The Will Clarke Podcast

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.

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

Podcast 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
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

Podcast 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 industry
Why going solo felt like starting again
The truth about bad record deals
Why artists need to challenge unfair contracts
The reality of being independent in 2026
Race, identity and finding your value in music
Why storytelling matters more than ever
The 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

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