To The Beat Podcast

What should artists post on social media and how can they tell whether it’s actually helping?On this episode of To The Beat Podcast, Connor sits down with social media and marketing specialist, Sam Nahirny.Sam has strategised, shot and edited content for some of the biggest names in dance music. We explore what it takes for independent artists to cut through in today’s crowded digital landscape, diving into how artists can find a content style that feels authentic to them. Including how to build a social strategy around meaningful fan relationships rather than follower counts and views; why Sam believes your song deserves multiple opportunities to find its audience.We break down the importance of hooks, watch time and audience fit, as well as how tools such as Trial Reels can help artists understand what connects with their audience and learn from their content performance.And for artists working with limited time and resources, Sam shares how to make the most of a small budget with practical ways to get more from what you already have - from repurposing existing shoots and making accessible video content to using targeted promotion effectively.

From The Hacienda to M People, from Acid House to Calvin Harris - few people have played a more influential role in shaping British dance music than one of dance music’s true pioneers, Mike Pickering.Mike takes us back to his early days helping define the sound and culture of Factory Records, before becoming resident DJ at Manchester’s iconic Hacienda - a club that would become the epicentre of the Acid House explosion and a defining force in British nightlife. We discuss what it was really like to be at the forefront of that movement, the records and artists that shaped the era, and Mike’s role as one of its key tastemakers.We also explore the creation of M People, the hugely successful dance group that went on to win x2 Brit Awards and a Mercury Prize award; how Mike’s career evolved from being behind the decks to becoming one of the industry’s most respected tastemakers and A&R figures. From discovering and signing a young Calvin Harris, Mike shares the story of how a 20 minute conversation changed everything and how he helped steer his career away from being the frontman of a band towards solo the electronic music powerhouse, that would ultimately make him one of the biggest artists in the world.

In this episode, Connor is joined by A&R, DJ and Head of Music Matt Smallwood, to explore the experiences, people and records that have shaped his journey through dance music.Matt takes us back to his teenage years, sneaking into the legendary The Chunnel Club at just 16 years old, and finding himself learning from the late, great Tony De Vit from inside the DJ booth. That early experience would have a profound influence on Matt’s approach to DJing and most importantly, understanding and reading a dancefloor.We then trace his career through 13 years at Toolroom Records, where Matt played a pivotal role in A&R and helped shape records that would go on to become dancefloor favourites, including Weiss – ‘Feel My Needs’, Mark Knight – ‘Yebisah’ and Leftwing Kody – ‘I Feel It’. Matt shares what it really means to A&R a record, how to recognise potential, and the often-overlooked work that goes into turning a great track into a great release.Now Head of Music at Club Class, Matt works across a roster featuring artists including Meduza, James Hype and Tita Lau, while also running The Cross record label. We discuss the changing role of A&R, developing artists, the evolution of the dance music industry and what it takes to stay relevant across such a rapidly changing landscape.

On this episode, Connor sits down with music lawyer and sample clearance specialist Saranne Tardelli-Reid, the founder of Sample Clearance, to go behind the scenes of one of the most important—and often misunderstood—parts of the music industry.Saranne works with record labels, publishers and some of the biggest artists in the world to help navigate the complex world of sample clearance. She explains exactly what sampling is, why clearing a sample is so important, and what actually happens behind the scenes when an artist wants to use part of an existing recording in a new track.We break down the process of clearing rights, including the difference between master recordings and publishing, as well as remixes, bootlegs and adaptations, and why each can involve very different legal considerations.Saranne also shares her insight into how record label contracts have evolved over the years, what artists should understand before signing a deal, and some of the common misconceptions surrounding music rights and ownership.

On this episode, we're joined by one of dance music's biggest global success stories, Jonas Blue.Jonas reflects on how a life-changing first trip to Ibiza sparked the inspiration to launch the Jonas Blue project, setting him on a path that would lead to worldwide success with his breakthrough debut single, 'Fast Car' and see him go on to receive over 22 billion streams and 92 million single sales. We discuss the impact of releasing such a defining first record and following it up, the pressures that come with sustained success, and the realities of building a long-term career in the ever-changing music industry.Jonas also opens up about the challenges of staying creatively fulfilled, discussing pivotal moment where he almost quit music, revealing how spending time in Ibiza led him to realise that his music no longer aligned with the clubs and the sound around him - prompting a fresh creative direction and a return to the dancefloor.We dive into the evolution of his sound, embracing a more club-focused direction, and the creative process behind recent releases including 'Edge Of Desire' and 'Girl'. Along the way, we discuss artistic reinvention, longevity in dance music, and why taking risks, trusting your instincts, and continually reinventing yourself are essential to staying relevant in dance music.