The Platform Podcast

DJ Dex
  • 5.0 (1)
  • MUSIC INTERVIEWS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

The Platform Podcast hosted by Dex features guests from all over the nightlife and sports industry. From DJs to producers, artists, venue owners, record label employees, athletes and more you'll get an in depth look at their lives.

  1. The Platform 070: 17 Lives, Starting Over & Re-Branding In Nashville, Networking Beats Talent

    1D AGO

    The Platform 070: 17 Lives, Starting Over & Re-Branding In Nashville, Networking Beats Talent

    The Platform Podcast Episode seventy features the Nashville based, Heidi Banks. Heidi Banks recently moved to Nashville from L.A. and breaks down the reality of re-building a DJ career from scratch and what it actually takes to get booked in today’s nightlife scene. From growing up in California to working behind the scenes with one of the biggest DJs in the world, to completely starting over in Nashville, she shares her journey of navigating “17 different lives” before fully committing to DJing. We get into why being a good DJ isn’t enough anymore, how networking actually works in nightlife, why you HAVE to be outside if you want opportunities, and what it really takes to build a brand that creates consistent bookings. We also talk about rebranding her identity, adapting to a new city, and the balance between staying comfortable vs pushing for more. Enjoy the episode and leave any comments for myself or the guest! Follow Heidi Banks: https://www.instagram.com/heidibanksmusic/ Follow The Platform: https://www.instagram.com/theplatformmix/ Follow Dex: https://www.instagram.com/thedjdex/ Watch or listen to The Platform Podcast every week on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.   Episode Chapters: 0:00 Intro 1:31 Moving From LA to Nashville 3:18 Getting Into DJing in High School 4:47 Interning in Nightlife & Landing Her First DJ Gig 6:34 17 Lives 8:47 Leaving LA & Choosing Nashville 12:19 High School Production Club & Learning Music 15:12 Learning Ableton, Production & Finding Her Sound 18:27 Rebranding to Heidi Banks 22:15 Breaking Into Nashville Nightlife 23:34 Why DJs Have To Be Outside to Get Booked 28:37 Building Residencies at Jelly Roll’s & Pushing Daisies 31:20 Working With DJ Vice & What She Learned 37:58 Branding, Photoshoots, Websites & Looking Premium 40:29 Comfort Zone vs Growth as a DJ 45:00 Do Flyers Still Work in 2026? 50:05 Reading the Room, Staff Energy & Building the Night 55:33 Biggest DJ Pet Peeve 57:36 “Hear Me Out” Tracks That Always Work 1:04:05 Platform Playlist 1:06:11 Put Someone On a Platform 1:07:39 Azure Day Party Nashville Announcement 1:11:27 Outro

    1h 12m
  2. The Platform 069: It's Giving Global, Going Viral vs Real Skills, You NEED To Flop

    APR 1

    The Platform 069: It's Giving Global, Going Viral vs Real Skills, You NEED To Flop

    The Platform Podcast Episode sixty-nine features the Nashville based DJ and event curator Dumb Groove to break down the reality of becoming a DJ in today’s world. From starting out carrying gear in Florida (just so he could sneak in the club) to building his brand in Nashville, Dumb Groove shares the unfiltered truth about what it actually takes to succeed in nightlife. We get into how DJing right now is one of the most accessible jobs/hobbies in the world and why that's a problem. How going viral doesn't lead to consistent bookings if you aren't actually getting better at the craft. Why DJs NEED to flop and of course, his party, It's Giving Global! Enjoy the episode and leave any comments for myself or the guest! Follow Dumb Groove: https://www.instagram.com/dumbgroove/ Follow The Platform: Instagram / TikTok / YouTube: https://www.instagram.com/theplatformmix/ Follow Dex: https://www.instagram.com/thedjdex/ Watch or listen to The Platform Podcast every week on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Episode Chapters: 0:00 Intro 2:30 How He Got Into DJing 5:15 Learning to DJ & Early Struggles 8:30 Playing Music You Don’t Like 11:00 Is It Easier to Become a DJ Today? 13:05 The Internet Doesn’t Translate to Real Clubs 13:25 Content vs Craft 14:18 “People Need to Flop” 15:15 Why Every Market Is Different 15:55 The Problem With Yes-Man Friends 17:00 DJs Who Can’t Set Up Equipment 25:00 Building a Brand & Throwing Events 30:00 Breaking Into Nashville After COVID 36:00 Why Broadway Wasn’t the Right Fit 58:00 Scaling “It’s Giving Global” & Touring 1:17:00 Building a Team & Future Vision 1:18:40 Outro & Final Thoughts

    1h 19m
  3. The Platform 068: LA to Nashville, Nashville DJs Don’t Scratch, Playing the Same Music Every Night

    MAR 25

    The Platform 068: LA to Nashville, Nashville DJs Don’t Scratch, Playing the Same Music Every Night

    00:00 — Intro 00:45 — Meet Ax (Mexico → Cali → Nashville) 03:00 — From Producer to DJ (Making the Switch) 05:15 — First Gig → Instant Residency 06:30 — Why DJing Isn’t “Just Press Play” 07:15 — DJ Battles & Learning the Craft 10:30 — Why Nashville DJs Don’t Scratch 12:30 — Good vs Bad Scratching (What Actually Works) 14:00 — Obsession, Practice & Getting Good Fast 17:30 — Battle DJ vs Club DJ (Skill vs Crowd Control) 19:30 — Moving From LA to Nashville 21:00 — Why Nashville Has WAY More Opportunity 22:30 — Playing the Same Music Every Night 23:30 — Why One-Genre DJs Get Stuck 24:30 — Taking the Risk to Move Cities 25:30 — Nashville Nightlife Is Exploding 26:30 — Celebrity Bars & Why They Work 27:30 — Barstool vs Broadway (Marketing Difference) 30:00 — Why Nashville Bars Don’t Promote 33:00 — Copy-Paste Venues Problem 36:00 — What Makes a Great Nightclub (Ax’s Vision) 38:00 — How He’d Build a Successful Venue 41:00 — Entitled Crowds & Bad Requests 43:30 — DJ vs Crowd Control (Who’s Right?) 46:00 — Where Ax Is DJing Now 47:00 — The Problem with Booking Agencies 49:30 — No Accountability in DJ Booking 52:00 — Why DJs Get Undervalued 55:00 — How Hard It Is to Get Booked in Nashville 57:30 — DJs with Managers Too Early 59:00 — Fake Followers & Industry Illusions 1:07:00 — The Latin Scene in Nashville 1:09:00 — Why Latin Parties Always Sell Out 1:12:00 — Why Cultures Don’t Mix in Nightlife 1:20:00 — Building a Touring Latin Party Brand 1:23:00 — Nashville DJ Community vs Other Cities 1:26:00 — “Hear Me Out” (Songs That Always Work) 1:29:00 — Ax’s Current Music Picks 1:35:00 — Put Someone On A Platform 1:39:00 — Outro

    1h 40m
  4. The Platform 067: The Luau Party, New Music vs Nashville Crowds, Is SoundCloud Back?

    MAR 19

    The Platform 067: The Luau Party, New Music vs Nashville Crowds, Is SoundCloud Back?

    The Platform Podcast episode sixty-seven features a conversation with a Nashville based DJ, D-Wake, diving into the reality of modern DJing, nightlife culture, and how the best DJs actually separate themselves. In this episode, we break down the truth behind crowd expectations, why tourists and nightlife markets like Nashville lean heavily on familiar music, and how tools like SoundCloud have become the biggest advantage for DJs looking to find tracks no one else is playing. We also get into real stories from behind the booth, including dealing with unpredictable crowds, the pressure of requests, and the moment a set can completely turn. D-Wake shares insight into building community-driven experiences, including creating a unique island party concept that’s grown into something bigger than just a typical event. If you’re a DJ, producer, nightlife professional, or someone interested in the culture behind music and entertainment, this episode gives you a real, unfiltered look at what’s actually happening behind the decks in 2026. Follow D-Wake: Instagram: @d.wakedidit Follow The Platform: Instagram / TikTok / YouTube: @theplatformmix Follow Dex: @TheDJDex Listen to The Platform every week on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. 00:00 Intro 00:45 Meet D-Wake 02:30 Open Format vs Artist DJ Sets 03:00 Why DJs Play The Same Songs 05:10 Building a DJ Project 08:20 Rebuilding a Brand From Zero 10:40 Why DJs Struggle With Content 13:00 Managing Multiple DJ Identities 16:30 Choosing the Right DJ Gigs 19:50 Why Playing Multiple Genres Matters 23:20 Nightlife Trends in Scottsdale 24:00 Are Clubs Pricing People Out? 26:10 Why Bars Are Winning 29:30 The Problem With Copy-Paste Venues 33:00 Why Some Venues Fail 38:10 Should DJs Stay in One City? 41:00 The Electronic Music Scene 46:04 SoundCloud Secrets for DJs 47:52 How to Find New Music 49:07 What Separates Great DJs 53:09 How TikTok Changed Music 57:43 Why Venues Don’t Promote Properly 01:03:40 Is Traveling as a DJ Worth It? 01:05:30 Final Thoughts

    1h 24m
  5. The Platform 066: Building a New Project, DJs Play The Same Songs, Scottsdale Nightlife Is Declining

    MAR 13

    The Platform 066: Building a New Project, DJs Play The Same Songs, Scottsdale Nightlife Is Declining

    The Platform Podcast episode sixty-six, I sit down in Scottsdale with DJ and producer Jonis to talk about building an artist project from the ground up, the difference between open-format DJing and artist-style sets, and why so many DJs end up playing the same songs. We get into the realities of rebranding, launching a new alias, creating content when you hate being on camera, and learning how to separate “taking gigs for experience” from protecting a long-term artist brand. We also dive into Scottsdale nightlife, why the market feels like it’s slowing down, whether venues are pricing people out, and why bars and more curated concepts seem to be winning over traditional nightclub formats. If you’re a DJ, producer, nightlife professional, or creative trying to grow a brand in 2026, this episode is packed with real conversation, industry insight, and relatable struggles from both sides of the booth. Follow Jonis / SumLite: Jonis: https://www.instagram.com/jonissounds SumLite: https://www.instagram.com/sumlite.dj Follow The Platform: Instagram / TikTok / YouTube: @theplatformmix Follow Dex: @TheDJDex Listen to The Platform every week on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. 00:00 Intro & On The Road in Scottsdale 00:45 Meet DJ & Producer Jonis 02:30 Open Format vs Artist DJ Sets 03:00 Why DJs Keep Playing The Same Songs 05:10 Launching a Second DJ Project (SumLite) 08:20 Rebuilding a Brand From Zero 10:40 Why DJs Hate Creating Content 13:00 The Advantage of Having Two DJ Aliases 16:30 Not Every DJ Gig Is The Right Gig 19:50 Why Playing Multiple Genres Makes You Better 23:20 Is Scottsdale Nightlife Declining? 24:00 Are Clubs Pricing People Out? 26:10 Why Bars Are Winning Over Nightclubs 29:30 The Problem With Copy-Paste Nightlife Venues 33:00 Why Some Venues Fail Their Own Brand 38:10 Should DJs Bet Their Career On One City? 41:00 Scottsdale's Electronic Music Scene 45:10 The Trap Of Social Media Numbers 48:30 Focusing On Real Fans Instead Of Views 49:50 Jonis' Goals For 2026 51:20 The Platform Playlist 52:40 Put Someone On A Platform 53:30 Episode Wrap Up

    50 min
  6. The Platform 065: Writing For Multiple Artists, Always Networking, Do Club Goers Want New Music?

    MAR 4

    The Platform 065: Writing For Multiple Artists, Always Networking, Do Club Goers Want New Music?

    The Platform Podcast episode sixty-five, I sit down with Nashville-based DJ, producer, and songwriter Logan Garrett to talk about his journey in music, his growing list of collaborations, and the creative process behind some of his latest releases. Logan shares how he’s built a career by staying versatile across genres—from open-format DJ sets to producing records that blend house, hip-hop, country, and Latin influences. He breaks down the grind behind landing collaborations, the reality of working with artists across the world, and why sometimes the best opportunities come from simply sending the message or taking the shot. The conversation dives into Logan’s work behind the scenes as a songwriter, including contributing to a record connected to Marshmello, as well as upcoming releases and collaborations with artists across multiple genres. He also talks about his independent approach to releasing music and the marketing strategies he uses to grow a global audience. We also discuss the realities of DJing in today’s nightlife scene, the challenge of introducing new music to crowds that want familiar hits, and how DJs balance creativity with keeping the dance floor moving. The episode also touches on Logan’s newest role working as the in-stadium DJ for Nashville SC, what it’s like performing for a stadium crowd compared to a nightclub, and how Nashville’s growing music and entertainment scene continues to create new opportunities for DJs and producers. If you’re a DJ, producer, songwriter, or someone interested in the music business, this episode is packed with insight on collaboration, marketing, creativity, and building a career in music. Be sure to follow Logan: ⁨Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/logan_garrett/ SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/djlogangarrett Check out who Logan “Put On A Platform” during the episode. Canopy by Hilton Gulch: https://www.instagram.com/canopybyhilton As always, thank you for your continued support. Watch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast here on YouTube, or listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, and SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix Be sure to follow me, @TheDJDex across all social platforms. For exclusive downloads of my Top Tracks of the Week, subscribe to my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

    56 min
  7. The Platform 064: DJs Are All Sounding The Same, The Truth About DJ Charts, House Music Is Winning

    FEB 25

    The Platform 064: DJs Are All Sounding The Same, The Truth About DJ Charts, House Music Is Winning

    00:00 — Intro + Meet Boom 00:02:10 — Boom’s Background & DJ Journey 00:03:25 — Turning DJing from a Hobby into a Career 00:04:27 — Moving to Nashville & Leveling Up 00:05:00 — Quitting the 9–5 to Go All-In 00:05:30 — Why Nashville Pushes DJs to Be Better 00:07:07 — Working with Crate Hackers (Curation Explained) 00:08:00 — Building Latin & International DJ Crates 00:10:03 — Why Authentic Curation Matters 00:13:16 — Do DJs Rely Too Much on Charts? 00:14:22 — Why Clubs All Sound the Same 00:15:42 — The Real Art of DJing (Breaking New Music) 00:16:01 — Why DJs Are Afraid to Take Risks 00:16:47 — “What’s This Song?” = Ultimate DJ Respect 00:17:10 — Experimentation vs Playing It Safe 00:18:12 — How Streaming Changed Music Discovery 00:20:09 — Making Edits & Remixes for the Club 00:21:20 — Finding New Artists Before They Blow Up 00:23:00 — Building an Artist Identity vs Club DJing 00:24:00 — “You’re Getting Lapped…” (Execution vs Overthinking) 00:24:56 — Why 100 Listeners is a Big Deal 00:27:34 — DJing vs Producing: Finding Balance 00:31:09 — Artist Boom vs Nightlife Boom 00:33:11 — The Rise of Curated Events 00:34:08 — Adding Live Elements to DJ Sets 00:35:21 — The Moment the Crowd Pulled Out Their Phones 00:35:54 — Why Most People Only Go Out Once a Month 00:36:16 — Making DJ Sets More Engaging 00:39:30 — Are Live Elements the Future of DJing? 00:40:40 — Why Some DJ Sets Feel “Boring” Online 00:41:30 — Social Media vs Live Experience 00:42:56 — Riot Ranch & Nashville’s Growing Scene 00:47:35 — Why Nashville Needs More Than Open Format 00:48:01 — Expanding into New Markets (Miami, LA, NYC) 00:50:20 — How to Get Booked in New Cities 00:52:03 — Networking & Building Relationships 00:53:53 — Influencer DJs vs Real DJs 00:55:03 — The Business Behind Booking Decisions 00:56:39 — Why Dance Music is Winning Globally 00:57:15 — How DJs Test Unreleased Music (IDs) 00:58:22 — Why Other Genres Haven’t Caught Up

    1h 14m
  8. The Platform 063: From Pizza Boy to COO, Life Phases, Toxic Staff & The Horse Poop Guy

    FEB 18

    The Platform 063: From Pizza Boy to COO, Life Phases, Toxic Staff & The Horse Poop Guy

    On Episode 63 of The Platform Podcast, I sat down with one of my close friends, Ryan Cota. Ryan has worked his way up the nightlife industry ladder — starting in the kitchen at a local bar and rising to become the COO of Stanton & Bowery Hospitality, where he now oversees nine venues across the U.S., including Barstool locations in Nashville, Scottsdale, and Philadelphia. During this episode, we dive into what really happens behind the scenes — from building the right team at a venue and maintaining leadership boundaries while still being able to build genuine relationships, to staying ahead of the competition and, of course, keeping owners, staff, and guests happy. Enjoy the episode! Drop a comment below with any questions for Ryan or suggestions for future guests. Be sure to follow Ryan: Ryan Cota: https://www.instagram.com/cotabagel Check out who Ryan “Put On A Platform” during the episode. As always, thank you for your continued support. Watch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast here on YouTube, or listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, and SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. Be sure to follow me, @TheDJDex, across all social platforms. For exclusive downloads of my Top Tracks of the Week, subscribe to my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

    1h 56m
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The Platform Podcast hosted by Dex features guests from all over the nightlife and sports industry. From DJs to producers, artists, venue owners, record label employees, athletes and more you'll get an in depth look at their lives.

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