Shadow Child: Reinvention, Resilience & Realness
I sit down with legendary UK producer and DJ Shadow Child (formerly Dave Spoon) to talk reinvention, artistic integrity, and the realities behind a long-lasting career in dance music. From stepping away at the height of commercial success to redefining his sound and creative purpose, Shadow Child opens up about the risks, the doubts, and the breakthroughs that shaped his evolution as an artist.
We talk candidly about mental health, the pressure to stay relevant, and how to build a sustainable, meaningful career in an industry that often rewards fast wins over long-term vision.
Key Takeaways:
- Why walking away from success can be a creative turning point
- Navigating burnout, anxiety, and the pressure to always perform
- How Shadow Child rebuilt his identity—and his sound
- Real-world tips on collaboration and staying grounded in the studio
- What it really takes to build a sustainable music career today
Join us for a conversation full of depth, honesty, and lessons from someone who’s lived it.
BEST MOMENTS
"Everything starts like in here … in the studio. I can be a DJ as well and do the radio thing and whatever I've done else I've done in my career, but if it's not happening in a room like this, then I need to take a look at that"
"If a label isn't going to take your music, it doesn't mean that the music is bad … it's all very subjective"
"I needed a reset button and I needed me to come through the music again because I wasn't coming through the music. My roots, my background, everything I grew up with, that I'm passionate about musically came through in all my early Spoon stuff. But it stopped coming through because of the need to maintain this profile on this circuit I was on."
"Trying to get out of this room sometimes it's easy to forget to step out and just feel that the air, the breeze or even a bit of rain. I'm fortunate my studio’s in house. I can sit in here in my pants once my daughter's gone to school if I want to. No one's here. Actually it's not the greatest idea to just sit here all day."
VALUABLE RESOURCES
Download 5 Proven Habits of Artists Who Actually Finish Tracks
EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT
Mark Knight
ABOUT THE HOST
Lex Luca is a London-based DJ, producer, and tastemaker, known for his infectious energy both behind the decks and in the studio. With releases on Snatch!, Nervous, and his own label In Tune, Lex has garnered support from industry heavyweights like Pete Tong, Annie Mac, and Claude von Stroke. A former BBC Radio 1 producer, he brings a wealth of experience to his craft, delivering a unique blend of house, disco, and techno that has taken him from London to Ibiza and beyond. Lex founded OpenDAW Songwriting camps, bringing together independent musicians to collaborate. And now, as the host of OpenDAW Talks, Lex shares his journey and insights with the next generation of music creators.
CONNECT & CONTACT
http://instagram.com/opendawmusic
Email: hello@opendawtalks.com
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