I sit down with Wez Saunders to explore his remarkable journey from working in a bank to becoming the CEO & Co-Owner of a Defected Records. We talk about his vision for Defected, the challenges of navigating the ever-changing music industry, and how he's managed to balance the label’s rich heritage with forward-thinking innovation.

Key Takeaways:

• The Power of Community: How Defected has built an enduring culture around house music that unites fans, artists, and industry professionals worldwide.
• A&R Strategies That Work: Insights into identifying talent, maintaining artistic integrity, and keeping the label relevant in a crowded market.
• Lessons in Leadership: Wez shares his approach to steering a global brand, balancing creativity with business acumen.
• Adapting to Industry Changes: How Defected embraces new technologies like AI and leverages social media to stay ahead.
• Advice for Aspiring Music Professionals: The importance of focusing on quality, building your identity, and being patient on your journey to success.

Wez also opens up about the challenges and opportunities in the modern music industry, from the evolving role of labels to the impact of festivals and events on artist careers. This episode is packed with practical advice and inspiration to fuel your journey in music.

Defected Records has been a cornerstone of house music its inception in 1999, founded by Simon Dunmore. Since then Defected has evolved, with 26 sub-labels, a thriving events business, an agency, a publishing company, and more, Defected continues to lead from the front.

BEST MOMENTS

"Simon said to me, I believe you could sell me this pen. And I didn't really understand what he meant at the time. Thought he was saying I was a blagger, but probably was."

"Life is short and it's, it's about creating those moments that, that last a lifetime. And I think we've done that a lot and I hope that we continue to do that a lot."

"Be better than the person you were yesterday. That's, for me, has always been the thing that's echoed in my mind. Don't be competitive. Just figure out what you've done and how you can be better."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Check out our Spotify Playlist

EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT

Episode Roger Sanchez

ABOUT THE HOST

Lex Luca is a London-based DJ, producer, and tastemaker, known for his infectious energy both behind the decks and in the studio. With releases on Snatch!, Nervous, and his own label In Tune, Lex has garnered support from industry heavyweights like Pete Tong, Annie Mac, and Claude von Stroke. A former BBC Radio 1 producer, he brings a wealth of experience to his craft, delivering a unique blend of house, disco, and techno that has taken him from London to Ibiza and beyond. Lex founded OpenDAW Songwriting camps, bringing together independent musicians to collaborate. And now, as the host of OpenDAW Talks, Lex shares his journey and insights with the next generation of music creators.

CONNECT & CONTACT

OpenDAW

Lex Luca

Email: hello@opendawtalks.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bexxie is a house music producer and DJ whose 90s-influenced sound is lighting up the electronic music scene. With millions of streams and a reputation for blending modern dance vibes with an old-school edge, Bexxie has built a career defined by passion, persistence, and connection.

In this episode, Bexxie shares her journey from discovering her love for electronic music through her parents' vinyl collection to carving her own path in the industry. We explore how she transitioned from drum and bass to house music, the challenges of re-entering the scene after a hiatus, and the key lessons she's learned along the way.

Key Takeaways

• The importance of consistency in music production and social media.
• Why breaks can lead to renewed focus and creativity.
• Building connections with labels and the value of networking.
• How personal growth can impact your music career.
• Strategies to maintain self-belief and stay grounded in a chaotic industry.

Bexxie also opens up about her production techniques, her approach to social media, and her advice for aspiring producers. From overcoming self-doubt to making your music stand out, this episode is packed with actionable insights for anyone passionate about electronic music.

KEY MOMENTS

"I’ve always just loved music. Even as a kid, I was just very curious about everything music."

"In hindsight, I think I just didn’t have the belief in myself as I do now, coming back into it."

"This industry can be such a roller coaster, but if you can stay grounded within the chaos, it’s going to be so helpful."

"You absolutely have to put in the work. Some days you’re not going to feel like doing it, but you have to grind to make it."

"For me, it’s about the connection I get through music with other people - that’s what keeps me going."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Check out our Spotify Playlist

EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT

Episode Made By Pete

ABOUT THE HOST

Lex Luca is a London-based DJ, producer, and tastemaker, known for his infectious energy both behind the decks and in the studio. With releases on Snatch!, Nervous, and his own label In Tune, Lex has garnered support from industry heavyweights like Pete Tong, Annie Mac, and Claude von Stroke. A former BBC Radio 1 producer, he brings a wealth of experience to his craft, delivering a unique blend of house, disco, and techno that has taken him from London to Ibiza and beyond. Lex founded OpenDAW Songwriting camps, bringing together independent musicians to collaborate. And now, as the host of OpenDAW Talks, Lex shares his journey and insights with the next generation of music creators.

CONNECT & CONTACT

OpenDAW Instagram

Lex Luca Instagram

Email: hello@opendawtalks.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Global DJ and producer Flashmob is best known for his groundbreaking releases on labels like Defected and Hot Creations, Flashmob has built a brilliant career with hit records and club anthems that have shaped Ibiza’s dance floors and the global house music scene. But it wasn’t always a smooth journey - in fact, his path has been one of constant reinvention and resilience.

Flashmob shares his story of rediscovering his passion during the COVID-19 pandemic, a period that became a turning point in his life and career. He opens up about stepping back from the relentless pace of touring to reconnect with his purpose, allowing him to dive deeper into music with a fresh perspective. His journey is a testament to the power of authenticity & resilience, and highlights the importance of having the courage to follow your own creative path.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The importance of putting feelings into music and making it personal
• How to overcome the pressure of maintaining a specific sound
• Balancing touring life with creative output
• The power of discipline and hard work in achieving success
• Strategies for effective collaboration and production workflows

This episode is about reclaiming your creative freedom and building a career that’s true to who you are. Get ready to redefine what success means on your own terms.

BEST MOMENTS

The mindset is your biggest tool. For me, the mindset of, well, being extremely organized, that's a mindset, it's a job. And you have to believe in what you do and you have to believe that it will work for you and that it will improve everything that you do to oblige yourself to do it.

You're on your own trajectory and like many others, and you just do your own thing. You just do your own thing. No matter how hard it gets, which it does, just always try to refresh the happiness in doing it.

I decided to be faithful to myself and to what I wanted from music and what I wanted from myself once and for all, to be strong enough to say, okay, going to do my own thing. I'm going to do an album that is completely crazy. I'm going to do releases that are just not what you're expecting from me.

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Check out our Spotify Playlist

EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT

Ros T

ABOUT THE HOST

Lex Luca is a London-based DJ, producer, and tastemaker, known for his infectious energy both behind the decks and in the studio. With releases on Snatch!, Nervous, and his own label In Tune, Lex has garnered support from industry heavyweights like Pete Tong, Annie Mac, and Claude von Stroke. A former BBC Radio 1 producer, he brings a wealth of experience to his craft, delivering a unique blend of house, disco, and techno that has taken him from London to Ibiza and beyond. Lex founded OpenDAW Songwriting camps, bringing together independent musicians to collaborate. And now, as the host of OpenDAW Talks, Lex shares his journey and insights with the next generation of music creators.

CONNECT & CONTACT

OpenDAW Instagram

Lex Luca Instagram

Email: hello@opendawtalks.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.