Scratching the Surface: DJ Halo on Music, Life, and Beats

Scratching the Surface: DJ Halo on Music, Life, and Beats

Tony Technique and Tim welcome veteran DJ, remixer, producer, turntablist, and label manager DJ Halo (Jeep Ward) to the Vinyl Underground Podcast. Halo recounts starting to DJ in 1997, upgrading to Technics 1200s, and surviving a life-changing incident at 22 when he was run over by two cars, with music becoming part of his rehab. He discusses early radio work in Arkansas where his hip-hop/R&B station surged in ratings before being sold, his roots in hip-hop through tapes like NWA and Public Enemy, and his approach to remixing and production in Ableton. Halo details touring and DJ runs, his time in Oakland, and current projects including an Ice-T release and label distribution challenges driven by AI-era legal scrutiny. He shares where to find his radio shows and offers advice for DJs to learn manual mixing. 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 02:48 Halo Joins the Show 04:36 Origin Story and DJ Name 05:27 First Turntables and Gear Tips 07:43 Accident and Recovery 10:28 Radio Career in Arkansas 13:47 Early Hip Hop Influences 17:04 Remixes and Beatmaking Process 21:15 Ableton Setup and Workflow 23:04 Label Work and Legal Battles 27:25 AI Music and Spotify Concerns 30:14 Touring and Growing Up 34:12 NYC Connections and Breakthrough 35:06 Knitting Factory Crew 36:01 Learning to Mix 37:03 NYC Scene Memories 40:09 Touring and West Coast 42:19 Fake Four Records Era 44:18 Oakland First Fridays 45:59 Bay Life and Money 49:23 Hustle Mindset Origins 52:50 New Blue Records Update 56:44 London Yoga Meets Goldie 01:00:44 Ibiza DJ Conference 01:02:39 Where to Find Halo 01:04:42 Advice and Farewell

InterCity Sessions with Tommy Junior - The D.C. Scene

Join Tony Technique on the Vinyl Underground Podcast for the premiere episode of Intercity Sessions. In this episode, Tony sits down with Tommy Junior, a DJ from the DC area, to discuss the local DJ scene and how his RPG collective is making waves. Learn about Tommy's journey into the electronic music scene, the evolution of his DJ style, and the importance of community and underground venues. Get insights into DC’s vibrant nightlife, favorite venues, and the challenges and joys of hosting open decks for upcoming DJs. Don’t miss this in-depth conversation about the passion and dedication behind the DJ culture in the southeast. 00:00 Welcome to the Vinyl Underground Podcast 01:18 Introducing Tommy Junior from DC 02:20 The Open Deck Concept 04:07 Tommy Junior's Journey in the DC Music Scene 09:12 RPG Collective and Local DJ Collaborations 11:27 Exploring the DC and Southeast DJ Scene 18:39 The Vibrant Culture and Music of DC 21:14 Iconic Venues and Events in DC 27:55 Discovering Underground Music Scenes 33:18 Navigating the Music Scene 33:30 Challenges of Scheduling and Networking 34:14 Evolution of Music Venues 37:04 Rise of Alternative Party Scenes 37:35 Impact of Changing Drinking Habits 38:33 The Underground Scene's Resilience 40:44 Supporting New DJs 52:14 Exploring Different Music Styles 01:00:00 Closing Remarks and Future Plans

Somatic House Collective

Welcome back, party people! In this episode of Vinyl Underground, hosts Tony Technique and Tim Pinner sit down with Sai (Syrn) and Liam from Somatic House Collective — a fast-rising force in the Triangle’s house music scene. They discuss how the collective came together, their vision for inclusive dance-floor culture, the evolution of local nightlife in Raleigh–Durham, and the future of global DJ culture from Afro-house to AI music. Whether you’re a DJ, dancer, or electronic-music lover, this episode dives deep into community, creativity, and connection. Subscribe for more local DJ spotlights and behind-the-scenes stories from the underground. Follow Somatic House Collective on Instagram: @somatichousecollective 00:00 – Welcome back party people! 01:00 – Introducing Somatic House Collective 03:00 – How Liam & Sai met and started the collective 04:30 – Shared values, vision, and the mission behind Somatic House 06:00 – Shifting focus back to the dance floor 08:00 – Sai’s journey from Seattle to the Triangle & DJ influences 10:00 – Cultural roots and global sound inspirations 12:00 – Asian and global electronic scenes emerging 14:00 – Technology and the new wave of DJs 16:00 – Liam’s musical roots and discovering house 18:00 – The future of DJing and AI in music 19:00 – Reading the room and building your library 21:00 – Dancing as therapy & the joy of movement 24:00 – The lost art of the dance floor 27:00 – Raleigh–Durham nightlife & No Visa parties 29:00 – Breaking the four-on-the-floor pattern 31:00 – Afro-house rhythms and cultural fusion 33:00 – Upcoming Somatic House events & collaborations 36:00 – Growing the Triangle’s music scene together 39:00 – Late-night food, club culture, and creative communities 42:00 – Comparing Raleigh–Durham to Charlotte and beyond 45:00 – Opportunities for new DJs and building community 47:00 – Remembering the Subterranean parties 48:00 – Arc Festival in Chicago & house music inspiration 51:00 – After-parties, Smart Bar, and the energy of Chicago 53:00 – The future of Somatic House Collective About Vinyl Underground Vinyl Underground brings you the stories, struggles, and successes of DJs, producers, and creatives shaping the Triangle’s underground dance scene, where beats meet community. * (00:00) - 007 Vinyl Underground - Somatic House Collective * (52:05) - ‌

Marshall Jones' Journey Through the Music Scene

In this episode of the Behind the Deck podcast, Tony Technique and Tim Piner welcome a special guest, Marshall Jones, an OG of the DJ scene. Marshall shares his fascinating journey into DJing, starting from his early exposure to music growing up in Durham, through his influential experiences in North Carolina, Orlando, and Chicago. He talks about significant events like the start of Sound Cartel, hosting iconic parties, and his involvement with Dance Gruv Radio. Marshall also offers valuable advice for new DJs and recounts memorable moments and venues that have shaped his illustrious career. Tune in for an inspiring conversation filled with history, insights, and passion for music. 00:00 Welcome and Introduction 00:37 Introducing Marshall Jones 02:52 Marshall's Early Influences 04:34 Discovering the Club Scene 10:16 Starting as a DJ 16:59 Moving to Orlando 34:03 Chicago: The Learning Ground 36:57 Influences and Mentors 38:33 The Birth of Sound Cartel 39:27 Building the Scene in Chapel Hill 41:37 Durham's Gritty Music Scene 48:04 The Rise of Dance Groove Radio 55:48 Wave Parties and Future Plans 01:04:23 The Importance of Community and Humility

Visuals, Vibes & Vinyl: Inside the Creative World of thefacesblur

🎧 Welcome to the Vinyl Underground Podcast – Where Beats Meet Community! In this episode, hosts Tony Rivera (Tony Technique) and Tim Piner sit down with special guest Adam Graetz, aka thefacesblur, a multidisciplinary artist, DJ, and visual creator based in Durham, North Carolina. Join us as Adam shares his journey from classical guitar to electronic music production, his deep roots in the North Carolina music and art scene, and the story behind his acclaimed Elemental EP. We dive into the evolution of Durham’s underground party culture, the importance of community, and Adam’s experiences working with major artists and festivals. ⏩ Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro & Welcome 02:24 – Meet Adam Graetz (facesblur) 03:11 – Adam’s Musical & Artistic Journey 06:11 – From Graffiti to DJing 10:59 – The Floor 919 & Durham’s Party Scene 17:58 – DJ Styles, Genres, and Live Sets 23:46 – Collaborations & Notable Performances 28:23 – The Elemental EP: Concept & Art 34:15 – Visual Art, VJing, and Working with Interpol & Snoop Dogg 44:10 – Building Community & Supporting New Talent 53:00 – Reflections on the NC Scene & Final Thoughts 1:05:41 – Where to Find Adam (facesblur) & Outro 👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes! 🔔 Hit the bell to stay updated on new releases. Credit for intro:  Visuals: Visual Canopy Music: Adam Graetz Highlight Reel arrangement: Tony Technique Show intro track: DJ Red Wild VinylUnderground #Podcast #DurhamNC #ElectronicMusic #DJ #VisualArt #Community