OpenDAW Talks - Elevate Your Music

Lex Luca
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Breaking into the music industry is tough—OpenDAW Talks is here to change that. Hosted by DJ, producer, and former Radio 1 producer Lex Luca, this podcast is your access all areas pass to the world of independent music production, songwriting, and artistry. With experience navigating the global music scene from London to Tokyo and millions of streams to his name, Lex brings candid conversations with artists and industry leaders who’ve been where you are now. We know the journey is filled with hurdles, late nights, and uncertainty. That's why we cut through the noise to deliver real talk about what it takes to find your place in today’s music landscape. From uncovering songwriting secrets to breaking down the complexities of the music business, we go beyond surface-level advice to give you the tools, insights, and mindset shifts you need to carve out your path. Expect unfiltered conversations packed with creative strategies, tips & tricks, inspiration and hard-earned lessons from those who’ve mastered their craft. Whether you're looking to elevate your skills, nurture a winning mindset, or simply find inspiration to keep going, OpenDAW Talks is the ultimate toolkit for your journey. Follow us now on your favourite podcast platform, and head to OpenDAWTalks.com for more info & free resources. OpenDAW Talks: Elevate Your Music Come follow us on socials OpenDAW Instagram OpenDAW TikTok OpenDAW YouTube Follow Lex Luca Instagram If you'd like to get in touch, email us at hello@opendawtalks.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 1D AGO

    Amy Dabbs: Balancing Music With Life, Running Your Own Label & Why Every Good Track Was Once a Sh*t Track

    This week I'm joined by Amy Dabbs - Berlin-based DJ, producer, and label owner who has built a music career entirely around a demanding job in digital advertising, international gigs, and a self-run release schedule. No shortcuts, no safety net - just an incredibly honest account of what it actually takes. We get into how she structures her time to protect studio sessions, the moment during covid that forced her to either quit or throw everything at it, and the creative process behind going from self-taught beginner to releasing music she's proud to play in her own sets. We also talk about running her own label, why she can directly track gaps in her release schedule to her bookings dropping off, and the technique she uses - the golden hour - to hear her tracks with fresh ears before that window closes forever. This one's for anyone trying to make music fit around real life without losing their mind or their sound. KEY TAKEAWAYS Protect your golden hour: After two sessions building an idea, leave it completely alone for one to two weeks. That third session is the only time you'll ever hear it with fresh ears - make every decision you can in that window because it never comes back.Finish it even when you hate it: Every good track was once a track you wanted to bin. Pushing through that moment - not opening a new Ableton session - is the single most important habit you can build as a producer.Kill your darlings: Sometimes the thing you've spent the most time on is the thing that's holding the track back. Save it somewhere, close the folder, and let the track become what it needs to be.Release schedule drives bookings: If you're not releasing consistently, you're going backwards. Amy can see the correlation on a graph - gaps in output lead directly to fewer gigs.Ask for what you need: She asked to go part time and remote before covid made it normal. They said yes. If you don't ask, nothing changes - and more flexibility might be closer than you think. BEST MOMENTS "Every good track I've ever made was a shit track I didn't give up on." - Claude VonStroke, quoted by Amy "That third session is the golden hour - the only time you're ever going to hear that track with fresh ears in the whole world. It never comes back." "I've missed my friend's birthday for this. I can't do it. Maybe I've written all the good tracks I'm ever going to write. And then you turn a corner - and you did not see it coming." "If you have a gap between releases, I can see a couple of months later my bookings lay down. Put it on a graph - it's very easy to correlate the two things." "Don't lose yourself. Don't let the knockbacks make you start changing who you are. Being authentic is the most important thing of all." EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT Kidnap 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 http://instagram.com/opendawmusic http://instagram.com/lexluca Email: hello@opendawtalks.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    57 min

  2. APR 22

    James Hurr: Making Hits, Staying Prolific & The Business Lessons Nobody Teaches You

    This week I'm talking to James Hurr, a producer who's been behind some of the biggest records in dance music for over two decades. Over a thousand released tracks, a top 10 UK hit, a gold record for Tiesto, and a long-running studio partnership with Mark Knight. We get into James' full creative process - how he starts a club record versus a commercial one, how he uses reference tracks inside the DAW to stay objective about his own work, and the songwriting camp session that started as a 90-second demo and ended up in the UK top 10. We also talk about what it's actually like navigating feedback when a record goes major label, why stripping your plugin folder back to almost nothing can unlock better results, and the business basics that took him years to figure out and cost him real work in the meantime. If you're serious about making records and building a career around it, this one's jam packed. KEY TAKEAWAYS Start with the end in mind: Knowing who the record is for which DJ, which playlist, which market — makes every creative decision easier. The magic lives in the first 10 minutes: Most great vocal hooks and ideas come before anyone has time to overthink. Capture them fast and raw.Less is more with sound design: Stripping back to simple oscillators consistently gets more excitement in the room than complex layered soundsCreativity isn't scarce: Don't get tied to one idea. There are limitless records to make. If someone doesn't want that idea, save it - it'll find its moment.Business is just two people with mutual needs: Get the basics right, they're the ones that cost people real opportunities.BEST MOMENTS Just because you love it doesn't mean the rest of the world is going to love it. I am today the sum of all the people I've worked with. Creativity isn't a scarcity. There are limitless songs you can write. Don't limit yourself by getting tied to one idea. Nothing's ever finished - it's just knowing where to define the boundaries of what other people think is finished. Not your own. The first preset on Omnisphere is just a saw lead. Eight or nine times out of ten, everyone goes, oh my god, what's that sound? And it's literally nothing. EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT Mark Knight 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 http://instagram.com/opendawmusic http://instagram.com/lexluca Email: hello@opendawtalks.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 13m

  3. APR 14

    Ruth Royall: Self-Releasing After Having a Baby, Setting Boundaries & Why Your Boldest Move Might Be Going It Alone

    Today I'm joined by Ruth Royall, a Bristol-based vocalist, DJ, and producer. After years of working with labels and managers, Ruth made the boldest move of her career: self-releasing her debut album Queen - a record that steps outside drum and bass into garage, breaks, and dubstep - just after having her first child. We get into what it really means to go independent, how a serendipitous backstage conversation changed the course of her career, and how she built a fully choreographed live show with a three-piece horn section from the ground up. We also go deep on the stuff that doesn't get talked about enough - anxiety, boundaries, social media addiction, and why the artists winning right now aren't waiting to be a finished product before they put themselves out into the world. This episode is for any artist who's been waiting for permission, from a label, a manager, or themselves, to just go and make the thing. KEY TAKEAWAYS Going independent forces self-belief: When every decision lands in your lap, you're forced to back your own instincts. Ruth says she regrets not doing it sooner - the growth has been faster than anything she experienced working with labels.Play is productive: A full day of experimenting without a finished result isn't wasted. The information you gather becomes the fuel for the next session when it all clicks into place quickly.Your sound will come: Don't wait until you're a finished product before putting yourself out into the world. Authenticity develops through output, not planning.Boundaries are a business strategy: Setting clear limits on your time and availability isn't weakness, it's what allows you to sustain a long career without burning out or quietly resenting everyone around you.Boredom is where creativity lives: The dopamine loop of social media is engineered by the best-paid psychologists in the world. Silence, a walk without headphones, is still one of the most powerful creative tools available.Content as artistic extension: Ruth's Queen album rollout bespoke crowns made by artists across Europe, a Bristol nail salon pop-up, multiple queen alter-egos, shows how visual storytelling can deepen the world around your music without compromising its integrity.BEST MOMENTS Make the thing. Just make the thing. Whatever it is. Don't wait for somebody to tell you if it's good or not. I was at a point just before the project where I wasn't really that sure if I wanted to continue as an artist. Going independent came along at the right time - and also the wrong time. I kind of regret not doing it earlier. It's given me so many new skills, just in the way I work with my team and with other people. Being bored is when the most creativity happens. Going for a walk without your headphones seems quite daunting - and then you end up thinking through things you probably haven't for a while. It's taken me 34 years to feel confident enough to set boundaries. But when you give people a parameter, they really respect it. EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT Camden Cox 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 http://instagram.com/opendawmusic http://instagram.com/lexluca Email: hello@opendawtalks.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 11m

  4. APR 7

    Malika: The Story Behind Go, Fearless Artistry & Building a Lasting Career

    Malika is the voice behind Go - a record that’s become part of the fabric of UK dance music - but this episode goes far beyond one iconic track. We get into what it means when a song takes on a life of its own, how to handle imposter syndrome as an artist, and why longevity in music comes from pairing fearless creativity with a real understanding of the business. If you’re trying to build a career in music without losing yourself in the process, there’s a lot in this one for you.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Why big career moments are usually built on years of smaller, unglamorous stepsHow imposter syndrome can be part of growth, not proof you don’t belongWhat it means to let a song belong to the world once you’ve released itWhy great collaboration requires full commitment to the art, not your self-imageThe importance of combining creativity with ownership, structure, and industry know-how  BEST MOMENTS I'm a fearless spirit. I'm fearless in my career and I'm bold and unapologetic. Most people don't get to the big thing, or nobody gets to the big thing without the small steps It's not your song. Once you write a song, it's for the world and it's not yours Owning 100 of nothing is nothing. If you are gonna do it, you do the job, you commit to the job, you commit to the art form. You can. You get out of your head. You don't worry what people think. You don't worry about what you're gonna look like, because you. You become the art. VALUABLE RESOURCES Sounds WritePRS EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT Lawrence Hart 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 http://instagram.com/opendawmusic http://instagram.com/lexluca Email: hello@opendawtalks.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    46 min

  5. MAR 31

    Lawrence Hart: Why Creative Blocks Don't Exist When You Have the Right Process

    From classical trumpet to electronic beats, some musical journeys take unexpected turns that lead to extraordinary destinations. Lawrence Hart's path through jazz conservatories, indie band tours, and collaborative studios reveals how diverse musical experiences can shape a unique artistic voice. In this conversation, we explore the evolution of an artist who started with Miles Davis and ended up crafting producing music that bridges the gap between visceral emotion and dance floor energy. Lawrence shares how his classical training and jazz background continue to influence his approach to modern production, even when creating tracks that sound nothing like traditional jazz. Key Takeaways: • How classical and jazz training can enhance electronic music production - even when the final product sounds completely different from your musical roots. • Practical strategies for beating creative blocks - including the power of starting with vocal samples and setting specific creative tasks. • The importance of developing multiple industry skills - from production to mixing to collaboration techniques. • Honest perspectives on social media and self-promotion - finding ways to engage authentically with platforms you might not naturally love. • Real-world advice for building sustainable music careers - including the value of working with others while maintaining creative control. Best Moments “No one's going to care as much about it as you do. Don't just expect people to do stuff for you. Just view yourself as part of your management team, as part of your booking agent team, part of this, and work and try and be across it all” “I think when you're making music, you’ve got to be like a child, like, just running towards something with no worry of your own safety and just love this thing. Let me go towards it. And I think the best ideas come out from that.” "I think what's drawn me to both [jazz & electronic music], is they're both visceral art forms... My love is stuff that's visceral, stuff that's generally without lyrics." "It's about getting that feeling in you, rather than your intellect, rather than hearing a story and processing it through your brain. It's much more of an immediate response that you feel in your chest.” EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT Kidnap Kid 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 http://instagram.com/opendawmusic http://instagram.com/lexluca Email: hello@opendawtalks.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 18m

  6. 06/18/2025

    David Castellani: Modular Synthesis, Mindset & Musical Mastery

    I sit down with modular synth artist, producer, and label owner David Castellani to unpack the twists and turns of a music career built on exploration, curiosity, and relentless self-reflection. From his early roots in live percussion and hip-hop to the immersive world of modular synthesis, David shares how staying open to change has shaped both his sound and his outlook. We talk about defining success beyond numbers, the importance of mentorship and collaboration, and why creative momentum starts with the quality of your thoughts. David opens up about the pressures of going solo, what keeps him inspired in the studio, and how he balances deep artistic vision with the day-to-day of running a label and performing live. Key Takeaways:Why genre-hopping can sharpen your musical identityHow modular synthesis can unlock new creative directionsThe difference between technical skill and idea qualityStaying inspired as a solo artist without getting stuck in a vacuumPractical advice on finishing tracks, performing live, and running a label BEST MOMENTS"Music is just ideas - and the only thing separating the artists who make it is the quality of those ideas." "When I became a solo producer and had to make every decision myself, everything got tighter. Suddenly I was responsible for every sound, every choice." "I’m always looping back into myself - questioning, adjusting. That internal feedback is where the growth happens." "Follow your sound, trust your intuition… but don’t stop checking what’s just outside your blind spot. That’s often where the magic is." "Electronic musicians are often in a vacuum. And I don’t think that helps us - it actually holds us back." "I truly believe everyone could have a rewarding life in music. The difference isn’t talent - it’s the moment they were (or weren’t) inspired the right way." VALUABLE RESOURCES Download 5 Proven Habits of Artists Who Actually Finish Tracks EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT Shadow Child 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 http://instagram.com/opendawmusic http://instagram.com/lexluca Email: hello@opendawtalks.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 30m

  7. 06/11/2025

    Avaion: How to Finish Tracks, Feel More, and Build Without Burnout

    Today we speak to Avaion - a genre-defying producer, vocalist, and live performer whose music connects by design. From SoundCloud beginnings to sold-out live shows, Avaion reveals how he built a music career on emotional honesty, sonic depth, and relentless consistency. We explore how to stay creative in a dopamine-fuelled, fast-scrolling world, how to finish music when perfectionism strikes, and how sound itself can speak louder than words. For independent artists feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure, this is an invitation to return to the joy of creating. This episode is for anyone asking: How do I stay inspired and finish more music without selling my soul - or burning out? KEY TAKEAWAYS Finishing is a muscle: Why treating music-making like daily training (not divine inspiration) helped Avaion break through.Design for emotion, not algorithms: Synths, textures, and ambiguity let listeners feel their own story.From YouTube to headliner: The DIY approach to branding, visual storytelling, and getting signed without gatekeepers.Inside the live show: A behind-the-scenes look at Avaion’s Ableton-based performance rig—plus why his fans rarely have phones in the air.Creative recovery: How sunlight, cold showers, and friends—not plugins—can help you beat creative blocks. BEST MOMENTS Your opinion is the one that matters most. Everyone else is just noise. Music is art—not work. But you still have to train like an athlete. If I can help people make their own story with my song - that’s the whole point. The tracks I overthought never worked. The ones I just felt - those are the ones that connected. VALUABLE RESOURCES Download 5 Proven Habits of Artists Who Actually Finish Tracks EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT Camden Cox 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 http://instagram.com/opendawmusic http://instagram.com/lexluca Email: hello@opendawtalks.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    51 min

  8. 06/04/2025

    Shadow Child: Reinvention, Resilience & Realness

    I sit down with legendary UK producer and DJ Shadow Child (formerly Dave Spoon) to talk reinvention, artistic integrity, and the realities behind a long-lasting career in dance music. From stepping away at the height of commercial success to redefining his sound and creative purpose, Shadow Child opens up about the risks, the doubts, and the breakthroughs that shaped his evolution as an artist. We talk candidly about mental health, the pressure to stay relevant, and how to build a sustainable, meaningful career in an industry that often rewards fast wins over long-term vision.  Key Takeaways: Why walking away from success can be a creative turning pointNavigating burnout, anxiety, and the pressure to always performHow Shadow Child rebuilt his identity—and his soundReal-world tips on collaboration and staying grounded in the studioWhat it really takes to build a sustainable music career today Join us for a conversation full of depth, honesty, and lessons from someone who’s lived it. BEST MOMENTS "Everything starts like in here … in the studio. I can be a DJ as well and do the radio thing and whatever I've done else I've done in my career, but if it's not happening in a room like this, then I need to take a look at that" "If a label isn't going to take your music, it doesn't mean that the music is bad … it's all very subjective" "I needed a reset button and I needed me to come through the music again because I wasn't coming through the music. My roots, my background, everything I grew up with, that I'm passionate about musically came through in all my early Spoon stuff. But it stopped coming through because of the need to maintain this profile on this circuit I was on." "Trying to get out of this room sometimes it's easy to forget to step out and just feel that the air, the breeze or even a bit of rain. I'm fortunate my studio’s in house. I can sit in here in my pants once my daughter's gone to school if I want to. No one's here. Actually it's not the greatest idea to just sit here all day." VALUABLE RESOURCES Download 5 Proven Habits of Artists Who Actually Finish Tracks EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT Steve Bug 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 http://instagram.com/opendawmusic http://instagram.com/lexluca Email: hello@opendawtalks.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 11m
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Breaking into the music industry is tough—OpenDAW Talks is here to change that. Hosted by DJ, producer, and former Radio 1 producer Lex Luca, this podcast is your access all areas pass to the world of independent music production, songwriting, and artistry. With experience navigating the global music scene from London to Tokyo and millions of streams to his name, Lex brings candid conversations with artists and industry leaders who’ve been where you are now. We know the journey is filled with hurdles, late nights, and uncertainty. That's why we cut through the noise to deliver real talk about what it takes to find your place in today’s music landscape. From uncovering songwriting secrets to breaking down the complexities of the music business, we go beyond surface-level advice to give you the tools, insights, and mindset shifts you need to carve out your path. Expect unfiltered conversations packed with creative strategies, tips & tricks, inspiration and hard-earned lessons from those who’ve mastered their craft. Whether you're looking to elevate your skills, nurture a winning mindset, or simply find inspiration to keep going, OpenDAW Talks is the ultimate toolkit for your journey. Follow us now on your favourite podcast platform, and head to OpenDAWTalks.com for more info & free resources. OpenDAW Talks: Elevate Your Music Come follow us on socials OpenDAW Instagram OpenDAW TikTok OpenDAW YouTube Follow Lex Luca Instagram If you'd like to get in touch, email us at hello@opendawtalks.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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