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In this episode of Poducer, we sit down with Die By The Sword to unpack the journey behind his music and creative process. The conversation dives into the inspiration for the name Die By The Sword and the personal philosophy behind it. We explore the intricacies of mixing and engineering tracks, the balance between simplicity and complexity in music production, and how festival culture influences the way we consume live music.

Beyond the technical side of music, we discuss reflections on artistic identity, balancing exposure with authenticity, and the evolving landscape of electronic music. DBTS shares insights about his upcoming releases, collaborations with prominent artists, and the visual storytelling behind his latest EP. Adding levity to the discussion are tangents about browsers, candy nostalgia, and even Lady, the podcast's canine co-host. 

🔗 Links & Credits
📲 Follow Die By The Sword: https://linktr.ee/dbtsbass
🎧 Listen to Poducer: https://linktr.ee/poducerpodcast

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

Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
0:48 - What’s in a Name? The Story Behind Die By The Sword
2:53 - Lady the Podcast Dog Makes an Entrance
4:23 - The Philosophy of Living by the Sword
8:27 - Music Influences: From John Mayer to Eric Prydz
12:11 - The Cost of Festivals: A Rant on Ticket Pricing
16:13 - Chrome vs. Safari: Browser Preferences Get Heated
19:36 - The Art of Mixdowns: Perfection or Obsession?
21:03 - 🎶 "Dusted Dub"
24:19 - Building Complexity in Simplicity: A Producer's Take
25:39 - 🎶 "District"
29:12 - Scoring Soundscapes and Creative Inspiration
36:29 - How Virtual Tools Shape Music Creation
44:11 - Festival Choices and Economic Realities
51:31 - Artist Strategies: Quality vs. Quantity in Releases
59:28 - Signature Sounds and the Importance of Engineering
1:06:31 - The Value of Taking Time with Music
1:07:38 - 🎶 "Empire Business"
1:10:40 - Reflecting on EP Visuals and Releases
1:14:09 - Balancing Exposure and Artistic Vision
1:18:22 - Lady’s Compilation: The Podcast’s Loyal Guest
1:21:47 - Ableton Tips and Plugin Hacks
1:25:31 - AI and the Future of Music Production
1:33:02 - Great Songs vs. Great Mixes: A Producer’s Dilemma
1:40:57 - Relationships and Music: Finding Balance
1:44:42 - Sweet Tooth Confessions: Snacks and Nostalgia
2:06:25 - Influencers in the Wild: Social Media Observations
2:09:52 - DJing and Performing Tracks Live
2:14:11 - Shoutouts: Upcoming Releases and Family

Die By The Sword: Slayer, Dusted EP, Balancing Exposure and Artistic Vision, Candy Preferences

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

Kare (Live Stream)

In this episode of Poducer, we sit down with Orville Kline, a genre-bending DJ, producer, and longtime staple of the city’s underground electronic scene. From his explosive live sets and wild stage antics to his deep expertise in music production, Orville blends technical mastery with pure chaos in the best way possible.

We dive into his journey from punk shows to warehouse raves, the rise of the iconic Porn and Chicken parties, and how touring shaped his approach to performance. As one of the few Ableton Certified Trainers in the Midwest, Orville also shares insights into his production workflow, teaching philosophy, and the evolving landscape of electronic music education.

Links:
Follow Orville Kline: https://orvillekline.squarespace.com/
Follow Poducer: https://linktr.ee/poducerpodcast

Orville Kline: Ableton Certified Trainer, Porn and Chicken, Punk Roots

In this episode of Poducer, we sit down with Artie Do Good — a genre-bending producer, trombonist, educator, and storyteller who fuses live jazz instrumentation with electronic music and deeply rooted political themes.

From his early days throwing ska shows in Kenosha to composing orchestral works in NYC, Artie walks us through his evolution as an artist, educator, and community builder. We dig into the influence of Chicago’s DIY scene, the impact of labor movements and socialist philosophy on his music, and the creative process behind his powerful album Socialist Dance Party.

We also explore the intersection of soulful composition and beat production, his dual life as a teacher and performer, and the growing movement of emotionally intelligent masculinity (aka himboism). Plus, he shares unreleased tracks, stories of musical mentorship, and memories of transformative shows like D’Angelo at Afropunk.

Links:
🎶 Follow Artie Do Good: https://www.instagram.com/artiedogood
💿 Listen on Bandcamp: https://artiedogood.bandcamp.com
🎙️ Follow Poducer: https://linktr.ee/poducerpodcast

artie do good: Socialist Dance Party, Himboism, Live Jazz Fusion & Teaching with Heart

In this episode of Poducer, we sit down with Chicago-based house producer, DJ, and attorney Arum — a rising voice in the underground scene known for his soulful, groove-forward productions, community organizing, and fiercely human-centered approach to music.

He shares how early influences like Crystal Castles and Death from Above shaped his love for experimental rhythms, and why he now champions house music with emotion, texture, and intention.

Arum breaks down his creative process, his views on algorithm-driven promotion, and how he uses marketing tools like Meta ads with intention — all while avoiding the industry’s pressure to chase empty numbers. We also dive into his legal background, discussing music contracts, AI concerns, and why empowering artists with knowledge is at the core of his mission.

Plus, we talk about Beyond Ecstasy Vol. 2, the multi-genre event he’s curating at Book Club Chicago on August 2, featuring names like Backpack, Dante Drives, Yannaa Lynette, and more — a night that blends house, hip-hop, experimental electronics, and rave history into one vibrant community gathering.


🎟️ Beyond Ecstasy Vol. 2 Tickets: https://bookclubchi.com/event/beyond_____ecstasy-2-ft-backpack-beatz-more/bookclub/?direct=true
🎧 Listen to Arum: https://linktr.ee/iswearimarum
📲 Follow Arum: https://instagram.com/iswearimarum
🎙️ Follow Poducer: https://linktr.ee/poducerpodcast

The Podcast for Producers

Arum: Indie Marketing, Artist Advocacy, Attorney, .beyond_____(ECSTASY)

In this episode of Poducer, we sit down with Charlie Heldman — Chicago-based artist, producer, and founder of Windy City Wavs, a grassroots music production collective dedicated to building community, fostering creativity, and supporting independent artists.

Charlie opens up about his journey from his early teenage band days to developing his own R&B-inspired sound — blending sweet lyrics with soulful, sexy beats. We explore his approach to growth as an artist, the role of collaboration in shaping his music, and how consistency and community feedback have fueled his development.

Beyond music, Charlie shares his perspective as a studying therapist, reflecting on mental health, empathy, and the importance of creating safe spaces for expression. He talks candidly about navigating self-doubt, learning to shift negative self-talk, and balancing passion with purpose.

📲 Follow Charlie Heldman: https://www.instagram.com/cbbeatsofficial/
🌊 Learn more about Windy City Waves: https://www.instagram.com/windycitywaves/
🎙️ Follow Poducer: https://linktr.ee/poducerpodcast

Charlie Heldman: Building Community, Creating R&B Vibes & Finding Balance

The Podcast for Producers



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Art by: www.henryfeldman.com