This week my guest is the wonderful Katie Bain, Director of Billboard Dance and one of the most respected music journalists in the game. For over a decade, Katie’s voice has shaped the narrative of dance music through her insightful, honest, and culturally rich storytelling. From underground risers to global icons, she’s interviewed them all, always with curiosity, integrity, and a genuine love for the scene.

In this episode, we talk about the story behind her very first interview, and how her process and perspective have evolved along the way. Katie shares how she preps, what makes an interview truly resonate, and what have been some of her favourite interview so far!

This episode is powered by Trackstack, the ultimate platform for building a sustainable career in electronic music. Whether you're managing demos, levelling up your production, or monetising your music knowledge, Trackstack makes it all seamless. Use promo code CUPMOG for 10% off, for life.

Recorded at the beautiful Hyde Ibiza.

This episode features an icon, a true force of nature in electronic music: Nicole Moudaber. DJ, producer, promoter, and movement-maker, Nicole has carved out her own powerful lane in the techno world. Before she was headlining festivals and filling legendary clubs, Nicole was behind the scenes booking artists, building relationships that would later evolve into creative partnerships and long-standing friendships. In this episode, she shares the story of how she transitioned from promoter to globally respected artist, and the mindset that helped her sustain a long, evolving career. We talk about her early years in nightlife and the pivotal moments that shaped her, the ever-changing landscape of Ibiza and what it means for artists today, staying relevant and creatively inspired in 2025 and beyond, plus her passion for fast cars!

This episode is powered by Trackstack, the platform helping you manage demos, send promos, level up your productions, and monetize your music knowledge. It’s super intuitive and with promo code CUPMOG, you’ll get 10% off for life.

Mark Newton has played a defining role in reshaping the global dance music experience, from the festivals we travel to, to the spaces we party in. As the founder of Hideout Festival and a creative force behind Field Day, Snowbombing, Printworks, Depot Mayfield, and Drumsheds, Mark doesn't just book DJs, he builds culture.

In this episode, we dive into what makes a venue or festival great, and how each uniquely impacts dance music culture. We explore the rise of immersive, large-scale venues, the shifting economics of nightlife, and ask whether the festival boom is pushing clubs, and clubbing, into the shadows. We also get into the future of residencies, the challenges of licensing, and what all this means for the next generation of artists and ravers.

This episode is powered by Trackstack, the platform built to help you manage demos, promos, and your music career more sustainably. Use the promo code CUPMOG for 10% off, for life.