In this episode of Poducer, we reconnect with Chef Boyarbeatz for a high-energy, insightful convo about the ups and downs of the touring life, creative evolution, and the state of underground bass music. Chef reflects on how he got his start, switching from house parties and hip-hop sets to becoming a Red Rocks performer, even with a snowstorm pushing back his debut.

We dive into the making of his collab with Combine, his love for drum & bass, and how he’s balancing day jobs, teaching, and planning his first full-length album. Along the way, we talk about production schools like Icon Collective, festival crowds, the challenges facing smaller promoters, and what sustainability really looks like for working artists.

Links:
Follow Chef Boyarbeatz: https://linktr.ee/chef_boyarbeatz?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAadGarjE0L4iJB65-XO3Vn3vpcGgA3bcKhIIj6URu5LfAWdSOvWxlVSd-bv5yQ_aem_DXAHULsOatsAmRSgrzRb_Qfbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAafH5idBx2plutYrgSsUYRVijqffWdQwZ7qes3e-MysA3w8yFiZ32dD_MMjHZw_aem_v1O_cz5-kPKsnfyG9TMnsQ
Follow Poducer: https://linktr.ee/poducerpodcast

Watch Video

NSW x Poducer EP 4: Chef Boyarbeatz — Balancing Touring, Teaching & Creating

Had the chance to catch up with the homies EAZYBAKED backstage at Sound Haven 2024. We talk about their first concert (Mac Miller + hotboxed arenas), early inspiration from Wiz Khalifa’s day-to-day vlogs, and what it feels like to play iconic venues like Red Rocks and the Ogden Theater.

They share stories from the road, what it’s like being in full creative control right now, and how wild their Shambhala set was last weekend. There’s some Swiftie talk, too—don’t ask, just watch.

📍 Recorded live at Sound Haven Festival 2024
🎙 Hosted by Jerry Valakas | Poducer: The Podcast for Producers
👉 Follow EAZYBAKED: https://linktr.ee/eazybaked?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAadJIOMbGZF-r5kBmOvJVt2k18ZVokto4BQbIhFK7aazo3cWx65InJuTU2OS4w_aem_itILm9OPprQrQUk-1VIg7Q
🎟️ Grab your tickets for Sound Haven 2025 now at Had the chance to catch up with the homies EAZYBAKED backstage at Sound Haven 2024. We talk about their first concert (Mac Miller + hotboxed arenas), early inspiration from Wiz Khalifa’s day-to-day vlogs, and what it feels like to play iconic venues like Red Rocks and the Ogden Theater.

They share stories from the road, what it’s like being in full creative control right now, and how wild their Shambhala set was last weekend. There’s some Swiftie talk, too—don’t ask, just watch.

📍 Recorded live at Sound Haven Festival 2024
🎙 Hosted by Jerry Valakas | Poducer: The Podcast for Producers
👉 Follow EAZYBAKED: https://linktr.ee/eazybaked?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAadJIOMbGZF-r5kBmOvJVt2k18ZVokto4BQbIhFK7aazo3cWx65InJuTU2OS4w_aem_itILm9OPprQrQUk-1VIg7Q
🎟️ Grab your tickets for Sound Haven 2025 now at https://soundhavenfestival.com/

EAZYBAKED at Sound Haven 2024

In this episode of Poducer at Sound Haven 2024, we link up with Tree Gaud and Ozztin — two close friends and rising names in the underground bass scene. From throwing down original edits on the UFO stage to geeking out about lasers at a Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert, this convo covers it all.

We get into their unique approaches to performance, like Tree Gaud’s “Flip God” set packed with bootlegs and bass, and Ozztin’s genre-blurring style that lands somewhere between weird and heavy. They talk about growing up on Grateful Dead, Weird Al, and Adventure Club, and how those early shows shaped their path into electronic music. We also hear the full story of a surprise backstage moment with Skrillex at Soul Quest, and why that night was a turning point.

From dreadlock maintenance to military stories and festival bromance, this one’s full of wild memories, unexpected tangents, and pure Sound Haven energy.

📍 Recorded live at Sound Haven Festival 2024
🎙 Hosted by Jerry Valakas | Poducer: The Podcast for Producers
👉 Follow Tree Gaud: https://linktr.ee/TreeGaud?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaccTsBipv1fYdAEiG65aLYp0KbbXDZVmmtYloN9p-RX_G5uRU24GmVCpaMwdQ_aem_2p_Gsc6BxDJO58xMfm63ZA
👉 Follow Ozztin: https://linktr.ee/ozztinmusic?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAael8zUmyeKJFGQ3TTXzmg-uaUrlpt6n3czoPNegkPTtkun1Nr5jxp74e29MfQ_aem_WOzd5ia5U1g21Mwixk7uww
🎟️ Grab your tickets for Sound Haven 2025 now at https://soundhavenfestival.com/

Treegaud & Ozztin Sound Haven 2024

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 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

The Podcast for Producers



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

Art by: www.henryfeldman.com

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