experiences evolved into his approach to DJing: sets that breathe, connect, and tell stories rather than chase drops. We explore how growing up abroad helped him view music as a universal language, and why he believes Chicago’s scene can thrive through openness and shared purpose rather than competition.

John also shares the story behind co-founding the Chicago Electronic Music Conference (CEMC), an event built to educate, connect, and inspire, and how it aims to elevate dance music to the same cultural status as jazz and blues. He reflects on the realities of leaving a stable tech career to pursue music full-time, the challenges of sustaining creativity in today’s economy, and what “success” really means as a modern artist.

From imagining a city-backed Chicago Electronic Music Week to breaking down how to market independent releases and use data-driven ads effectively, John offers grounded, actionable insights for artists carving their path.

🎧 Follow John Rynecki: https://linktr.ee/jryneckimusic?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaf2Dbmz2LTETyU2La0npSgj8Cz3oKyLkCfXR5XiUukwSdmkZrhecuL5ZAZaEA_aem_AwVhYoROjgZFE7nqWkJhqg

🎙️ Follow Poducer: https://linktr.ee/poducerpodcast

The Podcast for Producers

Chapters:

00:00 Intro and welcome to Poducer

01:34 First concerts: Shakira and Rusko at Congress Theater

06:04 Musical influences: Salsa, Everything But the Girl, Craig David

08:45 Early production talk: Reese bass and breakbeat love

12:32 Growing up abroad and third-culture identity

17:09 Chicago as home and finding purpose in house music

23:24 Founding CEMC and building a movement inspired by Amsterdam Dance Event

26:39 The city’s role in preserving house music

31:27 Mainstream vs progressive house and the art of storytelling sets

35:45 CEMC year one: Wins, lessons, and next steps

38:00 How to make dance music a respected art form

40:49 Money talk: The truth about art and survival

45:42 Defining success as an artist

51:33 The idea for a Chicago Electronic Music Week

55:15 Track break: “Sirena” (deep progressive and jazz-house blend)

1:03:27 Jazz-house culture and the future of day events

1:06:26 Smart marketing for independent artists

1:08:35 Most influential sets and final shout-outs

In this episode of Poducer, we sit down with Dr. Shannon Switzer, Doctor of Audiology at Sensaphonics, the Chicago based clinic trusted by touring artists around the world. Specializing in music industry hearing health, Dr. Switzer bridges the gap between science and sound, helping musicians protect the very tool that defines their craft.

From growing up in Vermont to studying audiology at Northwestern and joining Sensaphonics, she shares how her background in music led her to a career focused on preserving it. We dive into how hearing actually works, why the modern world has become dangerously loud, and how overexposure to sound quietly reshapes your ability to create and enjoy music.

Dr. Switzer breaks down everything from the physics of hearing and tinnitus to custom in ear protection, high fidelity earplugs, and the misconceptions that make musicians ignore hearing care until it’s too late. She also explains why properly fitted, filtered earplugs can improve how music sounds and how Sensaphonics helped pioneer custom in ear monitors for some of the biggest names in the industry.

From the science of the cochlea to the culture of live shows in Chicago, this episode bridges the worlds of music and medicine, showing why protecting your ears isn’t just about safety; it’s about preserving your art.

🎧 Follow Dr. Shannon Switzer: https://www.instagram.com/ears.by.shannon/?hl=en

🎙️ Follow Poducer: https://linktr.ee/poducerpodcast

The Podcast for Producers

Chapters:

00:00 Intro and welcome

00:36 Who she is and why hearing wellness matters

03:41 First concert, Vermont roots, and moving to Chicago

09:37 Path to audiology

15:16 Custom molds and Sensaphonics

16:27 How hearing works

26:33 Reading tests and the classic noise notch

32:13 Safe listening standards and in-ear monitors

35:36 Protect your ears: high-fidelity plugs and customs

43:27 Fan moments and client privacy

50:55 Inside a Sensaphonics appointment and finding the right audiologist

54:10 Sensaphonics origin and the in-house lab

1:00:18 Tinnitus overview, ear canal resonance, and measuring sound

1:06:44 Testing ears, education, and practical protection

1:18:13 Acoustic reflex and early signs of loss

1:24:39 Tinnitus deep dive, myths, and OAEs

1:34:37 Spreading hearing-health culture and why hearing matters

1:39:25 Why EDM is high risk and lifestyle factors

1:44:34 Headphones vs speakers, phone limiter, and dB Check

1:52:20 Tech today: hearing aids, cochlear implants, 3DME, and research

2:05:40 Venue rules in Europe and HELA certification

2:08:13 Most impactful concert

2:14:36 Shout-outs to teachers

2:19:32 How to book and socials

2:21:33 Wrap-up

2:22:46 Outro and CTA

In this collaboration episode of Poducer with NSW, we sit down with Detroit-based producer DÊTRE (pronounced “Detra”) an artist whose path runs from guitars and rap vocals to intricate bass design, blending grit, groove, and raw self-expression.

He grows weed by day (as an irrigation manager) to building bass-heavy tracks rooted in emotion and precision, DÊTRE opens up about his creative evolution, mental health, and the balance between passion and stability. We explore the meaning behind his name, how Vital and additive distortion shaped his sound, and why he sometimes records his own vocal hooks instead of relying on samples.

We dive into Detroit’s warehouse scene, Movement Festival, and the “homie fest” culture that keeps underground music alive. Along the way, DÊTRE shares unfiltered thoughts on panic attacks, moderation, and staying grounded while navigating the modern music industry from corporate festivals to small, community-built events.

📲 Follow DÊTRE: https://linktr.ee/detrebeats?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAacLYvf57T6mdjiybQWbGOWeEzhpKSANYlABzHC1JLo5hEjARFVH6P-MSWFIBQ_aem__Tf82tMrHP8JgfUHa6d9JA

🎙️ Follow Poducer: https://linktr.ee/poducerpodcast

Chapters:

00:00 Cold open (ZYNs, Electric Forest)

03:14 Intro & name—what “DÊTRE” means

03:38 Day job: growing weed (irrigation manager)

05:46 Panic attacks, Apple Watch chaos, and coping

10:41 Healthcare costs & hot takes

11:06 From trim tables to iPad-run grow ops

12:36 Michigan vs. Chicago weed reality

15:54 Moderation, mushrooms, and festival culture

19:23 Music without substances & set-night nerves

22:55 Icebreaker → first concert (Eminem/G-Unit)

24:47 Family roots, college crew, and starting to produce

30:51 Play: “10 Bands” (vocal hooks + identity)

36:13 Sound design: Vital, harmonic distortion, additive layers

38:18 “James Cameron,” Titanic jokes, and advisors from hell

40:14 DIY Detroit warehouse parties

42:46 Movement Festival & why it matters

49:16 Is bass music “up”? Pockets, Denver, and $18 drinks

55:36 Why small festivals slap (Infrasound energy)

57:02 Growth, money, and keeping your values

1:07:17 Ignore the negativity, build what you love

1:12:48 Play: “Quarter Hook” (quarter-note concept)

1:20:37 Play: “Wind” (Wubaholics)

1:23:55 Following the signs + choosing your people

1:29:29 Favorite live memory: ZHU at Burning Man

1:33:53 Shoutouts & where to find DÊTRE

In this episode of Poducer, we sit down with Chicago creatives Greg Corner — bassist, DJ, promoter, and co-founder of the legendary Darkwave Disco parties. From playing bass with Kill Hannah to booking breakout artists at JBTV, Greg has lived through multiple eras of Chicago music and helped shape the city’s underground into a global influence.

He shares the journey from sneaking into raves and punk shows to sharing stages with icons, why the “bloghouse” years created a blueprint for today’s DJ culture, and what it really takes to build a scene. We dive into his philosophy on curation, taste, and trust, plus the challenges of breaking artists in a city that often celebrates its own only after they’ve left.

Greg also gives his perspective on the future: how AI could flood dance music, why bands may be poised for a comeback, and why real fans — not algorithms — still decide which art lasts.

🎧 Follow Greg Corner: https://www.instagram.com/gregcorner

🎙️ Follow Poducer: https://linktr.ee/poducerpodcast

00:00 – Intro

01:22 – Darkwave Disco & Chicago’s Bloghouse Era

06:00 – From Metal to Electronic: Skrillex, Justice & Bass Culture

11:20 – Joining Kill Hannah & Blending Rock with Electronic Influences

22:31 – Life on a Major Label in the 2000s

28:20 – JBTV & Discovering Bands Before They Blew Up

36:43 – Why Music Became a Rich Kids’ Pastime

41:05 – AI, Dance Music, and the Future of Live Bands

46:16 – Culture Over Headliners: Throwing Parties in Chicago

48:46 – Daft Punk, French Touch & Chicago House Legacy

55:36 – Bands Writing Together vs. Bedroom Producers

1:12:32 – From Tracks to Songs: How EDM Went Mainstream

1:13:21 – DIY Culture vs. Capitalist Festivals

1:15:07 – Touring the World with Kill Hannah

1:20:22 – Behind the Scenes with Kesha’s Comeback

1:36:12 – Best Concert Ever: Rage Against the Machine at Metro

1:42:43 – Closing Thoughts & Shoutouts

In this episode of Poducer, we sit down with Zino B and Jimmy Bonks — producers, engineers, and co-founders of Channel Recording Company, a brand-new Chicago studio designed to feel like a living room while sounding world-class.

They share the story of transforming a raw warehouse into a fully treated space in Fort Knox Studios, complete with cedar diffusion walls, a 25×25 ft live room, and a glass-walled ISO booth big enough for a grand piano. We dive into their philosophy of hospitality-driven engineering, why “good sound should be the default,” and how creating a comfortable environment frees artists to focus on making their best music.

Beyond the technical build, Zino B and Jimmy reflect on their paths through the Chicago scene — from Joyride sessions with legends like Buddy Guy to Grammy-nominated projects, to building a community hub where artistry, collaboration, and care come first. They also tackle big topics like AI in music, the importance of “first listeners” in mastering, and how true fans sustain independent art.

📲 Follow Channel Recording Company: https://www.instagram.com/channelingcompany/

🎚️ Learn more & book sessions: https://channelrecordingcompany.com/

🎙️ Follow Poducer: https://linktr.ee/poducerpodcast

00:00 Intro — Channel opens to the public

03:15 From Joyride to Channel: credits, craft, and workflow

05:45 Designing for comfort: glass wall, open doors, quiet rooms

14:35 Building a studio (cedar, diffusion, floors)

23:50 What makes Channel different (hospitality + musicianship)

33:05 Chicago scene: world/jazz, Americana, blues lineage

45:20 AI & the “first listener” argument for human mastering

52:30 True fans, community, and sustainable careers

57:40 What’s next: projects, outreach, and how to book

In this episode of Poducer, recorded live at Summer’s End Smokeout in Republic, Michigan, we sit down with Porch (Nick Loporchio) — a multi-instrumentalist and producer whose journey bridges music, science, and spirit.

From his first spark of inspiration through Weird Al parodies to years of playing guitar, handbells, and powerlifting, Porch opens up about the pivotal injury that led him toward reggae, bass, and ultimately the Porch project. He shares stories from touring with his band Iya Terra (200+ shows a year across the U.S. and abroad) and how his sound evolved into a fusion of roots, funk, hip-hop, and heavy dub.

We dive into his scientific background in molecular biology, exploring how concepts like epigenetics and energy transfer connect to sound, and why he sees music as a kind of “potion.” Porch also reflects on the spiritual side of creation, from the unique frequencies of Joshua Tree to the vibrations we carry in everyday life.

📲 Follow Porch: https://www.instagram.com/porch.bass/

🎙️ Follow Poducer: https://linktr.ee/poducerpodcast

Chapters:

00:00 – First Concert & Weird Al Inspiration

01:20 – Musical Upbringing & Handbells

03:40 – Guitar, Bands & Powerlifting Years

07:00 – Injury, Recovery & Path Toward Production

10:20 – Discovering Reggae & Bass Culture

12:40 – Iya Terra, Touring & Live Shows

15:00 – Scientific Background & Epigenetics

18:20 – Music as Potion: Vibration & Healing

21:30 – Spiritual Insights from Joshua Tree

23:30 – Festivals, Cali Roots & Career Defining Moments

In this collaboration episode of Poducer with NSW, we sit down with UK producer HIJINX (formerly known as Mr. K) — an artist who’s evolved from heavyweight dubstep roots into a boundary-pushing sound that blends groove, texture, and raw energy.

From his beginnings in Essex and early raves at Brixton Academy to releasing on respected labels like 1985 Music, White Peach, and his own imprint Fortune, HIJINX opens up about the creative reinvention that’s carried him through two distinct eras of his career.

We dive into his transition from Mr. K to HIJINX, his shifting production style, and why he’s more interested in originality and groove than chasing trends. Along the way, he reflects on collaboration, the challenges of staying inspired in dubstep, and the crossover influences of metal, skate culture, and techno in his music.

HIJINX also shares candid thoughts on the music industry — from the realities of releasing on major labels to the freedom of running his own platform, and what true success looks like outside of metrics.

📲 Follow HIJINX: https://www.instagram.com/morehijinx/

🎙️ Follow Poducer: https://linktr.ee/poducerpodcast

In this episode of Poducer, recorded live at Summer’s End Smokeout in Republic, Michigan, we sit down with Hypho and CØNTRA — two forward-thinking artists bridging UK and US bass culture with a shared love for heavy sound design, collaboration, and community.

Hypho reflects on his roots in Manchester’s dubstep and MC scene, releasing on labels like Swamp81 before co-founding Manuka Records, while CØNTRA shares his path from classical violin and guitar to discovering rave culture in San Francisco and eventually settling in Denver’s thriving bass scene.

We dive into the vision behind Manuka, the freedom of running an independent label, and their upcoming plans — from no-phone club tours to festival highlights like Wicked Woods and Lost Lands. Along the way, Hypho and CØNTRA open up about influences ranging from UK drum & bass and 90s hip-hop to French downtempo, world bass, and reggae.

📲 Follow Hypho: https://www.instagram.com/hypho.mnk/

📲 Follow CØNTRA: https://www.instagram.com/contra.slaps/

🎙️ Follow Poducer: https://linktr.ee/poducerpodcast