Belta goes behind the scenes with DJs, producers and folk in the electronic music scene - totally unfiltered. There’s a catch, though: they’re all from, or based in, the north. This might be the north of their country, region or city, but each guest is tied by this common thread. Get comfortable and listen to some of the people in the industry smashing it right now: discover a thing or two about the north in the process, and get to know those you thought you once knew as Belta dives deep int ...
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Meltx on being her most authentic self, perceptions of hard techno and embracing femininity
47:44
47:44
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This episode of Belta is with Manchester-based DJ and producer Meltx. We covered all sorts in this episode: from perceptions of hard techno, to embracing your truest self and feminity, to experiences on the dancefloor and beyond. I learned a lot in this one about the scene she is involved in and some super interesting outlooks on life, and I know y…
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Van Damn on repping Scotland, making music for you and interviewing the biggest names in club culture
1:02:20
1:02:20
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This episode of Belta is with Van Damn. He is an absolutely class producer and DJ hailing from Scotland, and has many what I’m going to call ‘side quests’ through the stellar b2b podcast and design work. We spoke about plenty in this episode - from his various DJing endeavours, to Scotland and bigging up the local and making music for YOU. We gossi…
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Tony y Not on invisible illness and mental health in music, Couzin S and her Safe Spaces Series pod
51:08
51:08
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This episode of Belta is with Tony y Not. Born in Germany and now living in North America, specifically NYC, she is a stellar DJ and producer who weaves between soundscapes of upbeat rhythms, funny builds, dark synths and acid tinged disco. I’ve been wanting her on Belta for a while now, and we’ve finally made it happen! We spoke about mental healt…
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Talina on her new midweek Rinse residency, hailing from Manchester and her love for United
49:52
49:52
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This episode of Belta is with Talina. Originally from Manchester and now based in London, she’s a sensational presenter, radio host and DJ who holds down regular shows on Rinse FM, has hosted Boiler Rooms, and runs her own podcast South Asian Overground. Naturally we spoke about all of that, her absolutely instrumental and incredible efforts to tal…
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Denham Audio on Sheffield's nightlife, ingredients for a perfect club and his brush with Batman
53:05
53:05
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53:05
This episode of Belta is with Denham Audio. Originally from London but at this point an adopted Northerner having moved to Sheffield and never looked back, he’s been all over the place recently. Look no further than his 23 date tour that spanned Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand... We covered heaps in this episode and had such a class, chille…
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Danny Howard on growing up in the North West, moving back up north and his BBC Radio 1 Dance show
40:26
40:26
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This episode of Belta is with Danny Howard. Originally from the North West, he's most widely known for heading up Friday nights on BBC Radio 1. We spoke about that, but also all sorts beyond this: from growing up in the North West, how he stays literally sane whilst spinning so many plates (did I mention he also runs a label?), the responsibility o…
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La La on growing organically, misogyny in club culture and giving other people their flowers
48:03
48:03
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48:03
This episode of Belta is with La La. She’s a sensational DJ, producer and label head from Scotland. It feels really full circle getting her onto Belta, as it’s nearly three years since I wrote a little piece on her in DJ Mag. We spoke about so much: from her homeland of Scotland - it’s Belta, after all - to navigating a music career as a woman, reb…
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Rinzen on the transition from music journalism to being a full-time artist, dealing with creative blocks and his love for sci-fi
42:14
42:14
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This episode of Belta is with Rinzen. The half-North American, half-Japanese producer and DJ has just shared his new album ‘Bend To The Light’ curated on the background of a really fun, sci-fi and futuristic concept, and hopped on to Belta to chat to me all things working with some massive labels, his obsession with creative and workflow inspiratio…
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Alan Dixon on leaving the North, working with top record labels and the value of putting in the work
47:52
47:52
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This episode of Belta is with Alan Dixon. He’s originally from the North East - from good old Darlington - and is a cracking DJ, producer and labelowner who creates proper uplifting, anthemic and feel-good tracks. He's worked with some of the top names in the business including Defected/Glitterbox, Three Six Zero and Keinemusik. This was a super fu…
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Bklava on her artistic freedom, new mixtape, and relationship with Irish club culture
54:59
54:59
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This episode of Belta is with Bklava. The Lebanese-Northern Irish artist is a stellar musician, vocalist and DJ, recently announcing a long-awaited mixtape. They’re also founder of label, party, and overall banging platform Spin Sugar, which intends to promote female and non-binary artists with the aim to influence young women to join the music ind…
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Habgud on how to start a record label, techno with a "serious unseriousness" and getting stranded in Europe
51:01
51:01
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51:01
This episode of Belta is with Habgud. He’s a producer and DJ from Nottingham and has recently relocated to Manchester. Often found playing a variety of techno and percussive soundscapes, Habgud has played at clubs including The White Hotel and Tresor and also runs label Burned At Both Ends. He’s also just kicked off a new project; but more on that …
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Cicely on being open about mental health, creating work with meaning and *that* viral reel
41:18
41:18
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41:18
This episode of Belta is with Cicely. Originally from a town not far from Newcastle, she is a multifaceted creative and an exceptional photographer and DJ, who now bases herself in London. She lives by the phrase ‘shy bairns get nout’, and I do the exact same, so with that alone I knew she had to come on for a chat... We covered SO much in this epi…
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Jenn Nimmo-Smith on running a PR company, evolving with the music industry and moving back to Glasgow
37:43
37:43
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This episode of Belta is with founder and director of PR agency Electric Shores Publicity and artist manager Jenn Nimmo-Smith. Catching up with Jenn the week a lot of the music industry rose from their festive break-induced slumber, we touched on all sorts: from her various job roles, the reality of working for yourself, funny (albeit tedious!) mem…
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Ghoulish on his beloved Salford, bringing his parents to the rave and the UK clubbing landscape
42:29
42:29
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42:29
This episode of Belta - the first for 2024, hello! - is with Salford's Ghoulish. A lad born and bred in the North West, he’s just released his debut EP ‘Weekends Goodwill’ via Skream’s IFEEL label and has played some huge gigs lately, including fabric and Warehouse Project. We covered heaps in this episode: of course, we spoke about his beloved Sal…
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Nyra on Sheffield's influence on his artistry, landmark moments with his label Canoe, and his unexpected career switch
46:31
46:31
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This episode of Belta is with Nyra. Originally from Sheffield - and with odes to the steel city throughout his artistry - he’s a DJ, producer and labelhead, who is unapologetically doing things on his own terms. We spoke about his iconic imprint Canoe as it celebrates its 20th release, his residency at Adonis, and his love for his home of Sheffield…
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Jacklyn on making people feel something with music, taking your time and growing a career in Newcastle
35:45
35:45
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This episode of Belta is with Jacklyn. From Newcastle, she is a stellar techno DJ, having played at major clubs including Tresor Berlin and De School in Amsterdam. This episode covers a real mix, from the healing properties of music and its power to express, making people feel something with music, and her international upbringing and developing he…
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Ros T on the Isle of Skye's rich music culture, music as a crutch and the importance of an open mind
55:37
55:37
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This episode of Belta is with Isle of Skye-via-Glasgow's Ros T. He’s a producer and DJ who has gone from strength to strength, forming his sonic identity as a concoction of house, disco, indie, soul and more. In this episode, we spoke about the rich music culture in the Isle of Skye, music as a consistent source of reliance and the importance of op…
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Jordan Nocturne on Belfast's DIY culture, DJing in clubs since 13 and joining dots between genres
41:32
41:32
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41:32
This episode of Belta is with Jordan Nocturne, from Belfast, Northern Ireland. He is an exceptional producer and DJ, with the two very much ingrained into his DNA. We spoke about those formative days of his career, the importance of DIY culture - and withstanding cliquiness - as well as his party The Night Institute. In prime Belta fashion, we went…
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Rory Masson on nurturing homegrown talent, a DIY mindset, and infamous afterparties
51:43
51:43
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51:43
This episode of Belta is with Rory Masson, based up in Aberdeen, Scotland. He's an industry head in electronic music, founding RARE Club - which runs weekly parties across Scotland's most loved venues including Tunnels, Le Cheetah, Sub Club and SWG3 - and co-directing Cultivate Festival, the North East of Scotland's biggest electronic music festiva…
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Samuel Kerridge on his hybrid DJ sets, 'punk techno' and the 'no nonsense north'
39:42
39:42
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This episode of Belta is with Manchester-based artist Samuel Kerridge. Musically, he takes a rather post-punk approach to techno, and has done for over a decade. What with becoming an integral part of Regis’s iconic Downwards imprint which marries broken techno with snarling metal-influenced punk, he’s also released seven EPs and five albums. In th…
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Ewan McVicar on creating an album, Glasgow and Newcastle club residencies and underground culture
55:10
55:10
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This episode of Belta is with the Scottish man of the moment, Ewan McVicar. His Ministry of Sound cut 'Groove Thang' is taking summertime dancefloors by storm, with residencies announced in both Glasgow and Newcastle. What with a Rinse FM and BBC Radio 1 residency, selling out shows left, right, and centre plus his own festival — he's got a fair bi…
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t e s t p r e s s on *that* Boiler Room, their love for eurodance, and Aberdeen
42:19
42:19
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42:19
This episode of Belta is with the boys behind Aberdeen-born, now Glasgow-based, DJ and production duo t e s t p r e s s. We spoke about their immense Boiler Room - and its crowd - their love for rap, eurodance and trance, upcoming single ‘U’ and of course, their beloved Scotland. Look no further, these lads have your next night out in Glasgow or Ab…
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Ammara on self-expression through music and fashion, misogyny in electronic music and bucket list shows
34:37
34:37
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In this episode, I spoke to the brilliant Ammara. She’s based in London, but her first release was on northern label Trick, so I thought it would be fun to have her on for a chat about that process of breaking through – alongside heaps of other things, of course! Besides her production work - and new single with Ministry of Sound - we spoke about s…
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Sophia Violet on DJing globally with Type 1 diabetes, Girls Don't Sync's success and her ideal Liverpool night out
42:04
42:04
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42:04
Today's episode of Belta is with Liverpool-based Sophia Violet. She's a DJ and producer in her own right, and also 1/4 of popular group Girls Don't Sync. We spoke about her crazy last few months (and those upcoming), maintaining a work-life balance - and doing so with Type 1 Diabetes - and the nightlife of her beloved Liverpool. We also spoke about…
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Man Power on championing the North East, accessibility in the industry and doing music for you
59:32
59:32
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This episode of Belta speaks to North-East based Man Power, realname Geoff Kirkwood. He’s a bit of a legend up in the region, working under the Man Power alias, alongside Bed Wetter and MPX. In this episode, we spoke about accessibility within electronic music spaces, his plethora of projects, platforming the North East and doing music for the true…
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Rudosa on the current state of techno, self-comparison and working with Amelie Lens' EXHALE
50:22
50:22
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50:22
Today's episode of Belta is with Manchester-based Rudosa. He’s a stellar techno DJ with an ethos dedicated to platforming and helping upcoming artists through a variety of initiatives and schools he runs – alongside his own groovy, hard hitting output. I sat down with Rudosa and we spoke about all sorts: from the current state of techno, to renting…
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Effy on her hometown of Blackpool, musically challenging the crowd and taking up space
36:39
36:39
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36:39
Today's episode of Belta is with producer and DJ Effy. Originally from the North West - near Blackpool - and now based in London, she is truly one of a kind in the high energy, emotionally driven music she delivers through her productions and how this translates onto the dancefloor We spoke about her upbringing in the North West, music production a…
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lau.ra on THAT BBC Essential Mix, growing up in a small town and using social media as a musician
46:04
46:04
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46:04
Today's episode of Belta is with vocalist, producer and DJ lau.ra. Originally from the midlands, her parents are from good old Middlesbrough, so I’m super keen to chat a bit about her experiences up here. I sat down with Laura and besides this neck of the woods, we spoke about THAT BBC essential mix, the demands of social media in a modern day and …
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Azzecca on Chicago party hotspots, carving out a unique space in music and, well, cat memes
30:14
30:14
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This episode of Belta is in conversation with Azzecca. Based in Chicago, North America, she’s garnering heaps of critical support and success with her releases which effortlessly blend house and techno whilst also running women-friendly party Dirty Disco. We spoke about her ‘bad bitch, sad bitch’ musical flow, her love for rock music, weirdest mome…
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Matt Guy on 90s rave, the value of radio and how to find your sound as a producer
47:18
47:18
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47:18
This episode of Belta is in conversation with Matt Guy. Matt shot into the psyche of many a music journalist, broadcaster and clubber through his massive track ‘Set My Mind Free’, and his production output is showing no signs of slowing down. I sat down with Matt and we spoke about everything: from crying on the dancefloor (for good reasons, of cou…
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Aneesa Ahmed on working for globally-renowned music magazines, why student journalism is so vital and the best parties in Sheffield
51:13
51:13
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This episode of Belta is in conversation with journalist Aneesa Ahmed. Aneesa is a freelance journalist, having worked at Mixmag for over a year and is now based in Sheffield whilst studying a masters degree in journalism. She’s written for NME, done plenty for Mixmag (including a cover story) and is part of The Guardian’s Scott Trust Scheme. We sp…
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ABSOLUTE. on where to start when writing music, his love for Scotland, and working with Extinction Rebellion
34:41
34:41
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This episode of Belta is in conversation with ABSOLUTE.. Although based down South, half of his family are Scottish, and this guy has a special love for the place, its people and jaw-dropping scenery. We spoke about the power and cathartic energy that music can provide, finding his people in a sleepy coastal town (and how to find yours), plus how h…
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Schak on North East culture, his love for Makina, and Newcastle United managers
39:09
39:09
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39:09
This episode of Belta is in conversation with Schak. A North East lad through and through, the producer and DJ has hit the ground running with mega track 'Moving All Around'. Yet whilst on the surface the success has been astronomical, the years of graft, patience and hard work he's put into his craft is clear as we talk throughout the episode. We …
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Arielle Free on the Scottish dance scene, tackling gender inequality in the industry and tunes you need on your playlist right now...
48:46
48:46
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48:46
This episode of Belta is in conversation with Arielle Free. A true pocket rocket from Scotland, Arielle can be heard across the BBC Radio 1 airwaves, bouncing around the decks whilst playing a mega DJ set, or found running her 'Free Your Mind' brand. She's got it all going on, and is a true self-proclaimed music nerd and proud. Catching up with Ari…
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KUBA on a free-flowing creative process, Manchester gems and perspectives on social media
31:50
31:50
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31:50
This episode of Belta is in conversation with KUBA. Based in Manchester, he’s a truly innovative soul and extremely talented producer and vocalist who embodies creativity in all of his endeavours and escapades. Catching up with KUBA days before his new single ‘NY2003’ dropped, we ended up having a really insightful chat about creativity as a concep…
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Lydia Laws on working as a leading music publicist, her favourite night out in Newcastle and how to get press as an emerging DJ
31:53
31:53
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31:53
This episode of Belta is in conversation with Lydia Laws. Based in Whitley Bay in the North East, she's a music publicist and is founder of the immensely successful Lydia Laws PR, having with clients such as Sasha and Last Night On Earth, Blond:ish, Trick label, and Virgin EMI records to name a few. Catching up with Lydia following her return from …
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Avision on creative freedom, New York pizza and the Yankees
36:07
36:07
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This episode of Belta is in conversation with Avision. Based in North America, more specifically New York, he’s a DJ and producer who plays techno-centric music although isn’t afraid to dabble in a variety of sounds to suit his crowd’s needs. For the first episode back after a short break, we spoke about feeling pigeonholed as an artist, why open m…
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Sarah Story on getting into radio, nights out in Middlesbrough and having a residency at Warehouse Project
50:21
50:21
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50:21
The final episode of Belta Season 1 sees Sarah Story get involved. We chatted about first nights out, the bright lights of Middlesbrough, and concocted our own playlist to welcome summer. Sarah has progressed from smaller stations to hosting the Future Dance show on BBC Radio 1, and simultaneously DJs, having been a resident at Warehouse Project in…
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Sammy Virji on getting his music on FIFA, Instagram filters and banging crowds
33:01
33:01
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33:01
This episode of Belta is in conversation with UKG and bass producer and DJ, Sammy Virji. Pretty much an adopted northerner, we discussed making it onto the FIFA soundtrack, creating DIY Instagram filters, and how to balance life on the road as a DJ - an equal life is a good life, friends… You can follow Sammy on Instagram @sammyvirji to keep up wit…
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Kintra on playing to massive festival audiences and why psytrance should make a return
41:59
41:59
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In this episode I spoke to Kintra, which consists of twin sisters Frankie and Jozette. Based between Glasgow and Newcastle, the pair are originally from Dundee in Scotland and are rapidly garnering a name for themselves with their unique sets in which they incorporate Jozette’s violin playing into the mix. We recorded this back in January and were …
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Solardo on tattoos, throwing USBs at Steve Lawler and afterparty antics
55:21
55:21
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55:21
The fourth episode of Belta sees Solardo join Niamh for a chat, which was recorded whilst the lads were on a brief touring break. They discussed all sorts: from how to get guestlist for life, to their production process, to how to *really* get your music signed. Spoiler: it’s wild. Follow Solardo online at @solardosound Find Belta online at @beltam…
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Melé on celebrities in cowboy hats, learning to say no and playing football at Rod Stewart's mansion
56:51
56:51
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For the second episode of Belta, I spoke to producer and DJ Melé. The Liverpool born-and-based artist sat down to chat for an hour before he jets off to travel and play across the world. We spoke about spotting celebrities in the crowd wearing cowboy hats, who is *actually* going to win the league and playing football in Beverly Hills with some par…
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Meg Ward on basement parties, bizarre crowd requests and geography lessons
37:51
37:51
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37:51
For the second episode of Belta, I spoke to producer and DJ Meg Ward. Based between Leeds now, she did a stint in Newcastle and her name is cropping up across massive festival and event lineups such as Annie Mac’s Lost and Found and Boardmasters. We spoke about tearing up the LS6 basement parties, had a brief geography lesson (seriously), playing a…
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Gracie T on playing Boiler Room, Tik Tok bangers and when dance moves get a little *too* intense...
26:12
26:12
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Gracie T is a secondary school English teacher by day, and DJ by night (or, whenever they're not in a classroom). Currently based in Sheffield having grown up in a small town in the North East, she's a founding member of collectives The Beatriarchy - a platform for underrepresented artists - and Daytimers, a collective of selectors and producers of…
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This is Belta: an audio series chatting to your favourite northern DJs and producers
1:05
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Belta is a new audio series, where host Niamh Ingram chats to the people in the electronic music sector smashing it right now from the north. Each episode is no standard interview: Belta will dig deep and go, unfiltered, behind the scenes of what you see (and hear) day-to-day. - Belta is hosted, produced and coordinated by Niamh Ingram Music: Music…
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