

Music Not Diving with Scuba
Scuba
Paul Rose aka the musician, DJ, and label boss known as Scuba talks to people of significance from the world of electronic music about their experiences, observations, and attempts to cultivate a life for themselves in the murky and sometimes treacherous waters of the music industry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 8, 2026 • 1h 23min
#035 Jagz Kooner: Weatherall, Sabres Of Paradise, and quitting while you're ahead
Music Not Diving is supported by Acid Nation (formerly AC55ID)... head over to www.acidnation.com to check out the fastest growing electronic music marketplace, a central hub for music discovery, streaming and purchasing!--Watch the video episodes of Music Not Diving over at youtube.com/@WeNotDivingThe Sabres Of Paradise were formed in 1992 by Andrew Weatherall, Gary Burns, and our guest on today's episode Jagz Kooner. They burned brightly but briefly, initially disbanding in 1995, but have now reformed (without the late Weatherall) for what Jagz says will be a limited time. We discuss the story of the Sabres, but also Jagz' wider career which covers a lot of ground as a remixer and producer. And we also get into his thoughts on today's scene, and the changes in music making he's witnessed in four decades making tunes. This is a good one! --If you're into what we're doing here on the pod then you can support the show on Patreon! There are two tiers - "Solidarity" for $4 a month, which features the show without ads, regular bonus podcasts, and extra content. And "Musicality" which for a mere $10 a month gets you all the music we release on Hotflush and affiliate labels AND other music too, some of which never comes out anywhere else.You can also make a one-off donation to the podcast using a card, with Paypal, or your Ethereum wallet! Head over to scubaofficial.io/support.Plus there's also a private area for Patreon supporters in the Hotflush Discord Server... but anyone can join the conversation in the public channels.Listen to the music discussed on the show via the Music Not Diving Podcast Spotify playlistChapters:00:00 Brought to you by Acid Nation02:13 Episode start02:44 Sabres reunion08:45 Playing Sydney Opera House11:38 From seated silence to dancing chaos13:05 This song changed lives15:58 Post-Sabres life17:06 Early DJ roots21:36 Machines over bands25:45 A very Jagz birthday29:24 This machine will change the world36:02 The bootleg that changed everything37:30 Andrew Weatherall45:00 Touring and burnout47:30 After the split50:00 Producing for others59:30 Legacy and influence01:03:00 The meaning of the reunion01:07:00 Honouring Andrew Weatherall01:11:00 Looking forward01:15:00 Advice for young producers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 5, 2026 • 52min
The unfolding AI debate: the End Of Recorded Music?
Music Not Diving is supported by Acid Nation (formerly AC55ID)... head over to www.acidnation.com to check out the fastest growing electronic music marketplace, a central hub for music discovery, streaming and purchasing!--Watch the video episodes of Music Not Diving over at youtube.com/@WeNotDivingThis is a re-up of a podcast we released in mid-2023 which sought to set the table for what was then the coming debate on AI in music and the wider socio-economic world. It's worth returning to because it covers the big issues that I anticipate will be covered on the podcast this coming year, and takes a look at some of the initial intuitions coming into this highly weird period of human history. This stuff isn't going anywhere, and it poses serious questions for what the music industry is for. What are musicians doing making music in this environment? What's the purpose of music in of itself? These are questions I have been asking myself over the last few weeks, and there are no easy answers...--If you're into what we're doing here on the pod then you can support the show on Patreon! There are two tiers - "Solidarity" for $4 a month, which features the show without ads, regular bonus podcasts, and extra content. And "Musicality" which for a mere $10 a month gets you all the music we release on Hotflush and affiliate labels AND other music too, some of which never comes out anywhere else.You can also make a one-off donation to the podcast using a card, with Paypal, or your Ethereum wallet! Head over to scubaofficial.io/support.Plus there's also a private area for Patreon supporters in the Hotflush Discord Server... but anyone can join the conversation in the public channels.Listen to the music discussed on the show via the Music Not Diving Podcast Spotify playlistChapters:00:00 Brought to you by Acid Nation02:30 AI in music and art12:20 Possible developments17:13 Ethics in art22:21 Music's cultural decline27:06 The capitalist bogeyman29:35 Identity vs music43:21 Is all this just moaning? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 31, 2025 • 45min
#034 Twenty-Twenty-Five and all that
Music Not Diving is supported by Acid Nation (formerly AC55ID)... head over to www.acidnation.com to check out the fastest growing electronic music marketplace, a central hub for music discovery, streaming and purchasing!--Watch the video episodes of Music Not Diving over at youtube.com/@WeNotDivingA review of some of the stuff that happened in the Year of Our Lord, 2025.Percy Digs instagram as mentioned: https://www.instagram.com/percydigs?igsh=MXM3OGJ0OW9rZDMzbA==All other links and more info on this episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/best-of-2025-147063099--If you're into what we're doing here on the pod then you can support the show on Patreon! There are two tiers - "Solidarity" for $4 a month, which features the show without ads, regular bonus podcasts, and extra content. And "Musicality" which for a mere $10 a month gets you all the music we release on Hotflush and affiliate labels AND other music too, some of which never comes out anywhere else.You can also make a one-off donation to the podcast using a card, with Paypal, or your Ethereum wallet! Head over to scubaofficial.io/support.Plus there's also a private area for Patreon supporters in the Hotflush Discord Server... but anyone can join the conversation in the public channels.Listen to the music discussed on the show via the Music Not Diving Podcast Spotify playlistChapters:00:00 Brought to you by Acid Nation02:50 Track of the year04:45 Conclusions of the year15:20 Album of the year18:46 Book (fiction)22:00 Book (nonfiction)25:14 Podcast episode26:47 Nightclub30:02 Forgotten Hard Rock album33:06 Best gig36:56 Streaming platform40:25 Worst album of the year41:23 Worst track of the year42:00 Coming up in 2026 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 17, 2025 • 1h 16min
#033 Kazim: artist manager on how to get ears on your music in the streaming era
PLEDGE DRIVE 2025 - all new subscribers to the Musicality tier on Patreon will get a Not A Diving Club t-shirt in your size of choice, delivered to your door completely free of charge!Full details.Music Not Diving is supported by Acid Nation (formerly AC55ID)... head over to www.acidnation.com to check out the fastest growing electronic music marketplace, a central hub for music discovery, streaming and purchasing!--Watch the video episodes of Music Not Diving over at youtube.com/@WeNotDivingKazim is an artist manager whose clients include Nightmares On Wax, and also the chief creative and brand officer at RA.We discuss the mechanics of creative campaigns for new and legacy artists, the challenge of breaking new music, and the different obstacles in the way of older acts. We also discuss the music media landscape and the role of media in today's industry.This is a rare chance to get the inside track on artist management and big music media platforms... get involved!Music discussed in the episode…https://jitwam.bandcamp.comhttps://anaiis.bandcamp.comhttps://saultglobal.bandcamp.comhttps://nightmaresonwax.bandcamp.com00:00 Brought to you by Acid Nation02:13 Episode start04:52 Artist management vs. media platforms07:55 Death of middle class in music11:35 Successful artists can't tour14:39 Everyone’s a DJ Now17:38 Can albums still take years to break through?21:08 Great music always shines through24:04 100,000 songs a day27:09 Going viral is the wrong goal30:46 Success without social media33:14 Word of mouth over algorithms35:30 It’s always been a slog39:00 Maintaining a legacy of an artist45:00 Power in the catalogue55:00 Working for Warp Records01:01:35 Fans vs. listeners01:03:20 Chasing the algorithm is not the way01:04:50 Working at RA01:12:08 The state of Berlin--If you're into what we're doing here on the pod then you can support the show on Patreon! There are two tiers - "Solidarity" for $4 a month, which features the show without ads, regular bonus podcasts, and extra content. And "Musicality" which for a mere $10 a month gets you all the music we release on Hotflush and affiliate labels AND other music too, some of which never comes out anywhere else.You can also make a one-off donation to the podcast using a card, with Paypal, or your Ethereum wallet! Head over to scubaofficial.io/support.Plus there's also a private area for Patreon supporters in the Hotflush Discord Server... but anyone can join the conversation in the public channels.Listen to the music discussed on the show via the Music Not Diving Podcast Spotify playlistChapters:00:00 Brought to you by Acid Nation02:13 Episode start04:52 Artist management vs. media platforms07:55 Death of middle class in music11:35 Successful artists can't tour14:39 Everyone’s a DJ Now17:38 Can albums still take years to break through?21:08 Great music always shines through24:04 100,000 songs a day27:09 Going viral is the wrong goal30:46 Success without social media33:14 Word of mouth over algorithms35:30 It’s always been a slog39:00 Maintaining a legacy of an artist45:00 Power in the catalogue55:00 Working for Warp Records01:01:35 Fans vs. listeners01:03:20 Chasing the algorithm is not the way01:04:50 Working at RA01:12:08 The state of Berlin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 10, 2025 • 1h 25min
#032 Sam Binga: the art of A&R, UK bass culture, and the importance of community
PLEDGE DRIVE 2025 - all new subscribers to the Musicality tier on Patreon will get a Not A Diving Club t-shirt in your size of choice, delivered to your door completely free of charge!Full details.Music Not Diving is supported by Acid Nation (formerly AC55ID)... head over to www.acidnation.com to check out the fastest growing electronic music marketplace, a central hub for music discovery, streaming and purchasing!--Watch the video episodes of Music Not Diving over at youtube.com/@WeNotDivingSam Binga is a DJ & Producer from Bristol, UK.Having first emerged in the breaks scene of the early 2000s, in the 2010s he placed himself firmly at the centre of UK bass, with releases on 50 Weapons, Exit and Critical. His sound spans the anthemic rowdiness of tracks like ‘AYO’ and ‘Lef Dem’, to the deeper explorations of his collaborations with Om Unit. He also runs Pineapple Records, a crucial label in the patchwork of soundsystem-adjacent UK electronic music. We discuss the state of the current UK scene, his history through various areas of the UK bass scene, forthcoming music on Pineapple, and a lot more. Get involved! --If you're into what we're doing here on the pod then you can support the show on Patreon! There are two tiers - "Solidarity" for $4 a month, which features the show without ads, regular bonus podcasts, and extra content. And "Musicality" which for a mere $10 a month gets you all the music we release on Hotflush and affiliate labels AND other music too, some of which never comes out anywhere else.You can also make a one-off donation to the podcast using a card, with Paypal, or your Ethereum wallet! Head over to scubaofficial.io/support.Plus there's also a private area for Patreon supporters in the Hotflush Discord Server... but anyone can join the conversation in the public channels.Listen to the music discussed on the show via the Music Not Diving Podcast Spotify playlistChapters:00:00 Brought to you by Acid Nation02:10 Longtime listener first-time caller05:24 2025 recap06:30 Pros and cons of self-releasing11:00 Liking your own music13:30 The producer’s mind17:30 Intuition, magic, and fear of the future24:30 Breakstep30:00 Bao Binga, breaks, and nearly going Dubstep34:00 The death of the alias37:20 Early aspirations, career advice and mountain biking41:41 Early 2000s and lower barriers to entry43:44 Community before social media48:30 What Makes a scene? 52:55 Sankeys, violence, police pressure55:00 Seeing Jeff Mills at Sankeys58:15 The 2010s House era 59:14 The birth of Sam Binga & Exit Records01:08:10 UK Radio culture vs. US01:17:20 Label philosophy: skate-team energy & A&R instinct Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

19 snips
Dec 3, 2025 • 1h 15min
#031 Carrier: the crisis in music and how to stay true to your creative vision
In this engaging discussion, music producer Guy Brewer, known as Carrier and formerly Shifted, shares his creative rebirth and the influences behind his new album, Rhythm Immortal. He reveals his unique blend of drum and bass with experimental textures and critiques the current state of the music industry, emphasizing the challenges of sustaining artists financially. Exploring AI's impact on authenticity, he champions artists who prioritize personal expression. Guy also discusses the importance of intentionality in his music-making, creating work that defies commercial trends.

Nov 26, 2025 • 1h 12min
#030 François X: Concrete, French touch, and the development of techno in Paris
PLEDGE DRIVE 2025 - all new subscribers to the Musicality tier on Patreon will get a Not A Diving Club t-shirt in your size of choice, delivered to your door completely free of charge!Full details.Music Not Diving is supported by Acid Nation (formerly AC55ID)... head over to www.acidnation.com to check out the fastest growing electronic music marketplace, a central hub for music discovery, streaming and purchasing!--Watch the video episodes of Music Not Diving over at youtube.com/@WeNotDivingFrançois X is a key figure in the history of French techno. From his DEMENT3D label and nights at Social Club to his residency at legendary club Concrete, he has helped redefine the music over time and made a huge contribution to its development in Paris and beyond.We discuss all of the above, as well as the state of the scene right now and of course the music.--If you're into what we're doing here on the pod then you can support the show on Patreon! There are two tiers - "Solidarity" for $4 a month, which features the show without ads, regular bonus podcasts, and extra content. And "Musicality" which for a mere $10 a month gets you all the music we release on Hotflush and affiliate labels AND other music too, some of which never comes out anywhere else.You can also make a one-off donation to the podcast using a card, with Paypal, or your Ethereum wallet! Head over to scubaofficial.io/support.Plus there's also a private area for Patreon supporters in the Hotflush Discord Server... but anyone can join the conversation in the public channels.Listen to the music discussed on the show via the Music Not Diving Podcast Spotify playlistChapters:00:00 Brought to you by Acid Nation03:02 Episode start04:15 State of Paris clubbing 08:00 Music evolution and changing sounds14:00 Roots of Francois X sound18:00 Repurposing influences19:42 Booking Scuba & Joy Orbison21:00 Concrete: The legendary club32:12 Paris’ club culture identity34:00 Quitting the day job38:00 Disco, House and Techno38:25 The origin of 'Francois X'39:00 House music ruled the roost42:10 Electroclash, French touch and Ed Banger45:00 Soulful to Techy: Records that flipped it48:00 Klockworks, MDR and Dub Techno50:51 Production beginnings 52:25 DEMENT3D and starting a label58:24 How would you start a label now?01:05:50 Social media pressure and identity01:11:50 What's next for Techno? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 11, 2025 • 46min
#029 Mixtress: seminal clubs, beefing artists, and why DJing isn't for everyone
Recorded during the 2025 edition of Amsterdam Dance Event, this episode is sponsored by Jägermeister's Save The Night.Born in 2020 as an emergency response to the pandemic, Save The Night has grown into a global platform that supports the people and ideas keeping nightlife alive.Through its annual Fund, Jägermeister provides €156,000 in funding, mentorship and visibility to bold projects - from making dancefloors more accessible, to pioneering greener club nights, to amplifying voices from grassroots creative communities.Applications are now open for the Save The Night Fund. If you're a creative, a promoter, a venue owner, or simply passionate about building safer, more inclusive, and more sustainable nights, this is your chance to bring your vision to life. Check out jagermeister.com/exploration/save-the-night--Music Not Diving is supported by Acid Nation (formerly AC55ID)... head over to www.acidnation.com to check out the fastest growing electronic music marketplace, a central hub for music discovery, streaming and purchasing!--Watch the video episodes of Music Not Diving over at youtube.com/@WeNotDivingMixtress is a London-based DJ and producer from Amsterdam known for her versatile sets that blend genres like UK hardcore, jungle, bassweight, techno, and dubstep. Raised with a strong musical foundation, she has performed at major venues like Printworks and Fabric, appeared on platforms such as Boiler Room, and holds resident DJ spots at Rinse FM and The Cause London.We discuss her dance music roots in Amsterdam and London, the changing nature of DJs and their careers, notable DJ beefs, and the influence of Colin Faver.This is the fourth and final of our recordings at ADE, thanks for listening! Back on regular episodes next week.--If you're into what we're doing here on the pod then you can support the show on Patreon! There are two tiers - "Solidarity" for $4 a month, which features the show without ads, regular bonus podcasts, and extra content. And "Musicality" which for a mere $10 a month gets you all the music we release on Hotflush and affiliate labels AND other music too, some of which never comes out anywhere else.You can also make a one-off donation to the podcast using a card, with Paypal, or your Ethereum wallet! Head over to scubaofficial.io/support.Plus there's also a private area for Patreon supporters in the Hotflush Discord Server... but anyone can join the conversation in the public channels.Listen to the music discussed on the show via the Music Not Diving Podcast Spotify playlistChapters:00:00 brought to you by Acid Nation02:36 Episode start03:02 Amsterdam origins 04:36 Majestic Casual era06:04 Lapalux shaping her taste09:00 University, Joy Orbison and dBridge12:10 Major events shaping music14:30 Cancel culture17:14 Are there too many DJs?19:00 Hustle mindset infiltrating club culture23:07 Edit culture and TikTok trends24:15 Defining her style26:35 Realising she's a 'proper DJ'29:03 COVID era and radio shows30:43 Scene rebuilding32:49 Post-COVID behaviours37:20 Can the scene autocorrect itself?40:03 Warm-up sets and etiquette41:30 The big rant43:35 Favourite parties to play Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 7, 2025 • 46min
#028 Sofia Ilyas: breaking Nils Frahm, working for Beatport, and escaping loneliness
Recorded during the 2025 edition of Amsterdam Dance Event, this episode is sponsored by Jägermeister's Save The Night.Born in 2020 as an emergency response to the pandemic, Save The Night has grown into a global platform that supports the people and ideas keeping nightlife alive.Through its annual Fund, Jägermeister provides €156,000 in funding, mentorship and visibility to bold projects - from making dancefloors more accessible, to pioneering greener club nights, to amplifying voices from grassroots creative communities.Applications are now open for the Save The Night Fund. If you're a creative, a promoter, a venue owner, or simply passionate about building safer, more inclusive, and more sustainable nights, this is your chance to bring your vision to life. Check out jagermeister.com/exploration/save-the-night--Music Not Diving is supported by Acid Nation (formerly AC55ID)... head over to www.acidnation.com to check out the fastest growing electronic music marketplace, a central hub for music discovery, streaming and purchasing!--Watch the video episodes of Music Not Diving over at youtube.com/@WeNotDivingSofia Ilyas is currently Beatport's Chief Community Officer, formerly a key figure at the Erased Tapes label, and an important force in the emergence of ambient/neoclassical superstar Nils Frahm.We discuss her upbringing and subsequent escape from a highly conservative family in Wales, discovering electronic music in her late 20s, and eventual career in the industry.This is a fascinating and unexpected conversation - get involved!This is the third of our four recordings at ADE, the final one will be along shortly!--If you're into what we're doing here on the pod then you can support the show on Patreon! There are two tiers - "Solidarity" for $4 a month, which features the show without ads, regular bonus podcasts, and extra content. And "Musicality" which for a mere $10 a month gets you all the music we release on Hotflush and affiliate labels AND other music too, some of which never comes out anywhere else.You can also make a one-off donation to the podcast using a card, with Paypal, or your Ethereum wallet! Head over to scubaofficial.io/support.Plus there's also a private area for Patreon supporters in the Hotflush Discord Server... but anyone can join the conversation in the public channels.Listen to the music discussed on the show via the Music Not Diving Podcast Spotify playlistChapters:00:00 Brought to you by Acid Nation02:40 Intro03:35 The Role of Chief Community Officer05:40 Loneliness, creativity & connection07:55 Changing Beatport’s culture09:40 Building a role from scratch11:10 Beatport’s redemption14:23 Early life in Cardiff15:31 Escaping ultraconservatism19:45 Temple life21:36 Discovering club culture25:16 Meeting Nils Frahm27:36 The rise of Erased Tapes30:08 Creative experiments32:15 Leaving Erased Tapes35:00 Saying No and authenticity40:24 Joining Beatport41:30 Loneliness, grief & identity44:20 Coaching the next generation Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 4, 2025 • 42min
#027 Dot Major (NIGHT manoeuvres / London Grammar) on getting signed, his crazy Printworks set, and HYPH MNGO
Recorded during the 2025 edition of Amsterdam Dance Event, this episode is sponsored by Jägermeister's Save The Night.Born in 2020 as an emergency response to the pandemic, Save The Night has grown into a global platform that supports the people and ideas keeping nightlife alive.Through its annual Fund, Jägermeister provides €156,000 in funding, mentorship and visibility to bold projects - from making dancefloors more accessible, to pioneering greener club nights, to amplifying voices from grassroots creative communities.Applications are now open for the Save The Night Fund. If you're a creative, a promoter, a venue owner, or simply passionate about building safer, more inclusive, and more sustainable nights, this is your chance to bring your vision to life. Check out jagermeister.com/exploration/save-the-night--Music Not Diving is supported by Acid Nation (formerly AC55ID)... head over to www.acidnation.com to check out the fastest growing electronic music marketplace, a central hub for music discovery, streaming and purchasing!--Watch the video episodes of Music Not Diving over at youtube.com/@WeNotDivingDot Major is half of NIGHT manoeuvres (with ABSOLUTE), who are releasing via fabric's label. And he is also a member of London Grammar, one of the better bands to emerge from the UK in the last decade or so. We discuss his gradual journey into electronic music, what it's like breaking through in a big way, and some of the unusual things he's got up to along the way. This is the second of our four recordings at ADE, the next one will be along shortly! --If you're into what we're doing here on the pod then you can support the show on Patreon! There are two tiers - "Solidarity" for $4 a month, which features the show without ads, regular bonus podcasts, and extra content. And "Musicality" which for a mere $10 a month gets you all the music we release on Hotflush and affiliate labels AND other music too, some of which never comes out anywhere else.You can also make a one-off donation to the podcast using a card, with Paypal, or your Ethereum wallet! Head over to scubaofficial.io/support.Plus there's also a private area for Patreon supporters in the Hotflush Discord Server... but anyone can join the conversation in the public channels.Listen to the music discussed on the show via the Music Not Diving Podcast Spotify playlistChapters:00:00 Brought to you by Acid Nation02:40 Intro03:00 Missing moderator04:11 The birth of NIGHT manoeuvres05:16 Playing the Crane at ADE06:31 Musical roots09:30 HYPH MNGO and Dubstep12:00 The roots of London Grammar14:24 Blending live and electronic worlds17:00 DJing, skill, and the soul of performance20:06 Technology always wins24:06 Baptism of fire at Printworks28:03 Ibiza memories & the Lynx Africa hot tub31:00 NIGHT manoeuvres from studio to stage33:15 Gear talk36:00 AI talk and the future of music41:11 Favourite Dance albums Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


