Behind the Decks MPLS

📺 Watch the Video on Spotify & YouTube"Take advantage of your circle and the people around you that are already doing it, and don't be afraid to ask for help," says TNA, a rising star in Minneapolis’ house and electronic music scene. In this episode of Behind the Decks MPLS, TNA shares how moving from Dallas, Texas to snowy Stillwater shaped her eclectic musical tastes—from her parents' soulful R&B and Nigerian influences to her solo trek into electronic music with a Disclosure concert that sparked her DJ journey.She reveals how being active and intentional in the local scene—as both a partygoer and performer—helped her find her groove, eventually landing high-profile gigs opening for acts like Chris Lake. Now shifting her focus from gigging to honing her craft as a producer, TNA reflects on building community, the thrill and nerves of breaking into DJing, and how showing up, being authentic, and connecting with others opened every door. Whether you’re a Minneapolis music lover or an aspiring DJ, Tina’s story is a blueprint for finding your sound and your scene.WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/rlzuU8fypJ4CATCH THE B2B:TNA + Harry Duran YouTube: https://youtu.be/WKY9h9HCMNUSoundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-344089927/tna-b2b-harry-duran-behind-the-decks-mpls5 Key TakeawaysDon’t wait for invitations—attend local events, introduce yourself, and get your face in the scene.Take advantage of your existing network—ask for help, collaborate, and practice with friends to sharpen your skills.Say yes to opportunities early on—experience and “doing the reps” in different settings build real confidence.Challenge yourself to find and play unique, underplayed tracks—curate intentionally to stand out from the crowd.Shift from doing everything to being intentional—focus your energy where you can grow most, whether it’s gigging less or deepening your production craft.Memorable Quotes"Take advantage of your circle and the people around you that are already doing it, and don't be afraid to ask for help. For practice sessions, a lot of us practice by playing with one another, having sessions at someone's house before a show to get some practice and bounce ideas off each other.""I just wanted to play as much as possible and get the practice so I wasn’t nervous about not exporting my music correctly, or not turning off the filter after it’s been on for thirty seconds, little things. I think I just kind of said yes to a lot, which was good because it gave me a good framework and good practice.""I want to play less because I’ve done a lot already, and right now my focus is more on production and developing something that’s more unique to me. I’m still doing events and playing a decent amount, but just being more intentional about the shows that I’m doing and not saying yes to everything because I’m not really practicing anymore; I’m more solidifying the craft."Connect with TNAInstagram - https://instagram.com/akadjtnaSoundcloud - https://soundcloud.com/akadjtnaResources MentionedRESOURCESConnect with UsWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkPG6MJDADxPDad9Dkzg2ewN4Ry7BOnnLListen + Watch on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0nuAdLB1RSemf51PCsTLba?si=ea696f6013d542baListen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/behind-the-decks-mpls/id1868466897MPLSHOUSEWebsite: https://www.mplshouse.com/Instagram: http://instagram.com/mplshouseYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mplshouse3333Threads: https://www.threads.net/@mplshouseAngel Sandro on Instagram: http://instagram.com/angelmsandroCreditsPodcast Track ID: (Feel For Yuh) - Jeff Swiff feat. MPLSHOUSE on Real Feel Recordshttps://itstherealfeel.bandcamp.com/album/jeff-swiff-mplshouse-six-won-two-ep-rfr004 Hosted by Harry DuranInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/djhdbeatsSoundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/djhd🎙️🎙️🎙️Podcast Production & Marketing by FullCast - https://fullcast.co

📺 Watch the Video on Spotify & YouTube“It’s like a charcuterie board of music—variety is the spice of life,” says Dazy Haze, Minneapolis-based DJ, public health professional, and creator who joins Behind the Decks MPLS to share her journey from classically trained pianist in Wisconsin to dynamic force in the Twin Cities’ electronic scene. As Dazy Haze explains, her musical palette was shaped by dissecting orchestral layers, jamming on jock jams in grade school, and eventually diving deep into the Burning Man scene in California, where the fusion of art, music, and community ignited her passion for DJing.Today on Behind the Decks MPLS, Dazy Haze reflects on how post-COVID Minneapolis feels ripe for creative rebirth, why she’s intentionally committing to playing what’s in her heart—including melodic house, tech house, acid, and pop remixes—and how she’s balancing her drive for production with a mission to give back. She discusses her disciplined approach to lifelong learning, the challenges of incorporating live instruments into electronic sets, and why donating a portion of her DJ earnings is non-negotiable. If you’re curious about the artistic evolution of a DJ blending musical flavors, openly navigating personal rebrands, and striving to make an impact, you’ll want to hear Dazy Haze’s story.WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/1R1BoC4O3tECATCH THE B2B:Dazy Haze + Harry Duran YouTube: https://youtu.be/KdgHfXwi-jw Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-344089927/btd003-dazy-haze-b2b-harry5 Key TakeawaysDefine your creative goals—get specific, make a plan, and execute with intention instead of drifting aimlessly.Put in the reps—practice your craft daily, whether it’s DJing, producing, or learning new skills. Consistency wins.Stay true to your sound—play what ignites your passion, not just what you think others want. Authenticity attracts the right opportunities.Connect with your community—reach out, share, and learn from others. Every conversation holds a lesson, every collaboration opens doors.Give back—use your platform and resources to help causes you care about. Generosity multiplies impact far beyond the dance floor.Memorable Quotes"Over time you will learn more finesse. That's just taken time to keep practicing, keep understanding the capabilities of this musical instrument, and then playing around, finding that space, taking the time is really important.""It all always would center around: just be yourself. But it's still a journey to find out what that is. You still have to talk with yourself, be with yourself, and explore your library or explore the sounds you like.""When it came to this latest rebrand, it was easy to just focus around creation and others finding joy through art and music—what I can open up portals to help people see through, walk through, or dance through. Maybe they like what's on the other side, and we’re all just creating little portals for each other to walk through."Connect with Dazy HazeInstagram: http://instagram.com/dazyhazemusicSoundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/qacvW6UhcUR6lMQc5PConnect with UsWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkPG6MJDADxPDad9Dkzg2ewN4Ry7BOnnLListen + Watch on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0nuAdLB1RSemf51PCsTLba?si=ea696f6013d542baListen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/behind-the-decks-mpls/id1868466897MPLSHOUSEWebsite: https://www.mplshouse.com/Instagram: http://instagram.com/mplshouseYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mplshouse3333Threads: https://www.threads.net/@mplshouseAngel Sandro on Instagram: http://instagram.com/angelmsandroCreditsPodcast Track ID: (Feel For Yuh) - Jeff Swiff feat. MPLSHOUSE on Real Feel Recordshttps://itstherealfeel.bandcamp.com/album/jeff-swiff-mplshouse-six-won-two-ep-rfr004 Hosted by Harry DuranInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/djhdbeatsSoundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/djhd🎙️🎙️🎙️Podcast Production & Marketing by FullCast - https://fullcast.co

📺 Watch the Video on Spotify & YouTube“So that really just like that first experience of being up till the break of dawn and, you know, hearing vinyl for the first time, that just triggered me of like, this is what I'm supposed to be listening to,” says Noel Jean, the Haitian-Tanzanian producer and DJ, who joins Start a Conversation to share the unlikely journey that transformed him from a poet and Southern hip-hop fan into a passionate house and techno artist with a relentless drive to craft the Minneapolis scene.Raised amid a whirlwind of late-night studio sessions, rap influences, and soulful family barbecues, Noel’s story is equal parts vulnerability and hustle. He opens up about using writing—first poetry, now music—as a tool for self-connection and discusses how his background in social work and therapy shapes not only his presence as a DJ, but also his advocacy for mental health in an industry obsessed with social media virality. Noel offers an honest take on the struggle to balance privacy with visibility and why blending influences from African rhythms, disco, and European loopy grooves has helped him find his true sound.Tune in to this episode of Start a Conversation to follow Noel’s journey from shy covers on YouTube, through silent disco battles and Chicago rooftop parties, to building the Soul Exchange event series—and discover why embracing community over clout is the real path forward for emerging artists.Catch the B2B with Harry DuranYouTube: https://youtu.be/NvU66mTqKf4Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-344089927/noel-jean-b2b-harry-duran5 Key TakeawaysDon’t wait to create—just start DJing, producing, and building your skill at home or local events. Progress is made in motion, not hesitation.Community fuels growth—show up, support local DJs, and connect authentically. Your presence unlocks opportunities faster than self-promotion.Stay true to your style—resist viral trends and curate your music with honesty. Authenticity attracts real fans and opens doors with integrity.Keep learning actively—dig deep into music history, crate digging, and seek feedback from mentors. Mastery follows curiosity, not comfort.Pair creativity with organization—build templates, set up playlists for samples, and plan releases ahead. Structured habits turn inspiration into impact.Memorable Quotes"So that really just, that first experience of being up till the break of dawn and hearing vinyl for the first time triggered me to realize this is what I'm supposed to be listening to.""Simple is good. I finally understood my sound, which is that loopy, funky groove—sampling songs, keeping things repetitive but interesting with small variations, not overcomplicating things.""One of the most important things for me is journaling and being honest with myself about what I'm putting out—making sure it reflects who I am and staying true to my craft rather than just doing it for likes."Connect with Noel JeanInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/noeljeanmusicSoundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/noeljeanmusicBandcamp: https://noeljeanmusic.bandcamp.com/Soul Exchange Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soulexchange.usSoul Exchange YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SoulExchangeUSSoul Exchange Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/soulexchange-usResources MentionedDubspot - https://www.dubspot.com/Dojo by Ben Rau (music production course/platform) - https://dojomusic.net/Shazam (music identification app mentioned for track discovery) - https://www.shazam.com/ARK Music Festival (Chicago house & electronic festival) - https://arcmusicfestival.com/Connect with UsWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkPG6MJDADxPDad9Dkzg2ewN4Ry7BOnnLListen + Watch on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0nuAdLB1RSemf51PCsTLba?si=ea696f6013d542baListen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/behind-the-decks-mpls/id1868466897MPLSHOUSEWebsite: https://www.mplshouse.com/Instagram: http://instagram.com/mplshouseYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mplshouse3333Threads: https://www.threads.net/@mplshouseAngel Sandro on Instagram: http://instagram.com/angelmsandroCreditsPodcast Track ID: (Feel For Yuh) - Jeff Swiff feat. MPLSHOUSE on Real Feel Recordshttps://itstherealfeel.bandcamp.com/album/jeff-swiff-mplshouse-six-won-two-ep-rfr004 Hosted by Harry DuranInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/djhdbeatsSoundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/djhd🎙️🎙️🎙️Podcast Production & Marketing by FullCast - https://fullcast.co

📺 Watch the Video on Spotify & YouTube"Love music. If you don't love music, if you're doing it for all the wrong reasons, that sincerity or lack of sincerity is going to show to the audience," says DJ Turnstyle, Minneapolis-based DJ, dancer, and lifelong explorer of hip-hop and house culture. As the inaugural guest on Behind the Decks MPLS, DJ Turnstyle shares the remarkable journey that started with being mesmerized by “Beat Street” and b-boy battles at a childhood drive-in, and led to sneaking into legendary Minneapolis clubs at 14 before ultimately becoming a mainstay of the local music scene.Turnstyle traces his deep-rooted obsession with music to his musician father, cable TV, and the burning curiosity that compelled him to hunt down the origins of every sample, every beat, every style—from Prince and Michael Jackson dance moves to the surprise discovery of house music during a traffic jam in Chicago. He explains the philosophy behind being a true selector and conductor, driving a crowd with intention and reverence for the artistry in every track. He also describes why Minneapolis’ multicultural music ecosystem—hungry and eclectic—shaped his genre-blending, crowd-moving approach.In this conversation with host Harry Duran, Turnstyle opens up about the heartbreak of selling his first decks, the DJ’s deeper responsibility to honor forgotten artists, and the advice he gives to anyone thinking about stepping behind the decks: bring love, curiosity, and purpose to the music above all else.Tune in to Behind the Decks MPLS to discover how Turnstyle weaves together history, dance, hip-hop, and house into one electric journey—and why the best DJs, he insists, are always the biggest music lovers.5 Key TakeawaysLove music first—true passion is felt by everyone in the room. Honor your taste and let sincerity drive your set.Embrace your curiosity—explore every genre, dig for samples, and never stop learning. The more you know, the better your craft.Use your platform to elevate artists—respect the creators whose beats and records power your mixes. Be a responsible selector.Curate the experience—think like a conductor and guide your crowd on a journey, not just with tracks but with intention behind every transition.Start wherever you are—don’t wait for perfect gear. Mix with what you have, make the mixes you want to hear, and build momentum from there.Memorable Quotes"Love music. If you don't love music, if you're doing it for all the wrong reasons, that sincerity or lack of sincerity is going to show to the audience.""I loved the idea of curating a set and really living up to the idea of not just being a DJ but being a selector. How do I—what do I want to say tonight to people?""I feel like what we're doing as selectors and DJs is we have to love music and honor the artists who create this, because without it, we wouldn't have anything."Connect with DJ TurnstyleInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/turnstyledjSoundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/MDnrlsD2uhiVWDeJ7nConnect with UsWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkPG6MJDADxPDad9Dkzg2ewN4Ry7BOnnLListen + Watch on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0nuAdLB1RSemf51PCsTLba?si=ea696f6013d542baListen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/behind-the-decks-mpls/id1868466897MPLSHOUSEWebsite: https://www.mplshouse.com/Instagram: http://instagram.com/mplshouseYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mplshouse3333Threads: https://www.threads.net/@mplshouseAngel Sandro on Instagram: http://instagram.com/angelmsandroCreditsPodcast Track ID: (Feel For Yuh) - Jeff Swiff feat. MPLSHOUSE on Real Feel Recordshttps://itstherealfeel.bandcamp.com/album/jeff-swiff-mplshouse-six-won-two-ep-rfr004 Hosted by Harry DuranInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/djhdbeatsSoundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/djhd🎙️🎙️🎙️Podcast Production & Marketing by FullCast - https://fullcast.co