What's Cookin?

In this episode of What’s Cookin?, we sit down with Aleya Mae, a dance music singer-songwriter based in Manchester. Aleya talks us through her journey into music, finding her footing in the world of drum & bass, and why she’s now feeling the pull toward house music and a new creative direction. We get into what it’s really like being in writing sessions with DJs and producers, how records come together, and the process of carving out your own identity in a fast-moving scene. We also open up an important conversation around female safety in nightlife and events, an honest and necessary discussion that deserves more attention across the industry. Beyond the studio, Aleya shares her love for performing and how stepping into her own artistry and taking control of her path is shaping this next chapter of her career. We wrap things up with a quick-fire round covering her current favourites, inspirations, and what’s next as she steps into a new chapter sonically. If you’re an aspiring singer-songwriter in dance music, this is the episode for you. Tune in and see What’s Cookin?

In this episode, I sit down with DJ & producer Enzo Is Burning for a deeper conversation about creativity, DJing, and what it really takes to build a career in dance music today.We get into Enzo’s journey into music, how he developed his sound as a producer, and the mindset behind his creative process, from starting ideas in the studio to knowing when a track is actually finished.We also talk about DJing in detail, what separates a great set from an average one, how to read a crowd when things aren’t going your way, and what’s really going through your head when you’re behind the decks.Alongside that, we dive into the realities of the industry, including the pressures, sacrifices, and honest truths that most people don’t see from the outside. Enzo shares his perspective on where dance music is heading, what’s currently overrated, and the mistakes he sees new DJs making.

In this episode, I sit down with rising DJ & producer James Poole to break down his journey in dance music from developing his sound as a producer to having a track go viral and signing to one of the most respected labels in house music.We dive into the story behind “Temptation”, which took off online after clips of Dua Lipa dancing to it and Chris Stussy playing it started circulating. James shares what that moment was really like, how it impacted his career, and what happened behind the scenes as the track gained traction.We also talk about signing to Defected Records, what the process actually looks like from a producer’s perspective, and how that opportunity came about.On top of that, we get into how James built a highly engaged audience on TikTok, what works (and what doesn’t) for DJs on social media today, and whether TikTok is now essential for breaking through in dance music.If you’re an aspiring DJ, producer, or just interested in how artists are building careers in today’s scene, this episode is packed with real insight.