How To DJ

Chris sits down with Andy Cato & Tom Findlay, otherwise known as Groove Armada.

In this conversation, Andy & Tom share stories about the first time they met, signing with Jive Records and growing Lovebox from a club night to one of the countries biggest music festivals.

This episode is sponsored by Flare Audio.

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We're kicking things off for this brand new series with electronic duo Orbital who sit down with Chris ahead of their show at Halifax's Piece Hall.

In this conversation, Phil and Paul Hartnoll discuss their career in music and what started off their love of electronic music. From their journey starting out in the clubs of Kent through to a huge Glastonbury performance which led the way for more Dance and Electronic artists to play the iconic festival.

This episode is sponsored by Flare Audio.

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The next series of How to DJ arrives this week with guests including Orbital, Groove Armada, Dave Beer & Judge Jules.

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In the final episode of the series, Chris sits down with Stephanie Hirst who talks through her journey from first discovering radio to her national radio shows today. In it, she discusses her time presenting the Hit40UK and gaining over 1m listeners to her Breakfast Show on Capital.

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Chris sits down with Greg Wilson who discusses his career from growing up on Merseyside, his musical influences & his move into music production.

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Chris sits down with Jon Carter to discuss his life and career from starting out as a musician at University through to today.

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Andy Bush began his DJ journey somewhat accidentally, without any prior interest in radio. After university, he moved to Bristol to play in a band and took on a day job at BT to pay the bills. One day, during his lunch break, he stumbled upon a careers fair in Clifton where they were advertising for Traffic News readers. Despite not being a driver, he saw it as a unique opportunity and recorded a demo on a cassette tape. Surprisingly, he got the job and this marked his start in radio, around the year 2000. Working for a company called Traffic Link in Bristol's Evening Post building, Andy had the chance to dial into various shows throughout the day. This experience provided him with valuable knowledge and skills in radio, particularly in understanding the direction of a piece and supporting the presenter, as opposed to going off track. He also learned the importance of concise delivery and being mindful of time constraints. Thus, Andy's radio career began unexpectedly, but it set him on an adventurous path in the world of broadcasting.

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Mr Scruff, a British DJ, found his passion for music at a young age. As a twelve-year-old, he was captivated by the Street Sounds Electro series and the art of mixing. Initially, he didn't fully comprehend the intricacies of DJing, but as he tried it himself, he realized the complexity involved. Despite being isolated in his musical interests, he delved into the world of radio and magazines, discovering the deep and vibrant culture of DJing. Motivated by his love for the music, he decided to give it a go, starting out with no equipment or knowledge. However, his youthful inventiveness and abundance of free time allowed him to slowly grasp the craft. During this time, Mr Scruff enjoyed a variety of music, from pop to the eclectic sounds of John Peel and Tony Blackburn. With limited radio stations available in the 80s, he embraced whatever the airwaves had to offer. Eventually, he stumbled upon specialist music through a friend's uncle who possessed all the Electro albums. This led him to dive deeper into the world of DJing, never looking back.

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In today's episode, we have a special guest, Claire Sturgess, who shares her fascinating journey in the world of radio and broadcasting. Claire's story begins with her A-level studies at Salisbury College of Technology, as she didn't attend university. Despite her desire to attend an art college, she believed she wasn't artistic enough and ended up working various jobs, including for a local newspaper and a sports car firm. With a bold move, Claire decided to write a letter to the BBC asking for a job, and much to her delight, she quickly received a reply and became a filing clerk at BBC Enterprises. This experience opened doors for Claire and allowed her to interact with iconic artists from Top of the Pops. After a year, Claire applied for a position as a radio production assistant for Radio One, beginning her love affair with radio.

Joining XFM, despite the pay cut, was a pivotal moment for Claire as she felt it represented the music she loved. She eventually left Radio One to start her own daytime show at XFM and considered it the best decision she ever made. As Claire progressed in her career, she faced unique challenges, such as starting empty shows and navigating the differences between commercial radio and the BBC. She also shares the importance of preparation, engaging the audience, and incorporating listener content into her shows. Throughout the episode, Claire emphasizes the significance of authenticity, love for the subject matter, and understanding the audience for a successful radio career. She also discusses her experiences at XFM, the changes that occurred when it got bought by Capital and later by another company, and the joy she found in working with artists and bands at the Blue Finn Building. Stay tuned as Claire reveals how she unexpectedly returned to radio after thinking she was done with it and explores the power of the medium in creating an intimate connection with listeners. She also touches on the importance of voice and accent in radio and offers insights into the changing landscape of the industry.

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In this episode of "How to DJ" as we delve into these fascinating stories and gain valuable insights from the brilliant Utah Saints. Tune in now to learn more about sample clearance, unexpected influences, and the power of live improvisation. You won't want to miss it! 

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