The Platform 030: Artist vs DJ, Creating More Value, Selective Booking, How To Get More Gigs

On episode thirty-three of The Platform Podcast I sit down with Daniel Ian Jones, a Nashville based DJ who's had over 20 years of experience in the music industry. Daniel Ian Jones is a seasoned drummer turned DJ, and he shares his experiences from his journey and insights from his career so far. As someone who's been around music for decades, Daniel Ian Jones talks about the benefits of being prepared and the current global obsession with Amapiano music As a DJ it's part of your job to break records for the guests and introduce them to new music they may not have heard before. He explains how he goes about adding his own flavor to every set. Requests happen often but they don't always fit the vibe. Daniel Ian Jones and I talk about the art of choosing the right songs for every event and crowd. As a tour DJ for the country super star, Thomas Rhett, Daniel Ian Jones goes behind the scenes of life on the road. Balancing his life on tour while maintaining relationships at home is a huge part of why he's as successful as he is and he explains why he always tries to stay connected with friends and business associates alike. As a first timer on tour with Thomas Rhett, Daniel Ian Jones said his goal was to make a big impact, with a minimal footprint. Outside of DJing, he has his own company called OffBrand Entertainment where he focuses on showcasing Nashville's diverse talent beyond country music. With 2024 just beginning, he is already planning big things! This one might cause some drama...but Daniel Ian Jones said T-Swift has to go! Enjoy the episode, leave comments with any questions you have for the guests or people you'd love to see on future episodes and be sure to follow Daniel Ian Jones below! Follow Daniel Ian Jones: https://www.instagram.com/danielianjones/ As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

On episode thirty-two of The Platform Podcast I sit down with Zac Dalton, one of the most popular bartenders in Nashville who works at Barstool! Zac and I dive into the world of bartending as he shares his experiences from over the years and we find out what pushed him to start his own side business in the meal prep. Zac has been in the industry for about 15 years bartending, serving, working for Diageo and their extensive collection alcoholic beverages, attending culinary school and more. In the midst of COVID, Zac moved to Nashville jobless and reminiscences on. his first day ever bartending in Nashville. We talk about his first and worst job ever and how the industry is skewed with managers of bars often making less than bartenders and servers even with more responsibilities. Zac talks about his trip to EDC that he'll never remember after chugging a FourLoko but he'll also never forget after waking up to pictures of him with multiple mimes and clowns. If you haven't been to Barstool Nashville, you may not know about Zactina and the story behind how he was able to have his own sign put up in the bar that truly shows how much support he receives from the industry and locals. Growing up in Chicago, Zac compares the service industry in Nashville to the industry back home and how he'd love to see Nashville change for the better. Bartending isn't all Zac does, as he recently started a side business preparing meals weekly and I can tell you as a return customer, they are great. Enjoy the episode, leave comments with any questions you have for the guests or people you'd love to see on future episodes and be sure to follow Zac below! Follow Zac: https://www.instagram.com/drinkswithzac Follow Barstool Nashville: https://www.instagram.com/barstoolnashville/ As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

On episode thirty-one of The Platform Podcast I sit down with Caroline West, a bartender here in Nashville at one of my favorite spots in the city, Barstool! Originally hailing from West Texas, Caroline has been immersed in the service industry since before turning 18. Now a resident of Nashville, she has worked in various establishments across the city but has found a true home at Barstool, where she has been since its opening in June 2023. During our conversation, we delve into various aspects of the service industry, exploring topics such as the earnings of bartenders and servers in Nashville. Caroline shares some of the pet peeves she encounters behind the bar, and we also touch on her life beyond bartending. She runs Broadway Girls, conducting intriguing street interviews that promise unexpected insights. Tune in to discover more about her experiences and much more. Be sure to follow Caroline and Broadway Girls below! Enjoy the episode and leave comments with any questions you have for the guests or people you'd love to see on future episodes! Follow Caroline: https://www.instagram.com/carolineewestt/ Follow Broadway Girls: https://www.instagram.com/broadwaygirlss/ Follow Barstool Nashville: https://www.instagram.com/barstoolnashville/ As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

On episode thirty of The Platform Podcast I sit down with BG GOOD, a prominent Milwaukee resident DJ who has been a driving force in the city's nightlife scene for several years. Known as one of the most popular DJs in Milwaukee, BG GOOD has also had the opportunity to play national and international stages, including venues in Mexico. In 2023, BG GOOD made a significant shift from the DJ scene to the artist side, unveiling a collection of new original tracks. He tells the story behind his transition, the challenges he faced, and the lessons he learned in adapting his business approach as both a DJ and an artist. We delve into the importance of branding as BG GOOD puts a major emphasis on his career as an artist. From turning down gigs that don't align with his artistic image to organizing shows for his new releases, BG GOOD shares insights into the changes he's made. As we look ahead to 2024, BG GOOD shares his goals, ranging from specific milestones to broader aspirations. BG GOOD shares his strategies for obtaining bookings beyond his city, offering valuable advice for fellow DJs looking to expand their reach both nationally and internationally. Don't miss out on BG GOOD's latest track, "Heaven," along with his catalog of previous releases! Enjoy the episode and leave comments with any questions you have for the guests or people you'd love to see on future episodes! Follow BG GOODD: https://www.instagram.com/djbggood As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

On episode twenty-nine of The Platform Podcast I sit down with two Milwaukee residents, Alberto Valle and Terrence Tucker! Two of the most popular bartenders in the Milwaukee service industry scene. We get things started with some background from the two best friends. Tuck is originally from Ohio and Berto has lived in Milwaukee his whole life. They've been working together for years now and with working together have became a dynamic duo behind the bar. Milwaukee is a small city and I always say how I love how close everyone is. There's not a night that I go out where I don't run into someone I know. The service industry is really close and always show love to one and other. Berto and Tuck talk about how going out to visit other bartenders helps their business as well. The current manager of Whitetail and Local Pub, Berto talks balancing his work and personal life. Tuck bounces between bartending at three different venues and offers some insight on how he deals with his own work-life balance issues. Dating in the industry. The boys talk about their dating history and some of the most common questions they get from others about their love life. Service industry tea is always hot when you're behind the bar as much as these guys are but it's also important to them to not air out other people's laundry. Whitetail Sunday's! One of the hottest weekly parties in the city happens at Whitetail every Sunday night. Recently it's gotten some flack from locals who weren't able to get in. As someone who's been in the service industry for years, I understand it very easily, but for those who may not get it we lay the details out. Enjoy the episode and leave comments with any questions you have for the guests or people you'd love to see on future episodes! Follow Alberto: https://www.instagram.com/princeofthemil/ Follow Tuck: https://www.instagram.com/t_michael08/ As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

On episode twenty-eight of The Platform Podcast I sit down with Rutger Krueger from Milwaukee! He's one of the biggest DJs in the city, a promoter and long-time friend of mine. Rutger gets started telling the story of how he got started in the industry beginning with his days as a promoter, emceeing for events and other DJs and then becoming a DJ himself. After moving to Milwaukee he became well-known in the city for throwing parties at some of the most popular venues and being able to promote the events well enough that he began to establish his own following. When he started to DJ not only did that following roll over but his experience as a promoter did as well which made him an even more valuable DJ. We talked about how the industry has changed since he first got into from both a promoter and DJs point of view. Even going as far to say that if you're a DJ that's just going out to DJ, it will eventually lead to you not getting booked anymore. The Goalie Method. Rutger's family has always supported him and his career path and are very popular amongst the Milwaukee service industry not only for that, but for supporting his friends as well...and throwing one of the most fun service industry parties of the year, The Yard Party. Enjoy the episode and leave comments with any questions you have for the guests or people you'd love to see on future episodes! Follow Rutger: https://www.instagram.com/djrutgerkrueger Subscribe to Rutger's Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/DJRutgerKrueger/ As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

On episode twenty-seven of The Platform Podcast I sit down with Edward DeShazer, the Executive Director of Greater Holy Temple Christian Academy. an entrepreneur, owner of multiple restaurant and nightlife venues, award winner educational speaker and more! Ed is a long-time friend of mine who has always been there for me, so it was great to sit down and talk with him. We caught up since I haven't seen him in forever and got into his life and the experiences he's been through. After being kicked out of school and suspended over 30 times, it's beyond impressive to see where Ed is here today. As someone who struggled so much when it came to school, to be in a place where he now runs a school is a complete 180. After his dreams of going to the NFL were shattered, Ed had his doubts when he came home to begin teaching. Through the experiences he went through he learned how to become the best teacher to his students that he could and also learned how to work multiple roles within the school giving him a better overall perspective. Outside of school he began to dive into other business ventures and with his past experience in the nightlife industry he has since became an owner of multiple successful nightlife venues, currently Local Pub and Whitetail in downtown Milwaukee. Ed talks about the growth he's done over the years and how some of that growth has even led to him losing certain friends. A newer path he's began to excel in is the public speaking field. He's thrived under experienced mentors and now has the opportunity to share his stories to others in the educational field all across the country. Now an award winning speaker, he is still grateful every time he's able to speak and impact other's lives. Enjoy the episode and leave comments with any questions you have for the guests or people you'd love to see on future episodes! Follow Ed: https://www.instagram.com/edwarddeshazer/ As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

On episode twenty-six of The Platform Podcast I sit down with Mr. New York, a long-time friend of mine from Milwaukee who's been killing the DJ scene. Mr. New York starts off by letting everyone know how he got his start in the DJ industry from throwing house parties to now holding residencies at the hottest night clubs in the city. When he began getting his foot in the door at popular venues, it wasn't always for the biggest pay check. Now he's built up his skills, gained a following and can use that negotiate his rate and even throw his own events. Holding residencies at different venues almost every day of the week is great but it's also difficult to sustain and can be tough on you mentally. Mr. New York reminisces on 2023 and how career wise it was the best year ever but personally one of his worst in a long time. With one of his most popular residencies closing their doors at the end of 2023, I asked Mr. New York what his plans are for a new Friday night residency and where he plans to go in "free agency." Always evolving and wanting to do new things, he recently threw his own Boiler Room set at Miramar Theatre. Bringing new ideas to Milwaukee is something he prides himself on as well as throwing successful events like R&B Tuesday, Saturday nights at No. 720 and many others. His goals for 2024 are even bigger! Enjoy the episode and leave comments with any questions you have for the guests or people you'd love to see on future episodes! Follow Mr. New York: https://www.instagram.com/mrnewyorkparty/ As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

On episode twenty-five of The Platform Podcast I sit down with 1L, a Nashville resident DJ that also works for one of the biggest up-and-coming tequila companies in the world, Tequila Komos. 1L kicks the episode off sharing his unique experience of how he broke into the Nashville DJ scene. Outside of the DJ world, he also is the Senior Brand Manager for Tequila Komos. We discuss how he balances (or doesn't) working for a major tequila company and staying busy as a DJ. Being locked in every set isn't always the easiest thing to do, especially on nights when you aren't playing to a packed crowd. 1L talks about how staying focused and giving 100% to every set, even on those slower nights, can open the doors to new gigs. As someone who not only books for other venues in the city but plays events of all sorts from clubs to weddings, 1L details how he goes about finding the right fit for each spot and how he prepares for weddings vs nightclubs. Enjoy the episode and leave comments with any questions you have for the guests or people you'd love to see on future episodes! Follow 1L: https://www.instagram.com/iamdj1l/ Follow Tequila Komos: https://www.instagram.com/tequilakomos/ As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke

On episode twenty-four of The Platform Podcast I sit down with Jack McPherson, the social media director for the hit podcast, "Bussin' With The Boys." Jack is originally from right here in Nashville and stayed home in Tennessee where he attended UT. We talked about everything from his life leading up to now and how he got the position he holds currently, to sports, music, some of his favorite guests and of course the wild experiences he's had. As a long time Titans fan, Jack highlights the season they've had and how he had some goals of not letting sports affect him this year. We talk about who we have as NFL favorites and made our picks for the CFB Playoffs. As a growing personality and team member for the major podcast, Bussin' With The Boys, Jack explains his journey with the company and how he took a risk to stay with company he truly believed in. The workload he has may seem like a lot but he also gets the opportunity to meet influential people from almost every industry. CEO and President of the UFC, Dana White, is one of those people. Jack details the tension in the room when he tags along to watch Taylor Lewan and Dana White gamble more than I've made in my life. Although it's an incredibly successful show, he doesn't plan on slowing down. Jack talks about the goals he has for 2024 for himself and the show and names some guests they have their eyes on! Enjoy the episode and leave comments with any questions you have for the guests or people you'd love to see on future episodes! Follow Jack: https://www.instagram.com/_jackmcpherson/ Follow Bussin' With The Boys: https://www.instagram.com/bussinwtb/ As always, thank you for your support. Catch the latest episodes of The Platform Podcast on YouTube, or tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don't forget to subscribe to The Platform Mix for weekly hour-long DJ mixes, available every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud, or SoundCloud. For the best moments from the show, find us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ThePlatformMix. https://linktr.ee/theplatformmix Be sure to follow me, @DJDexMKE, across all social platforms. https://linktr.ee/djdexmke For access to exclusive downloads of my top tracks of the week, subscribe to my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/djdexmke