Dexter Jones

Paul Maddox, known for his work across Tidy Trax, hard house, hard dance and studio engineering, joins me for a deep conversation about music production, ghost production, sound engineers, AI, the changing club scene, and why so many roles in electronic music are misunderstood.

We start with one of the biggest misconceptions in dance music: ghost producers and engineers are not the same thing. Paul explains where the confusion comes from, why people get defensive about it, and how professional records are often made through collaboration, technical support, and very different skill sets.

From there, we go deep into Paul’s own story. We talk about starting out as a producer before DJing, learning the craft in the late 90s, working with basic gear, discovering dance music through Radio 1, handing demo CDs to DJs, and eventually breaking through with the Tidy Boys and landing an in-house engineering role.

We also get into:

• the difference between engineering, co-production and ghost production
• why some artists need technical help, not a ghost producer
• how electronic music blurs the lines between artist, producer and engineer
• building tracks in person versus online sessions
• how Paul moved across hard house, hard dance, trance, techno and house
• working with artists across different genres
• AI in music production and why it can enhance creativity but not replace it
• why modern music can feel more derivative
• the importance of edits, streaming versions and holding attention online
• the rise, fall and return of hard house and harder dance sounds
• how clubbing culture, festivals, visuals and social media have changed the scene
• why producers now have to do everything, from making music to building a brand

00:00 Intro: The Maddox & Glazby Connection
05:15 Producer vs DJ: What comes first?
08:42 Working with Darius Syrossian & Bryan Kearney
12:30 How COVID changed studio sessions forever
15:45 Engineering vs. Ghost Producing: The Truth
19:20 Why the Dance Industry pulls people down
24:10 Starting on a PC in 1998: The early days
32:50 That life-changing call from the Tidy Boys
40:15 The "Unbaking a Cake" AI Analogy
48:20 Is Hard House having a massive resurgence?
55:30 The decline of the "Weekly Club" and the rise of the "Show"
01:05:10 Why Social Media is killing talented artists

This is a proper behind-the-scenes conversation with someone who has lived it from the inside. If you are into hard house, dance music production, club culture, studio work, or the real mechanics of how tracks get made, this one will land.

The Dexter Jones Podcast explores the stories, people and realities behind dance music, Ibiza culture, production, DJing and the electronic music industry.

In this episode of The Dexter Jones Podcast, I sit down with William Daniel to break down how he got into the music industry at just 15 years old… and ended up working directly with some of the biggest DJs in the world.

From working in a record shop in Glasgow to sending promos to Judge Jules, Paul Oakenfold, and Radio 1, William shares how he built a network from scratch and earned respect in one of the most competitive industries out there.

We dive into vinyl culture, record shops, and what it was really like selling music to names like Paul van Dyk, Armin van Buuren, and Ferry Corsten… all before most people even know what they want to do with their lives.

This is a real insight into how the dance music industry works behind the scenes — no shortcuts, no hype… just experience.

If you’re a DJ, producer, or trying to break into the music industry, this episode is packed with lessons.

🔑 THINGS WE TALK ABOUT:

* How William Daniel got into the music industry at 15
* Working in a record shop during the vinyl era
* Sending promos to DJs like Judge Jules and Paul Oakenfold
* Radio 1 exposure and early DJ promotion
* Building a DJ network from scratch
* Selling records to Paul van Dyk, Armin van Buuren, and Ferry Corsten
* How record shops shaped the dance music scene
* Breaking into the electronic music industry with no connections
* DJ culture in the early trance and house scene
* How to get noticed as a DJ or producer
* The importance of taste, track selection, and music knowledge
* Behind the scenes of the DJ industry
* Advice for new DJs and producers
* The reality of the music business vs social media perception

00:00 AI Is Changing Music Forever… Here’s The Truth
01:16 A Surprise Guest From The Dance Music Scene
05:56 Getting Into Music From An Early Age
08:03 Discovering Record Shops & DJ Culture
15:41 Is AI Replacing Music Producers?
21:11 The Power Of Vinyl & Old School DJing
29:15 How Hard Is It To Break Through As A DJ Today?
37:12 Releasing Music On Labels (How It Really Works)
45:23 The State Of Trance Music Right Now
52:38 Ghost Producing In Dance Music Explained
59:08 Artist Fees vs Reality – The Big Disconnect
01:05:47 The Last Track Of The Night (DJ Psychology)

From raves to reality… this is what it’s really like working in the dance music industry.

In this episode of The Dexter Jones Podcast, I sit down with Steve Arnold to break down his journey from the early rave scene through to working behind the scenes in dance music. From Godskitchen and Global Gathering to artist liaison roles, interviews, and the real grind it takes to break into the industry… this is the side of dance music most people never see.

We dive into the Midlands rave scene, UK club culture, and what it actually takes to build a career in electronic music. No hype, no filters… just real stories from inside the industry.

If you’re a DJ, producer, or just obsessed with dance music culture, this one’s for you.

🎙️ WHAT WE TALK ABOUT

In this episode, we cover the reality of working in the dance music industry, from the UK rave scene to major events like Godskitchen and Global Gathering.

• How to get into the dance music industry
• The UK rave scene and Midlands club culture
• Behind the scenes of DJ life and artist liaison work
• The grind of becoming a DJ and building a name
• Dance music events, touring and industry insights
• Then vs now: how clubbing and DJ culture has evolved
• Honest advice for new DJs and producers

Micky Modelle joins The Dexter Jones Podcast to share his incredible journey through 4 decades in dance music — from the early days of Belfast’s underground club scene during one of its most turbulent periods, to the rise of vinyl culture, Clubland, and the evolution of the global dance music industry.

In this episode, we dive deep into what it was really like coming up in a time with no roadmap, no social media, and no shortcuts — where DJs built careers from record shops, word of mouth, and pure passion. Micky opens up about the realities of the industry, the shift from vinyl to digital, and why success today isn’t the same as it once was.

This is a raw and honest conversation about longevity, adapting to change, and surviving in one of the most competitive industries in the world.

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🎧 In this episode, we cover:
Growing up and DJing in Belfast during a turbulent era
How club culture thrived despite real-world conflict
The early days of vinyl and what success really looked like
Selling records vs streaming culture today
The truth about longevity in the music industry
Why you can’t stay on top forever
How technology has changed everything for DJs and producers
Stories from the early underground scene
Advice for the next generation of DJs

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⏱️ CHAPTERS

00:00 – Belfast Was a War Zone
03:20 – Early Club Scene Outside the City
08:45 – Winging It: No Set Path
15:10 – Vinyl Days & Record Sales
22:30 – Then vs Now: The Industry Shift
35:40 – You Can’t Stay on Top Forever
48:15 – Technology Changed Everything
58:20 – Stories from the Scene
1:10:00 – Advice for New DJs

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🎤 About Micky Modelle

Micky Modelle is a respected DJ and producer with over 40 years in the dance music industry. Known for his influence across multiple eras — from underground club culture to commercial dance — he has witnessed and adapted to every major shift in the scene.

Dirty Sanchez was one of MTV’s wildest and most controversial TV shows, reaching over 400 million viewers across 64 countries and becoming a global phenomenon in the early 2000s. 

In this episode, Pritchard from Dirty Sanchez joins the podcast to reveal what really happened behind the scenes of the MTV show, from how Dirty Sanchez started and exploded worldwide to the full-on lifestyle, Ibiza stories, and the reality of life after fame.

How did it become MTV’s wildest and most popular show?

In this episode, I sit down with Pritchard to uncover the full story behind Dirty Sanchez, from its unexpected beginnings to its rise as one of the biggest shows MTV ever produced.

What started as a group of mates filming skateboarding, pranks, and chaos quickly turned into something far bigger than anyone imagined. MTV were looking for a UK version of the Jackass movement, and within no time, Dirty Sanchez exploded onto screens around the world — reaching over 400 million people across 64 countries.

But none of that was the plan.

As Pritchard explains, they genuinely thought it would be one show, one year… just getting paid to party and have a laugh.

Instead, it became a global phenomenon.

We talk about what life was really like during that time — travelling the world, pushing boundaries, and living a lifestyle that was completely full on. The energy, the madness, and the pressure to keep going further eventually started to take its toll.

We also dive deep into Ibiza — a huge part of the journey.

From performing live at Bar M to experiencing the island at its peak, Pritchard shares how Ibiza became the place where everything escalated. The freedom, the atmosphere, and the culture made it a playground where anything felt possible — and where some of the wildest moments happened.

But this episode isn’t just about chaos.

It’s about what happens after.

We talk about the reality of that lifestyle, the impact it has over time, and how Pritchard has completely transformed his life since those days. From stepping away from alcohol to doing serious work on himself, this is a side of the story that most people never hear.

From global fame… to personal change.

If you remember Dirty Sanchez, this is the story behind it.

If you don’t — this is one you won’t expect.

⚡️ WHAT WE COVER IN THIS EPISODE:

• The origins of Dirty Sanchez and how it started from skateboarding and prank videos
• How MTV discovered the crew and turned it into a global TV show
• Reaching 400 million viewers across 64 countries
• Why they never expected Dirty Sanchez to blow up
• What life was really like behind the scenes of MTV’s wildest show
• The “get paid to party” lifestyle and how it became full on
• The pressure to keep pushing boundaries
• How the chaos and lifestyle took its toll
• Ibiza stories, Bar M residency, and wild island moments
• Living in Ibiza during the peak years
• Life after Dirty Sanchez
• Personal transformation, sobriety, and self-work
• Reflections on fame, identity, and change

⏱️ CHAPTERS

00:00 – Dirty Sanchez: 400 Million Viewers Worldwide
05:32 – From Pro Skateboarder to Filming Chaos
07:15 – Ibiza Residency & Party Lifestyle Begins
12:16 – MTV Discovery: The UK’s Jackass Era
13:07 – Becoming MTV’s Biggest Show Ever
16:44 – Life After Dirty Sanchez: The Dirty Vegan Journey
23:32 – Rowing the Atlantic: The Ultimate Challenge
28:02 – Why He Turned to Veganism
37:52 – “Sleep When You’re Dead” Lifestyle
42:17 – Personal Reinvention & Life Transformation
52:16 – Dealing with Anxiety & Mental Health
58:28 – Discovering a Passion for Cooking
1:06:55 – The Importance of Exercise & Routine
1:09:03 – Favourite Life Chapters & Lessons Learned

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All About Pritchard:

https://www.mathewpritchard.com/