The Will Clarke Podcast

Sign up for intellijend now: https://go.intellijend.com/will-clarkeChris Avantgarde joins Will Clarke for a deep conversation about the reality behind building a career in electronic music.From growing up in Germany and sending demos on CDs, to working with Scooter, writing music for sync, landing major TV placements, working with Anyma and Afterlife, and dealing with anxiety, therapy, touring, money, ego and self-worth.This episode goes far beyond music production. It’s about the mental game of being an artist, why success does not fix everything, how the music industry can destroy people’s mental health, and why staying true to yourself might be the only way to survive it.⏲ Follow Will Clarke ⏱https://willclarke.komi.io/https://djwillclarke.com/https://open.spotify.com/artist/1OmOdgwIzub8DYPxQYbbbi?si=hEx8GCJAR3mhhhWd_iSuew https://www.instagram.com/djwillclarke https://www.facebook.com/willclarkedj https://twitter.com/djwillclarke https://www.tiktok.com/@djwillclarke

Sign up for intellijend now: https://go.intellijend.com/will-clarkeRiordan joins me on the podcast for a proper conversation about what it actually takes to build a career in dance music today.We get into the reality of touring, how social media has completely changed the game for DJs, why great music alone isn’t always enough anymore, and the difference between getting views and building a fanbase that actually buys tickets.Riordan also talks about finding his sound, the pressure of following up big records, how TikTok helped launch his career, and why some artists blow up online but still can’t shift tickets. We also get into self-releasing, DJ support, playlist culture, the UK vs US scene, and the moments that make all the hard work worth it.A really honest episode about the modern music industry, building a career the right way, and what it takes to last.Talking points:The reality of touring full timeHow social media changed DJ careersWhy TikTok can launch records faster than everGreat music vs great marketingFollowers vs fans who actually buy ticketsWhy some viral DJs still can’t sell ticketsSelf-releasing music vs waiting on labelsFinding your sound as an artistBig commercial records vs club recordsUK crowds vs US crowdsBreakthrough moments in a DJ career⏲ Follow Will Clarke ⏱https://willclarke.komi.io/https://djwillclarke.com/https://open.spotify.com/artist/1OmOdgwIzub8DYPxQYbbbi?si=hEx8GCJAR3mhhhWd_iSuew https://www.instagram.com/djwillclarke https://www.facebook.com/willclarkedj https://twitter.com/djwillclarke https://www.tiktok.com/@djwillclarke

Sign up for intellijend now: https://go.intellijend.com/will-clarkeThis episode was filmed and sponsored by THE LINE LA, Will’s favourite place to stay in LA - for 20% off your stay use code WILLCLARKE at www.thelinehotel.comKy William joins me for a proper conversation about where dance music is heading right now.We get into AI, Splice, why so much music is starting to sound the same, and whether the industry is rewarding imitation over originality. We also talk about the reality of being an artist in 2026, from marketing records and running ads to DJ fees, promoters, community, and why more artists need additional income streams outside of touring.Ky also opens up about building his label, helping new producers, and why real community still matters more than streams, followers and vanity metrics.This is a great conversation for any artist, producer, DJ or fan trying to understand where electronic music is going next.What we cover:AI in music and whether it helps or hurts creativityWhy so many dance records sound the sameSplice, sample culture and originalityThe pressure on promoters, artists and club cultureWhy community matters more than everRunning a label and developing new talentMusic marketing, ads and storytellingWhy artists should build multiple income streams⏲ Follow Will Clarke ⏱https://willclarke.komi.io/https://djwillclarke.com/https://open.spotify.com/artist/1OmOdgwIzub8DYPxQYbbbi?si=hEx8GCJAR3mhhhWd_iSuew https://www.instagram.com/djwillclarke https://www.facebook.com/willclarkedj https://twitter.com/djwillclarke https://www.tiktok.com/@djwillclarke

Sign up for intellijend now: https://go.intellijend.com/will-clarkeThis episode was filmed and sponsored by THE LINE LA, Will’s favourite place to stay in LA - for 20% off your stay use code WILLCLARKE at www.thelinehotel.comPodcast Overview:In this episode, Will Clarke sits down with Airrica to talk about her journey from tech sales and radiation physics into the world of dance music.They get into how a breakup pushed her towards DJing, lying to get her first ever gig opening for Radio Slave, living in Ibiza, Tulum and LA, and how support from Black Coffee helped change the course of her career.The conversation also dives deep into social media, community, building a team, releasing music, self-belief, imposter syndrome, and the sacrifices it takes to make a real career in dance music.A really honest conversation about ambition, pressure, creativity and what success actually looks like in today’s music industry.⏲ Follow Will Clarke ⏱https://willclarke.komi.io/https://djwillclarke.com/https://open.spotify.com/artist/1OmOdgwIzub8DYPxQYbbbi?si=hEx8GCJAR3mhhhWd_iSuew https://www.instagram.com/djwillclarke https://www.facebook.com/willclarkedj https://twitter.com/djwillclarke https://www.tiktok.com/@djwillclarke

Sign up for intellijend now: https://go.intellijend.com/will-clarkeThis episode was filmed and sponsored by THE LINE LA, Will’s favourite place to stay in LA - for 20% off your stay use code WILLCLARKE at www.thelinehotel.comPodcast Overview:Aluna joins me for a powerful conversation about identity, independence, contracts, race, creativity and what it really takes to survive in the modern music industry.We get into how COVID reshaped careers, why going solo can feel like starting from zero, the pressure artists face when navigating bad splits and unfair contracts, and why standing up for yourself matters more than ever. Aluna also opens up about internalised racism, the experience of being a Black woman in dance music, and why storytelling is still the most important thing an artist has.In this episode we talk about:How COVID changed the music industryWhy going solo felt like starting againThe truth about bad record dealsWhy artists need to challenge unfair contractsThe reality of being independent in 2026Race, identity and finding your value in musicWhy storytelling matters more than everThe future of artists, labels and AI⏲ Follow Will Clarke ⏱https://willclarke.komi.io/https://djwillclarke.com/https://open.spotify.com/artist/1OmOdgwIzub8DYPxQYbbbi?si=hEx8GCJAR3mhhhWd_iSuew https://www.instagram.com/djwillclarke https://www.facebook.com/willclarkedj https://twitter.com/djwillclarke https://www.tiktok.com/@djwillclarke

Sign up for intellijend now: https://go.intellijend.com/will-clarkeThis episode was filmed and sponsored by THE LINE LA, Will’s favourite place to stay in LA - for 20% off your stay use code WILLCLARKE at www.thelinehotel.comPodcast Overview:Doc Martin is one of the true originals of dance music culture. In this episode, we go deep on the early LA rave scene, the underground house movement, UK club culture in the 90s, and how the role of the DJ has changed over the years.We also talk about what’s been lost in modern clubbing, why headliner culture has damaged local scenes, the importance of community, and how Doc has stayed relevant after nearly four decades in the game.This is a proper conversation about the roots of house music, what made club culture special, and what the next generation needs to understand if they want to build something that actually lasts.In this episode we cover:The early LA warehouse and rave sceneMoving from San Francisco to Los AngelesUK club culture in the 90sWhy headliner culture hurt local clubsThe difference between EDM and underground DJingWhy community matters more than hypeThe role of warm-up DJsStaying relevant after 39 years in musicVinyl culture, fashion, merch and deeper fan connectionAdvice for the next generation coming into dance music⏲ Follow Will Clarke ⏱https://willclarke.komi.io/https://djwillclarke.com/https://open.spotify.com/artist/1OmOdgwIzub8DYPxQYbbbi?si=hEx8GCJAR3mhhhWd_iSuewhttps://www.instagram.com/djwillclarkehttps://www.facebook.com/willclarkedjhttps://twitter.com/djwillclarkehttps://www.tiktok.com/@djwillclarke