Jenn Nimmo-Smith on running a PR company, evolving with the music industry and moving back to Glasgow

This episode of Belta is with Bklava. The Lebanese-Northern Irish artist is a stellar musician, vocalist and DJ, recently announcing a long-awaited mixtape. They’re also founder of label, party, and overall banging platform Spin Sugar, which intends to promote female and non-binary artists with the aim to influence young women to join the music industry and close the gender gap. 

In this episode, we spoke about her independence as an artist and her ongoing creative evolution, being a listener versus a DJ, her Lebanese and Irish heritage, and how her now-label Spin Suga all roots in academia.

Find Bklava online here.

Find Belta online at @beltamedia and Niamh at @n_iamhingram.

Music: ‘Ascent’ by Metre

This episode of Belta is with Habgud. He’s a producer and DJ from Nottingham and has recently relocated to Manchester. Often found playing a variety of techno and percussive soundscapes, Habgud has played at clubs including The White Hotel and Tresor and also runs label Burned At Both Ends. He’s also just kicked off a new project; but more on that when you listen!

In this episode we discussed what it’s like to run a vinyl-only record label in 2024 – and the realities of running a label more broadly - expectation vs reality of touring (inclusive of a week stuck in Europe) and his relocation to Manchester, amongst plenty more.

Find Habgud online here.

Find Belta online at @beltamedia and Niamh at @n_iamhingram.

Music: ‘Ascent’ by Metre

This episode of Belta is with Cicely.  Originally from a town not far from Newcastle, she is a multifaceted creative and an exceptional photographer and DJ, who now bases herself in London. She lives by the phrase ‘shy bairns get nout’, and I do the exact same, so with that alone I knew she had to come on for a chat...

We covered SO much in this episode including her photography and music career, her keenness to spotlight working class creatives, mental health, and just going for it. We also mentioned her recent accidental meeting with going viral…!

Find Cicely online here.

Find Belta online at @beltamedia and Niamh at @n_iamhingram.

Music: ‘Ascent’ by Metre

This episode of Belta is with founder and director of PR agency Electric Shores Publicity and artist manager Jenn Nimmo-Smith.

Catching up with Jenn the week a lot of the music industry rose from their festive break-induced slumber, we touched on all sorts: from her various job roles, the reality of working for yourself, funny (albeit tedious!) memories from her vast experience in music, and her decision to move back to her home of Glasgow.

Find Jenn's Electric Shores online here.

Find Belta online at @beltamedia and Niamh at @n_iamhingram.

Music: ‘Ascent’ by Metre

This episode of Belta - the first for 2024, hello! - is with Salford's Ghoulish.  A lad born and bred in the North West, he’s just released his debut EP ‘Weekends Goodwill’ via Skream’s IFEEL label and has played some huge gigs lately, including fabric and Warehouse Project.

We covered heaps in this episode: of course, we spoke about his beloved Salford, as well as the current UK clubbing landscape more broadly. We also touched on his new massive EP, bringing his parents to the rave and the big old discourse on imposter syndrome.

Find Ghoulish online here.

Find Belta online at @beltamedia and Niamh at @n_iamhingram.

Music: ‘Ascent’ by Metre

This episode of Belta is with Nyra. Originally from Sheffield - and with odes to the steel city throughout his artistry - he’s a DJ, producer and labelhead, who is unapologetically doing things on his own terms.

We spoke about his iconic imprint Canoe as it celebrates its 20th release, his residency at Adonis, and his love for his home of Sheffield. We also spoke about changes in the music industry over the years, his break from music to become a professional cyclist, and get reflective.
 
Find Nyra online here.

Find Belta online at @beltamedia and Niamh at @n_iamhingram.

Music: ‘Ascent’ by Metre

This episode of Belta is with Jacklyn. From Newcastle, she is a stellar techno DJ, having played at major clubs including Tresor Berlin and De School in Amsterdam.

This episode covers a real mix, from the healing properties of music and its power to express, making people feel something with music, and her international upbringing and developing her career in Newcastle.

Find Jacklyn online here.

Find Belta online at @beltamedia and Niamh at @n_iamhingram.

Music: ‘Ascent’ by Metre

This episode of Belta is with Isle of Skye-via-Glasgow's Ros T. He’s a producer and DJ who has gone from strength to strength, forming his sonic identity as a concoction of house, disco, indie, soul and more.

In this episode, we spoke about the rich music culture in the Isle of Skye, music as a consistent source of reliance and the importance of openness when it comes to consuming music, too – amongst plenty more.

Find Ros T online here.

Find Belta online at @beltamedia and Niamh at @n_iamhingram.

Music: ‘Ascent’ by Metre

This episode of Belta is with Jordan Nocturne, from Belfast, Northern Ireland. He is an exceptional producer and DJ, with the two very much ingrained into his DNA.

We spoke about those formative days of his career, the importance of DIY culture - and withstanding cliquiness - as well as his party The Night Institute. In prime Belta fashion, we went through some tracks he’s loving right now, and I got a guided tour of Belfast.

Find Jordan online here.

Find Belta online at @beltamedia and Niamh at @n_iamhingram.

Music: ‘Ascent’ by Metre

This episode of Belta is with Rory Masson, based up in Aberdeen, Scotland. He's an industry head in electronic music, founding RARE Club - which runs weekly parties across Scotland's most loved venues including Tunnels, Le Cheetah, Sub Club and SWG3 - and co-directing Cultivate Festival, the North East of Scotland's biggest electronic music festival. He cut his teeth back in the day throwing infamous house parties and afters in his Aberdeen student house, and to this day still throws parties which originate from a place of passion.

In this episode, we spoke about a range of topics, including industry perspectives on some of the most relevant topics in electronic music right now, his renowned afterparty roots and DIY culture. He gave some insightful knowledge into events management, too; it's certainly a must-listen for budding, but also established, promoters alike. Rory also shared his ultimate night out in Scotland with me, and as I write this, am booking the next train to get up there for a dance...

Find Rory online here and Cultivate Festival online here.

Find Belta online at @beltamedia and Niamh at @n_iamhingram.

Music: ‘Ascent’ by Metre