In this episode of Can U Put Me On Guestlist?, I sit down with Chris Avantgarde to talk about why we’re officially in the genre-blending era of dance music.

From being “too techno for the commercial crowd and too commercial for the techno crowd” to playing the Las Vegas Sphere, Chris opens up about finding creative freedom beyond genre labels, navigating rejection, and trusting instinct over perfection.

We talk about his journey from Germany to London, working with Anyma and Afterlife, producing music for clubs versus festivals, and building a parallel career in film, TV, and gaming with projects for Netflix, Amazon, and Call of Duty. Chris also shares the thinking behind Hyperreal, his approach to evolving as an artist, and why genre lines matter less than ever.

This episode is about identity, authenticity, and making music that feels real - without fitting into a box.

🌟 SPONSORS

🎧 Trackstack
Trackstack is the all-in-one platform built for music creators — from promos and demos to social-ready video content.
Use code CUPMOG for 10% off for life.
👉 https://www.trackstack.app/

🚀 LabelWorx
Distribution, royalty management, promo tools, and insights — built by people who live and breathe dance music.
👉 https://labelworx.com/

🇦🇺 Sounds Australia
Huge thanks to Sounds Australia for hosting us in Amsterdam and supporting Australian artists globally.
👉 https://soundsaustralia.com.au/

🥥 Wow Cacao
Made from rescued cacao pulp, Wow Cacao is a refreshing, vitamin-rich drink packed with natural electrolytes and antioxidants.
👉 Follow @drinkwowcacao

In this in-depth conversation, Moody Jones shares how he went from Dirtybird superfan to Label President, and what it really takes to take over an iconic dance music record label without losing its soul.

We unpack the full story behind Dirtybird’s 20-year legacy, why the label was acquired as an act of cultural preservation, and how community — not hype or algorithms — became its strongest asset. Moody breaks down the difference between acquiring vs signing labels, building sustainable, artist-led ecosystems, and why infrastructure matters more than ever in modern dance music.

In this episode, we cover:
• How Dirtybird was saved from disappearing
• Taking over your hero’s record label
• Why community-led labels outperform hype-driven ones
• The future of A&R, audience-building, and artist ownership
• How Dirtybird continues to grow globally at 20 years strong

Whether you’re an artist, label founder, music executive, or dance music fan, this episode offers rare insight into the business, culture, and community behind one of electronic music’s most influential labels.

🌟 Sponsors

🎧 TrackstackThe all-in-one platform for music creators — send and receive promos, manage demos, discover open label inboxes, and create social-ready promo videos with Trackstack Showcase.Use code CUPMOG for 10% off for life.👉 https://www.trackstack.app/

🚀 LabelWorxDistribution, royalty management, promo tools, and insights — built by people who live and breathe dance music.👉 https://labelworx.com/

🇦🇺 Sounds AustraliaHuge thanks to Sounds Australia for hosting us in Amsterdam and supporting Australian artists globally.👉 https://soundsaustralia.com.au/

🥥 Wow CacaoMade from rescued cacao pulp, Wow Cacao is a refreshing, vitamin-rich drink packed with natural electrolytes and antioxidants.👉 Follow @drinkwowcacao

In this episode, I sit down with SYREETA, one of the most respected DJs in house music, to talk about the moment you know it’s time to leave the day job and fully commit to your path in dance music.

From waking up at 4am to drive trucks for 12-hour shifts, to playing Paradise, ANTS, DC10, Amnesia, and Space Miami with Carl Cox, SYREETA’s journey is a masterclass in graft, self-belief, and trusting your instinct.

We talk honestly about the fear of quitting stability, the reality behind the DJ lifestyle, and why there’s never a “right time” - only the moment when you finally back yourself.

This episode was recorded live at Duke of Tokyo in Amsterdam, with SYREETA opening up about confidence, staying grounded, and why not dimming to fit in has shaped her career.

We get into:

• Working as a full-time truck driver while DJing on weekends
• 4am starts, sunrise drives and learning music on the road
• Knowing when the day job is holding you back
• Why there’s no perfect moment to quit — only a feeling
• Taking the risk and going all in on dance music
• Playing with Carl Cox, ANTS, Paradise and Space Miami
• What Carl Cox taught her about confidence in the booth
• Never playing the same set twice and trusting your instincts
• Growing up around underground parties, reggae, soul and jungle
• From Cocoon at Amnesia to playing Ibiza’s biggest stages
• Hearing her own track played by Loco Dice for the first time
• Supporting emerging artists and opening doors for others
• Touring life, burnout, balance and sustainability
• Going sober, mental clarity and performing without alcohol
• Why representation, authenticity and community matter
• “Don’t dim to fit in” - and why there’s space for everyone
• Her guestlist rules
• The strangest fan gift she’s ever received
• What success really feels like when you’ve earned every step

If you’re a DJ, producer, creative, or anyone navigating the jump from stability to passion, this episode is for you.

SPONSORS

Trackstack
The all-in-one platform for music creators — send and receive promos, manage demos, discover open label inboxes, and create social-ready promo videos with Trackstack Showcase.
Use code CUPMOG for 10% off for life.
https://my.trackstack.app/auth/login

LabelWorx
Distribution, royalty management, promo tools, and insights — built by people who live and breathe dance music.
https://www.labelworx.com

Sounds Australia
Huge thanks to Sounds Australia for hosting us in Amsterdam and supporting Australian artists globally.
https://www.soundsaustralia.com.au

Wow Cacao
Made from rescued cacao pulp, Wow Cacao is a refreshing, vitamin-rich drink packed with natural electrolytes and antioxidants.
https://www.instagram.com/drinkwowcacao/

CONNECT

Follow SYREETA: https://www.instagram.com/syreetamusic
Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/katiehayknight
Follow Can U Put Me On Guestlist?: https://www.instagram.com/canuputmeonguestlist