The Vinyl Underground

Host Tony Technique celebrates the Vinyl Underground Podcast’s one-year anniversary and welcomes Matt, Peter, and Patrick from Durham’s Party Illegal, organizers of Blends With Friends open decks. They trace Party Illegal’s origins at The Pinhook, beginning with plans in late 2012 and the first event on New Year’s Eve 2013, its four-year monthly run, and a shift in 2016 to less frequent one-off events featuring artists from outside the area. They explain how Blends With Friends began in 2021 during COVID, moved from Quarter Horse to The Pinhook in 2022, and expanded to Boom Club (formerly PS37) with regular nights. The guests discuss providing access to club gear, a welcoming space to learn and make mistakes, the Blender DJ contest pipeline to first paid gigs, community-driven equipment crowdfunding, and upcoming events including Wax Museum vinyl night at Stanchics, Mood Board at Boom Club with open decks, and Peter’s Arcana residency and new music as Bardo Bloom.

00:00 Welcome and Anniversary

01:18 Meet Party Illegal

02:19 Durham Scene Origins

03:07 Party Illegal History

05:07 Blends With Friends Begins

08:39 Open Decks Mission

11:35 The Blender Showcase

14:11 Community and Crew

15:58 Peter on Organic Growth

20:30 Open Decks Around Triangle

21:51 Mood Board Announcement

23:37 Beyond Genre Philosophy

28:15 Promoting Realities

33:11 Changing Nightlife Economics

34:27 Local Talent vs Headliners

35:30 Touring Costs and Legacy

37:54 Themed Raves Rise

38:38 Triangle Scene Visibility

39:55 Finding Events Today

43:54 From Musician to DJ

45:26 Arcana Monthly Residency

45:56 Blends and Party Illegal Origins

47:53 Low Barrier DJ Era

50:08 Crowdfunded Club Gear

54:37 Priority Nights Inclusion

56:43 Youth Workshops Garner

58:40 Upcoming Events Plugs

01:04:10 Final Shoutouts Wrap

Tony Technique and guest co-host DJ Halo welcome Durham’s Morning Choir crew (Joe/Wolf, Sean/Seance, and Selly) to discuss how the organization formed in 2019 out of earlier projects like Sugar Society and Cult Entertainment, inspired by rave-style community energy at The Fruit. They explain their mission to facilitate electronic music, the high costs and long lead times of producing events, and their careful artist-booking process using personal playlists, genre focus, market fit, streaming metrics, and agent relationships. The group outlines their marketing playbook, dedicated following, and email list, reflects on COVID’s impact, touring-artist riders, and frustrations with Live Nation/Ticketmaster and investor-driven entertainment. They share personal backgrounds in music and production, emphasize supporting local DJs through submissions, preview upcoming fall shows, tease a November headliner, and mention plans to produce events for other promoters.

00:00 Show Intro and Setup

01:03 Meet the Morning Choir

02:20 Origins and Mission

04:19 Triangle Scene Talk

07:36 Post-COVID Event Reality

08:49 Booking Strategy Breakdown

11:45 Marketing Playbook

14:14 COVID Launch Story

16:27 Riders and Weird Requests

18:10 Live Nation and Capitalism

23:59 Sean’s Artist Journey

26:44 Production Career and Content

28:44 How Booking Shapes Sound

29:22 Bookings Shape Taste

29:54 Producer vs DJ Identity

30:33 Joe’s Techno Origins

31:13 From Tragedy to Marketing

33:04 Facilitating Not Headlining

34:10 Local Slots and Set Times

36:28 DJing With a Message

38:50 360 Setup and Event Series

39:37 Staying Anonymous and Allure

40:36 Guest List and Pager Tangent

42:35 Fall Shows and Big Tease

44:47 Producing Events for Others

45:47 Garth Brooks Rabbit Hole

48:39 MJ Conspiracy Talk

50:26 Wrap Up and Subscribe

Tony Technique and Tim welcome veteran DJ, remixer, producer, turntablist, and label manager DJ Halo (Jeep Ward) to the Vinyl Underground Podcast. Halo recounts starting to DJ in 1997, upgrading to Technics 1200s, and surviving a life-changing incident at 22 when he was run over by two cars, with music becoming part of his rehab. He discusses early radio work in Arkansas where his hip-hop/R&B station surged in ratings before being sold, his roots in hip-hop through tapes like NWA and Public Enemy, and his approach to remixing and production in Ableton. Halo details touring and DJ runs, his time in Oakland, and current projects including an Ice-T release and label distribution challenges driven by AI-era legal scrutiny. He shares where to find his radio shows and offers advice for DJs to learn manual mixing.

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro

02:48 Halo Joins the Show

04:36 Origin Story and DJ Name

05:27 First Turntables and Gear Tips

07:43 Accident and Recovery

10:28 Radio Career in Arkansas

13:47 Early Hip Hop Influences

17:04 Remixes and Beatmaking Process

21:15 Ableton Setup and Workflow

23:04 Label Work and Legal Battles

27:25 AI Music and Spotify Concerns

30:14 Touring and Growing Up

34:12 NYC Connections and Breakthrough

35:06 Knitting Factory Crew

36:01 Learning to Mix

37:03 NYC Scene Memories

40:09 Touring and West Coast

42:19 Fake Four Records Era

44:18 Oakland First Fridays

45:59 Bay Life and Money

49:23 Hustle Mindset Origins

52:50 New Blue Records Update

56:44 London Yoga Meets Goldie

01:00:44 Ibiza DJ Conference

01:02:39 Where to Find Halo

01:04:42 Advice and Farewell

Join Tony Technique on the Vinyl Underground Podcast for the premiere episode of Intercity Sessions. In this episode, Tony sits down with Tommy Junior, a DJ from the DC area, to discuss the local DJ scene and how his RPG collective is making waves. Learn about Tommy's journey into the electronic music scene, the evolution of his DJ style, and the importance of community and underground venues. Get insights into DC’s vibrant nightlife, favorite venues, and the challenges and joys of hosting open decks for upcoming DJs. Don’t miss this in-depth conversation about the passion and dedication behind the DJ culture in the southeast.

00:00 Welcome to the Vinyl Underground Podcast

01:18 Introducing Tommy Junior from DC

02:20 The Open Deck Concept

04:07 Tommy Junior's Journey in the DC Music Scene

09:12 RPG Collective and Local DJ Collaborations

11:27 Exploring the DC and Southeast DJ Scene

18:39 The Vibrant Culture and Music of DC

21:14 Iconic Venues and Events in DC

27:55 Discovering Underground Music Scenes

33:18 Navigating the Music Scene

33:30 Challenges of Scheduling and Networking

34:14 Evolution of Music Venues

37:04 Rise of Alternative Party Scenes

37:35 Impact of Changing Drinking Habits

38:33 The Underground Scene's Resilience

40:44 Supporting New DJs

52:14 Exploring Different Music Styles

01:00:00 Closing Remarks and Future Plans

Welcome back, party people! In this episode of Vinyl Underground, hosts Tony Technique and Tim Pinner sit down with Sai (Syrn) and Liam from Somatic House Collective — a fast-rising force in the Triangle’s house music scene.

They discuss how the collective came together, their vision for inclusive dance-floor culture, the evolution of local nightlife in Raleigh–Durham, and the future of global DJ culture from Afro-house to AI music. Whether you’re a DJ, dancer, or electronic-music lover, this episode dives deep into community, creativity, and connection.

Subscribe for more local DJ spotlights and behind-the-scenes stories from the underground.
Follow Somatic House Collective on Instagram: @somatichousecollective

00:00 – Welcome back party people!
01:00 – Introducing Somatic House Collective
03:00 – How Liam & Sai met and started the collective
04:30 – Shared values, vision, and the mission behind Somatic House
06:00 – Shifting focus back to the dance floor
08:00 – Sai’s journey from Seattle to the Triangle & DJ influences
10:00 – Cultural roots and global sound inspirations
12:00 – Asian and global electronic scenes emerging
14:00 – Technology and the new wave of DJs
16:00 – Liam’s musical roots and discovering house
18:00 – The future of DJing and AI in music
19:00 – Reading the room and building your library
21:00 – Dancing as therapy & the joy of movement
24:00 – The lost art of the dance floor
27:00 – Raleigh–Durham nightlife & No Visa parties
29:00 – Breaking the four-on-the-floor pattern
31:00 – Afro-house rhythms and cultural fusion
33:00 – Upcoming Somatic House events & collaborations
36:00 – Growing the Triangle’s music scene together
39:00 – Late-night food, club culture, and creative communities
42:00 – Comparing Raleigh–Durham to Charlotte and beyond
45:00 – Opportunities for new DJs and building community
47:00 – Remembering the Subterranean parties
48:00 – Arc Festival in Chicago & house music inspiration
51:00 – After-parties, Smart Bar, and the energy of Chicago
53:00 – The future of Somatic House Collective

About Vinyl Underground
Vinyl Underground brings you the stories, struggles, and successes of DJs, producers, and creatives shaping the Triangle’s underground dance scene, where beats meet community.

• (00:00) - 007 Vinyl Underground - Somatic House Collective

In this episode of the Behind the Deck podcast, Tony Technique and Tim Piner welcome a special guest, Marshall Jones, an OG of the DJ scene. Marshall shares his fascinating journey into DJing, starting from his early exposure to music growing up in Durham, through his influential experiences in North Carolina, Orlando, and Chicago. He talks about significant events like the start of Sound Cartel, hosting iconic parties, and his involvement with Dance Gruv Radio. Marshall also offers valuable advice for new DJs and recounts memorable moments and venues that have shaped his illustrious career. Tune in for an inspiring conversation filled with history, insights, and passion for music.

00:00 Welcome and Introduction
00:37 Introducing Marshall Jones
02:52 Marshall's Early Influences
04:34 Discovering the Club Scene
10:16 Starting as a DJ
16:59 Moving to Orlando
34:03 Chicago: The Learning Ground
36:57 Influences and Mentors
38:33 The Birth of Sound Cartel
39:27 Building the Scene in Chapel Hill
41:37 Durham's Gritty Music Scene
48:04 The Rise of Dance Groove Radio
55:48 Wave Parties and Future Plans
01:04:23 The Importance of Community and Humility

🎧 Welcome to the Vinyl Underground Podcast – Where Beats Meet Community!

In this episode, hosts Tony Rivera (Tony Technique) and Tim Piner sit down with special guest Adam Graetz, aka thefacesblur, a multidisciplinary artist, DJ, and visual creator based in Durham, North Carolina.

Join us as Adam shares his journey from classical guitar to electronic music production, his deep roots in the North Carolina music and art scene, and the story behind his acclaimed Elemental EP. We dive into the evolution of Durham’s underground party culture, the importance of community, and Adam’s experiences working with major artists and festivals.

⏩ Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro & Welcome
02:24 – Meet Adam Graetz (facesblur)
03:11 – Adam’s Musical & Artistic Journey
06:11 – From Graffiti to DJing
10:59 – The Floor 919 & Durham’s Party Scene
17:58 – DJ Styles, Genres, and Live Sets
23:46 – Collaborations & Notable Performances
28:23 – The Elemental EP: Concept & Art
34:15 – Visual Art, VJing, and Working with Interpol & Snoop Dogg
44:10 – Building Community & Supporting New Talent
53:00 – Reflections on the NC Scene & Final Thoughts
1:05:41 – Where to Find Adam (facesblur) & Outro

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Credit for intro: 
Visuals: Visual Canopy
Music: Adam Graetz
Highlight Reel arrangement: Tony Technique
Show intro track: DJ Red Wild

VinylUnderground #Podcast #DurhamNC #ElectronicMusic #DJ #VisualArt #Community

Join us on the Vinyl on the Ground podcast for an engaging conversation with the team behind Kinetic Audio, Johan Yardan and Kat (a.k.a. Poetic Note). The duo shares their vision and the hard work needed to support Raleigh's burgeoning underground music scene. They discuss their dedication to curating unique and memorable events, the challenges of growing a scene in a relatively small market, and the importance of showcasing local talent. Highlights include Johan's passion for sound systems and technical expertise, Kat’s journey and influences, and upcoming events that promise to keep the underground alive and thriving in the Triangle area. Don't miss out on this insightful episode that will inspire any aspiring event organizers and music enthusiasts!

00:00 Welcome to the Vinyl Underground Podcast
02:15 The Underground Scene: Challenges and Growth
03:16 Late Night Party Realities
04:40 Memorable Parties and Influences
06:38 Building the Techno Community
22:51 The Importance of Sound Systems
34:30 Exploring Musical Styles and Influences
35:10 The Evolution of Techno and Ambient Sounds
36:16 Memorable Performances and Musical Influences
40:18 Building the Local Music Scene
42:00 The Importance of Community and Collaboration
44:21 Showcasing Local Talent and Events
01:02:27 Upcoming Events and Future Plans

• (00:00) - Welcome to the Vinyl Underground Podcast

In this episode of The Vinyl Underground Podcast, Tony and Tim welcome special guest DJ Brook Legends. The three dive deep into Brook’s impressive journey, starting from his roots in Newark, NJ, his professional track career, to becoming a notable figure in Raleigh’s house music scene. They discuss Brook's influence from hip-hop and Latin music, his experience in the underground party scene, and his transition to DJing after an athletic injury. Brook also shares insights into his production techniques, collaborations, and the Raleigh House Collective's impact on the local music scene during COVID-19. The episode highlights Brooke's dedication to creating unique sounds, promoting house music in Raleigh, and his upcoming music projects. Don't miss this engaging conversation packed with history, music passion, and future aspirations.

00:00 Welcome and Guest Introduction
01:35 Brook Legends' Background and Journey
03:53 Influences and Musical Roots
08:56 DJing and Production Insights
14:40 Performing and Live Sets
22:37 The Dance Scene and Community
30:30 Raleigh vs. Charlotte Music Scene
36:39 Revamping Fayetteville Street
37:02 Alchemy's Underground Scene
37:29 Exploring Wilmington's Music Scene
38:16 Groove Lab and Greensboro's Party Scene
39:06 Asheville's Artistic Vibe
41:15 European Adventures and Party Cities
47:29 Raleigh House Collective's Rise
49:40 COVID-Era Underground Parties
55:55 Future of Raleigh's Music Scene
01:02:31 Upcoming Tracks and Projects

Welcome to the Vinyl Underground Podcast: Behind the Deck Series! In this episode, hosts Tony Technique and Tim Pinner sit down with Lex Nell, an emerging musician, DJ, vocalist, and songwriter from the North Carolina electronic music scene. Lex shares her eclectic musical journey, from her beginnings in New York City's band life to her breakthrough in the Raleigh area. Discover how Lex seamlessly blends various genres, her influences, and her thoughts on the evolving electronic music scene. Lex also discusses her upcoming projects, local residencies, and the importance of community support. Tune in for an in-depth and inspiring conversation with one of the most versatile and passionate artists making waves today.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
01:31 Lex Nell's Musical Journey
08:28 Transition to DJing
11:25 Exploring Musical Styles and Influences
26:33 Upcoming Projects and Events
31:45 Upcoming Day Parties and Events
32:41 The Rise of Female DJs
33:09 Favorite Female DJs and Influences
36:43 Shoutouts and Acknowledgements
37:25 Ideal Collaborations and Career Aspirations
40:36 Musical Background and Influences
42:50 DJ Sets and Performances
48:59 Equipment and Sound Quality
54:57 Local Music Scene and Events
01:00:07 Conclusion and Final Thoughts