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Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCijzViDaoVljjDXyEPTIwyQ?sub_confirmation=1

This week's guest is the multi-talented producer and artist Backpack Beatz. Backpack shares his journey through music, from his early days playing in church bands to becoming a respected figure in hip-hop production. He opens up about the philosophy behind his craft, including his “No More Free Beats” ethos, which underscores the importance of valuing one’s work and setting professional boundaries in the music industry.

Backpack reflects on his experience with “Non-Stop November,” a self-imposed challenge to create a beat every day, and how it sharpened his discipline, creativity, and ability to push through exhaustion. He emphasizes the role of accountability, the strength found in collaboration, and the importance of authenticity in an industry often dominated by surface-level relationships.

From sharing stories about his work with legends like Ghostface Killah and Kanye West to his aspirations of being part of a Grammy-nominated project, Backpack Beatz offers a wealth of insights for aspiring producers and music lovers alike. Packed with tips on building community, staying inspired, and navigating the evolving music landscape, this episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about the art and culture of hip-hop.

📌 Support the Podcast: Like, comment, and subscribe for more in-depth artist interviews and behind-the-scenes insights from the music industry! 

🔗 Links & Credits
📲 Follow Backpack Beatz: https://linktr.ee/back_pack_beatz
🎧 Listen to Poducer: https://linktr.ee/poducerpodcast

Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction and "No More Free Beats"
05:40 - Motivation, Inspiration, and Community.
14:17 - Early Influences: Big Sean Concert & XXL Freshman Era
19:57 - Reassessing Success Metrics Beyond Money
25:37 - 🎶 CJ Fly - Left Get
28:00 - Church DNA and Musical Foundations
34:14 - Gear and Growth in Music Production
41:24 - 🎶 UFO Fev - Mr. Nice Guy
45:30 - Stylistic Influences: Rockefeller, Just Blaze, and Bink
53:15 - Church Performance as Creative Training Ground
59:22 - 🎶 Backpack Beatz ft. Villa G - World Won't Change
1:02:31 - Venturing into R&B
1:03:56 - 🎶 Jocelyn Hart - My Girls
1:08:00 - Non-Stop November Challenge
01:13:59 - Greatness Comes From Working Tired
01:15:03 - Accountability, Consistency, and Social Media
01:16:19 - Bandcamp and Grassroots Support
01:19:21 - Personal Preferences and Dislikes
01:29:00 - Authenticity in the Music Community
01:34:14 - The Ghostface Killah & Kanye West Placement
01:39:02 - 🎶 Ghostface Killah ft. Kanye West - No Face
01:43:47 - Extensive Beat Catalog and Quality Control
01:49:11 - A “Kill Bill” List of Chicago Artists
2:07:42 - 🎶 Backpack Beatz - Pack Van Exel
02:10:30 - Drumless Beats and Versatility
02:17:43 - Future Goals and Legacy
02:24:00 - Impactful Performances and Influences
02:27:01 - Closing and Shout Outs

Backpack Beatz: No More Free Beats, Church DNA, Kanye, Drumless Beats

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Quarter Hook

✦ some of my favorite tunes atm alongside some new bits i've been working on including a few collaborations + sketches across a variety of styles & tempos. rip clb, welcome to the new project

✦ tracklist
1. Boards of Canada - Sundown
2. Northern Road - Sekkle*
3. A$AP Ferg- Shabba Remix (ft. Shabba Ranks)
4. Modelle - Peacekeeper
5. Mr. Carmack - CROYDON
6. Walton - Point Blank
7. Northern Road - Inner City*
8. FamiliarFace - One Take (Chee Edit)
9. Northern Road - Cause & Effect*
10. Mia Koden - 10easy
11. Northern Road - Leave Em (ft. Rakjay)*
12. Wingz - Understanding
13. Northern Road - Blackbirds (with Slimzee, Boylan + Riko Dan - Mile End Acapella)*
14. Two Swords - Glacial Glaze (with Vandull - Little Man Acapella)
15. Northern Road - Strange Paradise*
16. Northern Road - Closer (ft. Clarity)*
17. Peverelist - Roll With The Punches (Jook Edit) (with YGG - Strikers Acapella)
18. Hijinx - Crawl
19. Northern Road, Kaya - Bushido*
20. Kercha - Chase Me
21. Walton - Quasar
22. Northern Road - Distanct Echoes*
23. Wingz - Abstract Emotion
24. Northern Road - Contradiction*
25. KRYPTIV, Tayler Made - ID*
26. DJ Hazard - Time Tripping
27. Northern Road - Out of Touch*
28. En:vy, Enei - Sinister Life
29. Objectiv - Close
30. Northern Road - ID (with Megan Wroe 'Without You' Acapella)*
31. Northern Road - Unrequited*
32. Boards of Canada - Corsair
* Unreleased

✦ socials
x.com/northernroadUS
www.instagram.com/northernroad.us/

tracklist

Northern Road ✧ Volume I

In this episode of Poducer, we sit down with Zino B and Jimmy Bonks — producers, engineers, and co-founders of Channel Recording Company, a brand-new Chicago studio designed to feel like a living room while sounding world-class.

They share the story of transforming a raw warehouse into a fully treated space in Fort Knox Studios, complete with cedar diffusion walls, a 25×25 ft live room, and a glass-walled ISO booth big enough for a grand piano. We dive into their philosophy of hospitality-driven engineering, why “good sound should be the default,” and how creating a comfortable environment frees artists to focus on making their best music.

Beyond the technical build, Zino B and Jimmy reflect on their paths through the Chicago scene — from Joyride sessions with legends like Buddy Guy to Grammy-nominated projects, to building a community hub where artistry, collaboration, and care come first. They also tackle big topics like AI in music, the importance of “first listeners” in mastering, and how true fans sustain independent art.

📲 Follow Channel Recording Company: https://www.instagram.com/channelingcompany/
🎚️ Learn more & book sessions: https://channelrecordingcompany.com/
🎙️ Follow Poducer: https://linktr.ee/poducerpodcast

00:00 Intro — Channel opens to the public
03:15 From Joyride to Channel: credits, craft, and workflow
05:45 Designing for comfort: glass wall, open doors, quiet rooms
14:35 Building a studio (cedar, diffusion, floors)
23:50 What makes Channel different (hospitality + musicianship)
33:05 Chicago scene: world/jazz, Americana, blues lineage
45:20 AI & the “first listener” argument for human mastering
52:30 True fans, community, and sustainable careers 
57:40 What’s next: projects, outreach, and how to book

The Podcast for Producers

Channel — Inside Chicago’s Most Artist-Friendly Studio (w/ Zino B & Jimmy Bonks)

In this episode of Poducer, we sit down with Chicago creatives Greg Corner — bassist, DJ, promoter, and co-founder of the legendary Darkwave Disco parties. From playing bass with Kill Hannah to booking breakout artists at JBTV, Greg has lived through multiple eras of Chicago music and helped shape the city’s underground into a global influence.

He shares the journey from sneaking into raves and punk shows to sharing stages with icons, why the “bloghouse” years created a blueprint for today’s DJ culture, and what it really takes to build a scene. We dive into his philosophy on curation, taste, and trust, plus the challenges of breaking artists in a city that often celebrates its own only after they’ve left.

Greg also gives his perspective on the future: how AI could flood dance music, why bands may be poised for a comeback, and why real fans — not algorithms — still decide which art lasts.

🎧 Follow Greg Corner: https://www.instagram.com/gregcorner
🎙️ Follow Poducer: https://linktr.ee/poducerpodcast

00:00 – Intro
01:22 – Darkwave Disco & Chicago’s Bloghouse Era
06:00 – From Metal to Electronic: Skrillex, Justice & Bass Culture
11:20 – Joining Kill Hannah & Blending Rock with Electronic Influences
22:31 – Life on a Major Label in the 2000s
28:20 – JBTV & Discovering Bands Before They Blew Up
36:43 – Why Music Became a Rich Kids’ Pastime
41:05 – AI, Dance Music, and the Future of Live Bands
46:16 – Culture Over Headliners: Throwing Parties in Chicago
48:46 – Daft Punk, French Touch & Chicago House Legacy
55:36 – Bands Writing Together vs. Bedroom Producers
1:12:32 – From Tracks to Songs: How EDM Went Mainstream
1:13:21 – DIY Culture vs. Capitalist Festivals
1:15:07 – Touring the World with Kill Hannah
1:20:22 – Behind the Scenes with Kesha’s Comeback
1:36:12 – Best Concert Ever: Rage Against the Machine at Metro
1:42:43 – Closing Thoughts & Shoutouts

Greg Corner — Kill Hannah, Darkwave Disco & Chicago’s Underground Music Scene

In this episode of Poducer, we sit down with Dr. Shannon Switzer, Doctor of Audiology at Sensaphonics, the Chicago based clinic trusted by touring artists around the world. Specializing in music industry hearing health, Dr. Switzer bridges the gap between science and sound, helping musicians protect the very tool that defines their craft.

From growing up in Vermont to studying audiology at Northwestern and joining Sensaphonics, she shares how her background in music led her to a career focused on preserving it. We dive into how hearing actually works, why the modern world has become dangerously loud, and how overexposure to sound quietly reshapes your ability to create and enjoy music.

Dr. Switzer breaks down everything from the physics of hearing and tinnitus to custom in ear protection, high fidelity earplugs, and the misconceptions that make musicians ignore hearing care until it’s too late. She also explains why properly fitted, filtered earplugs can improve how music sounds and how Sensaphonics helped pioneer custom in ear monitors for some of the biggest names in the industry.

From the science of the cochlea to the culture of live shows in Chicago, this episode bridges the worlds of music and medicine, showing why protecting your ears isn’t just about safety; it’s about preserving your art.

🎧 Follow Dr. Shannon Switzer: https://www.instagram.com/ears.by.shannon/?hl=en
🎙️ Follow Poducer: https://linktr.ee/poducerpodcast

The Podcast for Producers

Chapters:

00:00 Intro and welcome
00:36 Who she is and why hearing wellness matters
03:41 First concert, Vermont roots, and moving to Chicago
09:37 Path to audiology
15:16 Custom molds and Sensaphonics
16:27 How hearing works
26:33 Reading tests and the classic noise notch
32:13 Safe listening standards and in-ear monitors
35:36 Protect your ears: high-fidelity plugs and customs
43:27 Fan moments and client privacy
50:55 Inside a Sensaphonics appointment and finding the right audiologist
54:10 Sensaphonics origin and the in-house lab
1:00:18 Tinnitus overview, ear canal resonance, and measuring sound
1:06:44 Testing ears, education, and practical protection
1:18:13 Acoustic reflex and early signs of loss
1:24:39 Tinnitus deep dive, myths, and OAEs
1:34:37 Spreading hearing-health culture and why hearing matters
1:39:25 Why EDM is high risk and lifestyle factors
1:44:34 Headphones vs speakers, phone limiter, and dB Check
1:52:20 Tech today: hearing aids, cochlear implants, 3DME, and research
2:05:40 Venue rules in Europe and HELA certification
2:08:13 Most impactful concert
2:14:36 Shout-outs to teachers
2:19:32 How to book and socials
2:21:33 Wrap-up
2:22:46 Outro and CTA

Dr. Shannon Switzer — Hearing Health, Sensaphonics & Why the World Got Too Loud

In this episode of Poducer, we sit down with Zen Selekta, a DJ and producer whose fusion of spirituality, intention, and raw energy has defined her signature ceremonial bass sound. From Atlanta roots to festival stages, Zen Selekta shares how meditation, breathwork, and self-reflection shape her creative process and keep her grounded on and off stage. She opens up about transforming anxiety into presence, turning music into medicine, and drawing inspiration from thinkers like Joe Dispenza, who teaches the power of embodying what you want before it manifests.

We also explore her path through the music industry, building community in Atlanta’s bass scene, learning the value of a great agent, and navigating professionalism behind the decks. Zen Zelekta reflects on mentorship, creative faith, and the lessons learned from Pretty Lights’ comeback shows, while offering perspective on what it means to thrive as a woman in a male-dominated space. This episode is a reminder that the most powerful artists move both body and spirit.

🎧 Follow Zen Selekta: https://www.zenselekta.com/
🎙️ Follow Poducer: linktr.ee/poducerpodcast

The Podcast for Producers

Chapters
00:00 Cold open — hair talk, Lord Farquaad & the fly saga
01:15 Intro — who is Zen Selekta beyond the decks
03:40 Early inspirations & first concert (Sting at Chastain)
05:19 Big Fam memories, flamenco playlists & olive oil debates
06:35 Meditation, breathwork & finding stillness
09:45 Overcoming anxiety through creative practice
14:20 The moment meditation changed everything
16:20 Mindset, manifestation & embodying belief
19:56 Joe Dispenza teachings & quantum creation
23:06 Shadow work, journaling & personal evolution
24:13 From UKF to Atlanta — discovering purpose in music
27:23 Breaking in, early promoters & first agent
30:23 Industry lessons — community, professionalism & touring
33:42 The ATL “ho!” chant and Atlanta’s live energy
37:30 Staying out of drama & building healthy scenes
39:55 Sci-fi love, Dune aesthetics & creative imagination
48:16 Music as language — dance as worship
49:12 Ceremonial bass & the healing power of presence
52:16 Stage energy, flow state & connecting with the crowd
57:37 Women in music — normalization over tokenization
1:04:45 Pretty Lights comeback & artistic renewal
1:06:44 Mentorship, family & creative faith
1:09:57 Outro — gratitude, links & closing thoughts

Zen Selekta — From Meditation to Mainstage: Healing, Manifestation & the Energy of ATL

In this episode of Poducer, we sit down with Slot-A — a Chicago-based DJ, producer, curator, and community-builder whose journey bridges Detroit grit and Chicago soul. Known for his work with Jamila Woods, his Open Swim Chicago event series, and deep roots in the city’s underground, Slot-A embodies what it means to turn passion into longevity. From growing up in Ypsilanti, Michigan, to producing in New York and ultimately building a home in Chicago’s scene, he shares how faith, hustle, and self-awareness have guided his creative path.

Slot-A takes us through his musical beginnings—discovering Sony Acid and Fruity Loops, experimenting with beatmaking on early software, and landing sync placements on shows like Jersey Shore and Stomp the Yard. He reflects on his time interning in New York studios, learning from industry veterans, and realizing that DJing is just as much a sales game as it is an art form—about knowing your value, understanding your crowd, and building leverage through relationships.

We explore how he evolved from a bedroom producer to a full-fledged DJ, curator, and event programmer, and how each phase taught him the importance of networking, creating “randomness,” and turning luck into opportunity. Slot-A breaks down the differences between Chicago and New York as creative ecosystems, the philosophy behind Open Swim Chicago and Colors, and what it really takes to build sustainable music communities. Finally, he reflects on executive-producing Jamila Woods’ album “LEGACY! LEGACY!”, sharing how that project reshaped his understanding of collaboration, communication, and artistic integrity.

🎧 Follow Slot-A: https://www.slot-a.com
🎙️ Follow Poducer: linktr.ee/poducerpodcast

The Podcast for Producers

Chapters
00:00 Intro & name origin
02:30 PlayStation beatmaking & MTV Generator
05:00 DJing, events & Open Swim Chicago
08:00 Early production journey (Sony Acid → Fruity Loops)
11:00 First concerts: Prince, Missy Elliott, Alicia Keys, Ludacris
18:00 From Michigan to New York to Chicago
23:00 The Columbia College chapter
26:00 Detroit’s DIY scene & creative freedom
33:00 New York hustle, industry lessons & losing everything
39:00 Returning to Chicago & finding purpose
45:00 DJing as a sales gig — leverage, proof, & professionalism
51:00 Knowing your lane, your people, and your weapon
56:00 Networking, motion, & maintaining authenticity
1:03:00 The Chicago advantage — why the city takes care of its own
1:10:00 Executive producing Jamila Woods’ LEGACY! LEGACY!
1:30:00 The language of musicianship & learning collaboration
1:38:00 Reflections on creative faith, community & leadership
1:41:00 Closing thoughts, shout-outs, & where to find Slot-A

Slot-A — The Business of DJing: Value, Leverage & the Art of Connection

47 mins of original tunes from @parkbreezy and I. Much love, we got a bunch more to come ❤️

Track List:
talk to me - parkbreezy
hide and seek - parkbreezy
slippery biscuts - parkbreezy x pheel.
cluttered time machine (light edit) - parkbreezy x pheel.
this is we (only yesterday remix) - parkbreezy x pheel.
milkshakes - parkbreezy x pheel.
moonwater - parkbreezy
change yo wayz - parkbreezy x pheel.
so in wut with you - pheel.
ghostsets - parkbreezy x pheel.
w4th st. - pheel.
smooth as a smoothie - pheel.
i like bloops more than bleeps - pheel.
rocketships - parkbreezy
what are we doing - pheel.
around the way - parkbreezy x pheel.
2fast - parkbreezy x pheel.
thank you jeff - parkbreezy x pheel.
new found truths - parkbreezy x pheel.

artwork - @parkbreezy
mix & master - @pheel518

<a href='https://theartistunion.com/tracks/b96c5e'>Download for free on The Artist Union</a>

Download

parkbreezy x pheel. - morning coffee mix

39 Minutes of new and unreleased tunes from yung @parkbreezy and I. Much love for all the support <3

1. Bit-Depth - parkbreezy x pheel.
2. Flubbersquat - pheel. 
3. Lost Soul - TF Marz x parkbreezy x pheel.
4. blah blah blah - parkbreezy x pheel. 
5. Stressed Out - parkbreezy x pheel. 
6. Tidal - parkbreezy
7. Speakeasy - parkbreezy 
8. Buffering - pheel.
9. Cycles - parkbreezy x pheel.
10. Tomorrow's a New Day - pheel. 
11. Extra Hops - pheel.
12. Finessin - pheel.
13. Snarky - pheel.
14. Decisions - pheel. 
15. Nervous - parkbreezy 
16. Stepping In - parkbreezy x pheel.

parkbreezy x pheel. - Morning Coffee 2.0

we are proud to present you with morning coffee 3.
@pheel518

Track List:

Why Can't We Smile (pheel. flip) - pheel.
A Ballad For Joe(flip) - pheel.
Chest Pains (pheel. flip) - parkbreezy
Hash Pattie - pheel.
107 Degrees - parkbreezy x pheel.
Pharcyde of The Moon (flip) - parkbreezy
The World Is Yours (flip) - parkbreezy
3 Strikes w pheel.  - parkbreezy
Clean House - pheel.
Subtle - parkbreezy x pheel.
Zonin Out - parkbreezy
Purple Orange Beach - parkbreezy
Fraberto - parkbreezy x pheel.
Boom Biddy Bye Bye (flip) - pheel.
The Last Song - pheel.
Bodega Lucy - pheel. x 5am
Digging - Thought Process x parkbreezy
To Be Continued - parkbreezy
Is It Real - parkbreezy
The Real - parkbreezy

parkbreezy x pheel. - morning coffee 3 [mc3]

The Podcast for Producers



Watch on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCijzViDaoVljjDXyEPTIwyQ?sub_confirmation=1

Art by: www.henryfeldman.com

Backpack Beatz: No More Free Beats, Church DNA, Kanye, Drumless Beats

Poducer

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