Steve Bug uncovers the secrets behind his enduring career in this episode of OpenDAW Talks. The German DJ, producer, and tastemaker has been a driving force in the electronic music world since the early '90s, consistently pushed boundaries and set trends. In conversation with Lex Luca, Steve opens up about his musical journey, from production techniques and mixing secrets to the art of DJing and running the wildly successful label Poker Flat Recordings.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Unlock the secrets of Steve's creative workflow and production methods.
• Discover mixing techniques that elevate your tracks to professional standards.
• The importance of staying true to your musical vision
• Strategies for overcoming creative blocks
• Tips for aspiring DJs on reading the crowd and building a set
• Gain insights into building a successful label and cultivating a loyal fanbase.
• Explore strategies for staying true to your artistic vision while navigating the industry.

“To build a long lasting career. It's important to stay true to yourself. If you like trancey commercial music, if you like big festival stuff, and that's what's you, what, what gets you going, go for it. This is, this is your music. Play it out.”

“I think a good DJ is someone who can really start at some point and then build it up, break it down again, build it up again going in this direction. Go that direction. Play some house. Play some melodic house and techno. Play some, maybe rather hard stuff. Play some deep stuff, like, go all the places.”

“In general, that's maybe one of the things I really like about making music is that you never stop learning. It's just great to explore and get better at things, and I just love it with every new track.”

“To really come up with something that is going to break through or has been, like, bigger or seen is like always something that is different and then maybe it's copied afterwards, but you've been the first and it's getting more and more difficult every year.”

“Really stay positive. Don't let others bring you down and believe in yourself. And again, find the right people that support you. And yeah, don't be put off by not getting any feedback from labels, stuff like that, just keep on going.”

“You're not going to be a great dj from day one. No one was. Take your time.”

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ABOUT THE HOST

Lex Luca is a London-based DJ, producer, and tastemaker, known for his infectious energy both behind the decks and in the studio. With releases on Snatch!, Nervous, and his own label In Tune, Lex has garnered support from industry heavyweights like Pete Tong, Annie Mac, and Claude von Stroke. A former BBC Radio 1 producer, he brings a wealth of experience to his craft, delivering a unique blend of house, disco, and techno that has taken him from London to Ibiza and beyond. Lex founded OpenDAW Songwriting camps, bringing together independent musicians to collaborate. And now, as the host of OpenDAW Talks, Lex shares his journey and insights with the next generation of music creators.

CONNECT & CONTACT

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Lex Luca

Email: hello@opendawtalks.com

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