The Will Clarke Podcast

I am so pumped to have Dillon Francis on the podcast this week. In this episode, we dive deep into his wild rise to fame in the music industry. Dillon is known for constantly pushing boundaries, and we talk about how he often finds himself creating the most random music across entirely different genres, almost intentionally steering away from the formulas that are already working for him. It is a fascinating look into a creative mind that completely refuses to be boxed in by expectations and thrives on experimentation. We also get incredibly real about the everyday reality of the struggling artist. We break down what it actually takes to catch that elusive break, get lucky, and have a record go truly viral in today's saturated landscape. On a more personal note, Dillon opens up about the business side of the industry and explains why moving on from a management team you’ve been with for years feels exactly like going through a painful breakup, even when there is absolutely no bad blood between anyone. There are so many valuable gems in this conversation for producers at any stage of their career and I hope you enjoy. 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 ⏱ 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I’m stoked to have Kyle Watson on the show this week to talk about the reality of what an artist and producer actually needs to do to build a full album. In this episode, we get right into the weeds of writing against a time crunch and how to tell a genuine story with a record. It is never just about writing music in isolation; it’s about figuring out how to make sure that sonic narrative connects from the first track to the last, even when the clock is ticking. Because making the tracks is only half the battle, we also break down how to tie that story directly into your marketing and branding. Kyle shares some incredible insights on the visual side of the industry and why great social assets can absolutely make or break an album release today. If you are trying to figure out how to cut through the noise online while staying entirely true to your sound, there is a lot to take away from this chat. This episode is sponsored by the following: Playlist Push - use code WILLPUSH for 15% off at checkout https://playlistpush.com/spotify-play. .. Toneframer - Head to www.toneframer.com/will and code WILL gets you 50% off your first three months. ⏲ 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s episode features an absolute pioneer of electronic music: the legendary Etienne de Crécy. Sitting down with the architect of the French House scene was incredibly inspiring, especially as we dive into the raw, early days of the Parisian underground. We talk about his groundbreaking duo Motorbass, formed alongside his partner and friend, the late Philippe Zdar, and what it was actually like laying the foundational blueprint for French house before Daft Punk took the sound global. We also celebrate 30 years of his iconic Super Discount project! But what blew me away the most during our chat was Etienne's relentless drive to create the music of the future. He is a producer who refuses to rely on 90s nostalgia and is constantly searching for the next sonic boundary to push. Whether you are a massive fan of classic French house or just love hearing the passion behind what Etienne took to get here, you are going to love this one. SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/@willclarkedj?sub_confirmation=1 This episode is sponsored by the following: Playlist Push - use code WILLPUSH for 15% off at checkout https://playlistpush.com/spotify-play. .. intellijend - use code WILL for 30% off Lifetime Subscription https://go.intellijend.com/will-clarke N.A.P - use code WILL at checkout for Free Shipping & 2 Discovery Sets https://www.notanotherperfume.co.uk?s … ⏲ 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 #WillClarke #ÉtienneDeCrécy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is sponsored by the following: Playlist Push - use code WILLPUSH for 15% off at checkout https://playlistpush.com/spotify-play... intellijend - use code WILL for 30% off Lifetime Subscription https://go.intellijend.com/will-clarke N.A.P - use code WILL at checkout for Free Shipping & 2 Discovery Sets https://www.notanotherperfume.co.uk?s... Mista Jam has been on national radio for 21 years, which makes him one of the few people who can answer this properly: why does everything in dance music sound the same now? His answer isn't that producers got lazy. It's that the music was born from struggle, and the people who can afford to make it now never had any. We get into no new genre in a decade and whether that's even a fair claim, the free community studios that don't exist any more, what a ten grand booking fee actually leaves an artist once everyone else has been paid, why he calls it attention media rather than social media, the difference between integrity and credibility, the record that got ripped from SoundCloud and released as an edit before the original, the health journey behind "operation see my kids get old", getting dropped by a major last year, and the line that reframed his whole career: you can stop begging for a seat at the table and go build your own restaurant. ⏲ 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is sponsored by the following: Playlist Push - use code WILLPUSH for 15% off at checkout https://playlistpush.com/spotify-play... intellijend - use code WILL for 30% off Lifetime Subscription https://go.intellijend.com/will-clarke N.A.P - use code WILL at checkout for Free Shipping & 2 Discovery Sets https://www.notanotherperfume.co.uk?s... Rules has a record with 81 million streams. In this episode we sat down and worked out, live, roughly what a number like that actually pays once the label split, the co-writer split, management and three years of waiting have taken their turn. The answer surprised both of us. We also get into why a sold out London show still lost money, the two producers who both told him not to do a live tour, driving his own van and roping his dad in to help, why he bought a camera and taught himself videography rather than do TikTok dances, the ad lib that became a whole record, why a re-sung sample never has the same soul as the original, whether streaming numbers convert to ticket sales at all, and why artist pages on Spotify should be able to carry sponsors the way podcasts do. ⏲ 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is sponsored by the following: Playlist Push - use code WILLPUSH for 15% off at checkout https://playlistpush.com/spotify-play... intellijend - use code WILL for 30% off Lifetime Subscription https://go.intellijend.com/will-clarke N.A.P - use code WILL at checkout for Free Shipping & 2 Discovery Sets https://www.notanotherperfume.co.uk?s... A country of 27 million people has given dance music Fisher, Rufus Du Sol, Dom Dolla, Sonny Fodera, Cassian and Golden Features. Jesabel grew up in that scene, toured it for a decade, then left it all behind at 28 to move to the UK with no contacts and no plan B. She has a theory about why Australians keep winning, and it is not talent. We get into the Sydney scene before the government killed it, tall poppy syndrome and why nobody there wanted to see you rise, mixing the Ministry of Sound Clubbers Guide CDs, playing commercial sets in open format clubs to survive, and what it actually costs to leave your family and friends behind to chase it. Plus the hole of doubt nobody sees, why she blocked social media the day before we recorded, what a manager is really for now the gatekeepers are gone, and the honest conversation about putting your career ahead of everything else. ⏲ 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is sponsored by the following: Playlist Push - use code WILLPUSH for 15% off at checkout https://playlistpush.com/spotify-play... intellijend - use code WILL for 30% off Lifetime Subscription https://go.intellijend.com/will-clarke N.A.P - use code WILL at checkout for Free Shipping & 2 Discovery Sets https://www.notanotherperfume.co.uk?s... Rossi has had a mad three years. High On Me blew up. He closed the Circoloco Terrace at DC10, played Coachella, sold out an all-night-long at Fabric, built one of the hottest labels in house music, and discovered that success never feels quite the way you imagine it will. In this episode we talk about the sober stints and 75 Hard routine that keep him sane on tour, why he nearly didn’t back High On Me, the fear of “selling out” and the advice that completely changed his perspective, how Acting Tough was discovered on TikTok before becoming a massive record on Homegrown, writing with topliners for the first time, why the six months before a release matter more than release day itself, and what success actually means once you’ve ticked every box. This is one of my favourite conversations in a long time. It’s honest, funny and full of lessons for anyone building a career in music—or chasing any ambitious goal. If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a comment/review and let me know who you’d like to hear on the podcast next. ⏲ 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is sponsored by the following: Playlist Push - use code WILLPUSH for 15% off at checkout https://playlistpush.com/spotify-play... intellijend - use code WILL for 30% off Lifetime Subscription https://go.intellijend.com/will-clarke N.A.P - use code WILL at checkout for Free Shipping & 2 Discovery Sets https://www.notanotherperfume.co.uk?s... Morgan Seatree heard the Calvin Harris remix of "Say My Name" in the gym, found the original vocal on a Russian website, split it with AI, and made the edit fast. The TikTok did 30K. Then Marlon Hoffstadt closed Creamfields with it, a raw iPhone crowd clip went everywhere, and Florence and the Machine cleared a track for the first time in her life. We get into the full story behind the record: the Radio 1 moment that got it over the line, two major labels fighting with "checkbooks flying", releasing it while the offices were closed, and what nobody tells you about the aftermath, when a song doing half a million streams a day makes everything you release next feel like failure. Plus meeting Calvin Harris, the 6am prison routine, touring with his wife Hayley, Patrick Topping and Warehouse Project, paying it forward on Unfussy, and building an artist-led festival at Gateshead Stadium. ⏲ 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is sponsored by the following: Playlist Push - use code WILLPUSH for 15% off at checkout https://playlistpush.com/spotify-play... intellijend - use code WILL for 30% off Lifetime Subscription https://go.intellijend.com/will-clarke N.A.P - use code WILL at checkout for Free Shipping & 2 Discovery Sets https://www.notanotherperfume.co.uk?s... Fleur Shore posted a reel every single day for five months. Then one video from Destino hit 12 million views, added 250,000 followers in two weeks, doubled her fees overnight, and brought a wave of hate and accusations she never saw coming. We get into what virality actually did to her career and her head, why female DJs get it worse online, the industry whispers that she'd bought it all, losing her manager and her best friend three weeks apart and having to choose sink or swim, the mushroom trip that sparked her For Sure clothing brand, why she builds new avenues before the plateau hits, running Undergrowth, prank calling butchers, and the three wheeler. ⏲ 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is sponsored by the following: Playlist Push - use code WILLPUSH for 15% off at checkout https://playlistpush.com/spotify-play... intellijend - use code WILL for 30% off Lifetime Subscription https://go.intellijend.com/will-clarke N.A.P - use code WILL at checkout for Free Shipping & 2 Discovery Sets https://www.notanotherperfume.co.uk?s... Hayla sits down with Will Clarke for a deep conversation about building a real artist career beyond being known as the voice on some of dance music’s biggest records. In this episode, Hayla talks about the challenge of stepping out as a live vocalist in electronic music, creating her own world as an artist, the importance of fashion and visual identity, and how her sold-out solo shows helped her realise this could become something much bigger. She also opens up about writing her new album, why the music feels more personal than ever, how “Escape” changed the direction of her career, and the pressure artists feel to chase trends instead of trusting their own voice. A proper conversation about confidence, self-expression, live music, songwriting, identity, and what it really takes to build something that lasts. ⏲ 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is sponsored by the following: Playlist Push - use code WILLPUSH for 15% off at checkout https://playlistpush.com/spotify-playlists-promotion intellijend - use code WILL for 30% off Lifetime Subscription https://go.intellijend.com/will-clarke N.A.P - use code WILL at checkout for Free Shipping & 2 Discovery Sets https://www.notanotherperfume.co.uk?sca_ref=11515654.mMCe4DKuWrQOQ Franky Wah returns to the podcast for a deep conversation about building a real career in electronic music, the pressure of chasing viral moments, Ibiza residencies, burnout, live shows, DJ culture, social media, radio, and why slow growth often creates the strongest foundations. We talk about the difference between having a big moment and building something that lasts, why artists need to stay true to themselves, how the industry has changed with TikTok and content culture, and what it really takes to balance touring, studio time, family, health, and ambition. Franky also opens up about walking away from Ibiza at the right time, preparing his first proper album, the importance of grassroots venues, and why real fans will always matter more than hype. ⏲ 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sign up for intellijend now: https://go.intellijend.com/will-clarke Dave Alcock joins Will Clarke to break down the real business behind DJ careers, touring, agents, promoters, fees, community, social media and what it actually takes to build a long-term artist career in 2026. They talk about why talent alone is no longer enough, why artists need to own their audience, how agents decide who to sign, why touring costs are becoming harder to manage, and why the “middle class” of DJs is under more pressure than ever. Dave also shares stories from working with artists like David Morales, Kerri Chandler, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Claude VonStroke and more, while giving a rare behind-the-scenes look at how the live music business really works. ⏲ 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sign up for intellijend now: https://go.intellijend.com/will-clarke Option4 joins Will Clarke for a deep conversation on what it really takes to build a lasting music scene. From helping shape Denver’s electronic music culture, to understanding the difference between a promoter and a buyer, this episode gets into the realities of booking artists, building community, scaling events, and keeping dance music alive from the ground up. They talk about why promoters need to care, why artists should invest more in fans than expensive production, how real community is built, why ticket prices matter, and why the future of independent artists could be stronger than ever. This is a conversation about scenes, fans, artists, promoters, record labels, and the power of putting people first. ⏲ 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sign up for intellijend now: https://go.intellijend.com/will-clarke Sam Divine joins Will Clarke for one of the most honest conversations we’ve had on the podcast. Sam opens up about her early days in Ibiza, the reality of being a female DJ in house music, 20 years of touring, burnout, grief, addiction, rehab, sobriety, faith and rebuilding her life from the inside out. This conversation goes deep into the parts of dance music people rarely talk about: the pressure to keep going, the hidden cost of touring, the normalisation of alcohol and drugs, the financial reality of being an artist, and what happens when the lifestyle that once gave you freedom starts to take something from you. Sam also talks about her new chapter, her 555 concept, returning to grassroots clubs, falling back in love with DJing, and why this next era of her career feels more authentic than ever. This is a conversation about music, survival, friendship, Ibiza, recovery and remembering why we started in the first place. ⏲ 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sign up for intellijend now: https://go.intellijend.com/will-clarke J.Worra joins Will Clarke for a raw conversation about the real emotional and business side of building a career in dance music. They talk about major label deals, self-releasing music, starting her own label Dialogue, the pressure to chase tastemakers, comparison, social media, success, touring, creative burnout and why the music industry can make artists doubt the very thing that got them here. A proper honest one for any artist trying to build something that actually lasts. ⏲ 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sign up for intellijend now: https://go.intellijend.com/will-clarke Baauer joins Will Clarke for a deep conversation about life after Harlem Shake, the strange reality of going viral, rebuilding an artist career, staying creative, Twitch streaming, sampling culture, record labels, money, touring, social media, and why doing things purely for success rarely works. This is a raw look at what happens when a record becomes bigger than the artist behind it, and how Baauer has found new ways to create, connect and stay inspired. ⏲ 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sign up for intellijend now: https://go.intellijend.com/will-clarke Patrick Moxey is the founder of Payday Records, Ultra Records and Helix Records, and has played a major role in shaping hip hop, dance music and the modern record label system. In this episode, we talk about the early days of New York warehouse parties, starting Payday Records, working with Pete Tong, signing Jay-Z, building Ultra Records, selling labels, launching Helix, TikTok, publishing, bad record deals, artist development and why record labels still matter in a world where 800,000 songs are released every week. A proper music industry deep dive. ⏲ 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sign up for intellijend now: https://go.intellijend.com/will-clarke Chris 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sign up for intellijend now: https://go.intellijend.com/will-clarke Riordan 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 time How social media changed DJ careers Why TikTok can launch records faster than ever Great music vs great marketing Followers vs fans who actually buy tickets Why some viral DJs still can’t sell tickets Self-releasing music vs waiting on labels Finding your sound as an artist Big commercial records vs club records UK crowds vs US crowds Breakthrough 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sign up for intellijend now: https://go.intellijend.com/will-clarke This 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.com Ky 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 creativity Why so many dance records sound the same Splice, sample culture and originality The pressure on promoters, artists and club culture Why community matters more than ever Running a label and developing new talent Music marketing, ads and storytelling Why 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.