In this Poducer: Chicago Series episode, we sit down with John Rynecki, a DJ, producer, event promoter, and educator whose mission is simple: bring abundance to the dance floor. From growing up across Panama, Puerto Rico, and Germany to finding his creative home in Chicago, John shares how his multicultural upbringing shaped his sound and his vision for a more collaborative, community-driven nightlife. He talks about his early influences from salsa and Everything But the Girl to Craig David and Rusko at Congress Theater, and how those experiences evolved into his approach to DJing: sets that breathe, connect, and tell stories rather than chase drops. We explore how growing up abroad helped him view music as a universal language, and why he believes Chicago’s scene can thrive through openness and shared purpose rather than competition. John also shares the story behind co-founding the Chicago Electronic Music Conference (CEMC), an event built to educate, connect, and inspire, and how it aims to elevate dance music to the same cultural status as jazz and blues. He reflects on the realities of leaving a stable tech career to pursue music full-time, the challenges of sustaining creativity in today’s economy, and what “success” really means as a modern artist. From imagining a city-backed Chicago Electronic Music Week to breaking down how to market independent releases and use data-driven ads effectively, John offers grounded, actionable insights for artists carving their path. 🎧 Follow John Rynecki: https://linktr.ee/jryneckimusic?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaf2Dbmz2LTETyU2La0npSgj8Cz3oKyLkCfXR5XiUukwSdmkZrhecuL5ZAZaEA_aem_AwVhYoROjgZFE7nqWkJhqg 🎙️ Follow Poducer: https://linktr.ee/poducerpodcast The Podcast for Producers Chapters: 00:00 Intro and welcome to Poducer 01:34 First concerts: Shakira and Rusko at Congress Theater 06:04 Musical influences: Salsa, Everything But the Girl, Craig David 08:45 Early production talk: Reese bass and breakbeat love 12:32 Growing up abroad and third-culture identity 17:09 Chicago as home and finding purpose in house music 23:24 Founding CEMC and building a movement inspired by Amsterdam Dance Event 26:39 The city’s role in preserving house music 31:27 Mainstream vs progressive house and the art of storytelling sets 35:45 CEMC year one: Wins, lessons, and next steps 38:00 How to make dance music a respected art form 40:49 Money talk: The truth about art and survival 45:42 Defining success as an artist 51:33 The idea for a Chicago Electronic Music Week 55:15 Track break: “Sirena” (deep progressive and jazz-house blend) 1:03:27 Jazz-house culture and the future of day events 1:06:26 Smart marketing for independent artists 1:08:35 Most influential sets and final shout-outs