Loud&Unfiltered

The Rise of LDN East: From DIY Project to London Hotspot | Matt Blewitt & Zack Geraci

Alex sits down with LDN East owner Matt Blewitt and Creative Director & Programmer Zack Geraci on the dancefloor of one of East London’s most talked-about open-air venues.From its DIY beginnings to becoming a trusted home for some of electronic music’s biggest brands, artists and events, Matt and Zack share the story behind LDN East’s rise over the past four years.They discuss the venue's origins, the parties that helped put it on the map, why Eastenderz became a turning point, and how LDN East has become a launchpad for emerging talent, including Max Dean.The conversation also explores the realities of running large-scale events, working with councils on street parties, investing in sound and production, and balancing commercial success with a genuine passion for underground culture.Matt and Zach also reflect on standout moments including Skepta & Sammy Virji's EP launch, DR Banana's sold-out All Day Long, Throwdown with Max Dean, Luke Dean and Enzo Siragusa, and why they believe UK house and tech house is leading the world right now.
 
Presented by Alex Jukes

Miami's Biggest Dance Music Playground | Factory Town Special

Factory Town has become one of the defining destinations of Miami Music Week.A sprawling multi-stage playground, attracting some of the biggest names in electronic music and thousands of fans from around the world. With multiple stages, diverse sounds and an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in Miami, Factory Town has redefined what a dance music venue can be.In this special edition of Loud & Unfiltered: Inside Miami, Alex and Grego explore the rise of Factory Town before speaking with Lumia Nocito, Patrick Topping and Max Dean about their experiences of Miami Music Week, the evolution of the city's electronic music scene and what makes Factory Town such a standout venue.Featuring exclusive insights, favourite Miami memories and Patrick Topping's comparison of Factory Town to Glastonbury, this episode captures why the venue has become an essential stop on the global dance music calendar.Guests:Lumia NocitoPatrick ToppingMax DeanPresented byAlex JukesGrego O'Halloran

How Miami Music Week Changed Forever | WMC Special

Winter Music Conference has been bringing the electronic music industry together for decades, evolving from a niche networking event into one of the defining fixtures of Miami Music Week.In this special episode of Loud & Unfiltered: Inside Miami, Alex and Grego reflect on their own experiences of WMC before speaking with seven respected figures from across the scene: Megan Venzin, Doc Martin, Nicolas Rizzo Ehrenbock, Courtney Paige Nelson, Tiffany Baez, Nitin and DJ Ease.Together, they explore the changing face of Miami Music Week, the value of genuine industry connections, unforgettable moments from years gone by, and why WMC continues to play such an important role in electronic music culture.Whether you're a seasoned industry veteran or making your first trip to Miami, this episode captures the stories, perspectives and community spirit that have made Winter Music Conference a cornerstone of the global dance music calendar.Presented by:Alex Jukes | @alexjukeboxGrego O’Halloran | @gregoibiza
 

Kellie Allen on Miami Music Week, PIV Records & Building a Career That Lasts

Kellie Allen joins Loud & Unfiltered for an honest conversation about resilience, sobriety, longevity and carving out a lasting career in electronic music.Recorded immediately after her debut Defected set at The Sagamore during Miami Music Week, Kellie reflects on her journey from vocalist and songwriter to becoming one of the UK's most respected selectors, as well as why she's focused on long-term growth rather than chasing short-term hype.The conversation explores her early years in music, working a full-time job while staying up until the early hours writing songs, moving to Ibiza to work for a start-up label, and the moment she nearly sold her decks and walked away from DJing altogether before winning a competition that led to a 26-week residency on the island.Kellie also discusses her sobriety journey, breaking through with BBC Radio 1, opening Fabric Room 1 for PIV's London showcase, and how a relationship that began through Ibiza Global Radio evolved into becoming part of the PIV family.She shares her thoughts on representation for women in dance music, the balance between inclusion and tokenism, and what it means to now curate her own line-up for PIV.Presented by:Alex Jukes | @alexjukeboxGrego O’Halloran | @gregoibizaGuest Handle:@kellieallenmusic

Melé on Miami Music Week, Boiler Room & 15 Years in Dance Music

Melé joins Loud & Unfiltered for an honest conversation about creativity, anxiety, longevity and evolving through electronic music culture.From growing up on the Wirral and initially falling in love with Hip Hop before discovering dance music through Sasha, Digweed and The Prodigy, to becoming one of the UK’s most respected electronic artists, Melé reflects on the moments that shaped his journey.The conversation explores his infamous Boiler Room set and the impact it had on his career at just 18 years old, moving from Liverpool to Miami, the pressures of staying relevant 15 years into the industry, and learning to become more present rather than constantly chasing the next milestone.Melé also discusses writing his new album in Miami, experimenting with broader vinyl sets, using Ableton as a live creative tool, memories of Miami Music Week and Defected at The Sagamore, as well as the realities of balancing passion, anxiety and longevity within modern dance music culture.Presented by:Alex Jukes @alexjukeboxGrego O’Halloran @gregoibizaGuest Handle:@mele

Harry Romero on House Music History, Miami & Staying Creative as a DJ

Recorded at the Sagamore Hotel during Miami Music Week ahead of his B2B set with Olive F at the Defected Pool Party, house music legend Harry Romero joins Loud & Unfiltered for a deep dive into his journey through dance music culture.From discovering electronic music in the 90s as a “brown kid from the tri-state area” through Hip Hop and Latin Freestyle, to becoming one of the most respected names in house music, Harry reflects on the sounds, people and moments that shaped his career.The conversation explores his memories of the iconic Magic Sessions with Louie Vega, seeing Daft Punk in Miami during the 90s, the resurgence of Nervous Records, the legacy of Subliminal, and his long-standing relationship with Defected.Harry also discusses balancing creativity and longevity as an artist, why he still approaches music like a student, the reasoning behind his many aliases, and how modern audiences are reconnecting with the roots and history of house music.Subscribe to Loud & Unfiltered for more unfiltered conversations with music industry leaders, innovators and cultural entrepreneurs, and connect with us on Instagram @loudandunfilteredpodPresented by:Alex Jukes @alexjukeboxGrego O’Halloran @gregoibizaGuest Handles:@harryromeroofficial@defected

Before Algorithms, How DJs Built the Underground Scene | Jonathan Cowan

Welcome to the very first episode of Inside Miami - a new series exploring the people, stories and culture that helped shape one of the world’s most influential electronic music cities. 
Before streaming platforms and social media algorithms changed dance music forever, DJs discovered records in clubs, traded white labels in person, and built scenes from the ground up. 
 
In this episode, Miami nightlife legend Jonathan Cowan reflects on the golden era of underground music culture - from the early days of vinyl digging and unpredictable club nights to unforgettable moments with artists like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Luciano, Loco Dice and more. 
 
Jonathan shares stories from the rise of Miami’s electronic music scene, how travel and entertainment shaped his path, and why real-world music discovery created a completely different energy in club culture during the 90s and early 2000s.
 
Subscribe to Loud & Unfiltered for more unfiltered conversations with music industry leaders, innovators and cultural entrepreneurs, and connect with us on Instagram @loudandunfilteredpod
 
Presented by: 
 
Alex Jukes | @alexjukebox 
 
Grego O'Halloran | @gregoibiza

Tom Leek on Building UNUM Festival and Albania’s Underground Music Scene

In this episode of Loud & Unfiltered, we sit down with Tom Leek - owner of UNUM Festival - to explore the story behind one of Europe’s most respected underground electronic music festivals.This conversation dives into how a once-overlooked destination became a global hotspot for underground music culture. Tom shares the origin story of UNUM, the vision behind building a festival in Albania, and the realities of creating a destination festival from the ground up.We explore the unique relationship between UNUM and the Albanian government, how the country embraced the festival’s cultural impact, and why Albania has become one of the most exciting emerging destinations in electronic music.Tom also opens up about the behind-the-scenes reality of running a destination festival - from logistics, artist programming and production challenges, to building a loyal global community around the UNUM brand.Along the way, we discuss the evolution of underground dance music culture, the importance of authentic festival experiences, and what it really takes to build a world-class event in a rapidly growing scene.Subscribe to Loud & Unfiltered for more unfiltered conversations with music industry leaders, innovators and cultural entrepreneurs, and connect with us on Instagram @loudandunfilteredpod
Also @unumfestival @tomm_leek @alexjukebox @gregoibiza

Inside SXM Festival: Sistek’s Journey From Chile to Tomorrowland — Latin Electronic Music, SXM Festival & Building a Global DJ Sound

In this episode of Inside SXM Festival, we sit down with Sistek (Adolfo) — Chilean DJ and producer — to explore how he’s building a global sound by combining Latin rhythms, melodic house and euphoric electronic music.
Recorded in Saint Martin during SXM Festival, this conversation dives into how travel, nature and culture shape creativity — from writing music on Caribbean beaches to finding inspiration in sunsets around the world.
Sistek shares how his upbringing in Chile influences his sound, why Latin audiences bring unmatched energy to dancefloors, and how he uses that energy to shape his DJ sets around the world. From reading crowds in different cultures to finding “your people” on the dancefloor, this is a masterclass in connection through music.
We also explore his journey as an artist — from discovering electronic music through Tomorrowland aftermovies, to playing the festival himself, and now pushing towards global stages like SXM Festival and Ibiza.
Along the way, Sistek opens up about his production process, the rise of Latin influence in electronic music, and why blending genres is the future of the scene.
Subscribe to Loud&Unfiltered for more unfiltered conversations with music industry leaders, innovators, and cultural entrepreneurs and connect with us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jukeboxpr/
Key Moments:00:00 – Sunset Rituals & Latin-Electronic Fusion00:21 – Podcast Intro & Welcome to Sistek00:58 – Who Is Sistek? Name, Chilean Roots & British School01:20 – From Chile to Sweden & Touring Life01:48 – First Impressions of St. Martin (St Maarten)02:10 – Exploring St. Martin: Sunsets, Beaches & Creative Inspiration03:02 – How Sistek Describes His Sound: Euphoric Latin House04:35 – Comparing Crowds: Latin America, Europe & the Middle East05:35 – Reading the Crowd & Freestyling DJ Sets06:44 – SXM Festival Crowd: Cultures, Ages & Vibes07:34 – Ibiza as a Turning Point & Seeing Calvin Harris08:37 – Sistek’s Upcoming Ibiza Debut at Hï08:53 – Festivals vs Club Shows: Intimate vs Big-Stage Energy09:45 – Ocean Stage & Intimate Beach Set at SXM10:02 – Production Style: Latin Toplines & Emotional Melodic House10:58 – Dream Collaboration: Rufus Du Sol–Style Spanish Melodic Tracks11:20 – Craziest Gigs: Tomorrowland & Unique Locations11:53 – 96-Hour Non-Stop Party Cruise (Miami to Bahamas)12:37 – Touring, Moving to Paris & Life Plans Beyond DJing13:04 – Football, National Teams & Supporting Barcelona

Inside SXM Festival: Elderbrook on DJ vs Live Sets, SXM Festival, Songwriting Process & Life as a Global Electronic Artist

In this episode of Inside SXM Festival, we sit down with Elderbrook — singer, producer and globally recognised electronic music artist — to unpack how he approaches performing, writing and touring at the highest level.
Recorded in Saint Martin during SXM Festival, this conversation dives into how Elderbrook prepares for completely different environments — from sunset sets on a mountain stage to late-night club performances — and why every show requires its own unique energy and curation.
We explore the key differences between his live show and DJ sets, including how he uses his voice as an instrument, builds looping performances in real time, and balances playing his own music with other artists’ tracks.
Elderbrook also shares insight into his songwriting process — why he now focuses on speed and instinct over perfection, how collaboration helps unlock creativity, and why spending too long on a track doesn’t necessarily make it better.
Along the way, the conversation touches on touring life, playing unique venues around the world, discovering electronic music, and how early club experiences shaped his journey into becoming a global artist.
Subscribe to Loud&Unfiltered for more unfiltered conversations with music industry leaders, innovators, and cultural entrepreneurs and connect with us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jukeboxpr/
Key Moments:00:00 – Elderbrook in the Caribbean: Outdoor Gigs & First Impressions01:18 – SXM Festival Podcast Intro: Rum, Pina Coladas & Guest Lineup02:05 – Playing a Mountain Sunset Set at Pararama Party (SXM Festival)03:51 – Elderbrook’s Live Show Setup: Looping Vocals & Using Voice as Keys04:28 – DJ vs Live Performance: Energy, Identity & Expectations06:10 – New Music: Elderbrook & Adriatique Collab + Working Fast in the Studio07:44 – Songwriting Mindset: From Over-Perfecting to Raw Ideas08:12 – Mobile Studio Gear: Producing on the Road with Just a Laptop08:35 – Favourite Places to Play: USA, Poland & Unforgettable Crowds09:16 – The Club That Changed Everything: Discovering Fabric & Electronic Music10:07 – Dream Collaborations: Jamie xx, The xx & Influential Albums10:29 – SXM Festival Tips: Sunscreen, Shade & Wild Gig Stories