Sherm Shares Insight on How He's Shaking Up the Scene

Sherm swung by to chat about his multi-faceted approach to the scene, how he manages his time while juggling different roles, Chicago Music Nexus, and more.

From DJing and producing to hosting a podcast and working behind the scenes as A&R, Sherm is one of the busiest movers and shakers in the dance music community. First finding a passion for electronic grooves in Indiana, he moved to Chicago and has only solidified his place as a luminary in the scene ever since.

Sherm has already impressed many as a DJ and producer. He has taken the stage at festivals like North Coast and released on labels such as Country Club Disco and House of Hustle. Another label Sherm has dropped tunes on, Hood Politics, became an even bigger home for him, as he joined their team as A&R to help foster even more fresh talent and groovy tunes for years to come.

Beyond the music side of the spectrum, Sherm has continued to press forward to steer the scene in new directions on the industry side. His long-running podcast, Sherm in the Booth, has reached over 250 episodes, while he’s also been found moderating panels at ADE, Winter Music Conference, and more. Additionally, Chicago Music Nexus, a conference he started with Olivia Mancuso, has added more depth while celebrating the past, present, and future of dance music.

Fresh off the release of “Second Round” with Isaac Palmer, Amero, and Devarra, as well as a performance at Denver’s Larimer Lounge, Sherm swung by to chat about his multi-faceted approach to the scene and more. Listen to his exclusive mix and read on for the conversation!

Stream EDMID Guest Mix 466 || Sherm [Live from Larimer Lounge] on SoundCloud:

Hi Sherm, thanks for sitting down with us today for a chat. There’s so much you’ve been up to in the scene, but before we dive in too far, let’s take it back to when you were growing up in Indiana. How did you first discover dance music, and what led to you falling in love with it?

I first heard it in my friend’s basement for a homecoming afterparty, and someone played “Warp 1.9” by Bloody Beetroots and Steve Aoki. I felt like I got hit by a train in the best possible way… I have been addicted ever since!!

Since breaking onto the scene, you’ve dropped off some fantastic releases on labels like House of Hustle, Uprise, Country Club Disco, and Hood Politics. What are your thoughts on the importance of labels like these in the current era?

Labels are still a very important part of culture and community in today’s dance music scene. However, they are not necessary to build a fanbase or sell/stream records. There are no guarantees that a label is going to get you on playlists, have your music dropped on mainstages, or sell thousands of records. They are a vehicle to help you get your music in front of their communities, but the artist still has to have the vision.

At all costs, release your music with or without labels.

You’re no stranger to collaborations, and your latest single, “Second Round,” brought Devarra, Amero, and Isaac Palmer into the mix. What’s the story behind this tune?

Sometimes, it’s actually better to have a few cooks in the kitchen! We all collaborated from different parts of the world and you can hear a little bit of everyone’s style in this track. It was super fun to make, and it’s doing so well in the streaming world right now!!

Beyond your work as a DJ and producer, you are also the A&R for Hood Politics and the co-founder of Chicago Music Nexus. Not to mention hosting a podcast. How do you juggle your time between all of these roles?

Well, I would say I literally juggle and go from task to task. Each day is different, but I am able to do all of these things because of the amazing people I work with. Hood Politics is composed of an amazing and now growing team. Chicago Music Nexus is moving forward every day with the help of the incredible Olivia Mancuso, and my podcast is a true joy to do because of each and every guest. I just love what I do, and that helps with the workload!

When you’re searching for tracks to sign to Hood Politics, what are you typically looking for? Can you share what your process is like when sifting through demos?

I really try to give every track a chance. One thing that I love is to work with artists on taking what they think to be a complete demo and working collaboratively to make that track even better. You have to see or hear something more than what’s already there. The difficult part of being a producer is finding the balance between under and overproducing. We are looking for artists who understand our mission of helping build a better future for fans and artists alike. Just keep showing up, and everything will eventually work out.

The second edition of Chicago Music Nexus is set to take place this fall. Tell us about how this series started and where you plan to take it this year and in the future.

It all started on an episode of my podcast with Olivia. We felt that the US scene is underserved with events where artists can get their questions answered by real people. Conferences are essential to any industry’s growth, and it all starts with the people who are pushing it forward. It’s been an incredible experience building something that has been so well-received on many levels. We’re passionate about helping the present and future of dance music thrive but also honoring the past. It’s a really special event.

I love the relatable stories that have been told on your podcast. What’s been your favorite thing about hosting Sherm in the Booth?

All of the amazing connections and friendships that have come from it. I always knew I would love the format when I started out, but I never envisioned it would create fulfillment to this level. While it’s important to serve your audience and grow that audience, it’s equally important to make sure that you’re enjoying the creation of that product. I am so in the moment when I do interviews, and now that I’ve done 250 of them, it’s become a really casual but engaging podcast. I don’t put pressure on myself to make it the best interview ever; I just go with the flow, and that is what makes it special.

Social media has become instrumental in artists’ growth in the current era of the scene. What are your thoughts on its importance, and how do you manage to keep up?

It goes hand in hand with what I’ve been saying… you will never last if you don’t find a way to make sure you love the process of creating your product. Social media is exhausting and can feel like it’s all for nothing sometimes. That feeling can’t deter you because if you love to create and have the balls to put that art in the world, you’re already doing something that 99% of people won’t ever do. Vulnerability is relatable and effort over a long period of time is respectable. Find ways to show both. Real fans are what this is all about, and they grow as you grow. It won’t happen overnight.

Finally, what goals do you hope to achieve in the rest of the year?

I’m really excited to grow Chicago Music Nexus and Hood Politics Records. It’s my goal to turn these into successful businesses, and it’s going to take more focus on my end. Only good things to come!