Who is MJ Cole: The 90s reshaped UK culture with garage, jungle and more, and MJ Cole stood at the center with a 2-step sound that influenced grime, dubstep and artists like The xx. His breakout hit “Sincere” became one of the first garage tracks to reach the UK top 40, leading to a career producing for Dizzee Rascal, Katy B, Becky Hill, Stormzy, and co-writing Mary J Blige’s “Nobody But You.”
In this conversation, Will Clarke and MJ Cole dive into the roots of UK garage, the evolution of British electronic music, and the importance of creating the music you genuinely want to make. MJ Cole reflects on his classical upbringing, his early love for hardcore and jungle, and how discovering slower tempos helped shape his signature sound. He shares how he keeps creativity fresh by avoiding autopilot in the studio, constantly experimenting with new tempos, tools, and sound-design techniques. They also revisit the journey behind “Sincere,” his breakthrough single and album, and discuss the realities of performing live, where passion often outweighs profit. Despite the industry’s pressures, MJ Cole emphasizes that he has never wanted to quit because his drive comes from true artistic expression.
Who is Zerb: Zerb, a São Paulo born producer, is known for pushing the boundaries of electronic music with a self taught style rooted in authenticity. His EP SURRENDER reflects 10 years of work and showcases the sound that has carried him onto the global stage.
In this conversation, Zerb breaks down how Mwaki going viral completely changed his life after years of struggling and releasing music that wasn’t connecting. He explains how he started producing 13 years ago, growing up in Brazil, learning everything on his own, and slowly building his sound. He talks about the moment Mwaki hit the global viral charts and how that led to working with big artists like The Chainsmokers, Coldplay, Victor Ray, Wiz, and Ty Dolla $ign. Zerb also shares how he manages touring, routines, and mental health while creating music and content nonstop. The episode closes with his advice about putting your heart into your work and staying patient because success can take years.
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Who is Nils Hoffmann: Hailing from Berlin and shaped by German electronic culture, Nils Hoffmann is a classically trained pianist turned melodic, deep, and progressive house producer inspired by artists like Paul Kalkbrenner and Trentemoller. He has emerged as one of electronic music’s most exciting rising artists, amassing over 100 million streams worldwide.
In this conversation, Nils Hoffmann sits down with Will Clarke to talk about his album Everlight, growing up in Berlin’s electronic music scene, and how the city shaped his sound and mindset. He opens up about touring life, connecting with fans, and staying grounded while navigating success. The conversation also touches on leaving Anjunadeep, starting his own label, and the realities of building a long term career in today’s music industry.