From underground raves to large-scale festivals, few have had a front-row seat to the evolution of dance music quite like Thomas Turner. As the founder of Relentless Beats and EMW Presents, Turner has helped shape the electronic landscape by prioritizing community, authenticity, and innovative production. What began as a passion for progressive house music quickly turned into a career rooted in building spaces where people can connect through sound.
In this conversation, Turner reflects on his journey from fan to founder, the growth of the music industry, and the ethos behind his expanding ventures. He also shares insights on the importance of supporting emerging talent, the evolution of festivals in the U.S., and a few unforgettable moments along the way.
The Evolution of a Passion
Turner’s entry into the industry was organic, born from his time as a consumer of progressive house music. “I started off as a consumer of progressive house music, which has evolved a lot over time,” he explains. “Back then, it had a very specific sound—almost neoclassical in a way—and you really had to dig to find the right tracks. That’s what pulled me in initially, and from there I became a DJ and a full-on music enthusiast.”
Recognizing a void in his local market, Turner transitioned into the role of a promoter. “At the time, there wasn’t much of this kind of entertainment in my market, so I naturally stepped into the role of helping bring it there. It came full circle in a really rewarding way—I was eventually able to hire the person who first gave me an opportunity as a DJ and mentor, Steve Kushner. Now I get to work alongside people I’ve known for years, which makes it even more meaningful.”
Building Community in Arizona and Beyond
When asked about the unique nature of the Arizona dance music scene, Turner emphasizes the importance of authenticity. “What makes Arizona special is how authentic it is. We’ve always approached this as fans first. Bringing people together, creating community, and building spaces where people can share experiences. A lot of us have been doing this for years, even before it became such a large-scale industry.”
This community-first approach extends to his work with EMW Presents. “EMW was built with the same ethos as Relentless Beats. It started by bringing together people who wanted to create something meaningful at the right time. We’re not focused on taking over markets—we just want to contribute where we can genuinely help.”
Looking Toward the Future
As the industry continues to shift, Turner remains focused on the role of young, independent promoters. “They’re the ones discovering new music first; sharing tracks, building momentum, and helping artists break through,” he notes. “I want to continue supporting that space and help young promoters build sustainable businesses.”
Looking ahead, Turner is excited about the launch of his new venue in downtown Phoenix, The Roosevelt. Designed as a listening-focused space, it aims to support emerging artists and maintain the grassroots energy that first inspired him. “The underground scene will always exist and that’s where innovation starts,” he concludes. “That’s why we’re opening a new venue… it’s designed as a listening-focused space to support emerging artists and that grassroots energy.”
