In a digital world overflowing with new releases, it can be hard to keep track of the gems. That’s exactly what inspired DJ and Producer Alex Cecil to start his new Instagram series.
Each Friday, he shares a short and sharp roundup of standout releases—from fresh club cuts to under-the-radar indie grooves—that reflect what’s inspiring him in the moment. Rooted in spontaneity and a genuine love for discovery, the series offers a quick window into Alex Cecil’s current headspace as a DJ, while spotlighting tracks that might otherwise fly under the radar.
We caught up with Alex to learn more about the spark behind the project, the process of digging each week, and how the series is evolving as a new form of connection with both fans and fellow artists.
What gave you the idea to start sharing three tracks every Friday on Instagram?
It started when I released my Hip Aliens EP. I made a quick video—ten seconds of each track—and asked, “Which one’s your favorite?” People really responded. Some said “track two, no question,” others had their own take. They were enthusiastic about it. That was the first spark.
After that, I started doing “3 Tracks I’ve Been Playing”—tracks from recent sets that I kept going back to and wanted to share. It felt good highlighting other artists’ work, kind of like how I do as a DJ, just in a different format.
Then I thought: what if I focused on brand new music that dropped that day? There’s something exciting about hearing a fresh release, and if I can help someone discover a track they might’ve missed, even better. It’s just about sharing great music in an easily digestible way.
How do you usually come across the tracks that end up in the Friday post?
Every week is different. I’m always digging, discovering, exploring. I dedicate time to do that every week in different ways—going down the Beatport rabbit hole or listening to Revolution 93.5 radio in the car. Sometimes it’s a promo from a friend or Inflyte, or a random DM from someone I’ve never met—and the track’s great.
Beatport charts are helpful, but they only show so much. But once you try to sort new tracks by date… it gets chaotic fast. Half of it’s just noise. Spotify? Love the algorithm, but it doesn’t go deep enough.
There’s so much pleasure in a new release. I’m happy to be able to take part in it now on a weekly basis and support artists that someone may not know.
For me, I’ve always loved showing the “underground”—to a music lover who’s teetering on the edge and just needs a push in the right direction. Something accessible can bridge the gap. That’s definitely true with indie dance, because there are so many elements that are recognizable to someone not in this scene. Disco, Indie Rock—it’s all there. Most people won’t ever hear a lot of this music. But I will (at least some, ha).
What kind of sound or vibe are you usually drawn to when picking your weekly selections?
It depends on my mood that week. Some Fridays I want driving ’90s grooves. Other times, I’m leaning into Indie Rock energy or acid-drenched weirdness. That’s what I love about Indie Dance—it’s a wide-open genre. You can go from 116 to 130 BPM and still be in the same universe.
But the common thread is: the track has to light me up. Whether it’s euphoric, gritty, or just strange in the right way—if I want to play it again immediately, it’s a contender.
It’s all about the digging. Finding a diamond in the rubble. Playing it out is the closest thing to dropping an
unreleased track—which is also really fun.
Do you build the list throughout the week or is it more of a last-minute Friday ritual?
Bit of both. Sometimes I stumble on something mid-week and immediately know it’s going in. Other times it’s Friday morning and I’m scrolling through releases like I’m Indiana Jones. I’m open. Could be a white label, a friend’s promo, or something totally random that just dropped. As long as it hits different.
How important is it to you that the tracks you pick are ones people might not already know?
More and more, very important. Don’t get me wrong—if a well-known artist’s track is amazing, I’ll still share it. But I love giving a platform to stuff that might otherwise get buried.
What kind of response have you had so far from people following the series?
It’s been surprisingly personal. People message me saying, “I’ve never heard of this artist—thank you.” Or they’ll send their own picks, like, “This one dropped today too—have you heard it?” That kind of back-and-forth is rare on social media, and I love it.
Do you see this series as a way to give people a deeper look into your current headspace as an artist?
Absolutely. It’s a peek into what’s inspiring me in real time. These are the sounds influencing what I’m producing, what I’m playing out, what I’m obsessed with that week. It’s a window into the hard drive of my brain!
Has doing this weekly series changed the way you listen to or dig for music?
Yes. I’ll hear a track and immediately think: is this a Friday pick? It’s also made me go deeper in the crates on a weekly basis, especially leading up to Friday. If I’m going to share something every week, I want it to feel like a discovery—not just a repost of what’s already trending.
Why did you choose Instagram as the platform for this series instead of, say, Spotify or a radio show?
It’s where I’m already connecting with people. Instagram is visual, fast, and the feedback is instant. It’s low barrier and fun. I like keeping it light. If I turned it into a podcast or a playlist series, it might lose that feel.
Where do you see the Friday series going next—do you want to keep it raw and casual, or could it evolve into something bigger?
For now, I like the vibe. But I’m open to where it wants to go. Maybe it becomes a newsletter. Or maybe I start inviting guests—other DJs or producers—to share their three picks. But the heart of it will always be the same: music I’m excited about, shared in a way that feels real.
What started as a simple question—“Which one’s your favourite?”—has grown into a weekly ritual that now connects listeners, producers, and selectors alike. Alex Cecil’s new Instagram series is more than just a playlist—it’s a curated snapshot of a DJ’s evolving taste and a celebration of music discovery in real time.
If you’re an artist with unreleased music you’d like to share, Alex is now accepting submissions for potential inclusion in the series. It’s a chance to have your music heard, supported, and spotlighted alongside the weekly picks; make sure to reach out and keep the music flowing.
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