Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast A DJ's Journey: DJ Podcast and DJ History Insights

🎤 Interview Outline – Lee Coombs | Ep. 6 of A DJ’s Journey

The conversation explores the Lee Coombs journey through music, from early childhood memories and influences to the evolution of DJing and music production.

Lee highlights the significance of sampling, the importance of building relationships within the music industry, and the impact of live performances on the speaker's career.

The discussion also touches on the Lee's experiences with record labels, remixes, and the lasting legacy of electronic music.

The discussion also touches on the impact of platforms like Bandcamp and the challenges of navigating the music business, including royalties and independent releases.

Lee Coombs Links

BandCamp

Facebook

Beatport

Chapters

00:00 Musical Beginnings: A Journey Through Childhood Memories

06:13 The Rise of DJing: From Passion to Profession

12:52 The Evolution of Music Production: Early Releases and Breakthroughs

20:58 Sampling and Sound: Crafting Unique Musical Identities

27:20 Label Relationships: Building a Career in Music

34:40 Remixes and Recognition: Expanding Musical Horizons

36:06 Exploring Musical Influences and Collaborations

39:04 The Evolution of Sound and Career Milestones

43:40 Collaborations and the Rise of New Labels

46:57 Transitioning to Film Scoring and Sync Licensing

51:52 Navigating the Music Business and Royalties

54:46 Teaching and Mentoring the Next Generation

01:00:10 The Impact of Bandcamp and Independent Releases

01:03:30 Reflections on Legacy and Future Aspirations

#ADJsLife #DJLife #AcidHouse #ElectronicMusic #Sampling #RecordLabels #Remixes #MusicHistory #UKMusicScene #MusicProduction #DJing #Collaborations #FilmScoring #Bandcamp #MusicBusiness #Teaching #SoundEvolution #Legacy

A DJ's Journey Ep. 5 Keith Mackenzie

🎧 Keith talks about starting off in the record business, diving in to the Florida rave scene and beginning his DJ and production career. We also talk about his record label Illeven:Eleven Recordings and the origin of his long standing friendship and collaboration with Sporty-O.

Check out the full episode for Keith Mackenzie's journey to breakbeat legend. 

Like and Subscribe for full episodes and more content!

Keith Mackenzie Social Links

https://linktr.ee/keithmackenzie

https://keithmackenzie11.bandcamp.com/

https://soundcloud.com/keithmackenzie

https://www.facebook.com/illeveneleven

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1SeAGuTL2MFLRTYC2svp4Q

#adjsjourney #djpodcast #breakbeat #musicproduction #deckard #keithmackenzie  ⁨@KeithMacKenzie⁩  #electronicmusicpodcast  @Sportyotv ​

Qdup shares his musical journey, from his childhood influences to his evolution as a DJ and producer. He discusses the impact of his early experiences with music, the rise of Fort Knox, and his festival experiences, particularly at Shambhala. Jason emphasizes the importance of supporting independent artists and shares insights into his current projects, including music production and sample packs. The conversation highlights the joy of music, the community it creates, and the aspirations for the future.

🔔 Subscribe for more DJ stories, music culture insights, and behind-the-booth interviews!

Qdup Links: https://qdupmusic.bandcamp.com/https://soundcloud.com/qdupmusichttps://open.spotify.com/artist/5UngVn9tz1U6mmyR6Tp6Ki?si=cSmh8zLMTnKZR7jyiuOoZAWild Things ft Awoke with Roat Beatz & Kenny Beeper that came out recently-https://fortknox.bandcamp.com/album/wild-things-ft-awoke-remixed

#ADJsJourney #Qdup #DJLife #ElectronicMusic #ShambhalaFestival #Breakbeat #SamplePacks #SupportIndieArtists #LiveDJSet #BaltimoreBeats #Deckard #MusicProduction #UndergroundMusic #IbizaDreams #HybridSet #FestivalCulture

Music Production Stories don't come much richer than Kelly Reverb's.

A hand-stamped "F* You, We're From Texas" white label. A track in the Wesley Snipes film Blade. Twelve releases on Lone Star Records — until Napster killed the vinyl economy overnight. And one of the most honest accounts of thirty years of drinking, a 2020 rehab, and the second act that followed you'll hear anywhere.

Dallas underground. Breakbeat. Sobriety. Kelly Reverb is not done.

A DJ's Journey — dance music history as told by those who created it.

If this one hits, like and subscribe — and drop your comments and stories below. We want to hear them.

00:00 Introduction — First Video Episode01:52 Growing Up: 8-Track Buick & a Musical Dad03:14 Heavy Metal, Depeche Mode, Prince & the Road to Acid House06:22 Bill's Records & the DMC Video That Started Everything07:24 First Gig: Hard Rock Café Dallas, 198710:20 Profiles Club & Learning to Play Cool16:23 Go Go Mike at the Stark Club — The Rotary Mixer Mentor19:00 Deciding to Produce: The Hardkiss Brothers Did the Math22:04 Rob Vaughn, the First Session & the Birth of Southside Reverb27:55 The Name: Kelly Reverb (and Why Partridge Had to Go)29:19 First Record on Bill's Records — A&R Pressing Plant, Dallas30:45 Getting Booked Off the Record Store Phone Number32:04 "F* You, We're From Texas" White Label33:30 Almost Deconstruction, Almost a Mark Wahlberg Movie35:39 Southside Reverb Album — Roadrunner Records, 199836:39 "Go Get On It" in the Movie Blade42:24 Launching Lone Star Records45:58 Fine Ladies Only — 5–10k Independent Copies48:00 House vs Breaks: The Hybrid Question53:51 The MP3 Arrives — Lone Star Stalls, Distributors Fold57:08 Open Format Gigs, Alcohol & the Slow Decline1:10:54 Pittsburgh Airport, 1995 — The Panic Attack That Started Everything1:13:32 Rehab 2020 & This Pink Cloud Podcast1:20:12 Chad Lamont Gets Clean — Making Good Music Sober1:22:35 Relaunching Lone Star — The New Bar1:24:05 Going Global: South America, Spain, Kiss FM Kiev1:32:00 Plugs: Beatport, This Pink Cloud

DJ Deckard and Wes Smith explore the intricate journey of becoming a DJ, delving into their musical roots, early influences, and the evolution of the electronic music scene. They discuss the impact of raves, the challenges of navigating the music industry, and the importance of community and networking in shaping their careers. The dialogue highlights the unique paths each DJ takes, the significance of live performances, and the ongoing evolution of music production techniques. In this engaging conversation, Deckard and Wes Smith explore their journeys in the music industry, focusing on the evolution of DJing, the impact of technology like Ableton Live, and the importance of understanding one's worth in the business. They share personal anecdotes about their experiences in New York, the challenges of releasing music, and the significance of networking. The discussion also touches on unique experiences at events like Burning Man and the business side of music, including licensing and royalties.

Thank you to our sponsor and friends at Asiento in San Francisco. A local woman owned neighborhood bar with fresh cocktails & delicious shareable bites. Deckard recommends the Madam burger. Hosts DJs & bands.

Chapters

00:00 The DJ's Journey Begins

01:07 Musical Roots and Influences

04:11 Discovering the DJ Culture

09:42 The Evolution of Breaks and Rave

14:59 First Rave Experience and Its Impact

20:18 Networking and Building a DJ Identity

28:33 The Evolution of DJing and Influences

30:38 Balancing DJing with Education and Career

33:19 The Buzz DC Experience and Networking in Music

36:45 Learning the Craft: From DJing to Producing

41:20 Building Community and Collaborations in DC

44:04 Transitioning to New York: Challenges and Opportunities

49:46 Finding Worth: The Value of Music and Engineering

53:38 Navigating the Music Industry: Lessons Learned

01:02:52 The Journey of a DJ: From College to Professional

01:04:38 The New York Experience: A DJ's Perspective

01:07:03 Cultural Exchange: DJing in India

01:12:05 The Evolution of Music Revenue: Vinyl to Video Games

01:16:22 Memorable Experiences: DJing at Burning Man

01:21:50 Lessons Learned: DJ Fails and Growth

01:31:16 Emerging Talent: Shoutouts and Inspirations

After 25 years behind the decks, I've learned that every DJ has a unique path.

I'm DJ Deckard, I’m launching 'A DJ's Journey' - a podcast that explores the stories behind the music with the DJs who shaped our scene.

My first guest is pioneer DJ Dan, taking us from the early West Coast rave scene up to today's electronic landscape.

Welcome to A DJ's Journey - where every beat tells a story.

🎧 A DJ’s Journey – Episode 7: Simon Shackleton

Hosted by Deckard

Simon Shackleton joins Deckard for a deep dive into a life shaped by music — from acid house and warehouse parties to global tours and reinvention. They cover his early days as a classically trained pianist, forming Lunatic Calm, defining breakbeat as Elite Force, and his most recent work, The Shadowmaker.

Listen now on Spotify and all major podcast platforms.

#ADJsJourney #DJLife #MusicProduction #SimonShackleton #ElectronicMusic #Breakbeat #TheShadowmaker #DJPodcast #EliteForce

A DJ’s Journey - Ep. 9 Jem "Stone" Panufnik In this conversation Deckard speaks with Jem Stone, co-founder of Finger Lickin' Records, who shares his unique journey through the music industry, from his unconventional musical upbringing to the birth of his record label. He discusses his early influences, the evolution of the breaks scene, and the importance of collaboration and community in music. Jem also reflects on the relationship between his art and music, his experiences as a DJ, and the changes he has witnessed in the music scene over the years. Jem reflects on his journey through the music industry, discussing his disillusionment with evolving music trends, the challenges of maintaining artistic identity, and the importance of collaboration. He shares insights into his involvement with producing, art and DJing, the revival of Finger Lickin' Records, and the creation of his new project, Kaptain Karnival, which combines music and storytelling. Throughout, he emphasizes the need for creativity and the joy of making art that resonates with personal experiences.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Gemstone05:57 First Musical Loves and Inspirations11:50 The Birth of Fingerlickin' Records18:11 The Evolution of Fingerlickin' and Its Roster24:12 The Big Beat Era and Its Impact29:30 The Journey of an Artist37:38 Art and Music: A Creative Synergy43:33 The Evolution of DJing48:39 The Shift in Musical Tastes59:17 Reflections on Music Production01:08:57 Reviving Finger Lickin' Records01:21:55 Creative Fuel and Aging GracefullyIG https://www.instagram.com/jem_stone_panufnik/

🎨 Jem’s Gallery: ⁠https://jempanufnikart.com

Jem Stone Art FB https://www.facebook.com/jempanufnikart/Jem Stone Music FB https://www.facebook.com/jemstonemusic/  🪩 The Legend of Kaptain Karnival: https://kaptainkarnival.com

Kaptain Karnival FB https://www.facebook.com/kaptainkarnival/ 

Kaptain Karnival IG https://www.instagram.com/kaptainkarnival/

Finger Lickin’ Records   https://www.instagram.com/finger_lickin_records/

#ADJsJourney #JemPanufnik #FingerLickinRecords #Breakbeat #UKBreaks #FatboySlim #DJPodcast #funkybreaks #renniepilgrem #DJCulture #ElectronicMusic #kaptainkarnival

In Episode 8 of A DJ’s Journey, Canadian producer and DJ Myagi (Andrew Mavor) joins me for an expansive conversation about artistic evolution, the breakbeat era, touring the world, and why Burning Man marked a turning point in how he saw music, purpose, and success. We cover everything, from the remix that ties Myagi and I together to his new album The World of Tomorrow and how his love of sound, food, and fire shaped the next chapter of his journey.

Check out Myagi's outstanding new album The World of Tomorrow on Myagi's Bandcamp

IG @andrewmavor

Threads @andrewmavor

FB @myagimusic

🎧 Full Episode out now — June 18

🔥 Like & Subscribe to catch the full journey.

#ADJsJourney #Myagi #AndrewMavor #BreakbeatHistory #DJLife #BurningMan #ElectronicMusicPodcast #DJProducerLife #ArtistJourney #Ableton #DJInterview #CanadianDJ #UndergroundSound 

📣 New Episode Drop: Krafty Kuts on A DJ’s Journey

From bingo caller and car boot crate-digger to breakbeat icon, Martin Reeves aka Krafty Kuts shares the wild ride that took him from the UK’s underground scene to world tours and legendary festival sets like Shambhala 🌍🎶

We talk:

🔊 His musical roots in ska, funk & electro

🎧 How a Beastie Boys record named him “Krafty Kuts”

📀 The moment Fatboy Slim walked into his shop

🔥 Touring with Rage Against the Machine, playing to 40k

🎤 Raising Future Flex & streaming during lockdown

💥 And why BREAKBEAT. IS. BACK.

Full episode up July 9. You know what to do 🎙️

Follow Krafty Kuts:

🎚️ @KraftyKutsOfficial on Facebook

🎶 Bandcamp | Patreon

📷 Threads | TikTok

🎵 SoundCloud | Mixcloud

🟢 Spotify | Twitch

🎧 Beatport | X/Twitter

00:00 The Musical Roots of Crafty Cuts

03:07 The Evolution of DJing and Breakdancing

05:58 From Record Collector to DJ

09:08 The Journey into Production

12:20 The Rise of Crafty Cuts

15:13 Influences and Inspirations

18:08 The Impact of Live Performances

21:23 The Transition to Music Production

24:19 The Breakthrough Moment

27:10 The Whirlwind of Success

32:41 The Journey to Recognition

36:04 Building a Breakbeat Scene

39:51 Mastering the Craft of DJing

45:23 The Importance of Supportive Relationships

49:59 Navigating the Music Industry

56:07 The Evolution of Breakbeat and EDM

01:00:39 The Melting Pot of Genres

01:01:48 Heartfelt Moments in Music

01:02:55 Collaboration and DJing Dynamics

01:04:07 The Art of DJing and Musical Expression

01:07:01 Influences and Musical Journey

01:09:04 Family Legacy in DJing

01:11:02 The Festival Experience and Community

01:13:00 The Power of Streaming and Connection

01:17:51 Advice for Aspiring DJs

01:21:38 Upcoming Projects and Future Directions

01:25:27 Outro Music

From early breakbeat bangers to classic electro and modern productions, Lee Coombs walks us through 9 pivotal tracks that shaped his career. From The Invisible Men to Break Free, this deep dive is packed with moments in time and stories from a legend.The Invisible Men - Self Indulge   • The Invisible Men - Self Indulge  Exodus to Paradise - Rock It (Exodus to Paradise Remix)   • Exodus To Paradise - Rock It (Exodus To Pa...  The Freakazoids - @tic Futura   • The Freakazoids - @tic Futura (1998)  Lee Coombs - The Future Sound of Retro   • Future Sound of Retro (Remix)  New Order - Crystal (Lee Coombs Remix)   • New Order ‎– Crystal (Lee Coombs Remix) [HD]  Lee Coombs - Breakfast of Champions   • Lee Coombs - Breakfast Of Champions (2004)...  Lee Coombs & Uberzone - Right Now   • Lee Coombs & Uberzone "Right now"  The Freakazoids - Freak Jam   • Freak Jam  Lee Coombs - Break Free   • Break Free  Lee Coombs Music & Socialshttps://thrustrecordings.bandcamp.com/  / leecoombs1    / leecoombsofficial  #ADJsJourney #CrateDigging #LeeCoombs #Breakbeat #FingerLickinRecords #VinylCulture #DJPodcast #ElectronicMusic #90sBreaks #ProducerLife #DJDeckard #MusicDocumentary #ThrustRecordings #NewOrder

A DJ’s Journey Ep. 12 drops now — featuring the legendary Sporty-O (@sportyowingman), the international wingman himself.

From hustling mixtapes in Atlanta to performing on the main stage at EDC, Sporty-O’s story is one of hustle, reinvention, and relentless love for music. We talk about his early days as a hip-hop MC, his move to LA and writing music for TV, connecting with Keith MacKenzie through MySpace, and finding his true voice in electronic music.

Now stepping into DJing while still producing and performing, Sporty-O reflects on evolution, staying creative, and how dance music opened up a global world of sound and possibility.

🎧 Available on all platforms
🔊 Hosted by Deckard
🔥 Full episode out now

ShowNotes

00:00 The Musical Roots of Sporty-O

13:06 From Hip-Hop to Dance Music

24:37 Navigating the Music Business

31:48 Opportunities in Los Angeles

32:34 The Breakbeat Scene and Guest List's Impact

34:50 Transitioning from Hip Hop to Dance Music

38:02 The Moment of Realization in Dance Music

41:2 Unique Contributions to Electronic Music

44:26 Navigating Production in Dance Music

48:59 Collaborations and Touring with Keith

53:31 The Birth of Tequila Rageface

01:00:23 Returning to Atlanta and Building Community

01:02:32 The Journey of Music and Community

01:06:42 Evolving as an Artist in Dance Music

01:14:12 Navigating Challenges in DJing

01:22:45 The Future of Performance and Collaboration

#ADJsJourney #SportyO #ElectronicMusic #PodcastInterview #DanceMusicScene #HipHopInfluence #DeckardPodcast

Breakbeat music and DJ culture meet in this deep conversation with Steve Raskin of Fort Knox Five. DJ Deckard hosts one-half of the legendary DC-based duo to explore breakbeat origins, the funk-fueled DC scene, life as a touring DJ, and the story behind Fort Knox Recordings. Whether you’re a DJ, a music lover, or just curious how the greats built their careers — this one’s for you.​

In this episode of A DJ’s Journey, Deckard and Steve dive into how Fort Knox Five helped shape modern funk and breakbeat, what it takes to run an independent label, and how to build a long-term career in underground music. You’ll hear stories from the studio, the road, and iconic events like Shambhala and Burning Man, plus insight into carrying on the Fort Knox Five legacy after the loss of Jon Horvath.​

Topics: Breakbeat origins · DJ culture · Fort Knox Five · Funk music · Independent music · DC music scene · DJ history · Touring DJ life · Burning Man & Shambhala · Fort Knox Recordings​

In this episode you’ll learn:

• How Steve Raskin’s early bands and influences evolved into Thunderball and Fort Knox Five

• The role DC’s funk and go-go scene played in shaping the Fort Knox sound

• What it’s really like to tour the world as a breakbeat/funk DJ

• How Fort Knox Recordings was built as a home for funk, breaks, and party-starting bass music

• How the crew has navigated change, loss, and legacy while keeping the dancefloor energy alive​

Keywords: breakbeat DJ, Fort Knox Five interview, funk DJ podcast, DC funk scene, DJ history podcast, DJ culture podcast, Burning Man DJ, Shambhala DJ, independent label, Fort Knox Recordings, touring DJ, Steve Raskin

About the guest: Steve Raskin is a producer, DJ, and visual artist best known as one-half of Fort Knox Five, the DC-based funk and breakbeat outfit behind Fort Knox Recordings and a long list of festival-tested anthems. From early band days through major label deals, Thunderball, and the rise of Fort Knox Five, Steve has helped shape the sound of modern party-funk and breaks.​

About the host: Deckard is a San Francisco Bay Area DJ and host of A DJ’s Journey, a podcast exploring the stories, struggles, and creative processes behind DJs and producers who have dedicated their lives to the craft.

Timestamps:

00:00 The Funky Roots of Steve Raskin06:17 Musical Beginnings and Early Instruments09:11 Education and the Art-Music Connection12:11 The Rise of Edsull and Major Label Experiences14:59 Transition to Electronic Music and Thunderball17:56 Fort Knox Five: Formation and Vision20:50 The Evolution of Sound and Collaboration23:51 The Breakthrough of Fort Knox Five26:50 Creative Process and Musical Philosophy30:46 The Creative Process and Collaboration33:05 Evolution of Fort Knox 5's Sound35:36 Establishing Fort Knox Recordings36:12 Blending Genres and Influences37:40 Early Shows and Canadian Connections39:08 Impact on the BC Music Scene40:36 Experiences at Shambhala40:56 The Release of Radio Free DC44:37 Balancing Thunderball and Fort Knox 546:06 John as the Brand Ambassador48:04 Burning Man and Legacy54:08 Bringing John's Spirit to Burning Man59:13 The Healing Power of Music01:01:22 Navigating Change and Loss01:03:36 The Evolution of Fort Knox Five01:07:37 The Joy of DJing and Being a Fan01:08:45 Curating Funk: The Label's Journey01:12:27 The Magic of Burning Man01:15:44 A New Chapter in Whistler01:19:19 Memorable Moments from Festivals

A DJ's Journey Ep 13 Fort Knox Five

In this clip as told by Steve Raskin - John H handed out Fort Knox 5 mixtapes everywhere. Every club, every city, every person he met. One of them ended up with Gwen Stefani's manager. Her first solo tour was being planned and they wanted exactly what Fort Knox 5 were doing. There was just one problem — only room for one on the tour bus. Steve Raskin made a decision that said everything about their partnership. Episode 13 drops Wednesday. Link in bio.

#ADJsJourney #FortKnoxFive #FortKnoxRecordings #Breakbeat #NuFunk #BreaksMusic #DJLife #MusicPodcast #DJPodcast #ElectronicMusic

Lee Rous of Plump DJs sits down with Deckard for a DJ history deep dive — from the Freskanova Records scene and Finger Lickin' to a 10-year Fabric residency, Field Day Sydney, Coachella, and 25 years of A Plump Night Out. We get into DJ culture in the UK breaks underground, the Spain breakbeat revival, what's fueling the Plumps' creative resurgence, and their upcoming album Night of the Baku — out October 2026.

A DJ's Journey — DJ stories from the artists who shaped dance music.

Breakbeat helped define an era, and The Freestylers were right in the middle of it. In Episode 14 of A DJ’s Journey, Deckard sits down with Aston Harvey to trace the roots of The Freestylers, the rise of UK breakbeat and big beat culture, the story behind We Rock Hard, life on the road with Lenny Kravitz, and what still drives Aston today. They also get into rave culture, scene history, and new music with Dub Pistols arriving in March 2026.

00:00 The Musical Roots of Aston Harvey

02:01 The Birth of Hip Hop and B-Boy Culture

04:32 Transitioning to DJing and Music Production

07:29 The Rise of Breakdancing and Early Influences

10:20 Starting Out in the Music Industry

13:01 Formation of Blaps Posse and Early Collaborations

15:48 The Evolution of Freestylers and Big Beat Scene

24:21 The Evolution of Big Beat and Freestyle Music

26:40 Creating a Live Band Experience

28:20 Embracing the Journey of Touring

31:20 Navigating the Music Business

34:17 The Impact of Chart Success

37:09 Evolving Sound and Technology

41:00 Collaborations and New Projects

44:11 The Community of Electronic Music

47:39 The Unique Spanish Scene

49:35 The Evolution of Music Genres

52:23 Adapting to Different Audiences

55:18 The Cyclical Nature of Music

57:03 The Challenges of Breakbeat and Drum and Bass

01:00:41 Anecdotes from the Studio and Touring Life

Breakbeat history gets the insider treatment as Justin Rushmore — co-founder of Finger Lickin' Records and one half of Soul of Man — sits down with Deckard for a deep dive into one of the most important independent labels in UK dance music.

Justin traces his path from discovering Street Sounds Electro compilations as a teenager to throwing "French Kissing Balls" at 16, organizing acid house revival raves, and eventually meeting Jem Stone through a serendipitous connection that launched Finger Lickin' Records in 1997.

This episode covers the full arc — how hearing the Freestylers' Essential Mix crystallized the Finger Lickin' sound, why the label became an "umbrella for no rules" in an era of chin-strokey dark breaks, and how Justin pushed Plump DJs to release A Plump Night Out when they resisted. He explains the Dog Star and Bar Vinyl as ground zero for the Brixton breakbeat scene, what it was like selling records out of the back of vans to the same shops he'd been shopping in, and how running a record shop became the social hub that attracted Lee Coombs, Krafty Kuts, and the wider Finger Lickin' family.

Justin shares incredible stories from the road — getting kidnapped in an RV after a Mighty party in San Francisco, pulling back a curtain to find Lee Coombs DJing alone at his own after-party, and the night Norman Cook got on his knees backstage in Barcelona bowing down to Soul of Man (and later had zero memory of it).

The conversation goes beyond nostalgia into what happens when a scene runs its course. Justin talks about the conscious decision to end Finger Lickin' after 10 years and 100 singles, the transition into Bug Club — his fleet of VW camper van DJ booths that have done over a thousand events including the London Marathon and Formula One — and the question that defined his post-label life: how can a DJ age gracefully?

With Finger Lickin's 30th anniversary on the horizon for 2027, Justin hints at big plans to reconnect with the global community the label built.

This episode directly connects to Ep 6 and Ep 10 (Lee Coombs), Ep 9 (Jem Stone), Ep 11 (Krafty Kuts), Ep 14 (The Freestylers), and Ep 15 (Plump DJs) — making it one of the most cross-referenced conversations in the series.

Topics: Finger Lickin' Records history, Soul of Man, breakbeat culture, Brighton DJ scene, UK breaks, independent record labels, Bug Club, Bar Vinyl, Dog Star Brixton, Fatboy Slim, A Plump Night Out, acid house, rave culture, DJ entrepreneurship

00:00 Introduction to Justin Rushmore02:00 Musical Beginnings and Influences05:40 Transition to DJing and Early Parties10:52 The Rise of Breakbeat and Acid House18:11 The Birth of Finger Lickin' Records25:35 The Big Beat Scene and Community Dynamics32:20 Soul of Man's Place in Breakbeat History37:17 Pushing for Albums and Collaborations41:08 The Evolution of a Music Collective45:12 Navigating the Digital Shift in Music47:04 Personal Growth and New Ventures52:52 The Future of Bug Club and Events57:33 Reflecting on the Past and Celebrating the Future

#breakbeat #fingerlickinrecords #soulofman #djhistory #ukbreaks #djculture #bigbeat #brighton #fatboyslim #plumpdjs #adjsjourney

DJ History meets Big Beat in this keystone episode. Fatboy Slim (Norman Cook) joins Deckard for a conversation nine previous A DJ's Journey guests have been teeing up since episode one.

From punk bass player at 14 to the biggest DJ in the world, Norman traces the full arc: The Housemartins, Beats International, the four-ingredient recipe for Big Beat (Beatles pop hooks, punk attitude, hip hop breaks, acid house energy), the Tuesday-night Brighton club that named a genre, and the 360 DJ-in-the-round he invented at Brixton Academy because he felt outgunned following rock bands.

Inside this episode:

→ Confirming the Krafty Kuts (Ep 11) dubplate story from behind the Southern Fried counter→ The James Murphy origin moment at Don Hills strip club in New York→ Damien Harris (Ep 18) being called in to be fired from Loaded and talking his way into inventing Fatboy Slim instead→ The NHS-funded DJ workshops Norman runs for autistic adults→ The night at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle, summer 1999, that made Deckard become a DJ 27 years ago

📧 Newsletter: https://adjsjourney.beehiiv.com/Sign up for cross-episode stories, deep dives, and the conversations that didn't make the cut.

Fatboy Slim. The name nine guests dropped before he ever sat in the chair.Full episode out now on A DJ's Journey, Ep 17. Norman Cook on Big Beat, Brighton, the Big Beat Boutique, and the Tuesday night that named a genre.🎧 Apple / Spotify / SoundCloud: https://adjsjourney.com/episodes/ep17-fatboy-slim🎙️ Hosted by @djdeckard👤 Guest: @fatboyslim#FatboySlim #NormanCook #BigBeat #ADJsJourney #BreakbeatMusic #DJHistory #BigBeatBoutique #Brighton #Shorts

DJ history you haven't heard: Kelly Reverb returns to A DJ's Journey — our first-ever two-time guest — for a deep dive into 1980s and '90s Dallas dance music. From the legendary Starck Club (designed by Philippe Starck, "ground zero" for MDMA before it was criminalized) to Lizard Lounge, the original Hard Rock, and the night Jerry Jones turned up on his dance floor, Kelly maps a scene the history books skip.

He tells the DIY origin of the iconic red-white-and-blue Lone Star Records, the hand-stamped "Fuck You We're From Texas" white label, and how his track "Go Get On It" (as Southside Reverb) landed on the soundtrack to Blade. Then the conversation turns: the MP3 crash, the open-format grind, the alcoholism it bred, and five years of sobriety that sparked a creative renaissance with co-writer Chad LeMans.

Part 2 picks up where Episode 3 left off.

The oral history of dance music, told by those who created it.

Subscribe to The Crate Letter at adjsjourney.beehiiv.com.

CHAPTERS

00:00 The Dallas Club Scene: A Historical Overview

03:04 The Starck Club and Acid House

05:58 The Rise of DJ Culture in Dallas

09:07 Influences from the UK and Chicago House

12:05 Radio and the Dallas Music Scene

14:59 From DJing to Producing

18:10 Renegade Soundwave and Local Artists

20:56 The Shifting Dallas Scene

27:07 Turning Point: The Aha Moment

28:52 DIY: Starting My Own Label

30:30 Collaborations and Early Productions

33:32 From Idea to Reality: The First Record

35:20 From Local Gigs to Touring

39:32 Reflections on Career Choices

40:43 White Labels and Remixes

42:43 The Music Industry: Challenges and Luck

48:40 The Rise of Lizard Lounge

52:08 The Decline of the Record Business

55:12 Adapting: The Shift in DJing

58:05 The Struggles of the Entertainment Industry

01:01:50 Rediscovering Passion and Creativity

01:05:50 The Journey to Sobriety and Music

01:09:42 The Evolution of Music Promotion

01:13:22 Legacy and Impact of Music

01:17:22 Adapt or Get Off My Lawn

Rusty Belicek found a Slick Rick tape in an Oklahoma parking lot at age 11 — and it set everything in motion. From DC's 18th Street Lounge to opening for James Brown to building All Good Funk Alliance with Frank Cueto, Rusty tells the inside story of breakbeat's mid-tempo underground.

Topics covered: the Star Wars soundtrack as first musical memory, finding forbidden music in a Seventh-day Adventist household, meeting Frank at NOVA, the Funk Weapons label, DC's Go-Go scene, 18th Street Lounge residency, Swing the South production breakdown, opening for James Brown, the wedding DJ sacrifice, Burning Man and Funky Town, scene vs. community, and the hardware store as creative discipline.

Listen on all platforms:

🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-djs-journey-dj-podcast-dj-history-insights/id1804651291

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📸 Instagram: @adjsjourneypod

Chapters:

0:00:00 Intro

0:01:24 First Musical Memory: Star Wars Soundtrack

0:02:36 Off the Wall, Thriller, and the Sister's Record Collection

0:03:33 Punk Rock, Fugazi, Depeche Mode

0:06:06 The Slick Rick Tape: An Oklahoma Parking Lot Origin Story

0:08:05 Oklahoma to the DC Area via the Air Force

0:09:08 Meeting Frank Cueto at NOVA

0:10:50 The AGFA Sound: Trance-Techno Meets Hip-Hop and Breaks

0:13:22 Maxi Records, Choosing Mid-Tempo Over House

0:16:04 Going Full-Time: Labels, Day Jobs, Economics

0:18:00 The Wedding DJ Pivot: Kids and Sacrifices

0:22:33 18th Street Lounge: No Top 40s, Full Nights

0:24:45 U Street Music Hall: Opening and Closing

0:26:40 Winter Music Conference: First LP Deal

0:28:37 Go-Go: DC's Indigenous Sound

0:30:50 Baltimore Club: BYOB and Mark Farina

0:35:06 Swing the South: The Production Breakdown

0:41:25 How AGFA Changed Deckard's DJ Philosophy

0:47:35 Record Store at 16 and Learning to Beat Match

0:51:03 Burning Man: Funky Town and Early Bassnectar

0:55:55 Opening for James Brown: The Briefcase and The Splits

0:59:30 Ghetto Funk Origins

  1:01:10 Whistler: Matthew Alien and Vinyl Richie

1:04:30 Z-Trip, Uneasy Listening, Cut Chemist

1:07:45 Where AGFA Is Now

1:10:00 The Hardware Store Life

#breakbeat #AllGoodFunkAlliance #RustyBelicek #DJHistory #FunkMusic #DCMusic #NuFunk #ADJsJourney #DJCulture #DJPodcast

DJ History from the architect's chair. Damian Harris founded Skint Records, designed the Fatboy Slim logo, started the Big Beat Boutique, and A&R'd Norman Cook into the biggest DJ on the planet. Now he tells his side of the story.

From punk gigs with his brothers in Canterbury to acid house in Brighton, from living with Norman Cook to watching "Santa Cruz" become Skint's first release — Damian traces the full arc. He walks through the A&R instinct that signed the Lo-Fidelity Allstars in two minutes flat, the night he played a Justice remix in his office and said "this is the future," and the moment he walked away from the label he built.

This is the companion episode to Ep 17 (Fatboy Slim). Same story, other side of the desk. First label boss on A DJ's Journey.

Damian now runs Vicious Charm, his own independent label.

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📸 Instagram: @dj.deckard

  Chapters:

  00:00 Introduction to Damian Harris and Skint Records

  03:42 Musical Beginnings: Punk to Hip Hop

  12:19 Art School and Early DJ Experiences

  16:53 Brighton: A Musical Hub

  17:41 Life with Norman Cook

  21:20 The Birth of Big Beat and Skint Records

  30:13 A Historical Coincidence: The Birth of Skint Records

  31:51 Transitioning to Label Ownership

  35:05 The First Releases: Building a Foundation

  37:15 Instinct and A&R Decisions: The Early Years

  39:32 The Promise of Lo-Fi All-Stars

  40:43 The Big Beat Boutique: Origins and Evolution

  45:42 The Big Beat Boutique Era: A Cultural Shift

  49:26 Balancing Multiple Roles: DJ, Producer, and Label Owner

  51:40 The A&R Pipeline: Finding New Talent

  54:29 Curating the Big Beat Sound

  57:08 The Evolution of Breakbeat: Diverging Paths

  01:01:48 The Evolution of Breakbeat and DJ Culture

  01:02:42 The Rise of Fatboy Slim

  01:05:40 Navigating Success and Pressure

  01:08:44 The Shift in Musical Genres and Personal Growth

  01:13:11 Challenges in Creating Iconic Albums

  01:17:57 The Difficult Decision to Leave Skint Records

  01:18:27 Exploring New Ventures and Creative Freedom

  01:21:04 Returning to Skint and the Changing Music Landscape

  01:26:03 Future Aspirations and the Vision for Vicious Charm

  #DJHistory #SkintRecords #FatboySlim #BigBeat #BigBeatBoutique #DamianHarris #MidfieldGeneral #Brighton #UKBreakbeat #ADJsJourney

  #DJCulture #IndependentLabel

DJ Qbert, the most decorated turntablist in DJ history, joins Deckard on A DJ's Journey. The first US turntablist on the show traces the line from the Excelsior District and the Filipino mobile-DJ crews that built West Coast DJ culture, to back-to-back DMC World titles (and being asked to stop competing), to the Invisibl Skratch Piklz, Wave Twisters, the QFO, and Thud Rumble. Along the way: DJ Muggs' advice about respecting your gift, why he hears scratching as a universal language, and the rule in hip hop that the more you give away, the more comes back.🎧 Listen everywhere podcasts are available📩 The Crate Letter: https://adjsjourney.beehiiv.comA DJ's Journey - the oral history of dance music, told by those who created it.00:00 Intro00:45 The Musical Roots of Qbert03:55 The Journey into DJing and Turntablism06:47 The Rise of the Invisibl Skratch Piklz09:29 Innovations in DJ Hardware and Techniques12:44 Wave Twisters: The First Animated Hip-Hop Movie15:38 The Evolution of DJing and Spirituality17:51 Collaborations and New Projects20:57 The Future of DJing and Upcoming Tours29:21 Innovative DJ Tools and Projects31:19 The Evolution of Vinyl and Digital Music33:48 Embracing Technology and AI in Music37:45 Health, Wellness, and Creative Energy43:13 The Universal Language of Music46:35 Learning from Great Musicians50:23 Future Projects and Collaborations#DJHistory #DJQbert #Turntablism #ScratchDJ #InvisiblSkratchPiklz #DJCulture #HipHop #ADJsJourney #DJPodcast #WaveTwisters

DJ history, first-hand: Donald Glaude on 35 years of Seattle rave culture, from The Underground to the festival era.

In Episode 1, DJ Dan told us Glaude handed him the mic and christened him a star. In Episode 22, recorded after Dan's passing, Glaude tells the other half, and how Dan paid it forward into the Funky Tekno Tribe.

Beatles records at six. Learning to mix on a Radio Shack mixer. Eight-hour Friday nights at The Underground. The pre-EDM road with Dan, Fatboy Slim and Carl Cox. The Vegas residencies at Drai's and ICE and the deliberate choice to trade EDM paydays for community.

It peaks at Joshua Tree, in tears, "I took them to church" and a defiant second act. One of American dance music's most electric showmen, at his most human.

The oral history of dance music, told by those who created it.

New stories every week in The Crate Letter: adjsjourney.beehiiv.com