Dexter Jones

Micky Modelle on 4 Decades in Dance Music


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Micky Modelle joins The Dexter Jones Podcast to share his incredible journey through 4 decades in dance music — from the early days of Belfast’s underground club scene during one of its most turbulent periods, to the rise of vinyl culture, Clubland, and the evolution of the global dance music industry.

In this episode, we dive deep into what it was really like coming up in a time with no roadmap, no social media, and no shortcuts — where DJs built careers from record shops, word of mouth, and pure passion. Micky opens up about the realities of the industry, the shift from vinyl to digital, and why success today isn’t the same as it once was.

This is a raw and honest conversation about longevity, adapting to change, and surviving in one of the most competitive industries in the world.

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🎧 In this episode, we cover:

Growing up and DJing in Belfast during a turbulent era
How club culture thrived despite real-world conflict
The early days of vinyl and what success really looked like
Selling records vs streaming culture today
The truth about longevity in the music industry
Why you can’t stay on top forever
How technology has changed everything for DJs and producers
Stories from the early underground scene
Advice for the next generation of DJs

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⏱️ CHAPTERS

00:00 – Belfast Was a War Zone

03:20 – Early Club Scene Outside the City
08:45 – Winging It: No Set Path
15:10 – Vinyl Days & Record Sales
22:30 – Then vs Now: The Industry Shift
35:40 – You Can’t Stay on Top Forever
48:15 – Technology Changed Everything
58:20 – Stories from the Scene
1:10:00 – Advice for New DJs

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🎤 About Micky Modelle

Micky Modelle is a respected DJ and producer with over 40 years in the dance music industry. Known for his influence across multiple eras — from underground club culture to commercial dance — he has witnessed and adapted to every major shift in the scene.

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Dexter JonesBy Dexter Jones