The View from the Booth Podcast

The episode this podcast was created for.

This 6-headed beast does it like nobody else. Can't Mix Won't Mix Shouldn't Mix Don't Mix (aka Cake Mix) grew organically from the underground parties and clubnights of Liverpool, and ended up on some of the biggest stages this country has to offer, leaving a trail of laughter everywhere they went.

Matt Seamless

JJ Da Funk

Bobby Mowack

Jazzbo

Chris Carney

& Kenny

Their names sound like they were made up for an episode of Spaced, but it shows that this is a gang that don't take themselves too seriously. And yet, for a while they conquered the DJ world. Back in a room together (with the help of Zoom) for the first time in a long time, it doesn't take long for that trail of laughter to begin again. In fact, I warn you in advance that you may have to adjust your audio because there's a LOT of laughing.

Normally I would offer a snapshot of some of the funnier stories, or subject matter.... but honestly, it's better if you're unprepared.

Strap yourselves in.

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In my 5 years at La'Go, there was always a great gang of bar staff. Not just the usual happy-go-lucky wreckheads, but plenty of music nerds that I could feed off of when the crowd wasn't giving me anything. They all loved to ask questions, but there was one who asked what I call DJ questions. I knew he'd caught the bug. 8 years later and Joe is 5 years into his DJ career, taking over from me at La'Go, and forging his own trail across the city.

As we begin a new era as peers and partners every Friday night in Teddy's, I brought him in to talk about his journey, and how I knew he was bound for the booth before he did. We also touch on Moshpits, the importance of a good table, and when it's okay not to dance.

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You may not know if you've heard an It's Charlie set - she may have been hidden by the smoke machines in Heaven, or by the crowds of revellers bustling through Concert Square.

However, you can always recognise her by the steady stream of club classics she delivers, from all around the House music spectrum. We talked about her musical background, ambitions as a producer, and the joys of seeing so many female DJs making their mark on the scene.

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Up-and-coming star Nikki Chong is a name you need to know.

You may have seen this energetic Techno queen supporting some of the biggest and best acts when they hit the city, at a festival this summer, such as Bluedot or Secret Garden Party, or on the radio at Melodic Distraction. Now you get to hear her thoughts on her remarkable start in Australia, and taking the leap across the world to fulfil her dreams. We also get into Social media, DJs becoming producers, the importance of the support slot and the dos and don'ts of trying to climb the DJ food chain.

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Seeing as I got to spend 9 glorious days on Worthy Farm this year, it felt like a great idea to take advantage of the wealth of DJs onsite and grab a few words. Well...despite some technical issues and text messages lost in the ether, I managed to bag myself a belter. Jamie Howie has been an integral part of Glastonbury's South East Corner for the last 10 years, as stage manager for Shangri-La, and a devastating scratch DJ ready to tear up a crowd at the drop of a hat. As one half of the Chicken Brothers, Jamie has rocked the biggest and best festivals, gigs and parties Europe has to offer.

He's also been a friend of mine for over 15 years, a friendship forged on the dancefloors of Liverpool. We talk about that era, and how it shaped his DJ career. Jamie also takes us behind the curtain about what it takes to run a successful stage and some of the mad shit that comes along with it.

This interview was recorded minutes after his headline set at Platform 23 in Shangri-La at Glastonbury 2023, with Loxley Illustrations providing the live sketch, and Jasmine Tidswell for filling in the blanks in Jamie's story. While I'm at it, shout out to Paul Coleman my assistant audio engineer, and legend of AV Steve Warren for the general good vibes.

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Che Burnley is a man I've known for many years who I've been able to call a friend, colleague, employee, employer, and most often a knobhead.

You may know him best as a comedian, but he's already decades deep into his DJing life, and he takes us along the journey of student unions, bars, and playing support when the big guns come to town. From Basshunter to Lamb of God, we cover the whole musical spectrum! We also get into a guide to asking for requests, dating while DJing and playing celebrity weddings.

I've also had the first chance to take stock of your initial reactions to the pod, and we've included a few of your suggestions already!

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Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce my guest for episode 1 of The View from the Booth: Stephen Hollands, the man they call Morf. Legitimately a local legend, Morf has held it down at Seel st staple @lago_seelst for longer than any of us can remember. We talk about where it all began, and how he's had to adapt over the years as he's become an elder statesman of the scene.

He had plenty of interesting tales to tell about festivals, first-class flights and his part one of the biggest global hits of the last 30 years...

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