Dance Music Secrets with Kevin McKay

Glasgow Underground
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Have you ever wondered what goes on under the hub of a successful dance music record label? Join Scottish producer and label owner Kevin McKay (platinum album, UK top 40 hits, 500M+ global streams) as he uncovers the secrets of a sought-after industry. Glasgow Underground, is a British house music institution. Since 1997, the label has released dance music royalty like Romanthony (”One More Time”), Andy Weatherall, Claptone and Mr. Fingers. As well as scoring DJ store #1s, the label released one of the biggest viral hits of ‘24, TWENTY SIX and Tayson Kryss’ “Buscando Money”.

Episodes

  1. James Jackson: The MD of Breaking Records | Dance Music Secrets | EP8

    10/06/2025

    James Jackson: The MD of Breaking Records | Dance Music Secrets | EP8

    In this episode, Kevin chats with James Jackson, from Listen Up, who has spent 20+ years at the frontlines of breaking dance records. He has worked with everyone from underground debutants to global stars like Keinemusik, MK, Sammy Virgi, Doja Cat, and Josh Baker. Here they talk about breaking into the music industry, the evolution of promo, and knowing when a track has that wow factor.  We delve into: • Breaking into the music industry through DJing, networking & hustle • Lessons learned at Defected and transitioning to Listen Up • The evolution of promo: vinyl mailouts → digital → TikTok & streaming • What artists & labels often get wrong about promo • The true role of radio in 2025 and why human taste still matters • Passion vs stats: how radio decisions are really made • Managing expectations in campaigns and knowing when a record can cut through • The changing perception of radio since Covid • Artist development: why long-term strategy beats one-off hype • Advice to young artists starting out today If you’re making dance music and want the inside scoop from the people running the show, this is the podcast for you.

    1h 3m
  2. Alex Branson: From Sony Mailroom to Beatport SVP - The Future of Dance Music | Dance Music Secrets | EP7

    09/21/2025

    Alex Branson: From Sony Mailroom to Beatport SVP - The Future of Dance Music | Dance Music Secrets | EP7

    In this episode, Kevin chats with Alex Branson, the SVP of Industry Partnerships at the largest DJ store - Beatport. Starting from the mailroom at Sony, Alex has seen all that the music industry has to offer. Looking into licensing, distribution, management, and consultancy he has the need to knows of the dance world covered. We delve into: •⁠ ⁠Getting your start in the music industry •⁠ ⁠Legitimising bootleg culture •⁠ ⁠Red flags in distribution deals •⁠ ⁠What being a Beatport Hype Label really means •⁠ ⁠What goes on in the genre curation teams at Beatport If you’re making dance music and want the inside scoop from the people running the show, this is the podcast for you.

    1h 5m
  3. David Bennett: Is Dance Music Really Dumb? | Dance Music Secrets | EP6

    09/07/2025

    David Bennett: Is Dance Music Really Dumb? | Dance Music Secrets | EP6

    In this episode, Kevin chats with David Bennett a musician and YouTuber who has tapped into teaching music theory in a fun and digestible way, alongside teaching piano and writing music, he has broken down the recipe for dance music. We delve into: •⁠ ⁠Where the real sophistication in dance music lies •⁠ ⁠The genius of one-chord tracks •⁠ ⁠Why dance music hates covers
 •⁠ AI and the future of music If you’re into dance music and want the inside scoop from the people running the show, this is the podcast for you.

    1h 3m
  4. Dubplates to Defected: The Scott Diaz Story | Dance Music Secrets | EP5

    08/31/2025

    Dubplates to Defected: The Scott Diaz Story | Dance Music Secrets | EP5

    In this episode, Kevin chats with Scott Diaz - a DJ, Producer and Label Owner who has paved his own way through the industry focusing on House and Garage without wavering into the mainstream. With DJs like Fred Again and Kerri Chandler playing his tunes you have to wonder how he does it. We delve into: •⁠ ⁠What it takes to be an artist •⁠ ⁠What happens when big DJs play your track •⁠ ⁠Following your own “wants” as an artist •⁠ ⁠Disclosure using Scott’s Sample Pack If you’re making dance music and want the inside scoop from the people running the show, this is the podcast for you.

    1h 10m
  5. EP 4: Dance Music Secrets | Artist | Travis Emmons

    08/17/2025

    EP 4: Dance Music Secrets | Artist | Travis Emmons

    In this episode, Kevin chats with Travis Emmons, a DJ, Producer and Educator, who has worked his way through the industry as an events promoter, artist and producer, getting an inside looks at some of the biggest clubs and festivals like Burning Man in the US. We delve into: •⁠ ⁠The lengths you have to go to make it as an LA DJ •⁠ ⁠Vegas vs LA partying •⁠ ⁠What happens when you DJ Burning Man •⁠ ⁠What the big picture should look like as an artist If you’re making dance music and want the inside scoop from the people running the show, this is the podcast for you.

    57 min
  6. EP 3: Dance Music Secrets | Artist Management | Sophia Wardman (Tiny Saturn)

    08/03/2025

    EP 3: Dance Music Secrets | Artist Management | Sophia Wardman (Tiny Saturn)

    In this episode, Kevin chats with Sophia Wardman, who has managed 220 KID, Majestic and more, exploring the world of artist management and what an artist needs. We delve into: •⁠ ⁠What really gives a person the X-Factor •⁠ ⁠What an artist need from a Label •⁠ ⁠What a good manager do for you •⁠ ⁠How to define yourself as an artist If you’re making dance music and want the inside scoop from the people running the show, this is the podcast for you.

    1 hr
  7. EP 2: Dance Music Secrets | DJ Promo | Tom Currie (Your Army)

    07/27/2025

    EP 2: Dance Music Secrets | DJ Promo | Tom Currie (Your Army)

    In this episode, Kevin chats with Tom Currie, exploring the world of DJ Promo and how to get your music out there. We delve into: •⁠ ⁠What is the new world of DJ promotions? •⁠ ⁠Can artists be truly independent and successful? •⁠ ⁠How is Tiktok changing DJ promotion? •⁠ ⁠Is radio and press relevant for artists in 2025? If you’re making dance music and want the inside scoop from the people running the show, this is the podcast for you.

    1 hr
  8. EP 1: Dance Music Secrets | Sample Clearance | Saranne Tardelli-Reid (Sample Clearance Services Ltd)

    07/24/2025

    EP 1: Dance Music Secrets | Sample Clearance | Saranne Tardelli-Reid (Sample Clearance Services Ltd)

    In this episode, Kevin chats with Saranne Tardelli-Reid, exploring the world of sample clearance in the music industry. We delve into: •⁠ ⁠What is sampling, and how do you deal with it? •⁠ ⁠Do you always need to clear a sample? •⁠ ⁠Indie vs Major Labels when it comes to samples. •⁠ ⁠How sampling in the music business has changed since the 90s If you’re making dance music and want the inside scoop from the people running the show, this is the podcast for you.

    57 min
  • 8 Episodes

About

Have you ever wondered what goes on under the hub of a successful dance music record label? Join Scottish producer and label owner Kevin McKay (platinum album, UK top 40 hits, 500M+ global streams) as he uncovers the secrets of a sought-after industry. Glasgow Underground, is a British house music institution. Since 1997, the label has released dance music royalty like Romanthony (”One More Time”), Andy Weatherall, Claptone and Mr. Fingers. As well as scoring DJ store #1s, the label released one of the biggest viral hits of ‘24, TWENTY SIX and Tayson Kryss’ “Buscando Money”.

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