SITB

Episode 249 features Chicago based but Detroit rooted DJ Nanoos - a Palenstian Armenian DJ who is making a big splash in the scene. We had an absolute blast sitting down in person and getting her full story and perspective on some hot topics in the industry right now. Nanoos is a real one on so many levels and there's good reason for his quick rise in following - she's a really good selector on the decks and fuses tons of different genres together in her sets creating one of a kind experiences for anyone who sees her. She's also got an insanely dope sense of fashion and charisma that had me hooked even before I met her. We chatted about the afro-house movement, the state of the scene in the US and what we think is to come, her tour that's taking her all over the country, and her plans for the future.

248 features an artist that I have over 50 tracks from and play at least 1 every set I perform. He goes by the name of BVRNOUT and if you aren't familiar with the name, I guarantee you've heard one of his remixes. Chris has an amazing story and it was so much fun talking about his journey from day 1 through now. He is a prolific producer with an expertise in remixes but has now started focusing on originals and creating his own label- BVRN'D Records - as a way to give himself a platform for his sound. He's been supported by some of the biggest DJs in the world like Loud Luxury and his music has helped many artists go viral on social media when they play a BVRNOUT record. I really mean it when I say that without BVNROUT remixes, this scene would be a different place and I certainly wouldn't be where I am without his music.

Our guest for today is Brad Sweet - the co-founder of Same Same But Different Festival and co-host of the Different Paths PodcastWe had such a great time getting into the origins of SSBD - for those that haven't heard of it, you need to. It takes place in Lake Perris, CA just outside of LA and San Diego. It's grown so much since their first run in 2018 and have had artists like Griz, Polo and Pan, Louis The Child, Big Wild and What So Not on - and that's just to name a few. We talked a lot about purpose, community and longevity and why these things matter when it comes to music festivals but that's what makes SSBD different - it's a truly special experience not just for the fans, but also the artists and they'll tell you that themselves! This is a truly unique festival because everyone contributes in their own way - the artists, the fans, and the staff. Really special. His podcast called "Different Paths" explores the stories of creatives and gets deep into their journeys - he's had guests like Mikey Lion, Mary Droppinz, and Ravenscoon on thus far and I love the format. The 2025 SSBD lineup is going to be dropping soon so make sure to keep an eye out for the announcement. Brad says it's the biggest yet and as you can tell they go BIG so this will be a very special treat.

Episode 246 features SoCal based DJ/Producer XIE - We have been trying to line up a date for an interview for a minute and I'm so glad we found some time to connect XIE is truly a unique talent not just because of her history as a classically trained musician but also her approach and perspective on what her intentions are on her journey as an artist. It's all about the music to XIE and I couldn't agree more - we got deep on topics like purpose, finding your sonic identity, support DJ sets vs headlining, and so much more. XIE you are a real one and I had so much fun talking with you and I'm sure everyone else will enjoy this episode as well!

SITB 245 features Chicago House Music legend Terry Hunter - a 3x grammy nominated DJ, Producer and label owner who needs no introduction. Many of you know how passionate I am about the history of Chicago House Music and to have a 1-1 conversation with this icon just a few blocks away from the Warehouse is truly surreal. Terry and I got connected through Chicago Music Nexus where he sat on a panel that I moderated called Adapt Or Die: Cultivating Resilience. His attitude on the past present and future of the music industry is refreshing, authentic and genuine - we share a lot of the same beliefs and perspectives which is why the energy was incredible from start to finish during this interview.

We have a returning guest and dear friend of mine who many of you know - the wildy talented Colton Bachar! Our conversation last year was so well-received that we knew it was time to run it back. Colton's experience as a videographer and editor goes far beyond the basic levels of creativity - he takes everything to the next level and it's been really special to see the work he has been putting out and the people he's collaborating with. We can't help but get deep whenever we talk and this episode goes straight into it. I know you will all enjoy this from the beginning to the end. Enjoy!

Episode 242 features Chicago based DJ/Producer duo Pods! My boys Mike and Dom stopped by and we had such a great conversation the entire time. Many of you are already familiar with Pods because I've had 2 really successful collaborations with them and more on the way - they are really talented producers with good heads on their shoulders too. I believe in their vision and am a huge fan of them. This interview has it all and it was so much fun swapping stories, talking shop (music and basketball related) and what their plans are for the future. Big year comin for the boys!!

We've got Jackin House master hailing from NYC - the one and only Pinto! I had so much fun talking with Joey about his journey as a producer, dj, label owner and growing up in NYC. Pinto is a wildly dope producer who has carved out his own lane during the course of his career. His music has garnered support and respect from artists like Carl Cox and the Blessed Madonna and was the #5 Jackin House producer on Beatport. His talents as a DJ have taken him all over the world and his label Jack City Records is making serious waves in the scene. Awesome dude and even better conversation - thanks for making some time to come on brother and I look forward to seeing you soon.

Episode 240 features the incredibly talented Perry Donta'e - creative director and leader of The Pack Drumline! I'd be willing to bet you know who they are even if you think you don't... they're the official drumline of the Chicago Bulls, The Chicago Sky, and recently are now the drumline for the Colts AND they've been finalists on America's Got Talent - they even won over the toughest judge of them all, Simon Cowell. Needless to say they are a one-of-a-kind group that is changing the entire landscape of what a drumline really is. Perry's story is incredible and we got it all in pretty much from start to finish. What he is doing with The Pack is soooo dope and they'll stop at nothing to show the world who they are. I'm extremely inspired by their story and passion. Thanks for coming on Perry!

Ladies and gents, Dani Deahl is BACK on SITB and it's an absolute honor. Dani is doing some incredible things right now in dance music but for this episode we mostly focused on Chicago Music Nexus and her involvement in the event. Dani is one of the panelists on the "Adapt or Die" portion of CMN and I wanted to get Dani's take on a few things leading up to the conference. As a multi-faceted individual in dance music, her unique perspective and experience deserves all the respect in the world. This was a really fun conversation about the state of the industry, evolving an artists brand, and why you should care about something like Chicago Music Nexus. Dani, I appreciate you so much and it's always so much fun choppin it up with you!

Hood Politics is a reminder that there should never be politics when we are all from the same neighborhood. We all live on the same street and are part of a much larger community that has to support each other in order to survive. Hood Poli for LIFE! Featuring DJ Susan, CJ., Jenny Voss, Chris Diaz, Smith & Sorren, Michael Jay, Dr Mar, Proppa, Rich DietZ, and more

This is the FIRST co-hosted episode with my fellow podcaster, friend and business partner Olivia Mancuso. Some of you might have seen but Olivia and I are hosting a 1 day conference and networking event later this year called "Chicago Music Nexus" CMN was created to help fill a massive void in the US dance market where artists can learn, grow, and collaborate together in a space outside of the club or festival. Our mission is to help artists, entrepreneurs and music business professionals elevate their brands by connecting with other like-minded individuals through engaging panels and conversations with leaders from various parts of the industry. It's happening Saturday November 23rd at Loft Lucia and we couldn't be more excited to make it all happen. This episode is dedicated to the background on why Olivia and I created CMN, the panels, the people, the experience and so much more. If you're as serious as you say or think you are about building a career in the music industry, then we should see your bright smiling face in November.

Very special episode today for you all. Alex Kislov has been in my life since I first got to Chicago and we decided that this is officially the 3rd chapter in our friendship especially considering it's his 3rd time on the show. But this is no ordinary episode, we are here to talk about his debut album "Dream Sequence" - a true masterpiece and work of art that is years in the making and you can tell right away how much went into creating it. "Dream Sequence" is a 10 track album featuring the vocals of Chicago House music legend Ron Carroll, globally recognized vocalist Leo Wood and not to mention his lovely wife Eliza. The album takes you on a journey through a dreamworld of sound and creativity. From start to finish, you can tell things progress in a natural but captivating way. It's really special to see Alex at this point in his career because I've honestly never seen him radiate passion like this. He really cares about and is deeply committed to his craft. Gotta respect that!

Many of you know his name and it's for good reason - episode 235 features DJ/Producer Jake Shore! Jake was in town after his massive headline show at Prysm and I'm so glad we were able to do this in person. Always a blast choppin it up with Jake - our goal everytime we do content like this together to make sure the listeners walk away with real value, advice and of course a big ole smile. Even though it's been 2 years since Jake was a teacher, you should still take out your pen and paper because class is in session. Thanks for coming on the podcast Jake and I look forward to next time brother!

234 features afro-house DJ/Producer Val Fleury - a multifaceted creator and artist, Val has positioned herself as one of the biggest upcoming talents in dance music today. I really enjoyed our conversation - she has a such a pure love for music and backs up that passion with raw and authentic talent. Val is a champion of the underground and the LGBTQ community who consistently shows up for the scene. Her talents as a DJ and Producer should not go unnoticed. She's played across the world - literally 6 continents - and has a really unique sound that's catching some serious steam in the afto house world. Highly encourage you to check out her 3 latest tracks!

Episode 233 features Justin Sances - a highly regarded and talented audio engineer that focuses in the dance music space. Some of you may know Justin or have worked with him directly, but he comes to the table with experience not only as an audio engineer, but previously as a DJ and Producer (a very dope one at that!) Justin is also the engineer for Hood Politics and does the final mix/master on 99% of the tracks we release. He plays a major part in ensuring that the label puts out the highest possible quality music at the end of the day. This interview breaks down his process while providing advice to producers in the studio for the first time or 1000th time. This aspect of music making is well-known but still under-appreciated and not talked about in the mainstream very much. I'm really glad we sat down and had this conversation in person because I found myself taking notes throughout this interview!

Episode 232 features the incredibly talented DJ/Producer Goshfather! When I say this interview has it all, I really mean it. We talked about the state of the industry and what the future looks like for artists, building your community and how to engage with that community as an artist, how he released 1 track every week for a year, social media and so much more. I found myself completely engulfed in his stories and perspectives ranging from incredibly profound to absolutely hilarious. I know this episode is going to hit for so many of you! linktr.ee/sherminthebooth

As many of you know, I love to have guests on that are behind the scenes in the music industry because they are a pivotal factor as artists grow throughout their career. Today's guest is someone who does exactly that. Episode 231 features Todd Mercer of Sherwood Management who oversees Cloverdale and his label Vibrancy along with Vibrancy Festival. Many of you are familiar with the high-octane DJ/Producer Cloverdale but Todd was there on day for the project. In fact, Cloverdale was the one who said I need to have Todd on because he brings such a fresh and unique perspective for building a brand and I couldn't agree more. This interview was incredible. It goes without saying how great of a dude Todd is but I learned so much from him during our time. He talked about how to look at their brand as a business but also how to maintain the authenticity without compromising too much for short-term opportunities. He provided insight on how they've built Cloverdale's label "Vibrancy" to become one of the most well-respected and welcoming labels in dance music and so much more. Todd is also very deep in planning the third "Vibrancy Fest" which occurs each year in Halifax, Nova Scotia - the festival brings people from all over North America and has become the premiere event for dance music in Halifax. Previous headliners include Tiga, Green Velvet, J Worra, DJ Susan and more! These are my some of my favorite interviews because I basically get free advice from a self-taught and self-made professional like Todd. No matter what stage you are at as an artist, Todd has some unique insight for you. Got my word there.

Honored to have the established and wildly talented DJ/Producer who goes by the name of @itsyourfetish We have been crossing paths a lot lately and it's been so much fun getting to know him. I've been a fan for a few years but he's certainly someone that everyone knows about these days with his impressive sound, lively dj sets and incredible content. This interview was filled with valuable topics like building your brand and sound, going viral, staying true to yourself, and so much more. I have a lot of respect for Fetish and his relentless effort to better himself and those around him.

What up y'all!! SITB 229 features the dynamic and wildy talented producer duo Manics! Jordan aka Baby J (a former SITB guest) and Chris aka TYGRBYT are some of my favorite people I've met in the music industry. The amount of raw creative talent these two have not only as dance music artists but also as graphic designers, event curators, and label heads - just to name a few of the many dope things they do. This was such a fun interview and we had a blast talking about some of their recent releases - particularly their "Event Horizon" EP that just came out on Insomniac's "IN / Rotation" label. Their sound is so unique and their live performances are also something that you've gotta witness. I genuinely believe that these guys are your next favorite artist because they have quickly become one mine. Enjoy!

Episode 228 features one of my dear friends and confidants in the music industry - Mario Danza! Mario comes with a wide array of experience ranging from promoting, event curation, physical and digital marketing and what he's most known for - artist management. Mario just recently officially launched his management company called Define Group that rosters artists like Truth x Lies, longstoryshort, Ryan Case, and more. Believe me when I say that Mario is one of the hardest working guys I know and gave us some incredible insight on his experience. Topics included when does an artist need a manager or an agent, how to find your real fans and marketing, building an actual career as an artist, the current and future state of dance music, and so much more. I love having guests like Mario on because there are so many artists of all levels out there that are looking for direction on where to go next - Mario works with artists in different genres at different levels and delivers real clarity from a business and creative standpoint for how to keep the momentum!

We are chugging right along baby and today we have a truly awesome episode for ya featuring one of the hottest DJ/Producers in the game who goes by the name of @gudfellaofficial Kyle is a wildly talented guy who's had an insane 365 days. We got it all in and had so much fun discussing his journey as a producer, soundcloud's role in his growth, collaborating with Tiesto, and what lies ahead in his near and distant future. He might be young, but he's got a really genuine passion for music and you can tell he's here to have a blast and make an impact at the same time. Much love Kyle and I can't wait to see you again soon!

SITB 226 features LA based DJ/Producer ON_1 and WOW does this episode take you on a ride. I've known Forbes for a few years and it was so much fun getting his full story and hearing about his hard-earned journey to where he's at now. He's on a righteous path that comes from a very genuine place of love and passion. Also he's hilarious and cracks me up. Enjoy!

We are here today to get the full story of one of my favorite DJ/producers in the game Proppa. A Chicago native, Proppa has been in the game for a minute and deserves all the praise this city and the industry can offer. We had so much fun chopping it up and talking about his viewpoints on what it takes to really make it in this business. He's full of great advice and I learned so much from him during this episode. We went deep but it still felt like it flew by!! Thanks so much for coming on my friend and I look forward to to seeing what the future holds for you.

It is officially 2024 and I hope everyone had a fantastic end to the year - 2023 was quite the year but we are kicking this year off with one of my favorite episodes to date. 224 features my dear friend Colton Bachar - many of you know Colton from his incredible work as a videographer but there is so much more to him that you will all hear about coming up. We had such a great conversation chatting about his journey and I have an even deeper level of admiration and respect for him on so many different levels.

We have another special interview for you all today SITB 223 features fellow podcaster and dance music reporter Olivia Mancuso! I've known Olivia for a few years and I've always been impressed with her wide array of skills. From her days as a reporter, to her entrepreneurial pursuits, to interviewing some of the worlds biggest dance music acts at EDC Vegas and now her newest project called "Elevated Frequencies" - a podcast devoted to digging into the real lives of musicians. It's always so much fun having another podcaster on because the conversation is so natural and engaging - this was a blast! Thanks for coming on Olivia and I'm looking forward to coming on Elevated Frequencies soon!

Episode 222 features the incredibly talented DJ/Producer Ares Carter! This NYC native has built quite the name for himself since entering the music industry almost 10 years ago. From his early days as the tour DJ for ILOVEMAKONNEN, to having a song in FIFA 22, to touring the world and playing festivals like Ultra and Electric Zoo, Ares has quite the story so far. So glad we got to connect in person at ADE a few weeks ago before this interview - he's a really good guy and deserves everything coming his way.

It's been way too long but I'm so glad to be back doing what I love the most - talking about life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness aka talking bullshit with my friends, peers and esteemed colleagues in the music industry. You already know I had to bring back DJ Susan for his 3rd SITB but his 1st in person. He was in town before our show at Sound-Bar - which was the biggest yet by the way - and we chopped it up for an hour on what's been up with him this year, our plans for Hood Politics, backfilled with absolutely ridiculous conversation topics but what else do you expect. So so happy to be here and we are going to keep up the pace on new episodes so make sure to stay tuned and get ready for a new style of SITB - I'm here to have fun and that's that Enjoy!

Tech house is a subgenre of house music fusing elements of techno (rugged basslines) and house (harmonies/vocals) - Fisher, John Summit, Green Velvet, and Solardo are just a few examples of where the sound comes from, and where it is today. During this session, featuring reps from several top Tech/House labels from the US, the conversation will focus on how to start a relationship with US labels, how to develop a fanbase, organize successful events, and grow profitable relationships with the US. The main focus of the discussion will be built around how foreign labels/artists can break into the booming American Tech/House market. Featuring: Kaysin (DJ, Producer - A&R Repopulate Mars) DJ Susan (DJ, Producer - Founder Hood Politics Records) Carissa Szlosek (Artist Manager, Prodigy Artists) Moderator: Sherm (DJ, Producer - A&R Hood Politics Records

I am so excited to share this episode because this was recorded LIVE with an audience in Chicago with my boy Kaysin. Nick was in town for his debut headline Chicago show at Primary Nightclub and we've been trying to make this happen for a while now We talked about some of his biggest tracks over the past 2 years including his Dillon Nathaniel collaborations which have recently been supported by Fisher, playing EDC Las Vegas, Repopulate Mars expansion with their second sub label North of Neptune and how it's been going as A&R for the number 1 selling tech house label on Beatport! We also had a Q&A section from the audience at the end which was really fun and valuable as well. Thanks so much for making the time to do this Kaysin! This is what I love to do. Let's get into it right now so you can hear it for yourselves, this is episode 220 with Kaysin.

What up everyone! Today is friday May 19th 2023 and this is episode 219. It has been a few months since the last episode but we are BACK and better than ever. It is my honor to welcome back two special individuals who have now officially joined forces under their new moniker "HOTPRETTY" - Zooey Glass and Abigail are some SITB OG's and it was such a blast sitting down with them and talking about this new project. You are going to want to listen to this one people - we talked about the past, present and future of the Chicago House music scene, launching "HOTPRETTY", event curation, music production styles and influences, overcoming performance anxiety, mental health and so much more. I have known them for years - Zooey was on episode 039 and Abigail was 90!! They are some of my favorite people in and outside of music and I'm genuinely a huge fan. Cannot wait to see this next chapter unfold! linktr.ee/sherminthebooth

I know most of you know how much I love connecting with both sides of the music industry and today we have a backend titan who has been making waves for years - we have the VP of Disco Donnie Evan Bailey on and I couldn't be more excited to share this episode. Evan and I met at ADE in October and after hearing him speak on branding and sponsorship I knew that I had to get him on SITB. In 218 we discussed: -Journey Into The Music Industry: Born in NYC but raised in Ohio, Evan always had a profound love for music. He was in a band in college and always planned on rock/punk until he went to his first rave and saw Paul Johnson killing it and fell in love with dance music. He shifted gears and went all in on electronic music throwing parties, DJing and immersing himself in this new world. He eventually crossed paths with James "Disco Donnie" Estopinal and joined forces - the rest is history. Role With Disco Donnie: Evan came into Disco Donnie in the early stages and has been a core influencer in helping the event and promotion company explode over the past 20+ years. As VP, Evan is responsible for a little bit of everything and there's nothing that is below him when it comes to making the experience a memory that they will never forget. Spanning over 100 cities around the world, Evan helps Disco Donnie Presents produce thousands of live music events and festivals including Ubbi Dubbi, Sunset Music Festival, Freaky Deaky and Lights All Night each year. Equity, Inclusion, Diversity Programming: One of Evan's major focuses is making sure DDP events are a safe and comfortable place for both patrons, artists, and vendors. Evan recently set up a music scholarship through Vanderbilt that honors their former colleague Leon Jackson that gives anyone the opportunity to pursue music as a full-time career. Evan also works very hard to give a spotlight to diverse up and coming artists to play at their events - his passion certainly shows on and off the stage. Loved this portion of the interview! 2023 is just getting started but Evan and the Disco Donnie team have a massive year planned that is sure to drop some jaws. I cannot wait to see what they have coming! Evan is one of the most humble, driven and intelligent people I've met in the industry and I'm so glad we made the time to get his full story. Thank you so much for coming on my friend and I look forward to connecting again soon. Let's get into it right now so you can hear his story for yourselves, this is episode 218 with Evan Bailey.

I am honored to have the amazingly talented Producer/Songwriter/DJ @venessamichaels Michaels on for the first episode of 2023! I caught up with Venessa a few weeks ago and had SO much fun chatting with her. We were vibing the entire time and the conversation was truly A1. In 217 we discussed: -Journey Into Music: Venessa and I shared stories from some of our first DJ gigs and discussed how crazy of journey it's been as a DJ. Her mom actually pushed her to start DJing and she quickly realized that this is exactly what she was born to do after her first gig. She continued to build her name on the west coast and began to release music under her self-coined genre "2090". -Discography: Venessa has a DENSE discography of originals, remixes, collabs and features that is truly and unapologetically her. Her sound is so unique and fuses genres effortlessly with each production. She gave us the backstory on tracks like "Creme Brulee" with Kaleena Zanders (The GOAT), her remix of Gallant's "Weight In Gold", and how she produced the theme song for Dreamworks/Netflix show "KIPO and The Age of Wonderbeasts". She can do it all! -"Sent From Saturn": Venessa is set to release her first studio album "Sent From Saturn" later this month and recently put out the first single "Spirit of Mine" featuring Luck. We went deep on the creative process she took while creating this album and the meaning behind the project. It was truly amazing to hear her talk about how it all came together and why she chose to create an album rather than blast out singles. Can't wait to hear it! She is also a SUPER talented DJ and performer who's played at Coachella, Splash House and toured across the country for years - I'm absolutely dying to see her. There wasn't a second of silence in this interview and the energy was on fire. We laughed, we cried (kinda but not really), got real and above all had fun. linktr.ee/sherminthebooth

Hope everyone is having a great holiday season so far and that you are ready for one hell of an interview. It is my honor to have legendary DJ/Producer LA Riots on for his 1st SITB! Daniel and I caught up last week and had an amazing conversation that I'm really excited to share with you. In 217 we discussed: Journey Into Music: Daniel has been around the world and has a very unique life story. He was born in New Zealand but grew up in North Carolina and always loved music. He fell in love with drum n bass and started pursuing a career as a DJ. He eventually made his way out to LA where he spent a bulk of his life. LA Riots was born in the early 2000's and since then he's grown to become a household name in electronic music. Discography: Throughout the interview, we touched on the evolution of his sound and how many different foundational influences still play a huge part in his current style. LA Riots has put out music on some of the world's most recognized labels like Dim Mak, Musical Freedom, Realm, Spinnin' and Hood Politics - just to name a few. We got the backstory on tracks like "House Philosophy", "I Call That Love", and "I Promise You" which was sooo much fun to hear. Amazing producer Life nowadays: Daniel moved to Bali last year and has taken a different approach to life and music - his only goal is to be happy. He spends most of his days surfing and is living life to the absolute fullest. He's been in the music industry for a long time and it was refreshing to hear his perspective on what really matters in and outside of this rat race. We also got the backstory on a documentary that he's been working on called "Amen Brother" which shines a light on a mixed race band called "The Winstons" whose track has been sampled by thousands of artists without ever being compensated. Cannot wait for this to come out. We've been trying to line up this interview for quite some time and I'm so glad we made it happen! Thank you so much for making the time to come on my friend and I'm looking forward to connecting with you again soon. Let's get into it right now so you can hear his full story for yourselves - this is episode 217 with LA Riots

We have an amazing episode for you today and it features a very special artist who has had a MASSIVE year! It is my honor to have the one and only Maddy O'Neal as my guest for episode 215. Maddy and I have been trying to line this up for awhile and I'm so glad we finally made it happen. In episode 215 we discussed: -Gratitude - Past, Present and Future: Something I've been thinking a lot about is practicing self-gratitude and I wanted to get Maddy's take on what she is grateful and proud of from her past, present and future. This opened up a much bigger discussion on how she mentally and physically manages her life as a touring artist. I know this portion of the interview will resonate with so many people - Thanks for sharing so much Maddy! -Relationship with Music: Maddy has described her music as "dirty funk bass music but make it pretty" and I think anyone that is so poetically raw when describing their music is connected to it more than the average person. For an artist like Maddy, music is so much more than music. It's a way of life - it's where she finds "home". Like any relationship in life, they come with highs and lows. Maddy and I shared stories of when when that love is tested and when it's reaffirmed - loved this discussion! -New album - "Ricochet" - Maddy just released her second studio album and all I can really say is WOW. We went deep on her creative process when she was putting it together and where her heart and head were at throughout. One thing that continued to come up during our interview was being "unapologetically yourself" and this album is her story that she wanted to tell the world. You have to check it out! While music is always at the core of a SITB interview, Maddy and I found ourselves on topics in and outside of being an artist which was so much fun. She has a genuine love for making and sharing music but in her own dirty but pretty way. Maddy, thank you so much for making some time in between your tour stops and sharing some incredible pieces of advice for anyone who's trying to build their career.

We are getting so much love for part 1 with Jen White and I know you are going to enjoy this portion just as much. Part 2 features The Dearborn General Manager Greg Samuels. A true Chicagoan with over 20 years of restaurant and hospitality experience. One of the main reasons Jen and I had such an instant connection is because we both found out that we love the Dearborn - but we also love Greg!! Almost every single time I've been to The Dearborn, Greg stops by my table and checks in - but it's so much more than the average GM check in. He becomes a part of the Dearborn experience and goes above and beyond to make sure we've got everything we need and then some. Although I've gotten to know Greg over the years as a regular at The Dearborn, sitting down and talking with him and Jen was really special. This is a man who genuinely loves his job, his team, and his city. He's got a story to tell. Greg - you're such a legend and thanks for having Jen and I - we had so much fun and it was amazing chatting with you and learning all about what it takes to run a restaurant like The Dearborn. It was also truly special talking Chicago with you - the food, the people, the neighborhoods, the culture. You encompass what being a Chicagoan is all about!! linktr.ee/sherminthebooth

Today is a very special episode - this is a 2 part episode that was recorded live at my favorite restaurant in Chicago called The Dearborn. How these interviews came to be is truly special and couldn't be more midwestern. Part 1 features Jen White - a Chicago social media celebrity who's been killing it on TikTok over the past few years. Jen is an authentic and unique content creator who showcases some of Chicago's best restaurants, venues and bars along with an in-depth and real look into her 40 something life. I met Jen on a whim at a restaurant this summer and we hit it off right away - Love her energy! We got to talking about our favorite restaurants in Chicago and The Dearborn came up - we both freaked and started talking about how much we love the General Manager Greg Samuels and said we've got to have dinner there with him and record a podcast! I'm happy to say we made it happen and I was able to sit down and get Jen's full story along with Greg's! Part 1 is a 1-1 with Jen and it was so much fun getting her full story. Make sure to check out part 2 so you can hear us living it up and talking about everything Chicago with Greg - so much fun!!

Today is a very special episode - this is a 2 part episode that was recorded live at my favorite restaurant in Chicago called The Dearborn. How these interviews came to be is truly special and couldn't be more midwestern. Part 1 features Jen White - a Chicago social media celebrity who's been killing it on TikTok over the past few years. Jen is an authentic and unique content creator who showcases some of Chicago's best restaurants, venues and bars along with an in-depth and real look into her 40 something life. I met Jen on a whim at a restaurant this summer and we hit it off right away - Love her energy! We got to talking about our favorite restaurants in Chicago and The Dearborn came up - we both freaked and started talking about how much we love the General Manager Greg Samuels and said we've got to have dinner there with him and record a podcast! I'm happy to say we made it happen and I was able to sit down and get Jen's full story along with Greg's! Part 1 is a 1-1 with Jen and it was so much fun getting her full story. Make sure to check out part 2 so you can hear us living it up and talking about everything Chicago with Greg - so much fun!!

Firstly, we're celebrating 6 years of SITB. 6 years! I am not going to lie, I almost forgot because it seems like just yesterday that I was saying how crazy it's been that 5 years have gone by. Thank you so much to everyone that has supported me along the way. I absolutely love what I do. Secondly, we have our FIRST 3 timer on the show today! My dear friend Isaac Palmer was in town and we had such a fun time chatting and catching up. In 213 we got it all in and discussed: -The Past, Present and Future of Isaac Palmer: Isaac was one of my first guests - episode 11, over 6 years ago! He was on again for episode 037 but so much has happened since then in our lives. He's an incredibly smart and talented dude who shared his full story about his successes in music, his travels around the world and also some of the issues he's had with his health over the years. Powerful stuff throughout. -Isaac Palmer Discography: Isaac is one of the most talented and hardworking producers I have ever met - he taught me almost everything I know about music production and he's 8 years younger than me! The time and effort that he has put in has led him to release tracks like "Inception" with Tony Junior on Maxximize Records, "Need You" with Thmpsn, and a remix of "I Love You" from The Chainsmokers. Not to mention a slew of remixes that he's released for free over the years - most notably Skrillex's "Ego Death" which is absolute HEAT! -Self-Made: Isaac has taken 0 shortcuts in life. He's had to overcome more obstacles at his age than most people do in a lifetime. His passion for music has helped him get through some tough times and he continues to stay humble and motivated in the studio on a daily basis. Isaac is the MAN and against all odds has networked his way to becoming a true force in the industry - but a positive force at that. His story is an inspiration to me and so many others. It's truly an honor to have Isaac on the podcast - I've seen him grow (literally) over the years and he's like a brother to me. When I think about how far he's come on a personal and professional level, I can't help but smile and get excited for the future that is ahead of him. He deserves everything coming his way, but he's the one who is making it happen. Isaac, thank you so much for coming on the show - I can't think of a better guest to have on 3 times and also celebrate 6 years of SITB with me. So much love and respect for you my man!

Yo yo what's up everyone!!! It's been too long but I am so happy to be back. For those that didn't know, I got married in July and went on my honeymoon to Greece with my wife Maya. We had such an amazing time and it was a much needed break - remember to always take time for yourselves! But you already know I would be back and comin in HOT with a big episode for the great return. I am so excited to have Chicago DJ/Producer @jakeshoredrive on for SITB 212! last time Jake was on was September 2020 and SO much has happened since then. Needless to say, we had a lot to catch up on.

You guys know how much I love interviewing people who are more behind the scenes and today we have a VERY Special guest - Dancing Astronaut's editor-in-chief Rachel Narozniak!  This one has been a long time coming and it's one of my favorite interviews ever - she's such a genuine, smart, and talented individual who makes massive contributions to the dance music industry in so many ways. ⭐️ In 211 we got it all in: •Journey Into Dance Music: Rachel was born and raised in NJ and has always had a strong connection with music. Her parents were major influences as she was growing up and eventually discovered dance music and fell in love immediately - her first show was Kasakde... that has gotta be on the best artists to show you what electronic music is all about! She started writing for Crust Nation in 2016 and fully pursued dance music journalism - the rest is history! 

Wow we are already in mid June but it's time to keep the heat up because we have a scorching hot legend on for episode 210 - the one and only option4!  I am truly honored to have him on the show and we had such a great time during this interview

I hope everyone is having an amazing kickoff to their summer and are excited about this interview! Episode 209 features bass house superstar Masteria and wow is this an incredible episode. ❤️‍

Episode 208 features one of my favorite DJ/Producers and Chicago LEGEND Anthony Attalla!! I've been a fan of Anthony since I first got into house music and I'm truly honored to have him on the show. ⭐️ This was a little different of an interview - we flipped the script and just talked man to man, DJ to DJ, human to human. Anthony is a really interesting and genuine guy and I'm so glad we did this in person!

Episode 207 features my favorite DJ duo in the game - the boys of Broken Future!! I caught up with these Canadian legends a few weeks back and had such a blast chatting and getting their full story.

Today's episode is very special one because we've got a true pioneer in dance music - the creator of "Grunge House" himself Saint Punk came to Chicago to co-headline a new event series called "Flynninho's Fun House" that will feature bass house artists from all over. Flynn, Saint Punk and I sat down together and had an amazing conversation filled with great stories, pieces of advice, and of course a ton of laughs

I am so excited to have the incredibly talented DJ/Producer duo Win and Woo back on for their second episode!! ✌

It is truly a pleasure to have one of the hottest acts in house music right now, the dynamic duo known as Truth x Lies!  When I say Ryan and Ian are legends, I'm still downplaying them. This was a really special interview because it was a bit unorthodox but you know what, that's how we like it!! 

I can't begin to tell you how excited I am to share this interview because I've been a long time fan of this amazingly talented DJ/Producer who goes by the name of Max Styler! 

It's been too long since I did an in person interview and I was quickly reminded why I love them so much - I had a BLAST getting the full story of one of Chicago's biggest rising acts in dance music, Levity! ⭐️ John and PJ were kind enough to let me into their home for SITB 202 and we got it all in for this one  In 202 we discussed: •Becoming Levity: John was born and raised in Chicagoland and PJ is from just outside Los Angeles and their paths crossed in college at Iowa. They immediately bonded over music and quickly became close friends. They both shared a true passion for music and decided to join forces and become Levity. They haven't looked back since! 

I caught up with Susie last week on IG live and had such a blast connecting with him and doing this interview live. In 201 we had a blast and chatted about: •Miami Music Week 2022: DJ Susan was at MMW this year and gave us the full recap on his experience... and wow was it special. He played at Anthony Attalla's Incorrect event at Treehouse and an Ultra Records event at Soho House and also attended the Repopulate Mars and Techne Events. He was literally there from Wednesday to Friday night and never stopped having fun.