The Will Clarke Podcast

It is a deeply important conversation on the podcast today as I welcome Eric Fuller back to the show. During this episode, we unpack an urgent crisis unfolding in Orlando that threatens the future of independent nightlife. As the owner of venues like Celine Orlando and Midline Miami, Eric breaks down the city's new After Midnight Alcohol Sales program, which forces his team to pay nearly $10,000 a month in police protection fees. We discuss the glaring double standard of this mandate, considering smaller neighboring bars and city funded arenas are completely exempt from these massive bills.

Eric explains exactly why they decided to file a federal class action lawsuit against the local government to fight this overreach. We talk about the severe financial strain this places on independent owners who already operate on remarkably thin margins, and the terrifying reality that if they lose this case, it could set a dangerous national precedent for other cities to replicate. Ultimately, we reflect on how small, independent rooms are the true lifeblood of electronic music culture and the exact places where today's biggest headliners got their start. Eric is calling on artists and fans to share their stories and speak up against this unfair treatment.

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It is an absolute privilege to welcome Melé to the show today. In this episode, we cover a massive range of topics about his life both inside and outside the studio. We start by chatting about how the GTA franchise actually shaped his musical taste and introduced him to records he would never have found otherwise. Speaking of gaming, we touch on why it is so crucial to actually take time off and do absolutely nothing, especially in an industry that constantly demands you chase the next big milestone. We discuss the art of producing albums as a way to truly express ourselves and tell deeper stories through music. It is fascinating to reflect on being in this game for over a decade, especially when newer waves of fans often do not realize how long we have been building our sounds.

Melé also bravely opens up about the loss of his father. He shares the intense anxiety of having to leave for an international tour just two days after the funeral and how going to therapy became the most grounding tool for him during such a heavy season of life. We also get into the business side of things, like why he chose to release his latest project with Defected instead of his own label and the unique pressures that come with putting an album together. To wrap things up, we share our thoughts on how the modern image of DJing has shifted away from the raw culture and grind toward private jets and pure flash.

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This episode is sponsored by the following:

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I am absolutely thrilled to sit down with Dutch DJ Oliver Heldens for today's show. In this episode, we kick things off by chatting about our brand new record, 'Lost In Music.' We recount exactly how that collaboration came together and the crazy moment it caught the ear of Charlotte de Witte, leading her to jump in and sign the track.

From there, we trace his journey back to the very beginning, looking at his rapid rise to fame and that unforgettable, viral performance at Ultra in 2015. We also touch on his deep appreciation for various corners of electronic music, which explains why he chooses to release tracks under several different aliases rather than sticking to just one project name.

As the conversation unfolds, Oliver gets deeply personal about his experience living with bipolar disorder. He opens up about the negative and positive feedback loops he navigated during his childhood, something many people don't truly understand. Hearing how he conquered those mental struggles and transformed that energy into a creative superpower for his music is genuinely moving. He makes it clear that this diagnosis will never hold him back, and he is determined to keep pushing forward to show others that they can achieve their dreams regardless of the obstacles.

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This episode is sponsored by the following:

Toneframer - Head to https://www.toneframer.com/will and code WILL gets you 50% off your first three months.

Playlist Push - use code WILLPUSH for 15% off at checkout https://playlistpush.com/spotify-playlists-promotion

⏲ Follow Will Clarke ⏱

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This week I am joined by the tech house duo HILLS. During this episode, we explore the precise steps they took to build their career. Known originally for their standout remixes, the duo breaks down their clever approach to sharing music and demos by utilizing Instagram's "Close Friends" feature to distribute Dropbox links directly to their core audience. Providing that level of unfiltered access to their listeners paved the way for them to build a huge fan base in Asia and tour there at least once a month.

We also discuss the reality of the current tech house scene and how heavily saturated it is becoming, meaning you constantly compete against other artists, venues, and events all on the same night. They share a fascinating perspective on the differences between playing in bands versus the DJ world, noting that electronic artists tend to be highly supportive of one another while band culture can be noticeably more cutthroat. We also discuss the mechanics of creating a record for a viral sound, including how they intentionally time a song's build to hit perfectly for social media. The conversation then shifts to the rapid accessibility of artificial intelligence in production and how quickly we might see it generating full tracks across any genre. Finally, we touch on the balance of their partnership and how their deeply rooted, brotherly relationship is the true foundation that makes HILLS so unique.

This episode is sponsored by the following:

Toneframer - Head to https://www.toneframer.com/will and code WILL gets you 50% off your first three months.

Playlist Push - use code WILLPUSH for 15% off at checkout https://playlistpush.com/spotify-playlists-promotion

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It's always a pleasure catching up with my mate Noizu, and this week we had a lot to dig into. In this episode, we explore what life looks like after recently becoming a father and how he balances fatherhood with a demanding music schedule. We pull back the curtain on where revenue actually comes from in dance music today, getting transparent about why the real money remains out on the road. The landscape has shifted dramatically: hitting one million streams simply does not carry the weight it once did, and the touring circuit is feeling the sting of tougher ticket sales across the board.

We also tackle the rise of artificial intelligence in the creative space, weighing whether AI music will revolutionize production or threaten real jobs down the line. Plus, Noizu reveals the story of his intricate role producing music for Jared Leto and Thirty Seconds to Mars right from the tour bus. We also touch on the business side of the industry, specifically highlighting how management must be a true relationship rather than just a transaction. Ultimately, it came down to perspective. Noizu carefully picks which opportunities deserve his energy so he can focus on what counts most, his growing family.

This episode is sponsored by the following:

Toneframer - Head to https://www.toneframer.com/will and code WILL gets you 50% off your first three months.

Playlist Push - use code WILLPUSH for 15% off at checkout https://playlistpush.com/spotify-playlists-promotion

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It is a massive honor to sit down with Wax Motif on the podcast this week. In this episode, we unpack the reality of making a living behind the decks. We chat about how Los Angeles used to be the ultimate hub for electronic music and how the scene shifted drastically after 2020. With artists getting creative and playing sets on rooftops, deep in jungles, and across stunning global locations, DJing expanded into a truly international movement while LA simply became an overwhelmingly expensive place to stay. Wax opens up about his intense grind during that era and how the constant momentum ultimately led him to step back and take a year and a half break from touring just to reclaim his personal time.

We also get real about the industry's harsh truths, pointing out that unlike traditional careers, there is no roadmap to becoming a great DJ. We weigh the highs and lows of the lifestyle, specifically how constant touring often forces you to sacrifice normal milestones like finally buying a house. On top of that, we break down the heavy financial investments required today, from production and marketing to multicam recording and the absolute necessity of building a strong personal brand. Wax shares his experiences working alongside massive names like Tinashe, Ty, Vultures, and Rihanna, and we even touch on what his future looks like regarding retirement and his lifelong dedication to creating music for his fans and other artists.

This episode is sponsored by the following:

Toneframer - Head to https://www.toneframer.com/will and code WILL gets you 50% off your first three months.

Playlist Push - use code WILLPUSH for 15% off at checkout https://playlistpush.com/spotify-playlists-promotion

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I am so excited to have WME agent Bailey Greenwood on the podcast this week. In this episode, we dive right into the incredible challenges that come with balancing such a massive roster. When you are representing industry heavyweights and massive touring acts like Groove Armada, Ellen Allien, TOKiMONSTA, Sara Landry, and LP Giobbi, the stakes are incredibly high. We break down the real differences between managing bands versus DJs and look closely at how the touring lifestyle comes with its own unique pros and cons in each space.

One of the most eye opening parts of our conversation is what Bailey calls the Middle Class DJ. She explains why making $10,000 a show doesn't get you as far as people think, and why you risk having to start over as an artist if you drop the ball on creating and pushing out new things. We also get into the intense culture of being an agent, and Bailey opens up about how she is learning to compartmentalize her work and personal time even though her job demands attention around the clock. From guiding artists personally through their ups and downs to the sheer logistics of booking all your represented acts on the same day without cannibalizing each other in the market, there is so much to pull from this episode.

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This episode is sponsored by the following:

Toneframer - Head to https://www.toneframer.com/will and code WILL gets you 50% off your first three months.

Playlist Push - use code WILLPUSH for 15% off at checkout https://playlistpush.com/spotify-playlists-promotion

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I am so excited to welcome Devault to the podcast this week. In this episode, we dive right into exactly how he became such a known name in the Electronic Music Scene in the last 10 years. We talk all about the daily grind of putting in the work and how spending countless hours refining his sound in the clubs really shaped his identity as an artist. Devault is incredibly passionate about making sure his music carries a consistent sonic signature across multiple records. He is huge on using his tracks to tell a cohesive story, creating these deeply immersive worlds and experiences for his listeners, and he loves partnering with other creators who share that exact same vision.

We also got to talk about the big milestone of turning 30, and it’s crazy to hear him explain why it feels like he is only just getting started in his career. Of course, we had to talk about his massive collaboration with John Summit and Julia Church. He shares why making Shades of Blue with them was such an absolute delight from start to finish. Ultimately, Devault is on a mission to inspire both himself and other artists to tap back into that pure feeling of being a kid and capturing that raw emotion when creating music. I loved this conversation and I know you will find inspiration to tell a story with your creativity. 

This episode is sponsored by the following:

Toneframer - Head to https://www.toneframer.com/will and code WILL gets you 50% off your first three months.

Playlist Push - use code WILLPUSH for 15% off at checkout https://playlistpush.com/spotify-playlists-promotion

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I am honored to welcome legendary manager Matt Colon to the show this week. In this episode, we dive into his incredible journey of navigating the music industry for a little over 30 years. From getting his start in street marketing and building relationships throughout Hollywood, to managing major artists like Steve Aoki, Blink-182 and Take That, Matt has had a front row seat to some incredible moments in music history. He also co-founded Deckstar alongside the late DJ AM, has been involved with Grammy nominated work throughout his career, and is currently behind Travis Barker’s new documentary. We also talk about his longtime friendship and working relationship with Steve Aoki, and the fascinating history behind how Steve built Dim Mak straight out of his college dorm room in Santa Barbara and turned it into the global record label it is today, now going 30 years strong.

Beyond the history, we really get into the ins and outs of what being a manager actually entails behind the scenes. Matt shares his expertise on crucial details like making sure credits get distributed properly amongst other artists and managers, which is something a lot of people in the business overlook. He also gives some amazing insight into what the modern role of a manager actually looks like today and exactly what kind of people you need around you when developing an up and coming artist. If you want to know how the biggest DJs in electronic music operate, this is a must listen.

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This episode is sponsored by the following:

Toneframer - Head to https://www.toneframer.com/will and code WILL gets you 50% off your first three months.

Playlist Push - use code WILLPUSH for 15% off at checkout https://playlistpush.com/spotify-playlists-promotion

⏲ Follow Will Clarke ⏱

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https://www.instagram.com/djwillclarke

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