The Platform Podcast episode sixty-four, I sit down with Nashville-based DJ/producer Boom! We dive into what it actually takes to grow as a DJ in today’s nightlife scene. Boom breaks down his journey from Michigan to Florida to Nashville, taking a leap into a more competitive market and going all-in on DJing full time. From there, we dive deep into some of the biggest topics affecting DJs right now — including the rise of curated music, why so many DJs sound the same, and how relying too heavily on charts is holding people back. We get into the real art of DJing — taking risks, introducing new music, and creating moments that actually move a crowd. Boom explains why experimentation is the key to standing out, and why the best DJs aren’t afraid to lose the floor if it means building something bigger. Whether you're a DJ, producer, or just someone who loves nightlife and music culture, this episode is packed with insight, perspective, and real-world advice you can apply immediately. Follow BOOM Instagram: @iamboommusic Follow The Platform: Instagram / TikTok / YouTube: @theplatformmix Follow Dex: @TheDJDex Listen to The Platform every week on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
00:00 — Intro + Meet Boom
00:02:10 — Boom’s Background & DJ Journey
00:03:25 — Turning DJing from a Hobby into a Career
00:04:27 — Moving to Nashville & Leveling Up
00:05:00 — Quitting the 9–5 to Go All-In
00:05:30 — Why Nashville Pushes DJs to Be Better
00:07:07 — Working with Crate Hackers (Curation Explained)
00:08:00 — Building Latin & International DJ Crates
00:10:03 — Why Authentic Curation Matters
00:13:16 — Do DJs Rely Too Much on Charts?
00:14:22 — Why Clubs All Sound the Same
00:15:42 — The Real Art of DJing (Breaking New Music)
00:16:01 — Why DJs Are Afraid to Take Risks
00:16:47 — “What’s This Song?” = Ultimate DJ Respect
00:17:10 — Experimentation vs Playing It Safe
00:18:12 — How Streaming Changed Music Discovery
00:20:09 — Making Edits & Remixes for the Club
00:21:20 — Finding New Artists Before They Blow Up
00:23:00 — Building an Artist Identity vs Club DJing
00:24:00 — “You’re Getting Lapped…” (Execution vs Overthinking)
00:24:56 — Why 100 Listeners is a Big Deal
00:27:34 — DJing vs Producing: Finding Balance
00:31:09 — Artist Boom vs Nightlife Boom
00:33:11 — The Rise of Curated Events
00:34:08 — Adding Live Elements to DJ Sets
00:35:21 — The Moment the Crowd Pulled Out Their Phones
00:35:54 — Why Most People Only Go Out Once a Month
00:36:16 — Making DJ Sets More Engaging
00:39:30 — Are Live Elements the Future of DJing?
00:40:40 — Why Some DJ Sets Feel “Boring” Online
00:41:30 — Social Media vs Live Experience
00:42:56 — Riot Ranch & Nashville’s Growing Scene
00:47:35 — Why Nashville Needs More Than Open Format
00:48:01 — Expanding into New Markets (Miami, LA, NYC)
00:50:20 — How to Get Booked in New Cities
00:52:03 — Networking & Building Relationships
00:53:53 — Influencer DJs vs Real DJs
00:55:03 — The Business Behind Booking Decisions
00:56:39 — Why Dance Music is Winning Globally
00:57:15 — How DJs Test Unreleased Music (IDs)
00:58:22 — Why Other Genres Haven’t Caught Up