The DJ Sessions
Will Vance - Writing, Labels, and Redefining Success in Dance Music on the Virtual Sessions 2/10/26
Published: 10 February 2026 at 19:30 Europe/London
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Episode notes
Broadcasting from Dundee, Oregon, just outside Portland, Will Vance joins for a thoughtful industry conversation that spans technology, media, labels, and what it truly means to “make it” in music. As Managing Editor of Magnetic Magazine, Will reflects on his unconventional entry into the electronic space, using writing as his foot in the door while developing his own skills as a producer. His journey through blogs, liner notes, marketing roles, and ultimately into leading day-to-day operations at Magnetic highlights the value of persistence, timing, and simply being reliable.
The discussion explores the rapid evolution of music technology, from mailing demo tapes decades ago to today’s frictionless digital distribution. While access has never been easier, Will stresses that opportunity alone does not equal success. He challenges the idea that “making it” only means headlining festivals, instead redefining it as creative fulfillment, sustainability, and staying connected to the process.
A major theme centers on record labels and artist relationships. Will speaks candidly about horror stories many artists face and emphasizes that labels must go beyond uploading tracks. Real value comes from advocacy, thoughtful A&R work, meaningful promo networks, and genuinely going to bat for developing talent.
Looking ahead, he notes the resurgence of bass-driven genres such as drum and bass and deeper dubstep, hinting at expansion plans for Magnetic’s label division. Through it all, his core advice remains simple yet powerful: show up on time, be easy to work with, protect your music, and stay obsessed with the craft.
Topics0:11 - Growing up technical and choosing music over sports
6:40 - Breaking into the industry through writing and blogs
9:49 - Looking back versus forward in music’s evolution
15:08 - What record labels should actually be doing for artists
18:23 - Should young producers pursue music as a career
23:18 - Inspiring industry figures behind the scenes
27:12 - Best advice ever received - show up and be easy to work with
30:44 - Redefining what “making it” in music really means
38:27 - Bass music and drum and bass resurgence
41:58 - Final advice for artists submitting demos
Magnetic Magazine: https://www.magneticmag.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/magnetic_magazine
About Will Vance -
From the rain-soaked northwest corner of the United States, Will Vance crafts a distinctive dance music experience. Intertwining intimate atmospheres and melodic textures with club-ready percussions, his creations emphasize a unique human soul over formulaic designs. Inspired by Twilight and the thin line between the real and imagined worlds, Will's music resonates sentimentally, earning him global acclaim with hit remixes on Songspire and celebrated releases on Where The Heart Is Records. His role as A&R and Label Manager at David Hohme's label further attests to his profound impact on the contemporary music scene.
Will's connection to the outdoors is more than an inspiration; it's the heartbeat of his musical approach. His work with Where the Heart Is Records, and Elliptical Sun Recordings reveals organic and ethereal compositions, mirroring his philosophy that music transcends the mundane. This authenticity and dedication to craft make his sound unique and emblematic of a new wave in melodic dance music.
In a landscape awash with fleeting trends, Will Vance symbolizes lasting innovation and emotional resonance. His musical vision paves a trail for others to follow, redefining the genre's standards. Follow Will's journey, and be part of an exploration that continues to inspire and reshape the world of dance music.
About Magnetic Magazine -
Magnetic Magazine is an online publication specializing in music and culture featuring interviews, premieres, mixes, charts, gear reviews, industry news, op-eds, and more. Magnetic focuses on the cutting edge and is the perfect intersection of electronic, indie, and hip-hop.
Founded in 2011 by BPM Magazine founder/publisher, David Ireland, and editor Rob Simas, Magnetic was designed to move in real-time. The content is an ever-evolving amalgamation of what our editorial team considers to be fresh, disruptive, and inspiring.
Magnetic delves deeper into the notions and politics of what modern music has become and what's next. The perfect junction between culture and music, diving into topics such as sustainability, travel, camping, and festival life.
The seasoned voice within these cultures featuring journalists that have been there since the beginning, while also giving fresh perspectives from a new crop of opinion leaders. The future is being written, and Magnetic was created to document it. We'd like it very much if you'd join us. Become part of our dialogue.
Observe. Report. Experience.
About The DJ Sessions -
“The DJ Sessions” is a Twitch/Mixcloud "Featured Partner” live streaming/podcast series featuring electronic music DJ’s/Producers via live mixes/interviews and streamed/distributed to a global audience. TheDJSessions.com
The series constantly places in the “Top Ten” on Twitch Music and the “Top Five” in the “Electronic Music", “DJ", "Dance Music" categories. TDJS is rated in the Top 0.11% of live streaming shows on Twitch out of millions of live streamers.
"The DJ Sessions" is listed in the Feedspot directory as one of the Top 60 EDM Podcasts.
It has also been recognized by Apple twice as a "New and Noteworthy” podcast and featured three times in the Apple Music Store video podcast section. UStream and Livestream have also listed the series as a "Featured" stream on their platforms since its inception.
The series is also streamed live to multiple other platforms and hosted on several podcast sites. It has a combined live streaming/podcast audience is over 125,000 viewers per week.
With over 2,700 episodes produced over the last 16 years "The DJ Sessions" has featured international artists such as: Matt Staffanina, The Midnight, Felix Sama, Jens Lissat, BT, Plastik Funk, Redman, Youngr, Dr. Fresch, Ferry Corsten, Robert Owens, Darude, Herbert Holler, Meecah, YORK, Martin Jensen, Sevenn, Amber D, Joey Riot, Drove, Martin Trevy, Thomas Datt, Siryuz & Smoky, Simon Shackleton, SurfingDJ's, Jacob Henry, Rïa Mehta, Vintage & Morrelli, Joachim Garraud, Mizeyesis, Drop Out Orchestra, Dave Lambert, Tom Wax, Kenn Colt, Nathassia aka Goddess is a DJ, Joni Ljungqvist, mAdcAt, Wuki, DiscoKitty, Handshake in Space, Thaylo, Moon Beats, Barnacle Boi, IAMDRAKE, Spag Heddy, Scott Slyter, Simply City, Rob Gee, Micke, Jerry Davila, SpeakerHoney, Sickotoy, Teenage Mutants, DJ Mowgli, Wooli, Somna, Gamuel Sori, Curbi, Alex Whalen, Netsky, Rich DietZ, Stylust, Bexxie, Chuwe, Proff, Muzz, Raphaelle, Boris, MJ Cole, Flipside, Ross Harper, DJ S.K.T., Skeeter, Bissen, 2SOON, Kayzo, Sabat, Katie Chonacas, DJ Fabio, Homemade, Hollaphonic, Lady Waks, Dr. Ushuu, Arty/Alpha 9, Miri Ben-Ari, DJ Ruby, DJ Colette, Nima Gorji, Kaspar Tasane, Queen City Hooligan, Andy Caldwell, Party Shirt, Plastik Funk, ENDO, John Tejada, Hoss, Alejandro, DJ Sash U, Arkley, Bee Bee, Cozmic Cat, Superstar DJ Keoki, Crystal Waters, Swedish Egil, Martin Eyerer, Dezarate, Maddy O'Neal, Sonic Union, Lea Luna, Belle Humble, Marc Marzenit, Ricky Disco, AthenaLuv, Maximillian, Saeed Younan, Inkfish, Kidd Mike, Magitman, Michael Anthony, They Kiss, Downupright, Harry “the Bigdog” Jamison, DJ Tiger, DJ Aleksandra, 22Bullets, Carlo Astuti, Mr Jammer, Kevin Krissen, Amir Sharara, Coke Beats, Danny Darko, DJ Platurn, Tyler Stone, Chris Coco, Purple Fly, Slantooth, Dan Marciano, Johan Blende, Amber Long, Robot Koch, Robert Babicz, KHAG3, Elohim, Hausman, Jaxx & Vega, Yves V, Ayokay, Leandro Da Silva, The Space Brothers, Jarod Glawe, Lotus, Beard-o-Bees, Luke the Knife, Alex Bau, Arroyo Low, Camo & Crooked, ANG, Amon Tobin, Voicians, Florian Kruse, Dave Summit, Bingo Players, MiMOSA, Drasen, Yves LaRock, Ray Okpara, Lindsey Stirling, Mako, Distinct, Still Life, Saint Kidyaki, Brothers, Heiko Laux, Retroid, Piem, Tocadisco, Nakadia, Protoculture, Sebastian Bronk, Toronto is Broken, Teddy Cream, Simon Patterson, Morgan Page, Jes, Cut Chemist, The Him, Judge Jules, DubFX, Thievery Corporation, SNBRN, Bjorn Akesson, Alchimyst, Sander Van Dorn, Rudosa, Hollaphonic, DJs From Mars, GAWP, David Morales, Roxanne, JB & Scooba, Spektral, Kissy Sell Out, Massimo Vivona, Moullinex, Futuristic Polar Bears, ManyFew, Joe Stone, Reboot, Truncate, Scotty Boy, Doctor Nieman, Jody Wisternoff, Thousand Fingers, Benny Bennasi, Dance Loud, Christopher Lawrence, Oliver Twizt, Ricardo Torres, Patricia Baloge, Alex Harrington, 4 Strings, Sunshine Jones, Elite Force, Revolvr, Kenneth Thomas, Paul Oakenfold, George Acosta, Reid Speed, TyDi, Donald Glaude, Jimbo, Ricardo Torres, Hotel Garuda, Bryn Liedl, Rodg, Kems, Mr. Sam, Steve Aoki, Funtcase, Dirtyloud, Marco Bailey, Dirtmonkey, The Crystal Method, Beltek, Darin Epsilon, Kyau & Albert, Kutski, Vaski, Moguai, Blackliquid, Sunny Lax, Matt Darey, and many more.
In addition to featuring international artists TDJS focuses on local talent based on the US West Coast. Hundreds of local DJ’s have been featured on the show along with top industry professionals.
We have recently launched v3.4 our website that now features our current live streams/past episodes in a much more user-friendly mobile/social environment. We have now added an "Music" section, site wide audio player, transcoding, captions, and translation into over 100 languages, There is also mobile app (Apple/Android) and VR Nightclubs (Beta in VR Chat).
