Beat Wala

Jo Youle

This is Beat Wala. Serving up the stories behind the beats - and taking you straight to the soul of exceptional artists, as we sit down every fortnight to unravel what fuels their artistic expression and creation with Music Journalist Jo Youle.

  1. Sep 11

    Beat Wala: The Return of the Free Party powered by Sonarq

    NIGHTCAPPERS: THE RETURN OF THE FREE PARTY Whatever happened to the free party? Ibiza’s dancefloors were built on a spirit of freedom — parties where music, community and connection mattered more than VIP tables, expensive tickets and carefully curated guest lists. But in an increasingly commercialised Ibiza, something interesting is happening. The free party is making a massive comeback. For this edition of NightCappers at The Standard, Ibiza we bring together some of the people shaping Ibiza’s nightlife today to ask why free and more accessible parties are resonating again — and whether they represent a return to some of the values that made Ibiza special in the first place. Joining hosts Jo Youle & Christian Len are Wyan Schreiber from Chinois Ibiza, Aleix Giró from Amnesia Ibiza, and Sergi Marí Arroyo and Adrià Bayarri Escribano from Las Dalias Soul. Together, they explore the changing economics of Ibiza nightlife, the importance of community, accessibility and local audiences, and how venues and promoters can create memorable experiences without everything revolving around the price of admission and VIP Culture. We also look at the legacy of Ibiza’s alternative and countercultural party scene, the role venues such as Las Dalias have played in preserving that spirit, and what a new generation of party-makers can learn from the island’s past. Can a party really be free in 2026? Who ultimately pays for it? And could a return to more inclusive dancefloors help Ibiza rediscover a little of its original soul? A NightCappers conversation about music, money, community, culture — and the return of the free party. NightCappers: The Return of the Free Party is sponsored by Sonarq. Five days of hands-on music production, dedicated 1:1 studio mentoring, live music production and performance, plus career guidance, all centred on you and your music. ________

    Beat Wala: The Return of the Free Party powered by Sonarq
  2. Jun 20

    Beat Wala 32: Thirty Five Years of Nervous Records with Mike Weiss

    This week on Beat Wala, Jo Youle sits down with legendary label founder and house music pioneer Mike Weiss to celebrate 35 years of the iconic Nervous Records. From its beginnings in New York City in 1991 to becoming one of the most influential independent dance music labels in the world, Nervous Records has helped shape the sound of house music across multiple generations. Home to countless classic releases and an ever-evolving roster of artists, the label continues to bridge underground credibility with global reach. In this candid conversation, Mike reflects on the early days of New York club culture, the evolution of the music industry, and what it takes to keep an independent label thriving for more than three decades. Jo and Mike discuss: • The story behind the founding of Nervous Records• New York’s house music explosion in the 1990s• How the label survived the collapse of the traditional music business• The importance of artist development and long-term relationships• Trackstack and how labels manage today’s flood of digital promos• The changing role of DJs, producers and record labels• Why independent labels still matter in 2026• The future of house music and what’s next for Nervous Records With a catalogue that has helped launch careers, define scenes and soundtrack dancefloors around the world, Nervous Records remains one of electronic music’s most respected institutions. Whether you’re a DJ, producer, label owner or simply a lover of dance music history, this episode offers a fascinating insight into the business, culture and passion behind one of the genre’s most enduring success stories.

    Beat Wala 32: Thirty Five Years of Nervous Records with Mike Weiss

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This is Beat Wala. Serving up the stories behind the beats - and taking you straight to the soul of exceptional artists, as we sit down every fortnight to unravel what fuels their artistic expression and creation with Music Journalist Jo Youle.

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