In this episode of The Music Industry Loft, we dive deep with Bas Kaspers — a veteran of the music industry with over 25 years of experience. From his early days as a hiphop artist in the '90s to becoming an A&R director at major labels like Armada and Q-Dance, Bas shares his incredible journey through the evolution of dance music. Bas also reflects on finding balance, the pressure of the music industry, and why taking care of your mental health is just as important as your craft. Massive thank you to our sponsors: 🧠 Men's Mental Health Clothing — Code TMIL15 🎪 Festival Supply — Code LFTW2026 Check out Bas: baskaspers.nl loudindustry.nl)

Finnish hardstyle enthusiast Oskari Mällinen shares his incredible journey from attending his first hardstyle event to founding Pulsar Events, one of Finland's most respected hardstyle event organizations. In this episode, Oskari takes us through: → How a friend introduced him to hardstyle and changed his life → 44+ trips to the Netherlands for festivals → Building a personal brand through detailed event reports on Instagram → Growing to event organizer → The mental health struggles behind event organizing → Sleep deprivation, pressure, and burnout in the industry → Dreams for the Finnish hardstyle scene → His advice: "Music comes first always" Oskari represents a new generation of organizers who blend passion with professionalism, and his story shows why mental health conversations are crucial in this industry. ––– 🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & Soundcloud ––– 🔗 Connect with Oskari: Instagram: @lifeofoskari & Pulsar events @pulsareventsfi ––– 🧠 Huge thanks to our sponsors: Men's Mental Health Clothing – Get a discount with code 'TMIL15' 👉 https://mensmentalhealthclo.nl/ 🎪 Festival Supply – Get a discount with code "LFTW25" 👉 https://festivalsupply.nl/ ––– 💬 What resonated with you? Drop it in the comments! #themusicindustryloft #Hardstyle #EventOrganizing #MentalHealth #FinnishScene #PulsarEvents

Festival organizer and creative visionary Ilja Reiman takes us on a three-decade journey through Dutch dance culture, from the legendary underground Elementenstraat events to the iconic Multigroove festival of today. In this raw and honest conversation, Ilja shares how he helped pioneer rave and hardcore culture in the Netherlands, survived a police raid, and navigated the transition from illegal warehouse parties to legitimate large-scale events — all while staying true to the underground spirit. Beyond the decks and dance floors, Ilja opens up about personal struggles including addiction, rock bottom, and his path to recovery. He discusses how losing everything — friends, income, and his health — forced him to rebuild his life, and how his wife Catherine became the organizational force that saved both him and Multigroove. From the raw energy of early '90s hardcore to mentoring a new generation of young artists keeping the legacy alive, Ilja reveals how staying authentic and close to your roots is what keeps a movement alive for 35+ years. We dive deep into mental health in the music industry, the importance of asking for help, and why trauma and recovery stories matter just as much as success stories. This episode captures why Ilja's philosophy remains simple: live your life, make music, love each other, and let's dance. A must-listen for anyone interested in the roots of dance culture, entrepreneurship, resilience, and the human stories behind the scenes. ––– 🎧 This podcast is available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcast and Soundcloud 📸 Follow The Music Industry Loft on Instagram: / themusicindustryloft ––– 🔗 More about: Ilja Reiman: https://www.instagram.com/iljareiman/ Multigroove: https://www.multigroove.nl/ 12-stappen-programma: https://ggzinterventie.nl/behandeling-verslaving/12-stappen/ 🧠 Men's Mental Health Clothing: Get a discount with code 'TMIL15' 👉 https://mensmentalhealthclo.nl/ ––– 🎪 Festival Supply: The gear you need to survive (and thrive) this club season. Get a discount with code "LFTW25" 👉 https://festivalsupply.nl/ ––– 💬 Let us know what stood out to you from this episode, and don't forget to like & subscribe for more in-depth interviews with the people shaping the music industry from the inside out. #TheMusicIndustryLoft #Multigroove #DanceCulture #RaveHistory #MentalHealth #DutchHardcore

Festival photographer & marketer: Bobbie van den Bosch on creativity, pressure, and finding your place in the hard dance world. From sneaking a DSLR into the woods as a kid to shooting massive events like Defqon.1, Dominator, and Tomorrowland — Bobbie has built a career shaped by passion, persistence, and community. Alongside photography, she works in marketing at First Vision, helping define the visual identity of festivals from the inside out In this episode, we explore: • breaking into the festival industry as a creative • finding your own style after years of experimentation • the reality behind the “festival glam” we see online • imposter syndrome and mental health in a high-pressure scene • diversifying your work and balancing freelance & office life ––– 🎧 This podcast is available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcast and SoundCloud 📸 Follow The Music Industry Loft on Instagram: @themusicindustryloft ––– 🔗 More about Bobbie van den Bosch: Instagram (festival work): https://www.instagram.com/bobbie_photography/ Business photography Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bybobbie.jpg/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbievdb/ ––– Huge thanks to our sponsors for supporting this episode: 🧠 Men’s Mental Health Clothing Get -15% with code TMIL15 👉 https://mensmentalhealthclo.nl/ 🎪 Festival Supply – Festival essentials Get -20% with code LFTW25 👉 https://festivalsupply.nl/ ––– 💬 Let us know what stood out to you, and don’t forget to subscribe for more stories from the people who shape the music industry from the inside out. #TheMusicIndustryLoft #FestivalPhotography #HardDance #MusicIndustry

Dancer, political scientist, and activist Veerle Klok shares her unique journey from performing on the world’s biggest stages with Scooter to building safer and more inclusive nightlife communities. From her early days as a teenage club dancer to studying political science, from training security teams with Sex Matters to organizing community-driven raves with Orphic, Veerle shows how the dance floor is not just entertainment — it’s political. We dive into mental health on tour, substance-free partying, safety on the dance floor, and how social media can be both a stage and a battleground for activism. This episode is a must-listen for artists, promoters, and anyone passionate about the culture and future of nightlife. ––– 🎧 This podcast is available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcast and Soundcloud 📸 Follow The Music Industry Loft on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themusicindustryloft ––– 🔗 More about Veerle Klok: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veerleromee/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veerleromee/ ––– Huge thanks to our sponsors for supporting this episode: 🧠 Men’s Mental Health Clothing Get a discount with code ‘TMIL15’ 👉 https://mensmentalhealthclo.nl/ 🎪 Festival Supply – The gear you need to survive (and thrive) this club season. Get a discount with code "Music25" 👉 https://festivalsupply.nl/ ––– 💬 Let us know what stood out to you from this episode, and don’t forget to like & subscribe for more in-depth interviews with the people shaping the music industry from the inside out. #TheMusicIndustryLoft

Entertainment lawyer and former DJ Sander Petit — a.k.a. De Dance-Advocaat / The Dance Lawyer — shares his insider knowledge on protecting your music, brand, and career. From avoiding shady contracts to building passive income with music rights, from handling AI-generated music to navigating the legal side of social media, branding, and festivals — this episode is a masterclass for artists, managers, and music lovers alike. ––– 🎧 Also available on YouTube with English subtitles 📸 Follow The Music Industry Loft on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themusicindustryloft ––– 🔗 More about Sander Petit — The Dance Lawyer: Website → https://www.danceadvocaat.nl Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/dedanceadvocaat LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanderpetit ––– 🙏 Huge thanks to our sponsors for supporting this episode: 🥤 YFOOD – Nutritious meals in a bottle. Get a discount with code ALENNAH-YOUTUBE 👉 https://bit.ly/alennah_tponline 🎪 Festival Supply – The gear you need to survive (and thrive) this festival season. Get a discount with code "Music25" 👉 https://festivalsupply.nl/ 🎙️ Rekorder Studios in Amsterdam ––– 💬 Let us know what stood out to you from this episode, and don’t forget to like & subscribe for more in-depth interviews with the people shaping the music industry from the inside out. #TheMusicIndustryLoft

🎙 Sefa like you’ve never seen him. We talk about what changed for him after COVID — how silence, space, and faith reshaped his creative process and perspective. From the emotional weight behind This Is SEFA to his views on social media, discipline, mental health, and musical storytelling, this is a rare and personal look into one of the most thoughtful minds in hard dance. ––– 🎧 Also available on YouTube as a video with English subtitles. 📸 Follow The Music Industry Loft on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themusicindustryloft ––– 🙏 Huge thanks to our sponsor for supporting this episode: 🔊 RaveSafe – The Dutch brand for high-quality festival earplugs, designed for music lovers who want to enjoy the sound without the risk of hearing damage. • Flat attenuation: clear sound without distortion • 3 sizes in one set – perfect fit guaranteed • Subtle design + handy travel case • Free shippingOver 700 verified reviews with an average score of 8.6. 👉 Order your starter set: https://ravesafe.nl ––– 💬 Let us know what stood out to you from this episode, and don’t forget to like & subscribe for more in-depth interviews with the people shaping the music industry from the inside out. #TheMusicIndustryLoft #Sefa #Hardcore #Frenchcore #FaithInMusic #MentalHealth #DanceMusic #Podcast

In this episode of The Music Industry Loft, I sit down with Tha Watcher — a true pioneer in the hardcore scene and one of the most recognizable voices in the game. We talk about nearly 20 years of being an MC in the hard dance world, the lessons he's learned, and the mindset that’s kept him sharp and inspired. From iconic collaborations like Voice of Mayhem and Payback to major stages across the globe — Tha Watcher reflects on the journey so far, and what’s still ahead. We also get into the art of world-building as an MC: what it really means to go beyond just hosting. Think creative direction, vocal identity, storytelling, branding, and how to carve out your own space in the scene. ––– 🔗 Check out Tha Watcher Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/thawatcher/ Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/ThaWatcher/ Bookings → https://mostwanted.dj/artists/tha-watcher/ ––– 🎧 Also available on YouTube as a video podcast 📸 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themusicindustryloft ––– 🙏 Huge thanks to our sponsor for supporting this episode: 🎪 Festival Supply – The gear you need to survive (and thrive) this festival season. Get a discount with code "Music25" 👉 https://festivalsupply.nl/ ––– 💬 Drop a comment if you enjoyed the episode, and don’t forget to like & subscribe for more interviews with the people shaping the music industry from the inside out.

🎙 Welcome to the very first episode of The Music Industry Loft! In this new series, I sit down with key people from the dance music world to talk honestly about their careers, passions, challenges, and the industry behind the scenes. We’re kicking things off with Raoul Koning, Project Leader at Unity – an organization focused on safe partying, peer-to-peer education, and open conversations around drug use and harm reduction in the nightlife scene. Raoul shares what it’s like to work behind the scenes of festivals and clubs, how Unity trains their volunteers, and what the future of safe partying could look like. ––– 🔗 More about Unity: Website → https://unity.nl Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/unityinfo/ ––– 🎧 Also available as a podcast: Spotify → The Music Industry Loft 📸 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themusicindustryloft ––– 🙏 Huge thanks to our sponsors for supporting this episode: 🥤 YFOOD – Nutritious meals in a bottle. Get a discount with code ALENNAH-YOUTUBE 👉 https://yfood.nl/ 🎪 Festival Supply – The gear you need to survive (and thrive) this festival season. Get a discount with code "Music25" 👉 https://festivalsupply.nl/ ––– 💬 Drop a comment if you enjoyed the episode, and don’t forget to like & subscribe for more interviews with the people shaping the music industry from the inside out. #TheMusicIndustryLoft #Unity #RaoulKoning #FestivalLife #SafeRaving #DanceMusic #Podcast