Off The Record - The DJ Podcast by Crossfader

We Are Crossfader

Off the record is a DJ-related podcast by Crossfader. We're an online DJ community that reviews the latest DJ products and provides online DJ courses, tips, tricks and more to the DJ industry. Listen as we chat about all things DJ related, from beginner to advanced DJ equipment, how to get DJ gigs, the do's and don'ts of the industry, plus much more!

  • 47 minutes 18 seconds
    Ep 154. 5 Tips to improve your live DJ performance

    In this week’s Crossfader Podcast, we cover everything you need to level up your next performance.


    Main topic: 5 essential live set tips

    • Know the venue – event type, crowd, age range
    • Plan your music – folders, hot cues, energy flow
    • Understand the nuance – visuals, MCs, pyro, peak time
    • Capture great content – filming, angles, examples
    • Perform with presence – crowd engagement, movement, mic use

    A short, practical episode packed with value for any DJ playing live.


    www.wearecrossfader.co.uk

    Use code : OFFTHERECORD20

    For 20% off any DJ Course

    4 December 2025, 2:43 pm
  • 1 hour 5 minutes
    Ep-153. "Not Every DJ Needs to Play Clubs Anymore" - Elijah

    In this episode, Elijah-DJ, writer and creator of the Yellow Squares, sits down to talk all things music, creativity, and the future of DJing. We cover:Buy - Close the app, make da ting https://www.amazon.co.uk/Close-App-Make-Ting-Transformative/dp/1913231798Follow Elijahhttps://www.instagram.com/eli1ah/What does it mean to be a DJ in 2026?How the Yellow Squares project went from Instagram to global impactThe tension between creativity, commerce, and algorithmsHis bold collab with AlphaTheta on the yellow OMNIS-DUO controllerWhy “friends buy tickets” and the economics of music cultureBreaking out of the bubble and redefining success on your own termsA must-listen for anyone navigating the modern music industry.00:00 Intro 05:15 What is a DJ? 10:30 Creative Freedom 15:45 The Algorithm 21:00 Friends Buy Tickets 26:30 DIY DJ Culture 31:45 The Yellow Squares 37:00 Why DJs Should Write 42:15 Agent vs Artist 47:30 AlphaTheta Collab

    27 November 2025, 2:58 pm
  • 49 minutes 28 seconds
    Ep 152 - DJing in 2026...Where will you fit in?

    🚨BLACK FRIDAY SALE - 50% OFF ALL DJ COURSES 🚨

    https://wearecrossfader.co.uk/black-friday-2025/


    Fresh from speaking on a Native Instruments panel at ADE, Lawrence breaks down the four pillars every modern DJ needs: Passion, Technology, Community, and Attention.


    If you’ve ever felt stuck with no gigs, slow growth, inconsistent content, or unsure of your DJ identity - this episode helps you diagnose which pillar you’re missing and how to strengthen it.


    You’ll learn why attention is now a major currency, how tech unlocks creativity, how community creates opportunities, and why passion fuels everything.


    A clear, practical roadmap for any DJ looking to grow in 2025 and build a career that lasts.

    18 November 2025, 1:07 pm
  • 43 minutes 57 seconds
    Ep. 151 - There are there too many DJs... How can you stand out?

    The DJ To Producer Course: https://wearecrossfader.co.uk/dj-to-producer/


    We’re back with a big one.There are more DJs than ever, so how do you actually stand out?After a week on the ground at Amsterdam Dance Event, we share what we saw and heard, from chats with major artists to honest conversations with students.


    We get into why flyers don’t grow an audience, what you should post instead, and why moving from DJ to producer is becoming non-negotiable if you want to cut through.


    www.wearecrossfader.co.uk

    Use code OFFTHERECORD20 for 20% off any DJ course

    30 October 2025, 4:11 pm
  • 44 minutes 12 seconds
    Ep. 150 HANA: From touring with Grimes to playing EDC

    Join Crossfader for free 👉 get access to lessons, resources, and your own personalised learning journey:


    For 20% Off DJ Courses, 
    Use Code: 20OFFTHERECORD


    DJ and producer HANA joins Lawrence James to talk about learning Ableton, touring with Grimes and Lana Del Rey, live-streaming her Hannadriel album on Twitch, and evolving into a global Anjunadeep artist. She shares insights on creativity, balance, mental health, and her new EP “Extended Prey.”


    If you’re a DJ, producer, or creative chasing balance and longevity in the music industry, this one’s packed with honesty, practical advice, and inspiration.

    8 October 2025, 2:00 pm
  • 49 minutes 5 seconds
    Ep. 149 DJ's Dont Need To Worry About These 6 Things

    Join Crossfader for free 👉 get access to lessons, resources, and your own personalised learning journey: 

    www.wearecrossfader.co.uk


    For 20% Off DJ Courses, 
    Use Code: 20OFFTHERECORD


    Every DJ stresses about gear, music, and “perfection”… but most of it doesn’t matter. In this episode of Off The Record DJ Podcast we break down 7 things DJs can finally stop worrying about.


    We also share one of the best Reddit stories ever: a wedding that turned into a rave, complete with a bride vs groom sound clash for their first dance. 🔥


    Along the way we talk about ADE, our new studio setup (shoutout to RØDE for the podcast gear), and why making mistakes is all part of the DJ journey.)

    22 September 2025, 2:00 pm
  • 44 minutes 48 seconds
    Ep. 148 What the internet thinks about the CDJ-3000X

    Join Crossfader for free 👉 get access to lessons, resources, and your own personalised learning journey: 

    ⁠⁠www.wearecrossfader.co.uk

    For 20% Off DJ Courses, Use Code: 20OFFTHERECORD


    Our CDJ-3000X review reached hundreds of thousands of DJs across social in just 24 hours, showing how big this debate is. Is it worth the upgrade?

    11 September 2025, 2:00 pm
  • 46 minutes 10 seconds
    Ep 147 How I Became Toolroom's Biggest Selling DJ - Essel

    Join Crossfader for free 👉 get access to lessons, resources, and your own personalised learning journey:

     ⁠⁠www.wearecrossfader.co.uk


    For 20% Off DJ Courses, Use Code: 20OFFTHERECORD


    Essel joins us to share her wild journey from dancing and cruise ships to Ibiza residencies, Beatport number ones, and touring the world. In this unfiltered conversation, she opens up about:

    • Starting out in Ibiza with zero plan

    • Why networking in the DJ industry feels fake

    • Buying followers to get noticed

    • The highs and lows of Beatport chart success

    • Her struggles with social media and pressure

    • Using strategy (and a meme page!) to break tracks

    If you’re an aspiring DJ or producer, this episode is full of raw truths, laughs, and lessons from someone who’s lived i

    28 August 2025, 3:00 pm
  • 56 minutes 11 seconds
    Ep 146 The Mind behind Songstats & DONT BLINK - Oskar Eichler

    Join Crossfader for free 👉 get access to lessons, resources, and your own personalised learning journey:

     ⁠⁠⁠www.wearecrossfader.co.uk⁠⁠


    For 20% Off DJ Courses, Use Code: 20OFFTHERECORD


    From bedroom DJ to building platforms that power the global dance scene - Oskar (DONT BLINK / 1001Tracklists / Songstats) has transformed the way DJs and artists grow their careers.


    Oskar is also half of the duo DONT BLINK, known for tech-house hits like VIBTATION and high-energy global sets.


    Songstats is offering the Crossfader community an exclusive 10% lifetime discount! Use code CROSSFADER10 or the link below:

    https://songstats.com/app?ref=CROSSFADER10

    21 August 2025, 2:00 pm
  • 54 minutes 14 seconds
    Ep. 145 How To Get Festival Gigs (7-Steps)

    Join Crossfader for free 👉 get access to lessons, resources, and your own personalised learning journey:

     ⁠⁠⁠www.wearecrossfader.co.uk⁠⁠


    For 20% Off DJ Courses, Use Code: 20OFFTHERECORD


    In this episode, we break down the real steps DJs need to take to land festival gigs — and how to make the most of them once you're booked. We start by explaining why we’re launching a DJ competition, then walk through 7 key steps every DJ must follow to level up and land on festival lineups like Tomorrowland, Creamfields, or local stages.💡

    7 August 2025, 2:00 pm
  • 43 minutes 48 seconds
    Ep 144 . How I Broke Into The Ibiza Club Scene

    Join Crossfader for free 👉 get access to lessons, resources, and your own personalised learning journey:

     ⁠⁠⁠www.wearecrossfader.co.uk⁠⁠


    For 20% Off DJ Courses, Use Code: 20OFFTHERECORD


    🎧 In this episode, we sit down with DJ & producer Angel Lee to talk about her journey from the Leeds nightlife scene to playing at iconic venues like Amnesia Ibiza and beyond. We dive into how she built a sustainable career in the music industry, the lessons she learned from reading crowds, starting her own booking agency, and creating Angie’s Disco during lockdown.


    From networking and industry connections to music production, label signings, and staying authentic in a competitive scene, this episode is packed with insights for aspiring DJs and music lovers.


    Whether you’re looking to break into the club scene, grow as a producer, or simply get inspired by a DJ making waves in Ibiza, this conversation is for you.

    31 July 2025, 2:00 pm
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