In an exclusive interview, John Summit discusses building his record label Experts Only into a global force, his upcoming Lollapalooza headlining set, and the realities of balancing touring, production, and burnout in the dance music industry.
John Summit , the Chicago-born DJ and producer, is taking his original tech house sound to new heights while simultaneously building Experts Only , one of dance music 's hottest labels.
Founded in 2022, the label has topped Beatport's global label chart multiple times and featured artists like Devault and Layton Giodani. Experts Only functions not just as a record label but as an event business, hosting a 60,000-person festival on Randall's Island in New York City and ski weekenders in Vail and Whistler.
Summit, who will headline Lollapalooza in Chicago later this summer-a rare feat for a dance act-and embark on a fall arena tour, discusses his label's growth, tour planning, and the unique nature of the dance music industry. In an interview, he notes that dance music is very singles-driven and artists often hop between labels. He strategically aligned with labels like Repopulate Mars and Defected Records to access their event platforms and European audiences.
He highlights how Experts Only now has its own community, evidenced by its expanding festival and upcoming international events. The ski weekenders, inspired by his childhood love of skiing, combine daytime slopes with nighttime parties, resonating strongly with fans. Regarding his Lollapalooza headline, Summit acknowledges that dance artists often have to prove themselves more than pop headliners, as some fans question his presence, but he embraces the challenge of turning more heads.
He openly discusses the intense demands of touring, having done 250 shows in a year, and the burnout that led him to cancel shows after a grueling schedule spanning Asia, South Africa, South America, and multiple U.S. dates. He stresses the daily effort to balance live performances, music production, and label management to avoid exhaustion.
Summit also reflects on production costs in dance music, which can be low with just a person and portable gear, but many acts like Anyma invest heavily in visuals. He finds a balance that works for him, focusing on the music and experience without going to extremes. His arena tour this fall will allow him to scale his production while maintaining the essence of his tech house sound.
Overall, Summit is shaping a multifaceted empire that blends music, events, and community, driven by his passion for both skiing and house music
John Summit Experts Only Lollapalooza Dance Music Tech House Record Label Festival Tour Burnout Event Business Electronics
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
City, state tout new, expanded programs at TD Bank small biz summitEntrepreneurs in a wide range of industries at a recent small business summit in Midtown, hosted by TD Bank, heard about new or expanded city and state
Read more »
Elder Gong calls for morally grounded AI at global summitA church leader for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints cautioned against artificial intelligence while speaking at a summit in Athens.Elder Gerrit
Read more »
Donald Trump's High-Stakes Summit at Camp DavidPresident Donald Trump is making a highly unusual visit to Camp David on Wednesday, where he will huddle with his Cabinet as high-stakes Iran peace talks hang by a thread. The Cabinet, including outgoing Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, is expected to join Trump at the historic presidential retreat. The summit risks being completely scrapped at the eleventh hour due to bad weather, but if it moves forward, it will bring Trump's career total of Camp David visits to just 17 across his two presidencies.
Read more »
John Summit on Dance Music's Mainstream Return and Building Experts OnlyIn an interview on Billboard On The Record, DJ and producer John Summit discusses the unique, singles-driven nature of the dance music industry, his evolution from accountant to EDM star, and the strategy behind his label Experts Only's success. He addresses the visual arms race in dance culture, his upcoming album and arena tour, and how he's expanding his festival brand internationally while learning from significant financial setbacks.
Read more »