UTOPIA Talks

Juicy Romance joins us this week! We dive deep into her journey of creating a distinctive sound shaped by diverse influences, we explore the intensity of a Boiler Room set, and we chat about the playful side of the dance music scene—wondering if maybe, just maybe, some people take it a bit too seriously? Plus, we chat about girls with big feet, private jets and long term goals. It’s a weird and wonderful hour you don’t want to miss!@jaguarworldwide@katiebaxter28 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Ibiza dying? This episode we chat about the heaving super clubs, the clubs that we've lost along the way and we consider what the future holds for everyone's favourite party island... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

HAAi is undoubtedly one of the most exciting and in demand DJs in the world, but her journey to the top has been fueled by years of solid graft and passion. In this episode, she takes us through her incredible rise, starting on a tiny dancefloor in Dalston. We dive into some wild fan stories, we discuss the legendary Phonox residency and we have a raw, deeply insightful conversation about the current landscape of UK dance music.@jaguarworldwide@katiebaxter28 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Elkka has had a crazy year so far. This episode, we dig into her beautiful debut album, Prism of Pleasure and find out how she collaborated with a sex therapist and her fans within the queer community. We celebrate the lesbian renaissance, including London's La Camionera, the reclamation of the label 'lesbian' and the importance of creating safe spaces for LGBTQ+ people to enjoy music. Plus, we discuss staying healthy on tour, the importance of protecting your hearing as a DJ or raver and we talk about how to stay positive when you don't feel like you've 'made it' yet. @jaguarworldwide@katiebaxter28 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

BIIANCO is one of the most talented musicians we know. This week they join us for an hour of fascinating conversation, sharing their journey from composing classical music to thumping dance music (via the Dalston Superstore basement). After amassing over 200,000 Instagram followers and millions of views, they share what it's been like going viral on social media and why there's a big distinction between going viral for your music rather than clickbait-y videos. They also tell us about their recent collaboration with Marlon Hoffstadt, their love of hard groove and how they've been influenced by the UK scene. Plus, BIIANCO shares what it's been like navigating the music industry since going blind in one eye.@jaguarworldwide@katiebaxter28 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jaguar’s been on a 24 hour whirlwind trip to Berlin, complete with a rave in a telephone box and a trip to Berghain. Meanwhile, Katie’s done a tragic dj gig for some uni freshers. We also discuss Patrick Topping’s new sober rave, we decide whether Rebecca Black should have been given a Boiler Room and Jaguar reviews Azealia Banks’ recent gig in Brixton.@jaguarworldwide@katiebaxter28 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we’re joined by the creative powerhouse, Bimini. They’re a drag legend, fashion icon, recording artist and a DJ and this week we are getting into IT! We cover life before they shot to fame on RuPaul’s Drag Race, we chat about their approach to music and whether artists have a duty to be political and we discuss how we can improve life for trans people in the UK.@jaguarworldwide@katiebaxter28 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With brat summer well and truly over, we’re taking a moment to reflect on our highlights of summer 2024! Then we chat about the rising cost of gig tickets and the Oasis Ticketmaster scandal, we share our thoughts on Angela Rayner going raving and we share what we’re looking forward to this Autumn.@jaguarworldwide@katiebaxter28 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re thrilled to kick off Season 4 with the incredible Madam X. In this episode, she tells us the story of her label Kaizen, which has become one of the underground’s biggest success stories. We also dive into her latest creative chapter as she steps into music production, discussing her brand new EP set to drop this month. Madam X also doesn’t hold back on calling out the impact Spotify has had on the music industry, offering an honest take on how it’s reshaped the landscape for artists and labels—and what needs to change.@jaguarworldwide@katiebaxter28 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lots has been going on! We’ve both been to Mighty Hoopla, where Jaguar’s dreams came true as she introduced The Veronica’s on stage and Katie’s dreams came true as Jojo Siwa tore up the main stage. Jaguar’s also been at Movement Festival in Detroit, we discuss Charli XCX’s insane new album and we start getting excited for Glastonbury!@jaguarworldwide@katiebaxter28 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Coming to you from on top of a bin of beers, we chat to Jess Iszatt who has been at IMS with Beatportal.@jaguarworldwide@katiebaxter28 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the final day of IMS Jaguar is gearing up for her Dalt Villa B2B with DJ Paulette and we sit down with Harry Gay to chat about his impressions of Ibiza.@jaguarworldwide@katiebaxter28 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are coming to you live from Ibiza with four change makers who have had a huge impact on dance music - Nadine Noor (Pxssy Palace), Harry Gay (Queer House Party), Sydney Blue (Change the Beat) and Steven Braines (He.She.They). We’re discussing how to create change, how to diversify spaces, why there’s still lots left to do and how to make spaces more accessible for a wider range of people.@jaguarworldwide@katiebaxter28 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How often are the stories of Black women acknowledged in dance music? This episode is a rare, intimate and open conversation with two of house music's fairy Godmothers: DJ Paulette and Smokin' Jo, with two future stars TSHA and Jaguar.On this special live podcast recorded at the International Music Summit 2024, four Black women share their experiences from the scene, diving into the past, present and future.@jaguarworldwide@katiebaxter28 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s day one of IMS Ibiza and tonight UTOPIA begins its 2024 residency! We’re sat by the beach sharing a beer and discussing why Pikes is the perfect venue for UTOPIA.Elsewhere, excitement is building for Jaguar’s B2B with DJ Paulette at Dalt Villa, Katie’s had an unfortunate, very unglamorous start to her trip and Jaguar is sharing some of her favourite memories of Ibiza.@jaguarworldwide@katiebaxter28 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who released the best album in 2023? Which song did we have on repeat all year round? What was the BEST festival this summer?! ...As a New Years’ treat we’re sharing some of our favourite parts of 2023. We have a chat about the artists we've been loving this year, including Stormzy, Joy Crookes and Anz and we select our favourite songs, albums, festivals and more!We also compare our New Years’ resolutions, share our proudest moments of the year and we consider what we want to achieve next year…Thanks so much for all of your support on the podcast this year. We’ll be back for a brand new season in 2024! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We have a lot to catch up on! We’re chatting about the DJ Mag Awards and our recent travels in Australia, Mexico, Bali and beyond. Then we’re getting into the Sugababes takeover at Drumsheds and we’re reacting to hot takes from DJ Seinfeld, sim0ne, Låpsley and Hannah Laing! Plus, we’re already getting excited for The Veronicas at Mighty Hoopla and we decide what the worst song of all time is.@jaguarworldwide@katiebaxter28 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we are getting to know Jaguar a little bit more. We’re reliving her journey from a kid in Alderney with an iPod nano full of her older brother’s music, to a DJ presenting on BBC Radio 1, with a viral Mixmag Lab and beyond. We are also exploring some of the more challenging aspects of a career in dance music, as we delve into Jaguar’s journey with mental health, with an incredibly honest conversation about depression, the importance of taking a break and more. This one is a big one!Also - Jaguar has been nominated for Underground Hero at this year’s DJ Mag Awards! Your vote would mean the world to us: bestofbritish.djmag.com@jaguarworldwide@kjbaxter_ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can you believe Katy B is in the studio?! We chat to Katy about On A Mission - an album she wrote whilst she was still a student - which has since cemented itself as one of the most iconic albums of the 2010s. Katy also shares how she finds inspiration on the dance floor, who her favourite collabs have been and the differences between working with a major label and being independent. She also reflects on what’s changed since she started out, working with Rinse FM and she offers some advice for upcoming artists!@jaguarworldwide@kjbaxter_ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we’re joined by our good friend Meg Ward! As well as being a highly talented DJ and producer, Meg is also hilarious, so strap in for this one... We chat about Meg’s early raving days, including memories of her first pinger at Leeds Festival and how she cut her teeth as a young resident DJ in Newcastle. We also delve into her deep love for acid house music, which has inspired her latest release - and how she’s incorporated AI to make it. Plus, we talk about her decision to give up coke and the barriers faced by working class people looking to kickstart a career in music.@jaguarworldwide@kjbaxter_ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We bloody love a festival, so this week we’re planning our dream festivals. We’re each selecting our perfect line up - with three headliners, one throwback artist, one upcoming artist and an artist who can return from the dead. We’re also selecting our ideal location, drink of choice, ultimate stage design and more!@jaguarworldwide@kjbaxter_ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Piri represents the new generation of music makers perfectly. As well as having an incredible ability to make catchy tracks spanning a range of genres, she’s also an amazing performer with a great eye for content and how to capture a fanbase. We chat to Piri about her relationship with her bandmate Tommy, her passion for pole dancing and how she used OnlyFans to help launch her music career in the cost of living crisis. Piri speaks very openly about the anxieties that can come with sex work, the financial barriers to working in music and how she’s navigated being an OnlyFans model alongside her music career. We also chat about the Instagram algorithm, dealing with hateful comments and a whole load more!@jaguarworldwide@kjbaxter_ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hannah Laing is without a doubt one of the most exciting DJs in the UK right now and her deep passion for dance music, driven by her family’s love for raving, has taken her to incredible heights - including a top 10 hit in the UK charts this summer and an official remix for Calvin Harris. We discuss Hannah’s journey so far, from being a dental nurse and working in a chicken factory to releasing on Trick (Patrick Topping’s label) and receiving support from the likes of Peggy Gou and Fisher. We also get into the birth of ‘doof doof’, her iconic Sophie Ellis-Bextor remix and her love for Scotland! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿@jaguarworldwide@kjbaxter_ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TSHA joins us to chat about how she went from being a wedding DJ to performing all over the world! We talk about her incredible album - Capricorn Sun - and we discuss her upcoming music, including her collab with Ellie Goulding and her ambitions to start a label. TSHA also opens up about her mental health, dealing with comments online, writing music with her partner and being nominated for a Grammy. TSHA has had countless amazing successes, but she’s also not afraid to discuss the challenges that she has had to overcome. We loved this conversation!@jaguarworldwide@kjbaxter_ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aluna is behind some of the most iconic dance tracks of all time, so we’re incredibly excited to share this week’s episode. Ten years on from Body Music, Aluna opens up about her time in AlunaGeorge, how she found her way to dance music and what barriers she has faced as a Black woman. We also chat about her new album, her collective Noir Fever, which centers Black and LGBTQ+ people, and the roots of dance music, which are often erased.@jaguarworldwideProduced by @kjbaxter_ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Few people can claim to have a deeper understanding of the music industry than Låpsley, who has worked as an artist, a producer and a songwriter, over a career spanning the last decade. This episode she tells her story, from blowing up on Soundcloud as a teenager, to making three incredible albums and working with artists like KC Lights, Charli XCX and Barry Can’t Swim. She explains her artistic processes, the challenges she has faced in the music industry - a place notorious for poor treatment of young artists - and we discuss challenging beauty standards. There’s so much to this episode! Låpsley's wisdom goes far beyond her years and her career so far has been nothing short of fascinating.@jaguarworldwide@kjbaxter_ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Over the last few months sim0ne has exploded onto the scene! This episode, we hear about her journey so far - from working on the cash desk at Fly Open Air and doing seasons in Ibiza to playing at DC10 and creating the perfect viral HÖR set. We also discuss the process behind her Lana Del Rey remix (which has received millions of streams on Soundcloud and an official release from Lana herself!), we talk about how she deals with the haters and how she uses social media. sim0ne is fascinating, fun and incredibly honest - we loved talking to her and we can’t wait to see what comes next!@jaguarworldwide@kjbaxter_ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we are joined by one of the UK's most popular DJs. On a rare Friday night when he’s not touring, DJ Seinfeld is in the studio to discuss his new track with Confidence Man and to give us a taste of what to expect from his new album! We also dive into the early days of his DJ career, including how he learnt to mix from YouTube tutorials whilst on his first tour and being pigeonholed as a ‘lo-fi house’ producer. Plus, we chat about the effect of social media on our sets, how to navigate a bad gig, staying healthy on tour and we dive into his lifelong passion for UFOs…@jaguarworldwide@kjbaxter_ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode Jaguar is joined by her dear friend and DJ superstar, Heléna Star. Heléna recently revealed at Gala Festival that she is expecting a baby in October, so she’s giving the low down on exactly what life has been like as a pregnant DJ - including what it was like to play in Panorama Bar whilst expecting and why she thinks it’s so vital to challenge stigmas around pregnancy. She’s also discussing her Foundation FM show, why it's so important to champion Black artists and revealing more about her friendship with Louise Chen!@jaguarworldwideProduced by @kjbaxter_ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we’re catching up on Body Movements, discussing the new Drumsheds venue which is coming to IKEA Tottenham and we’re talking about HAAi’s new Padam Padam remix! We’re also introducing our new feature ‘hot takes’ where we hear your spiciest opinions - this week we decide whether DJs have let their egos get too big and we talk about the most insane things people have put on their riders. Plus, we’ve got some stupid ‘Would You Rathers?’... It’s another jam packed episode, hit us up on socials with your hot takes!@jaguarworldwide @kjbaxter_ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pretty Girl is a DJ, producer, vocalist, songwriter and live electronic artist - and this week she is joining us for a very special interview! We get into the inspiration behind her hugely successful track Sun Phase and her latest EP One Night, One Time, we celebrate her headline live show in Phonox and she shares which UK artists she’s been collaborating with since arriving in London… She also opens up about why she is trying to ignore music analytics, what’s next for her career and we discuss why Australia is producing so much incredible dance music right now!@jaguarworldwide@kjbaxter_ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As part of season 3 we want to bring you something slightly different and give you some of our thoughts on what’s happening right now in dance music! This week we discuss whether Peggy Gou has stolen from other producers to make her new single, we talk about Chris Lake being dragged online and we get into a hilarious story from an illegal rave. Plus, we discuss K Bax’s recent trip to Berlin and how Jaguar is finding new ways to unwind from a busy tour schedule.@jaguarworldwide@kjbaxter_ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we come to you from The International Music Summit in Ibiza! Jaguar sits down with one of her heroes, Grimes, to discuss how artificial intelligence is transforming music and whether artists should be worried about it. The pair also talk about copyright and why it can limit art, Grimes opens up about her infamous Boiler Room set, Elf.Tech and her forthcoming music!Hosted by Jaguar@jaguarworldwideProduced by KJ Baxter @katiebaxter28 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lagoon Femshayma joins Jaguar to talk about his iconic Boiler Room, why he loves drag and how he deals with negative comments and homophobia. He also talks about why we all have some unlearning to do, opens up about the progress he’s seen during his career and offers some advice for other queer people working in nightlife.@jaguarworldwideProduced by Katie Baxter@katiebaxter28 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode, Jaguar speaks to Kiimi, one of our favourite artists here at UTOPIA Talks. As well as releasing their own music, Kiimi is also the founder of Hunni Sound, a network for women, non-binary and trans creatives in music and sound production. Here, Kiimi talks about why they created Hunni Sound, how you can get involved and what the industry should be doing to support upcoming DJs and producers. We also hear from Badly Drawn Banana, a young DJ who took part in Jaguar’s Future 1000 course. Watch out for another bonus episode with Lagoon Femshayma - the first artist to perform a Boiler Room in drag - dropping soon!@jaguarworldwideProduced by Katie Baxter@katiebaxter28 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode two of Under The Lights, we hear from some of the biggest names in UK dance music, including Annie Mac, who offers her opinion on how the industry needs to change, and The Blessed Madonna, who opens up about their gender identity. We also hear from TAAHLIAH, who shares her experiences as a trans woman carving out a highly successful career and salute, who has made a big change to help promote diversity.Plus, Jaguar sits down with Michelle Manetti, who runs one of Dalston Superstore’s most popular nights and with Lau.ra who has been navigating the industry as a mother. This episode also features the voices of Jamz Supernova, DJ Paulette and GHSTGHSTGHST.Written by Jaguar & Katie BaxterProduction & Sound Design: Katie Baxter@jaguarworldwide @katiebaxter28 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last year, Jaguar set up The Jaguar foundation with Sony Music and produced the first ever report exploring gender disparity in UK dance music. In this documentary, you will hear a unique insight into the notoriously mysterious, and male dominated, world of dance music, through the lens of women, trans and non-binary artists. This episode, we hear from two DJs who have experienced a physical assault in their place of work and we consider what the industry should be doing to ensure people’s safety. We also hear some of the responses to the report and we find out what progress the industry has made. Episode 1 features insights from DJ Priya, Jaye Ward and G33 (Girls Don’t Sync). Written by Jaguar & Katie BaxterProduction & Sound Design: Katie Baxter@jaguarworldwide@katiebaxter28 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

UTOPIA Talks returns on Wednesday 8th March with a two part documentary exploring the experiences of women, trans and non-binary artists in UK dance music. Jaguar examines the world of club culture, scrutinising safety, representation and inclusivity, with guests including Annie Mac, The Blessed Madonna, Girls Don't Sync, TAAHLIAH. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the season one finale, Jaguar is joined by Fabio - one of the founding fathers of jungle and Niks, an upcoming DJ who founded The Black Artist Database last year. They’re discussing their experiences in the industry, why the MOBOs should include a dance music category and the impact of George Floyd’s murder on the world. There’s also an in depth conversation about the whitewashing of dance music’s origins, the marketing of black artists and how the industry needs to change.@JaguarworldwideProduced by Katie Baxter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode explores the treatment of vocalists working in dance music. Many singers aren’t credited when they sing on tracks or when their voices are sampled - sometimes even for tracks they’ve written themselves. Many artists haven’t seen their fair share of the profits for number ones and club classics that they’ve powered. This episode is a conversation between Becky Hill, Rowetta and Angie Brown about their experience in the industry, why vocalists are often neglected and how the industry can be made fairer.Produced by Katie Baxter@JaguarWorldwide Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the last few years, as right wing ideologies have spread and politicians have become increasingly homophobic, the treatment of LGBTQ+ people in Poland has worsened, but the underground dance music community is fighting back.In this episode, we hear from Warsaw based producer and DJ, Avtomat. He discusses his arrest, why he is determined to keep protesting and why he carries tear gas everywhere he goes. He also tells us about the map he created with Oramics to promote Polish queer/femme DJ’s and producers and how he sampled a homophobic politician in his track ‘Ignorance, Ha’.Produced by Katie Baxter@JaguarWorldwide Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In part two, Jaguar, Sherelle, Mary-Anne Hobbs and Judy Griffith are tackling some of the music industry’s biggest problems, including racism and sexism. There’s also an in-depth discussion about the whitewashing of dance music, handling abuse on social media, and Sherelle shares some of her goals for her brand new label, Beautiful. If you missed part one, make sure you check it out.Produced by Katie Baxter@JaguarWorldwide Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In part 1 of our women in music special, our guests share their journeys so far.Sherelle is revealing how she went from doing community radio at London's Reprezent to becoming one of the most exciting DJs in recent years, whilst Mary-Anne Hobbs is giving us the incredible story of how she made her way onto BBC Radio 1 and established herself as one of the most recognisable and respected voices in music today with her 6Music show. And finally, Judy Griffith, who has been driving London club culture from behind the scenes for two decades as the promotions manager at fabric, is shedding light on what it was like in the early days and the challenges she faced as a black woman making her way into the music industry.Produced by Katie Baxter@JaguarWorldwide Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The dance music community was rocked last year by the jailing of Sama’, who was accused of DJing on holy ground in Palestine. On today’s episode, Sama’ joins us from her home in Palestine to open up about the arrest, what her hopes are for the future and how she’s paving the way for techno fans across Palestine and beyond. She also tells Jaguar about how her viral Boiler Room (which has been viewed 7.8 million times) took her career to new levels.Produced by Katie Baxter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today’s episode, three DJs at different stages of their sobriety journey are speaking candidly about their experiences, including their tips for quitting alcohol and drugs, how it’s transformed their lives and what changes they’d like to see in the music industry and beyond.Please be aware that this episode contains discussions about addiction, drugs, mental health and self harm. If you are struggling with any of the topics in this episode, you can find more information at https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/.Produced by Katie Baxter@JaguarWorldwide Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

During lockdown, Queer House Party attracted global attention with their online Zoom parties. As the world is beginning to unlock and they're transitioning into in-person events, they're determined to make changes to our dance floors. On this episode, Harry & Nik share their journey so far, how we can make the nightlife industry more accessible and why they’re sick of corporations ruining Pride. Plus, we're getting excited for Body Movements festival!Produced by Katie Baxter@JaguarWorldwide Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Back in May, Jaguar played at The First Dance - the first government sanctioned rave to take place since the COVID pandemic began in 2019. She recorded a load of exclusive interviews on this historic night, which we’re sharing here for the very first time! Plus, Jaguar is joined in the studio by Heidi and we hear from Effy, Jess Bays and the nightlife industry about the impact of the four week delay. We will be back on dance floors soon!Produced by Katie Baxter@JaguarWorldwide Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thank you for listening to the UTOPIA Talks trailer. Look out for our first episode on Wednesday 30th June, which features exclusive audio from The First Dance in Liverpool - the first legal rave to take place in the UK since the coronavirus pandemic. The show includes interviews with Heidi, The Blessed Madonna, Jayda G and more! We’ll also be reflecting on the government’s decision to push back the re-opening of clubs with Effy & Jess Bays. Subscribe now! Produced by Katie Baxter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.