The Platform Podcast Episode sixty-eight features the Nashville based DJ Ax, who made the move from California to Tennessee and quickly realized how different the DJ scene really is. In this episode, we dive into the biggest differences between DJ culture in LA vs Nashville, why so many DJs get stuck playing the same music every night, and the ongoing debate around scratching in club sets. Ax shares his journey from producing music and accidentally becoming a DJ, to locking in, competing in battles, and building a unique style that blends technical skill with real crowd control. We also get into how Nashville’s nightlife is evolving, the explosion of Broadway and celebrity-owned bars, and why opportunity in this city is unmatched, but also comes with its own challenges. From agency-driven bookings to the lack of technical DJing in the market, this is a real conversation about what it actually takes to stand out in today’s DJ landscape. If you're a DJ, producer, or part of the nightlife industry, this episode gives you an honest look at leveling up, adapting to different markets, and finding your edge. Follow Ax: Instagram: @therealdjax 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
00:45 — Meet Ax (Mexico → Cali → Nashville)
03:00 — From Producer to DJ (Making the Switch)
05:15 — First Gig → Instant Residency
06:30 — Why DJing Isn’t “Just Press Play”
07:15 — DJ Battles & Learning the Craft
10:30 — Why Nashville DJs Don’t Scratch
12:30 — Good vs Bad Scratching (What Actually Works)
14:00 — Obsession, Practice & Getting Good Fast
17:30 — Battle DJ vs Club DJ (Skill vs Crowd Control)
19:30 — Moving From LA to Nashville
21:00 — Why Nashville Has WAY More Opportunity
22:30 — Playing the Same Music Every Night
23:30 — Why One-Genre DJs Get Stuck
24:30 — Taking the Risk to Move Cities
25:30 — Nashville Nightlife Is Exploding
26:30 — Celebrity Bars & Why They Work
27:30 — Barstool vs Broadway (Marketing Difference)
30:00 — Why Nashville Bars Don’t Promote
33:00 — Copy-Paste Venues Problem
36:00 — What Makes a Great Nightclub (Ax’s Vision)
38:00 — How He’d Build a Successful Venue
41:00 — Entitled Crowds & Bad Requests
43:30 — DJ vs Crowd Control (Who’s Right?)
46:00 — Where Ax Is DJing Now
47:00 — The Problem with Booking Agencies
49:30 — No Accountability in DJ Booking
52:00 — Why DJs Get Undervalued
55:00 — How Hard It Is to Get Booked in Nashville
57:30 — DJs with Managers Too Early
59:00 — Fake Followers & Industry Illusions
1:07:00 — The Latin Scene in Nashville
1:09:00 — Why Latin Parties Always Sell Out
1:12:00 — Why Cultures Don’t Mix in Nightlife
1:20:00 — Building a Touring Latin Party Brand
1:23:00 — Nashville DJ Community vs Other Cities
1:26:00 — “Hear Me Out” (Songs That Always Work)
1:29:00 — Ax’s Current Music Picks
1:35:00 — Put Someone On A Platform
1:39:00 — Outro