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

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 @alexjukebox Grego O’Halloran @gregoibiza Guest 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 @loudandunfilteredpod Presented by: Alex Jukes @alexjukebox Grego O’Halloran @gregoibiza Guest 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/ [https://www.instagram.com/jukeboxpr/] Key Moments: 00:00 – Sunset Rituals & Latin-Electronic Fusion 00:21 – Podcast Intro & Welcome to Sistek 00:58 – Who Is Sistek? Name, Chilean Roots & British School 01:20 – From Chile to Sweden & Touring Life 01:48 – First Impressions of St. Martin (St Maarten) 02:10 – Exploring St. Martin: Sunsets, Beaches & Creative Inspiration 03:02 – How Sistek Describes His Sound: Euphoric Latin House 04:35 – Comparing Crowds: Latin America, Europe & the Middle East 05:35 – Reading the Crowd & Freestyling DJ Sets 06:44 – SXM Festival Crowd: Cultures, Ages & Vibes 07:34 – Ibiza as a Turning Point & Seeing Calvin Harris 08:37 – Sistek’s Upcoming Ibiza Debut at Hï 08:53 – Festivals vs Club Shows: Intimate vs Big-Stage Energy 09:45 – Ocean Stage & Intimate Beach Set at SXM 10:02 – Production Style: Latin Toplines & Emotional Melodic House 10:58 – Dream Collaboration: Rufus Du Sol–Style Spanish Melodic Tracks 11:20 – Craziest Gigs: Tomorrowland & Unique Locations 11:53 – 96-Hour Non-Stop Party Cruise (Miami to Bahamas) 12:37 – Touring, Moving to Paris & Life Plans Beyond DJing 13:04 – Football, National Teams & Supporting Barcelona