Finding your footing in drum and bass takes finding the right community. In episode three of the Why We D&B podcast, host Lori Charlesworth sits down with DJ, producer, and radio host Sweetpea for an honest conversation about growing up in the scene, navigating the industry, and staying true to your values.
From her early days raving in Watford to hosting on BBC Radio 1 and releasing tracks across top-tier underground labels, Sweetpea has built a career grounded in authenticity and hard work.
Here’s a few key takeaways from their sit-down:
From Club Nights to London Raves
Like many who caught the D&B bug in the late 2000s, Sweetpea’s entry point was hearing anthems like Shy FX’s “Shake Your Body,” Ray Keith’s “Chopper,” and Pendulum’s groundbreaking Hold Your Color LP at local high-street venues.
The real turning point came when a school friend invited her to venture out of Watford and into the London club scene. Taking that leap shifted her perspective from just being a casual listener to becoming part of a dedicated, passionate music community.
Drum and bass girls are some of the best in the world. You know, I’d always struggled to kind of have like female friends and drum and bass girls are some of the best in the world, you know. You’re like, you’ve got the same vibe, you’re there, you love this music so much….
Navigating the Industry as a Multi-Hyphenate
Sweetpea isn’t just behind the decks; she balances music production, radio broadcasting, and working shift jobs outside the industry. During the episode, she touches on the reality of managing a creative life alongside daily work schedules, reinforcing that building a sustainable music career doesn’t always look like a straight, linear path.
Her advice to rising producers and selectors is: focus on the craft, build real connections with the people around you, and step up for the scene when it counts.
Props to the People Doing it Right
When asked about artists who inspire her, Sweetpea gives props to crew-led initiatives like Bumper (run by Press and Chza) and Sexy Lady Massive for building inclusive, community-driven spaces.
She also highlights DJ Flight as a major benchmark for integrity in the scene. Sweetpea points to Flight’s unwavering moral compass and willingness to make tough decisions based on principle-a quality she believes more artists should look up to.
Watch the Full Episode
Whether you are looking to refine your production workflow, land radio guest spots, or simply understand how to navigate the music industry without losing your core identity, this conversation is packed with genuine insight.
Watch the complete episode of Why We D&B with Lori Charlesworth and Sweetpea on YouTube