Tony Technique and Tim welcome veteran DJ, remixer, producer, turntablist, and label manager DJ Halo (Jeep Ward) to the Vinyl Underground Podcast. Halo recounts starting to DJ in 1997, upgrading to Technics 1200s, and surviving a life-changing incident at 22 when he was run over by two cars, with music becoming part of his rehab. He discusses early radio work in Arkansas where his hip-hop/R&B station surged in ratings before being sold, his roots in hip-hop through tapes like NWA and Public Enemy, and his approach to remixing and production in Ableton. Halo details touring and DJ runs, his time in Oakland, and current projects including an Ice-T release and label distribution challenges driven by AI-era legal scrutiny. He shares where to find his radio shows and offers advice for DJs to learn manual mixing.

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro

02:48 Halo Joins the Show

04:36 Origin Story and DJ Name

05:27 First Turntables and Gear Tips

07:43 Accident and Recovery

10:28 Radio Career in Arkansas

13:47 Early Hip Hop Influences

17:04 Remixes and Beatmaking Process

21:15 Ableton Setup and Workflow

23:04 Label Work and Legal Battles

27:25 AI Music and Spotify Concerns

30:14 Touring and Growing Up

34:12 NYC Connections and Breakthrough

35:06 Knitting Factory Crew

36:01 Learning to Mix

37:03 NYC Scene Memories

40:09 Touring and West Coast

42:19 Fake Four Records Era

44:18 Oakland First Fridays

45:59 Bay Life and Money

49:23 Hustle Mindset Origins

52:50 New Blue Records Update

56:44 London Yoga Meets Goldie

01:00:44 Ibiza DJ Conference

01:02:39 Where to Find Halo

01:04:42 Advice and Farewell

Join Tony Technique on the Vinyl Underground Podcast for the premiere episode of Intercity Sessions. In this episode, Tony sits down with Tommy Junior, a DJ from the DC area, to discuss the local DJ scene and how his RPG collective is making waves. Learn about Tommy's journey into the electronic music scene, the evolution of his DJ style, and the importance of community and underground venues. Get insights into DC’s vibrant nightlife, favorite venues, and the challenges and joys of hosting open decks for upcoming DJs. Don’t miss this in-depth conversation about the passion and dedication behind the DJ culture in the southeast.

00:00 Welcome to the Vinyl Underground Podcast

01:18 Introducing Tommy Junior from DC

02:20 The Open Deck Concept

04:07 Tommy Junior's Journey in the DC Music Scene

09:12 RPG Collective and Local DJ Collaborations

11:27 Exploring the DC and Southeast DJ Scene

18:39 The Vibrant Culture and Music of DC

21:14 Iconic Venues and Events in DC

27:55 Discovering Underground Music Scenes

33:18 Navigating the Music Scene

33:30 Challenges of Scheduling and Networking

34:14 Evolution of Music Venues

37:04 Rise of Alternative Party Scenes

37:35 Impact of Changing Drinking Habits

38:33 The Underground Scene's Resilience

40:44 Supporting New DJs

52:14 Exploring Different Music Styles

01:00:00 Closing Remarks and Future Plans

Welcome back, party people! In this episode of Vinyl Underground, hosts Tony Technique and Tim Pinner sit down with Sai (Syrn) and Liam from Somatic House Collective — a fast-rising force in the Triangle’s house music scene.

They discuss how the collective came together, their vision for inclusive dance-floor culture, the evolution of local nightlife in Raleigh–Durham, and the future of global DJ culture from Afro-house to AI music. Whether you’re a DJ, dancer, or electronic-music lover, this episode dives deep into community, creativity, and connection.

Subscribe for more local DJ spotlights and behind-the-scenes stories from the underground.
Follow Somatic House Collective on Instagram: @somatichousecollective

00:00 – Welcome back party people!
01:00 – Introducing Somatic House Collective
03:00 – How Liam & Sai met and started the collective
04:30 – Shared values, vision, and the mission behind Somatic House
06:00 – Shifting focus back to the dance floor
08:00 – Sai’s journey from Seattle to the Triangle & DJ influences
10:00 – Cultural roots and global sound inspirations
12:00 – Asian and global electronic scenes emerging
14:00 – Technology and the new wave of DJs
16:00 – Liam’s musical roots and discovering house
18:00 – The future of DJing and AI in music
19:00 – Reading the room and building your library
21:00 – Dancing as therapy & the joy of movement
24:00 – The lost art of the dance floor
27:00 – Raleigh–Durham nightlife & No Visa parties
29:00 – Breaking the four-on-the-floor pattern
31:00 – Afro-house rhythms and cultural fusion
33:00 – Upcoming Somatic House events & collaborations
36:00 – Growing the Triangle’s music scene together
39:00 – Late-night food, club culture, and creative communities
42:00 – Comparing Raleigh–Durham to Charlotte and beyond
45:00 – Opportunities for new DJs and building community
47:00 – Remembering the Subterranean parties
48:00 – Arc Festival in Chicago & house music inspiration
51:00 – After-parties, Smart Bar, and the energy of Chicago
53:00 – The future of Somatic House Collective

About Vinyl Underground
Vinyl Underground brings you the stories, struggles, and successes of DJs, producers, and creatives shaping the Triangle’s underground dance scene, where beats meet community.

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