Artist Coaching Podcast by JoeySuki

Most artists quit at the exact moment things are finally about to take off.In this episode, I sit down with Ralph (Bassjackers) and Jobke (Jay Hardway) to talk about momentum, rejection, slow growth, and why consistency always wins in the long run.We dive into how long it actually takes to build a real artist career, the pressure that comes with success, and why the “boring” phase is where most people give up. We also talk about label rejections (including the story of Mush Mush), AI-faked DJ support, starting from scratch today, and why discipline beats motivation.If you're a producer or DJ who feels stuck or impatient, this episode might be exactly what you need.Why artists quit right before things accelerateSuccess, pressure and protecting your timeWeekly consistency and the growth of the podcast“Not for us,” rejection and the Mush Mush storyAI fake DJ support and promo scamsStarting from scratch: demos, self-releases, contentTools like LabelRadar & DoomDoomTechOne genre vs blendingBig room in 2026Techno running, sleep and creativityBuilding things with your hands(00:00) Intro (04:26) When success starts feeling heavy(08:13) Time, presence and switching off(11:18) How consistency grew the podcast(13:48) First spike and why most quit(14:50) The valley of despair(18:08) Clip of the week(20:00) AI fake DJ support & scams(27:19) AI-faked videos(28:32) Community Q&A(29:02) Mush Mush & “not for us”(32:10) Starting from scratch(36:48) Tools for filtering tracks(39:21) One genre vs blending(43:24) Big room in 2026?(44:26) Will Joey make music again?(45:16) IRL episodes(47:19) Windows vs Mac(56:38) Outro

Most producers underestimate how long it actually takes to make money from music. In this episode, I sit down with Ralph (Bassjackers) and Jobke to talk honestly about timelines, consistency, and what it really costs to build a sustainable career as a DJ/producer.We dive into why it took Bassjackers five years to break through with Mush Mush, how Jobke spent eight years grinding before getting momentum, and why so many artists quit right before things start compounding. We also touch on multi-genre vs signature sound, the DJ Levi debate, “real DJ” conversations, and how to build a long-term career in 2026.What we cover:Why your career takes years, not monthsMindset vs talentThe unsexy reality of studio workMartin Garrix naming storyTrend-chasing vs consistencyHype vs long-term respectRoyalty expectationsGoals for 2026Black Friday plugin picksChapters:(00:00) Intro(07:20) Why it takes YEARS to make money(09:10) Talent vs mindset(10:20) Reality of studio work(11:50) Track titles & Martin Garrix story(13:20) Romanticising the artist life(17:20) Bassjackers & “Mush Mush”(19:00) Jobke's 8-year journey(22:40) Gigs as a side effect(24:20) Royalties aren't a pension(26:00) Consistency vs trends(28:10) Two styles vs many(33:20) DJ Levi & “real DJ” talk(36:20) Short-term hype vs long-term career(45:50) 2026 goals(51:20) Black Friday plugin picksJoin the community / coaching / socials:https://linktr.ee/artistcoachingnl

Rebranding as an artist isn't a quick fix; it's a long, uncomfortable process. In this episode, Portuguese DJ/producer KURA opens up about shifting from his EDM past into a darker techno/tech-house identity, building his own Darkroom concept, and what it takes to escape the box the industry keeps you in.We go all the way back to his resident DJ days in Portugal, before YouTube tutorials, before the EDM boom, and follow the journey from mashups and club edits, to big-room stages, to now rebuilding the foundations of his artist brand from scratch.KURA shares how the pandemic frustration became fuel for a new chapter, why many DJs get stuck playing commercial sets, how Darkroom started in an abandoned warehouse, and why content (even if you hate it) is the most important tool in a modern rebrand.We also dive into how he uses AI tools like Suno and ChatGPT for inspiration in his workflow.If you're an electronic music producer or DJ trying to shift your sound or identity, this one will hit home.His early days as a resident DJ in PortugalLearning to mix and produce before YouTube existedHow mashups and exclusives opened doors to bigger gigsDiscovering the Dutch EDM waveFeeling stuck in the “big room box”Starting Darkroom in an abandoned warehouseThe messy reality of rebranding your soundThe Portuguese club scene and why DJs get stuck playing commercial musicHosting your own parties to push your soundWhy content is the core of a successful rebrandUsing AI (Suno + ChatGPT) for ideas and inspirationGenre-hopping vs choosing a clear laneWhether trance and melodic styles are making a comeback(00:00) Intro (01:25) “I was just a regular resident DJ” in Portugal(05:26) Graveyard shifts and learning FL Studio & Logic(13:36) Moving away from big room – “It feels like KURA 2.0”(15:40) The struggles of rebranding and escaping the EDM box(23:52) Getting angry after the pandemic and creating Darkroom(25:35) Darkroom events in abandoned warehouses & the future label(31:18) The Portuguese club scene and why DJs get stuck playing commercial(33:43) Hosting your own parties + why content matters more than ever(38:19) How KURA uses AI (Suno + ChatGPT) for inspiration(44:06) Community questions: one genre vs many(51:36) What fans expect from your set + side projects(54:14) Will trance and melodic styles return?

When you're starting out, self-belief looks like delusion.Every artist goes through that stage, when no one believes in you yet, and you have to back yourself anyway. In this episode, Ralph and I talk about why that mindset isn't arrogance; it's survival.We unpack what delusional self-belief really means, how it helps you push through rejection, and where the line is between confidence and ego. Ralph shares his own story from early wins like “Beat Cut” and “Mush Mush” to working with Martin Garrix during the “Cracking” era, and how staying a little bit delusional kept him moving when things got tough.We also touch on: • How to keep believing when results don't show yet • The pressure that comes after your first success • What Showtek taught him about simplicity and momentum • Afrojack's take on copying vs. authenticity • Community Q&A: finishing tracks, self-promotion, contracts & exposure

He almost quit music. Then Martin Garrix supported his track, and everything changed.In this episode, I talk with Marc “Arcando” Bandecchi, who opens up about the moment he almost gave up in 2023… and how staying consistent and authentic brought his career back to life.We break down how his “Jungle” remix took off, what led to his collab “Set Me Free” with Martin Garrix, and the mindset shift that helped him fall back in love with producing again.If you've ever felt stuck, lost motivation, or questioned whether it's all worth it, this one's for you.

Happy in a Boring Life is the follow-up to Unhappy with a Dream Life. In it, former international DJ JoeySuki shares how chasing success at full speed left him burned out—and how slowing down, creating rhythm, and embracing the “boring” parts of life became the fastest way to grow.Through raw stories and practical tools, Joey shows how peace, discipline, and presence can replace chaos without killing ambition. This audiobook is an invitation to design a life you don't need to escape from—whether you're an artist, entrepreneur, or simply tired of the endless chase.Chapters:(00:00) Foreword(03:03) The Dream That Broke Me(13:17) Choosing Boring(26:45) Activating Autopilot(33:16) Designing My Days(36:45) Discipline By Design(39:10) The Levers That Keep Me Showing Up(43:00) The Work Behind The Work(45:15) Peace Over Pressure(56:57) Independence Redefined(01:08:47) The Boring Life = The Dream Life(01:18:23) Acknowledgements(01:19:35) Stuff That Helped Me(01:21:41) A Letter To The Reader(01:23:30) Keep Going

Summer break special! While we take two weeks off, enjoy the full audiobook of Unhappy With a Dream Life.It's the honest story behind burnout, success, and finding your way back.And good news, my new book Happy in a Boring Life is coming later this year!Perfect time to catch up.

While we're taking a short summer break, we're dropping something special from the vault.This episode was previously only available to our Artist Coaching community on Discord, but now, for the first time, we're sharing it with everyone.In this unfiltered Q&A, Henry Fong shares:How he built his career from the ground upWhat he'd do today if he had to start from zeroHow to get noticed without spamming your demoThe real value of remixes, testing content, and playing the long game⚠️ Bonus: One of the craziest DJ horror stories we've ever heard.Oh, and we announce something big: Henry officially joins the Artist Coaching team.