What began as a pure audio podcast has quickly evolved into a format that now also offers visual insights. For Mari Ella, the personal connection to the music and her guests is always at the forefront: “One important reason for me is to feel like I can relate to their sound.” Her close connection to the scene gives the podcast an authenticity that makes it special:

“Sometimes journalists, academics, or anthropologists want to talk or write about a certain topic – something underground or related to dance culture. They spend some time in that community, talk to certain people, do their interviews, write their books, and then they disappear. They are never part of the community again. And to me, that means they are not truly part of what they actually try to understand. I am part of the community, so I have a different understanding of it.”

This depth can only come from within – and that’s exactly what makes small-format work so important: it comes directly from the community and shows the unvarnished, authentic side of the scene. Because a club or culture cannot exist without its community. It is not only a free space, but also a conscious safe space for marginalized groups who find their place both on the dance floor and on stage or behind the DJ booth.

The shifting New York club scene

Their conversations often revolve around changes in club culture, particularly in terms of consumer behavior, gentrification, and access to music. Mari Ella recalls the early 2000s, when New York was the hotspot for experiencing music: “There were parties where mixtapes were made, which were later available.” Back then, discovering music and going dancing was an experience that took place directly in clubs and record stores – access was therefore only possible through direct exchange.

“In New York, you hear music everywhere, it can be 5 a.m. or midday, sometimes it can be annoying, but that’s part of the city.”

But with urban change, the dynamic has shifted: “Through gentrification, things have changed. The people who moved in complain more,” says Mari Ella. As early as 2016, a study by the NYU Center for Urban Science and Progress showed that more than a third of low-income households live in neighborhoods that are acutely affected by displacement. Since then, the pressure has continued to mount: new residents are often less interested in the music and art scene, clubs have to meet stricter requirements, and the focus is shifting more and more toward commercial interests. These changes are clearly noticeable. Parties that used to take place outside every Sunday have long since become a rarity, Mari Ella says:

„You used to go out to hear the music and dance to it, to release something—that was the main reason you went. The music should make you dance. Now, when you go somewhere, I feel like everything seems to be important except the music and people actually enjoying themselves.“

She is not concerned with nostalgia. Rather, she asks the question: What happens when music is no longer at the heart of the club experience? Whereas dancing used to be the focus in clubs, today it seems to be more about consumption, selfies and status, says Mari Ella. Many people seem less interested in the music itself than in showing on social media that they were part of a ‘cool’ event. But the responsibility for a successful party lies with each individual who participates in it. Because a party is not just entertainment – it is a social place where collective energy is created and shared. Music is increasingly taking a back seat, while the event as a brand comes to the fore. This also changes the perception of artists and DJs: ‘It’s becoming harder to organise events where music stays at the centre and the essence of dance music remains intact.’

Let’s dance to the Music again: Mari Ella’s next steps

With Dance To The Music, Mari Ella wants to preserve what she sees as the essence of the scene: the connection between dance, music and community. She wants her podcast to continue to grow – with live recordings, festival specials and new formats that delve deeper into the scene.

She also remains active as a DJ and is currently involved in music production. Her goal: ‘I want to continue growing the podcast and DJing, and both projects are important to me. They are part of my mission to keep the culture alive.’ Because dance music was never just a genre – it was always a culture. And that’s exactly what Mari Ella wants to remind us of:

„The music should make you dance and feel free – and that’s what we should really be looking for when we go out.“

If you want to understand where dance music comes from and where it is going, you should definitely give it a listen!