In this provocative and candid edition of The DJ Sessions – Virtual Sessions, Darran Bruce reconnects with Swedish-born, Athens-based producer Johan Blende for a wide-ranging conversation that explores the evolution of electronic music and the artist’s role in an AI-driven, instant-gratification era.
Blende opens up about returning to music with renewed focus after a personal hiatus, releasing on labels like Studio Barnhus, Live At Robert Johnson, and the upcoming Hell Yeah Recordings in Italy. He discusses how early passion for sound never truly fades—and how creating music is a calling, not just a career. Known for his authentic analog approach, he shares stories of resurrecting broken synths and why his laptop remains his most powerful creative tool.
The discussion dives deep into challenges facing today’s music creators: the overwhelming flood of content, the loss of critical filters, and how artists must navigate a world where social media clout can outweigh substance. Blende and Bruce go beyond the surface, tackling themes like the AI invasion of music, false celebrity culture, and the crucial value of craft, patience, and honesty.
Throughout, Johan’s dry wit and thoughtful perspective shine, especially as he critiques industry trends and recalls the 20-year journey of a track from a rejected remix to a proper release.
From vinyl nostalgia to skateboarding confessions, this episode is unpredictable, funny, and meaningfully disruptive. A must-listen for creators questioning their role in a rapidly shifting digital landscape.
The DJ Sessions: Virtual Sessions with Johan Blende
Host: Darran Bruce Guest: Johan Blende Location: Virtual Studios, Seattle WA & Athens, Greece Series: The DJ Sessions – Virtual Sessions
Overview:
In this refreshingly honest episode of The DJ Sessions Virtual Sessions, host Darran Bruce reconnects with acclaimed producer and DJ Johan Blende for an enlightening conversation about creative longevity, the digital clutter of modern music culture, and reclaiming meaning through music.
Topics Covered:
Creative Comeback: Johan reflects on stepping back into the music industry after a hiatus and why he couldn’t resist the call to create again.
Releases & Labels: Insights into recent and upcoming releases with Studio Barnhus, Live at Robert Johnson, and Hell Yeah Recordings.
Analog vs. Digital Tools: Johan shares his favorite gear, why his laptop is the real MVP, and the journey of reviving old hardware synths.
AI & Authenticity: A powerful critique of AI in music, content oversaturation, and the fading value of genuine artistry in a click-driven landscape.
Remix Resurrection: The tale of a 20-year-old remix project that evolved into a new track finally being released.
Skateboarding & Impostor Syndrome: A humorous look at Johan’s “poser” skateboarding days and the deeper theme of image vs. reality.
Health & Balance: Simple advice on staying fit as a producer: moderation and movement, not crash routines.
Label Shoutouts: Blende’s top non-affiliated labels: DFA, DWEED, Semi Delicious, Running Back, and (jokingly) The DJ Sessions future label.
Best Eats in Athens: Recommends “Tsitsina,” a low-key fish taverna in his neighborhood, plus hidden gems beyond the tourist trail.
Life Advice for Creators: Put the phone down. Stop scrolling. Create from the soul. Ignore the noise.
Call to Action:
Follow Johan Blende: ? Website: blenday.co.uk ? Music: All major platforms ?Location: Athens, Greece
Discover more content: Visit thedjsessions.com for live streams, exclusive mixes, artist interviews, and upcoming music + radio projects.
Closing Thought:
“Stop using the internet. That’s how you’ll be happy.” – Johan Blende, with a wink and a warning.
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 2,600 episodes produced over the last 16 years “The DJ Sessions” has featured international artists such as:BT, Plastik Funk, Youngr, Dr. Fresch, Ferry Corsten, YORK, Martin Jensen, Sevenn, Joey Riot, Drove, Martin Trevy, Siryuz & Smoky, SurfingDJ’s, Jacob Henry, Nathassia aka Goddess is a DJ, mAdcAt, Wuki, DiscoKitty, Moon Beats, Barnacle Boi, Spag Heddy, Scott Slyter, Simply City, Rob Gee, Micke, Jerry Davila, SpeakerHoney, Sickotoy, Teenage Mutants, DJ Mowgli, Wooli, Somna, Gamuel Sori, Curbi, Alex Whalen, Vintage & Morelli, 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, 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, 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, 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, Jens Lissat, Lotus, Beard-o-Bees, Luke the Knife, Alex Bau, Arroyo Low, Camo & Crooked, ANG, Amon Tobin, Voicians, Florian Kruse, Dave Summit, Bingo Players, Coke Beats, MiMOSA, Drasen, Yves LaRock,
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