Trackstack Podcast

Oskar Eichler is a Entrepreneur and DJ / Producer who has built Songstats and 1001Tracklists as well as being one half DONT BLINK @dontblinkmusic

Summary

1. **Life as a Digital Nomad in Bali**:

Oskar has been living in Bali for almost a decade, enjoying the relaxed, unique lifestyle that combines remote work with island vibes. He describes how Bali offers a distinct experience for digital nomads, comparing it to other hotspots like Thailand. For Oskar, Bali is a haven for those seeking balance between professional and personal life, complete with studios set in scenic villas.

2. **Evolution of the DJ Scene**:

Oskar reflects on the transformation of the DJ scene, reminiscing about the days of physical records and vinyl culture. He shares how digital platforms, like YouTube, have reshaped the industry. Back in the day, DJs would dig for music in record stores, building connections through a shared love for music—a very different experience from today’s instant access to digital tracks.

3. **Challenges with Digital Rights and YouTube**:

Oskar talks about his journey with a YouTube channel that quickly gained over 100,000 subscribers by sharing DJ mixes, only for it to be abruptly shut down due to licensing issues. Undeterred, he launched another channel, this time negotiating with electronic music labels for proper licensing, which grew to over a million subscribers. He shares the ongoing struggles DJs face with content ID systems, which often block or claim earnings from uploaded mixes.

4. **Nostalgia for Traditional DJ Practices**:

Oskar expresses nostalgia for the original, hands-on elements of DJing, like beat matching on vinyl. He discusses how modern DJ software has removed much of the tactile experience, shifting the DJ’s role from crate-digging in record shops to managing playlists on digital platforms. Both he and the host agree that some of the social and creative magic of early DJ culture has been lost in the digital age.

5. **Connecting through Global Festivals**:

Oskar highlights the importance of music industry events like ADE (Amsterdam Dance Event) as opportunities for connection, collaboration, and celebration within the electronic music scene. Reflecting on his early years of “hustling” for connections, Oskar notes how the tables have turned—now, people seek him out, a testament to his growth and influence within the industry.

**Episode Summary**:

This episode presents Oskar’s insights and experiences in the evolving world of electronic music and DJing. He shares a mix of personal stories and professional reflections, from adjusting to Bali’s unique lifestyle to navigating the digital challenges in music. Oskar’s perspective underscores the resilience needed to adapt to the fast-paced changes in the industry, all while celebrating the roots of electronic music culture.

Manu Naykene, joins us for the Trackstack Podcast - EP 31.

We touched on Manu’s origin story, how he got into DJing and content creation, advice for up-and-coming producers and much more.

Send tracks to Manu: https://tstack.app/manu

Send demos to KLUB RECORD: https://tstack.app/klub-record

Connect with Manu: clozer.io/manunaykene

Key takeaways:

• Manu ecently completed a mini-tour, including performances in Dubai, Doha, and Mykonos.

• Professionalism is crucial in DJing, including staying focused during performances and limiting alcohol consumption while playing.

• Manu highlights the importance of "locking in" during performances to ensure the audience has a good time.

• DJ etiquette and the balance between appearing as a "party person" while maintaining professionalism behind the scenes.

• Manu's background to music starting DJing around 2016, inspired by South African DJs and the Afro house genre.

• Getting gigs as a new DJ often requires persistence and "hustling" - reaching out to venues directly and being proactive.

• The importance of enjoying the process of learning to DJ, such as the satisfaction of successfully transitioning between tracks.

• Electronic music is becoming more global, with pop music increasingly incorporating electronic elements.

• Modern DJ sets often include a variety of genres, focusing more on creating a "party vibe" rather than sticking to a single genre.

• The value of building a career from the "grassroots" level and how it can help in the long run.

Sean Willers, UK from The Willers Brothers⁠ join us to share his story for life after the party.

Having enjoyed a residency at Egg for over four years, we, Sean and Liam Willers, aka The Willers Brothers, became a highly successful DJ act, regularly playing top London clubs, including Ministry of Sound, Tobacco Dock, and more.

As regulars on the Berlin music scene, we frequently played hotspots such as Watergate and Tresor. We also hit the decks at high-profile venues like Pacha in Barcelona, The Zoo Project in Ibiza, SWF Festival in Amsterdam, Bit Club in Sao Paulo, plus venues in Tokyo and Moscow.

We were the second most listed DJs to play at Egg and were signed by the Watergate agency, which saw us move to Berlin and enthusiastically throw ourselves into the party lifestyle.

Throughout our career, we played alongside many big-name DJs, including Darius Syrossian, Kerri Chandler, Waff, and Yousef. As music producers as well as DJs, we achieved several number ones on decks.de and top 10s on Beatport, releasing our catalogue on both vinyl and digital formats to high acclaim.

However, the demanding nocturnal lifestyle began to take its toll. I, Sean, became gripped by a vicious drug and alcohol addiction, leaving me feeling like a wreck mentally, physically, and financially. We gained a reputation for excessive consumption, which started breaking down our relationships and negatively affecting our DJing work, causing us to repeatedly fall out with numerous agencies and people within the industry.

Learn more about Willers Fitness https://willersfitness.co.uk/

Follow Sean on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willersfitness/

Kodewerk, Georgie Marshall UK joins us on The Trackstack Podcast.

Episode Highlights:

Recap of events, highlighting the unexpected rain and its impact on their plans.

Anecdotes about attending a flooded restaurant and the overall vibe of the week.

George shares his initial misconceptions about the event being more work-oriented, while it turned out to be largely social.

Emphasis on networking and reconnecting with industry peers.

George opens up about his 15.5 months of sobriety and the positive changes it has brought to his life and career.

Discussion on the importance of having a clear vision and purpose in his work.

Plans to be more involved in both the creative and business sides of the music industry.

Desire to participate more in conferences and events for professional growth.

Aim to bridge the gap between artists and their audience by sharing more personal stories and backgrounds.

Key Takeaways

Kodewerk is one of the music scene’s true grafters – he’s spent the last decade immersing himself in dance music, honing his craft with the kind of hands-on shop floor experience that money can’t buy.

Connect with Kodewerk

⁠https://www.instagram.com/kodewerk

Connect with Trackstack

⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/trackstack.app

https://trackstack.app/

Ranger Trucco is one of house music’s fastest-rising talents. Combining effortless lyricism with infectious basslines, he wasted zero time cultivating a truly unique sound that resonates with electronic music fans globally. Both producer & vocalist - Ranger refused to let growing up 4 hours north of the nearest nightlife impede his plans of a future completely immersed in dance music culture. With performances at festivals and clubs nationwide on the horizon, it’s only up from here.

Connect with Ranger

https://www.instagram.com/rangertrucco

https://www.rangertrucco.com/

Summary

Ranger Trucco discusses his approach to collaborating with other artists and the positive impact it has had on his career. He emphasizes the importance of mutual respect and communication in collaborations. He also shares his journey as an artist and the influence of his parents on his music career. Trucco highlights the significance of having fun and not taking music too seriously, as well as the importance of finding inspiration outside of the studio. He discusses the balance between making music and managing social media, emphasizing the importance of being authentic and true to oneself. Ranger Trucco discusses the pressure of posting on social media and the importance of authenticity. He emphasizes the need for artists and brands to be themselves on social media and connect with their audience on a personal level. He also talks about the ego in the DJ industry and the importance of humility. Trucco predicts that minimal and deep tech will continue to grow in the US music scene. He advises DJs to have fun, not take themselves too seriously, and prioritize their mental well-being.

Takeaways

Yazmina is a UK based Producer and DJ who grew up in Hackney, London. Her production and sets are a mix of Tech House, Minimal and Bass/Garage House, influenced by 90s through to current day House using a lot of old school Rnb, Hip Hop and Soul vocal samples.

Summary

Yazmina shares her journey in the music industry, from being in a pop rock band to exploring electronic music and eventually signing tracks to labels like Hottrax and Glasgow Underground. She talks about the importance of self-creation in her music and the balance between using sample packs and creating her own sounds. Yazmina also discusses her approach to making music, including a well organised approach to her files and back ups! She emphasises her key habit as the need to step away from a track and come back to it with fresh ears for better productivity and output. Yazmina shares her approach to managing her time in the studio, emphasizing the importance of stepping away to avoid burnout. She finds it productive to take breaks and engage in activities outside of the studio, as it helps her maintain energy and focus. Being a full-time producer has allowed her to have more flexibility in her schedule and implement a healthier structure. Yazmina also discusses the impact of rejection and how she has learned to handle it better over time. She advises other producers to invest in themselves, avoid comparing themselves to others on social media, and set clear goals.

Takeaways

Cameron & George sit down at Miami Music Week 2024 to talk about their journey building Trackstack. Covering new product announcements, how they handle customers and their view on the electronic music industry.

@trackstack.app

Get started with Flow Inbox: https//www.trackstack.app

Brendan James, UK on Stacked. Rising underground house DJ, Brendan James originates from the south west UK with strong roots within the house and techno scene.

Brendan also contributes his expertise openly on YouTube and through is 1 to 1 mentoring sessions under the 'Brendan James Music' brand.

@brendanjames.music

Goosey, UK joins us from Barcelona, Spain on Stacked.

Goosey's underground sound is truly unique and draws heavily from the iconic club DC10. His extensive catalogue of unreleased music has already made waves on the dancefloors of some of the world's most renowned parties.

Goosey's music has not gone unnoticed, with numerous high-profile DJs and producers such as Jamie Jones, Marco Carola, Michael Bibi and Joseph Capriati supporting his work. As an artist, Goosey is rapidly gaining momentum and is definitely one to keep an eye on in 2023.

Josh Hvaal, UK joins us on Stacked. Josh’s musical education started at a young age where he began DJing aged 9, learning his craft on belt drive record players and here is where his passion for dance music blossomed.