Artist Coaching Podcast

Does it matter who actually made the music? In this episode, Joey, Ralph, and Jay get into the ghost production debate, the gap between what DJ sets look like online versus in the room, and how social media has replaced Spotify as the place where music actually gets discovered. Plus: tips on promoting a release for brand awareness, making the most of DJ support, and a retreat announcement with two heavyweight A&Rs.(00:00) Intro(07:18) AI in music: Claude on Spotify and Splice(09:50) How artists find new music in 2026(21:53) Instagram vs. reality: the DJ Levi clip(34:13) Is ghost production more common than ever?(42:23) Promoting a release for brand awareness(54:21) Getting support from Timmy Trumpet(57:46) Retreat

Jay Hardway paid for Google ads, crossed 100,000 views on his live set, and watched everything stop the moment the budget ran out. Was it worth it? What does it actually take to turn views into a fanbase that actually follows you?Joey, Bassjackers, and Jay Hardway talk through it honestly. Jay explains what he thinks the ad investment was actually for. Joey breaks down why getting someone to watch once means nothing if you have no way to reach them again. Jay responds to Dimitri Vegas claiming aspiring producers have two years before AI makes a career impossible, and why he thinks building from that fear is the wrong foundation entirely. And Joey officially retires from DJing after a comeback gig where everything went fine, the crowd danced, and he felt absolutely nothing.Ready to take your artist career seriously? Apply for 1-on-1 coaching at www.artistcoaching.nl

Sarah Landry and Amélie Lens played 11 tracks from the same unknown producer in a single Ultra set. He wasn't there. He wasn't booked. His music was everywhere, and nobody in the crowd knew his name.That moment kicked off one of the most honest conversations we've had on this podcast. Joey, Ralph, and Jobke break down why streaming disconnected music discovery from artist identity, why releasing more isn't the answer, and what a sustainable career actually looks like when you're building from scratch.What we get into:Spotify streams don't equal bookings because people can love a track without knowing who made it — and that's a structural problem, not a talent problemThe music industry has moved from scarcity to noise, and the artists who will win are the ones who make fewer, better things instead of feeding the algorithm every two weeksJobke's approach to money: build financial stability with a job first, then go all in on music — that way the pressure doesn't kill your creativity before you get tractionConsistency beats intensity every time — especially if you have a day job, a family, or anything else pulling at your timeStarting your own label to release other artists' music means starting a second business — most artists aren't ready for what that actually involvesYour content doesn't have to be about music to build a music audience — shared interests create real connections, and those connections transferReady to take your artist career seriously? Apply for 1-on-1 coaching at artistcoaching.nl📺 Watch on YouTube📸 Instagram: @artistcoachingnl🎵 TikTok: @artistcoachingTags / Keywordsmusic producer tips, DJ career advice, electronic music industry, streaming vs bookings, artist identity, sustainable music career, music producer burnout, artist branding, content strategy, DJ podcastChapters(00:00:00) Welcome(00:05:11) 11 tracks played at Ultra — and the producer wasn't booked(00:07:28) Is the industry still about the music?(00:08:29) How streaming broke the link between discovery and identity(00:09:52) Millions of streams, no bookings — why it keeps happening(00:15:00) Stop analyzing what works and start building from within(00:29:51) Are we in a creativity crisis?(00:33:43) Why there were no incentives to be different — and why that's changing(00:49:02) Should you start your own label?(00:51:33) Going all in: what artists actually get wrong about money and burnout(00:55:35) Why content that isn't about music still builds your audience(01:01:02) Closing + retreat announcement

Most artists think getting signed starts with sending demos.In this episode, Jay Hardway explains why labels usually come later, and why DJ support, strong music, and real-world proof matter more than just chasing inboxes. We also get into free downloads, Spotify strategy, pitching tracks, genre choices, and what beginner DJs should focus on.Timestamps(00:00) Intro(01:00) Artist Coaching retreat(05:30) Ultra and live set culture(15:28) Borrowing gear and creativity(17:29) Sending your music to artists(18:10) Choosing your genre(31:32) How to get signed(33:45) Free downloads and Spotify growth(38:38) Radio edit vs extended mix(44:55) Should you pitch unfinished music?(49:12) Beginner DJ tips(51:08) Set structure, loops, and transitions(54:53) Why DJ support matters(01:02:07) Why every track needs its own sound

You spend weeks finishing a track.You finally release it… and then nothing happens.In this episode we talk about one of the most frustrating realities of being a DJ or music producer: the moment after releasing music when the algorithm seems to completely ignore your track.We discuss why most releases don’t immediately take off, why the algorithm isn’t something you can control, and why building a sustainable music career requires a completely different mindset than most artists expect.We also talk about DJs faking festival support videos, the current state of festival ticket sales, ghost production as a career, and what it really takes to survive in today’s electronic music industry.🧑🏼‍🤝‍🧑🏼 More info about the Beats and Brand Retreat: https://www.artistcoaching.nl/beats-and-brand-retreat/Timestamps(00:00) Intro(02:00) Beats & Brand Retreat (07:45) DJs faking festival support videos(15:00) AI-enhanced DJ press photos(22:00) Festival ticket sales discussion(26:30) Community questions (31:00) The KSHMR sample pack (38:00) Why Your Song Gets No Plays(40:30) Are big DJs starting to retire?(44:00) Progressive house comeback(48:00) Can you live from ghost producing?The Artist Coaching Podcast is for DJs and music producers who want to build a sustainable music career and navigate the realities of the electronic music industry.

You don’t need another tutorial.You need to release music.A lot of DJs and producers feel busy. Watching studio breakdowns. Buying plugins. Saving ideas. But nothing is getting shipped.In this episode, we talk about:– The education trap that keeps producers stuck– Why motivation won’t build your DJ career– Discipline vs inspiration– Finishing music consistently– Age pressure in the music industry– When to sign with a booking agency– Slowing down to gain clarity– Building a sustainable artist careerIf you want longevity instead of hype, this conversation will resonate.(00:00) Intro(02:00) Slowing down and clarity(09:00) The lost art of doing nothing(17:00) The education trap(25:00) Discipline vs motivation(33:00) Age pressure(38:00) Releasing imperfect music(45:00) Booking agency advice(52:00) Analog gear discussion(54:00) Beats & Brand Retreat

At some point in your DJ or producer career, doing more stops working.Real growth starts when you learn what to say no to.In this episode of the Artist Coaching Podcast, we talk about the shift every artist runs into sooner or later. When saying yes to everything no longer helps your career, your creativity, or your life.We discuss touring versus studio time, finishing music, creative discipline, insecurity, and why long-term careers are built on better choices, not more pressure. This episode is about sustainability, clarity, and staying in the game without burning yourself out.(00:00) Intro(02:00) Touring, shows & testing new music(06:20) Why playing live helps finishing tracks(09:30) Saying no and career growth(13:40) Sustainability and boundaries for artists(16:00) Joey returning to the studio after time away(23:50) When is a track actually finished(37:30) Procrastination, discipline & creative work(42:00) Insecurity, authenticity & image(49:00) Tomorrowland 2026 Line Up(55:30) Closing thoughts

Most artists wait their whole lives for a DM from a legend. Jobke got one, and then he stopped replying.Ralph is back from his break, and we are diving straight into the reality of "making it" in the music industry. We discuss the mental traps of success, from accidentally ghosting Tiësto to selling your first number one hit for a tiny fee. We also break down the Ekboj challenge of 52 releases a year and answer community questions about booking agents, DJ fees, and why elevator music might be the most profitable thing you ever produce.What we discussed:- The 52 release challenge: Why Jobke is releasing a track every single week and how he manages the quality.- Club energy vs. Elevator music: The difference in production effort between Lo-fi and club tracks.- Ralph’s biggest failure: Selling a track that became a number one hit just two weeks later.- Jobke’s biggest failure: The story of how he ghosted Tiësto because he was too proud to use certain presets.- Meeting booking agents: What you actually need to ask to see if you are a priority for their roster.- International bookings: Deciding if a 500 to 700 euro landed fee is an investment or a loss.- Hosting events: Why security, ticketing, and bars make hosting your own show a massive headache.(00:00) Welcome back: The combatant soldier mindset (07:55) The 52 release challenge: Can you stay consistent? (15:31) Why you should or shouldn’t release every track you finish (19:57) Ralph’s biggest failure: Selling a number one hit (21:33) Jobke’s biggest failure: Ghosting Tiësto (27:11) Advice for meeting your first booking agent (33:10) Are 2-hour DJ sets coming back? (42:18) Negotiating DJ fees without being too Dutch (46:50) How to get international bookings with 150k listeners (51:00) The reality of hosting your own events 🧑🏼‍🤝‍🧑🏼 Join the Artist Coaching Community:https://linktr.ee/artistcoachingnl🙋🏼‍♂️ Get coached by us: https://linktr.ee/artistcoachingnl❤️ Follow us on:https://youtube.com/@artistcoachingnl?sub_confirmation=1https://www.tiktok.com/@artistcoachinghttps://www.instagram.com/artistcoachingnl

Is signing to a major label actually the finish line? We are kicking off 2026 with Merow to talk about the reality of life after the "big signing." From almost quitting the industry just weeks before her STMPD RCRDS breakthrough to using her bedroom as a professional acoustic space, we cover the mindset shifts needed for a sustainable career. Timestamps:(00:00) — 2026 Reset (02:28) — Bedroom studio acoustics & bass traps (07:41) — The frustration of the creative process(17:00) — Merow’s "almost quit" story (21:00) — The Label Lie: Signed vs. Settled (34:00) — Dealing with feedback from big artists (44:09) — Producing music while traveling (54:27) — Getting to know the artist behind the music🧑🏼‍🤝‍🧑🏼 Join the Artist Coaching Community:https://linktr.ee/artistcoachingnl🙋🏼‍♂️ Get coached by us: https://linktr.ee/artistcoachingnl❤️ Follow us on:https://youtube.com/@artistcoachingnl?sub_confirmation=1https://www.tiktok.com/@artistcoachinghttps://www.instagram.com/artistcoachingnl

Artists still want success. But more and more of them want careers that don’t burn them out.In this episode, we talk about sustainability, consistency, health, discipline, and why long-term thinking is becoming more important than fast wins. A reflective conversation about building a career and a life that actually lasts.00:00 Christmas mindset09:00 Real life vs online16:30 Time as luxury32:30 Consistency & discipline55:00 Industry realities59:30 Reflection & closing

Is music still the foundation of your artist career, or has content taken over?In this episode, Ralph from Bassjackers and I talk about the tension every DJ and producer feels today: creating music vs creating content.From viral ideas to vlogs, unreleased tracks, DJ support and dealing with stage anxiety, this episode is a real look at what actually moves your career forward in 2026.Chapters:(00:00) Intro(09:09) Virality vs real fans(13:02) DJ support as real reach(16:33) Making your “weird” bigger(23:48) Authentic brand pillars(25:55) Finding your content pillars(29:38) Community Q&A (30:06) Tools for visuals(31:51) Dimitri Vegas & audience(35:07) Remixes & evolving sound(41:00) Stage anxiety(45:17) Vlogs: worth it?(47:22) Posting unreleased tracks(48:30) Do big DJs play other artists’ music?(49:59) Sending promos(51:35) Knowing your lane(55:48) Favourite tracks

Most producers underestimate how long it actually takes to make money from music. In this episode, I sit down with Ralph (Bassjackers) and Jobke to talk honestly about timelines, consistency, and what it really costs to build a sustainable career as a DJ/producer.We dive into why it took Bassjackers five years to break through with Mush Mush, how Jobke spent eight years grinding before getting momentum, and why so many artists quit right before things start compounding. We also touch on multi-genre vs signature sound, the DJ Levi debate, “real DJ” conversations, and how to build a long-term career in 2026.What we cover:Why your career takes years, not monthsMindset vs talentThe unsexy reality of studio workMartin Garrix naming storyTrend-chasing vs consistencyHype vs long-term respectRoyalty expectationsGoals for 2026Black Friday plugin picksChapters:(00:00) Intro(07:20) Why it takes YEARS to make money(09:10) Talent vs mindset(10:20) Reality of studio work(11:50) Track titles & Martin Garrix story(13:20) Romanticising the artist life(17:20) Bassjackers & “Mush Mush”(19:00) Jobke’s 8-year journey(22:40) Gigs as a side effect(24:20) Royalties aren’t a pension(26:00) Consistency vs trends(28:10) Two styles vs many(33:20) DJ Levi & “real DJ” talk(36:20) Short-term hype vs long-term career(45:50) 2026 goals(51:20) Black Friday plugin picksJoin the community / coaching / socials:https://linktr.ee/artistcoachingnl

When you’re starting out, self-belief looks like delusion.Every artist goes through that stage, when no one believes in you yet, and you have to back yourself anyway. In this episode, Ralph and I talk about why that mindset isn’t arrogance; it’s survival.We unpack what delusional self-belief really means, how it helps you push through rejection, and where the line is between confidence and ego. Ralph shares his own story from early wins like “Beat Cut” and “Mush Mush” to working with Martin Garrix during the “Cracking” era, and how staying a little bit delusional kept him moving when things got tough.We also touch on: • How to keep believing when results don’t show yet • The pressure that comes after your first success • What Showtek taught him about simplicity and momentum • Afrojack’s take on copying vs. authenticity • Community Q&A: finishing tracks, self-promotion, contracts & exposure🎧 Listen if you’re in that early phase where doubt is loud. This episode will remind you why you started, and why belief comes before proof.(00:00) Intro(06:10) Brutal honesty and clarity(10:59) The value of delusional self-belief(13:38) After the breakthrough(17:29) “Mush Mush” moment(21:23) Pressure & the dip(23:18) Collabs & the Martin Garrix era(28:03) Afrojack on copying(32:15) Q&A: finishing projects(34:47) Q&A: promo without cringe(38:29) Q&A: studios(41:25) Q&A: release rhythm(46:40) Q&A: contracts(51:01) Roast: LEGND’s Instagram(57:56) Wrap-up & next guest🧑🏼‍🤝‍🧑🏼 Join the Artist Coaching Community:https://linktr.ee/artistcoachingnl🙋🏼‍♂️ Get coached by us: https://linktr.ee/artistcoachingnl❤️ Follow us on:https://youtube.com/@artistcoachingnl?sub_confirmation=1https://www.tiktok.com/@artistcoachinghttps://www.instagram.com/artistcoachingnl