The Toolroom Academy Artist Breakthrough Podcast

Miles Shackleton
  • 5.0 (1)
  • MUSIC

The Toolroom Academy Artist Breakthrough Podcast explores how emerging dance music artists build their careers from the ground up. Hosted by leading mentors from the Toolroom Academy, each episode dives into real stories of creative development, release strategy, and brand-building in today’s music industry. Guests include rising producers, established DJs, and label professionals who share hard-earned lessons on getting signed, growing fanbases, and sustaining momentum. Designed for producers and DJs ready to level up, it’s a must-listen for anyone serious about turning passion into a professional pathway in dance music. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

  1. 008: From 12-Hour Bar Sets to Tomorrowland - Carly Wilford

    2D AGO

    008: From 12-Hour Bar Sets to Tomorrowland - Carly Wilford

    Carly Wilford joins the Artist Breakthrough Podcast to share her journey from 12-hour bar sets and Rinse FM breakfast radio to playing Tomorrowland and building an international DJ career. In this episode, Carly opens up about reinventing herself in dance music, navigating industry setbacks, starting again during the pandemic, and transitioning from presenter to producer. She breaks down the realities of momentum, networking, resilience, and what it actually takes to build longevity in today’s scene. If you're trying to carve your own path as a DJ or producer, this one is packed with perspective, honesty, and real-world lessons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 48m
  2. 006: How One Remix Created The Electro House Era - D.Ramirez

    JAN 21

    006: How One Remix Created The Electro House Era - D.Ramirez

    D. Ramirez has lived through every era of dance music - from witnessing the birth of house in the UK to shaping sounds that defined entire movements. In this episode, he unpacks the real story behind his journey: early rave culture, underground clubs, Top of the Pops, career-defining remixes, industry mistakes, and the moments that almost broke him. This is a rare, honest conversation about longevity, reinvention, and what it actually takes to survive 30+ years in dance music - told by someone who was there when it all began. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    58 min
  3. 005: CASSIMM: The Hard Truth About DJ Success (Contracts, Hype & Consistency)

    JAN 8

    005: CASSIMM: The Hard Truth About DJ Success (Contracts, Hype & Consistency)

    From early label politics and dodgy contracts, to moving to London with no studio, working as a waiter, and rebuilding everything through residencies, relentless output, and smart connections. We get into workflow, touring vs family life, why warm-up culture is fading, how he writes so fast (including making Love Desire in under an hour), and why he’s staying true to house even when trends move on. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 30m
  4. 004: Mark Knight - Staying at the Top Is Harder Than Getting There

    12/23/2025

    004: Mark Knight - Staying at the Top Is Harder Than Getting There

    What does it really take to last in dance music? In this Christmas Special of The Artist Breakthrough Podcast, Mark Knight reflects on over two decades at the top of electronic music - from building Toolroom into one of the world’s most influential labels to navigating constant change, pressure, and expectation. The conversation goes beyond success stories, digging into longevity, relevance, decision-making, and the realities behind running a global label while still touring and creating. Mark speaks candidly about how the industry has evolved, the role of platforms like Beatport and Spotify, why human curation still matters, and what upcoming artists misunderstand about careers in music. There’s reflection, humour, honest perspective - and a reminder that staying at the top is often harder than getting there. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 8m
  5. 003: How Toolroom & Hospital Evolved Through 30 Years of Club Culture

    12/17/2025

    003: How Toolroom & Hospital Evolved Through 30 Years of Club Culture

    In this episode of The Artist Breakthrough Podcast, Pete sits down with Stuart Knight (Co-founder of Toolroom) and Chris Goss (Co-founder of Hospital Records) to unpack how dance music culture has shifted over the last 30 years - from vinyl, white labels and packed record shops to Boiler Room, phones on the dancefloor, and the rise of DJ celebrity culture. They go deep on how independent labels were built from nothing, the real hustle behind early club culture, why events have become riskier than ever, and whether the music has been lost in the performance. It’s an honest, unfiltered conversation about community, legacy, and what actually matters if you’re trying to break through today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 37m
  6. 002: How Successful DJs Actually Find Their Sound

    12/03/2025

    002: How Successful DJs Actually Find Their Sound

    Finding your sound is one of the hardest parts of becoming a producer and Cal and Pete pull it apart properly. From choosing your lane to shaping an identity that actually gets traction, they share the practical mindset shifts and techniques new artists need. You’ll also hear fresh Academy updates, insights from ADE, details on new courses with Crossfader, Cruzy and Rewire, and live A&R reactions to alumni demos. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 15m

  7. 11/20/2025

    001: Chapter & Verse - How I Lost It All and Became One of the Biggest DJs

    How far can obsession take you? Chapter & Verse has dropped 132 tracks in five years, built his own success, and outworked half the scene. We get into the madness behind the method - the obsession, the doubt, the hunger - and how to keep going when everyone else burns out. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 34m
  • 7 Episodes

About

The Toolroom Academy Artist Breakthrough Podcast explores how emerging dance music artists build their careers from the ground up. Hosted by leading mentors from the Toolroom Academy, each episode dives into real stories of creative development, release strategy, and brand-building in today’s music industry. Guests include rising producers, established DJs, and label professionals who share hard-earned lessons on getting signed, growing fanbases, and sustaining momentum. Designed for producers and DJs ready to level up, it’s a must-listen for anyone serious about turning passion into a professional pathway in dance music. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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