In this episode, Chris Hawkins speaks with one of the finest voices in the radio business, Absolute Radio’s Leona Graham. After catching the radio bug at university, Leona certainly paid her dues DJing on local commercial radio stations across the country. Her tenacity and talent paid off with a slot on Virgin Radio that led to her becoming a long standing fixture at Absolute since its launch back in 2008. She’s many strings to her bow with popular podcasts a part of that repertoire but music re...
Mar 03, 2023•32 min•Season 6Ep. 3
In this episode, Chris Hawkins catches up with Gary Crowley; an old colleague from their time at BBC Radio London together. A music obsessive who’s passion was lit from his early teens as punk exploded, Gary’s career began writing fanzines, working in radio & TV promotion, as well as a writer at the NME. From there he became the youngest voice on London’s Capital Radio which led him to Radio London, the launch of XFM and back to where he feels most at home on BBC Radio London. Gary’s joy for...
Feb 27, 2023•52 min•Season 6Ep. 2
In this first episode of a brand new series, Chris Hawkins catches up with a true pioneer, a DJ who trailblazed a path for himself and his contemporaries to become Superstar DJs. Carl’s love of music is centre stage and it's this passion that has informed all his many successes including his long standing residency at Space in Ibiza which he’s still very emotionally connected to. Like the true creative he is; there’s more he wants to achieve beyond just being a DJ and it’s all here within his fa...
Feb 17, 2023•50 min•Season 6Ep. 1
A brand new series of How To DJ is coming soon! How to DJ is a Listening Dog Media production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Feb 10, 2023•4 min
In this bonus episode, Chris looks back at some of his favourite How to DJ moments from the past year. You'll hear part of his conversations with the likes of Paul Oakenfold, Greg James, Mark Radcliffe and Emma B. How to DJ is a Listening Dog Media production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 23, 2022•11 min
In this final episode of the series, Chris Hawkins chats with pioneering Superstar DJ Jeremy Healy in what is a glorious romp through his varied career. From his early breakthrough as an off-the-wall Pop Star in the 80s, through to his explosion in the 90s as a credible and much sought after DJ; Jeremy has always ploughed his own furrow by taking chances and doing everything for the love & FUN of it! Strap yourself in for a hugely entertaining yet equally candid conversation. From club to ra...
Dec 16, 2022•45 min•Season 5Ep. 8
In this episode Chris Hawkins has an in depth chat with a pioneer of the Asian Underground sound and former Radio 1 DJ, Bobby Friction who is still a stalwart of the Asian Network. From his musical baptism at the altar of Prince who has shaped Bobby’s musical and performance styles, this is a fascinating dive into the mind of an engaging and intelligent artist still enjoying the challenge of discovering where his race and music passion place him in British popular culture. From club to radio and...
Dec 09, 2022•46 min•Season 5Ep. 7
In this episode Chris Hawkins catches up with one of Radio 1’s newest DJs who’s also emerging as club DJ on the global stage, Sarah Story. From paying her dues on her local radio station and taking her love of clubbing and dance music to the decks with a sideline in songwriting; Sarah’s fun and frank approach to her career is as inspiring as it is breathtaking; and like she says she’s only ‘just getting started’! From club to radio and every other music DJ in between; Chris Hawkins warms up his ...
Dec 02, 2022•35 min•Season 5Ep. 6
In this episode Chris Hawkins chats to the original & ultimate Superstar DJ, Paul Oakenfold. It’s a fascinating insight into what makes him tick and still drives him to this day. From finding his feet as an awkward school kid to quickly understanding his musical calling and DJ style; Paul has led from the front and played some of the biggest and most amazing events on the planet. From club to radio and every other music DJ in between; Chris Hawkins warms up his guests before asking them to p...
Nov 25, 2022•21 min•Season 5Ep. 5
In this episode Chris Hawkins chats with American DJ & music producer Freddy Fresh. It’s a fast paced romp through his career that began as an avid collector turned Roller Disco DJ who regularly journeyed from Minnesota to New York to pick up the latest records and be on top of his game. His DJing and music making have taken him all over the world, working with some of the most credible and pioneering artists with hugely entertaining and inspiring stories along the way. From club to radio an...
Nov 18, 2022•37 min•Season 5Ep. 4
In this episode Chris Hawkins chats with Radio 1’s Jack Saunders; a truly driven and passionate person who has completely immersed himself in his role as the presenter of Radio 1's Indie Show and the Official Chart Show. From his formative years Jack’s goal was to land himself the prized role as a DJ on Radio 1 and his hard work & effort has certainly paid off. This is a story of music obsession for the bands that he plays and for the medium he’s chosen as his platform. It’s rammed full of i...
Nov 11, 2022•39 min•Season 5Ep. 3
In this episode Chris Hawkins catches up with Steve Davis, Snooker World Champion turned radio & club DJ. Steve’s always been a massive music head but it wasn’t til his fame was at its peak that he was able to use his clout to promote one of his favourite Prog Rock bands, Magma. From then on a similar obsession for music as snooker has seen him easily fall into the role of radio and now club DJ. It’s a fascinating story of how seemingly contrasting professions can meet when the person at its...
Nov 04, 2022•41 min•Season 5Ep. 2
In this first episode of a brand new series, Chris Hawkins catches up with Bob Harris, one of the most respected and enduring DJs and broadcasters in the industry. It's an epic tale of total music passion coupled with Bob’s ability to befriend some of music & broadcasting’s legendary figures along the way. Expect charming stories and some invaluable tips from one of the very best in the business! From club to radio and every other music DJ in between; Chris Hawkins warms up his guests before...
Oct 28, 2022•49 min•Season 5Ep. 1
Chris is back with more chats with stars from the world of music for another series of How To DJ - here's a quick taste of what to expect! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 26, 2022•4 min
In this final episode of this series, Chris Hawkins catches up with legendary radio and club DJ Dave Pearce. Dave has been at the forefront of dance music from his earliest days on GLR and Kiss through to Radio 1 pioneering new dance shows and he’s still filling the clubs wherever he plays. A huge music fan, his stories encapsulate the passion, skills and energy it requires to be a DJ that always makes it ‘go right off’! From club to radio and every other music DJ in between; Chris Hawkins warms...
Sep 09, 2022•35 min•Season 4Ep. 8
In this episode, Chris Hawkins gets some deep insight into the life & work of DJ Paulette. The former Flesh resident from the Hacienda’s heyday details her until now largely untold story of rising through the ranks of mostly male peers to establish herself at some of the biggest clubs internationally alongside the headliners of the profession. It’s a hugely inspirational tale, packed full of tips and techniques that Paulette says is all about entertaining and sharing her passion for music an...
Sep 04, 2022•44 min•Season 4Ep. 7
In this episode, Chris Hawkins chats with TV Presenter turned Radio Academy award winning DJ Dave Berry. From his formative years as a kid who loved his ‘high jinx’ and fashion, Dave’s energy is infectious and clearly drives his work as current host of the Absolute Radio Breakfast show. Just don’t get too close or he might claw your back to bits! From club to radio and every other music DJ in between; Chris Hawkins warms up his guests before asking them to pick a set of 5 questions from a box of...
Aug 26, 2022•37 min•Season 4Ep. 6
In this episode, Chris Hawkins chats with the wildly talented Scroobius Pip. A poet, musician, actor, podcaster, and obviously DJ who’s ‘can do’ attitude to everything he’s set his mind to has birthed so many creative and exciting projects! It’s an exhilarating listen which will inspire everyone and certainly anyone who’s ever felt held back in any way. From club to radio and every other music DJ in between; Chris Hawkins warms up his guests before asking them to pick a set of 5 questions from a...
Aug 19, 2022•36 min•Season 4Ep. 5
In this episode, Chris Hawkins chats with Capital Radio’s Lauren Layfield about her career that began on hospital radio before she landed her job as Hacker The Dog’s co-host on CBBC where she certainly was no ‘normal’ presenter! A lover of music and now also a DJ for big events; her insights on her profession prove to be just as infectious as her humour! From club to radio and every other music DJ in between; Chris Hawkins warms up his guests before asking them to pick a set of 5 questions from ...
Aug 12, 2022•38 min•Season 4Ep. 4
In this episode, Chris Hawkins catches up with DJ, Producer & Author Mark Rae. From his early years as a budding scratch DJ in his hometown of Newcastle to his arrival as a student in Manchester where he created his own scene around clubs, record shops and then a record label; Mark has always been a pioneer. His remixes as one half of Rae & Christian made them the people to go to in the mid to late 90s. Mark’s insight into his much honed craft is refreshingly honest and funny even includ...
Aug 05, 2022•43 min•Season 4Ep. 3
In this episode, DJ and Broadcaster Mark Radcliffe speaks to Chris Hawkins about his esteemed career in the radio industry. From his early days as producer at Manchester’s Piccadilly Radio, through the highs and lows and then highs again at BBC Radio 1 to his time now at 6 Music and Radio 2; Mark’s story is a fascinating deep dive into the mind of a music obsessive that informs his talent as a much regarded broadcaster. And if you’ve ever wondered whether Mark & Lard will work together again...
Jul 29, 2022•49 min•Season 4Ep. 2
In this episode, one of the original Superstar DJs, Norman Cook AKA Fatboy Slim details his amazing journey from wanting to be a pop star at the age of eight, to being an actual pop star, before becoming one of the most successful club DJs on the planet. What started as a hobby, became playing weddings … then clubs where he had to make his own music to fill out his sets and then before long he was playing to record breaking 250,000 people in his adopted home town of Brighton. It’s a fascinating ...
Jul 22, 2022•40 min•Season 4Ep. 1
Chris is back and in Series 4 he lines up eight more episodes of life stories & experiences, tips & techniques, to find out just how the minds of much-loved DJs work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 18, 2022•4 min
In this final episode of Series 3, Chris Hawkins catches up with Greg James who he first met when he gave a talk about radio at Greg’s school. The only pupil to express any kind of interest was to become the current host of Radio 1’s flagship Breakfast Show. From exploring the fascinating rhythms of radio, to understanding the mindset required to present the nation's most dynamic, successful & fun morning show; there’s plenty to inspire and amuse in the grand finale to this series. Plus you’...
Apr 08, 2022•40 min•Season 3Ep. 8
In this episode, Chris Hawkins catches up with American Anglophile DJ & Producer Colleen ‘Cosmo’ Murphy who’s fascinating story starts with her falling in love with radio at an early age to playing the coolest of clubs in New York before moving to the UK and making ‘Classic Album Sundays’ a thing to ensure that longform art of music remains in the forefront of listener’s experiences. She recounts fabulous stories of meeting bands on the cusp of mainstream success and why DJing can be a magic...
Apr 01, 2022•36 min•Season 3Ep. 7
In this episode, Chris Hawkins chats with producer, musician and DJ Mark Archer from rave pioneers Altern8. From humble beginnings in rural Staffordshire where he was given a choice between becoming a butcher or following ‘the music thing’, to writing and producing anthems that are now part of people’s lives from when dance music began to explode into the mainstream. These days Mark’s passion is for DJing the music that inspired his work; his humility and self-deprecating humour belies the enorm...
Mar 25, 2022•30 min•Season 3Ep. 6
In this episode, Chris Hawkins taps into the mindset of current World DMC Champ JFB for a fascinating exploration of musical & technical obsession that covers his early days as a bedroom DJ to Pirate Radio resident to playing some of the most revered festivals across the globe. There’s a deep dive into his favourite tech ‘toys’, with stories & insights aplenty to illuminate what it takes to be an internationally acclaimed scratch DJ and why that sometimes that requires you to be ‘really ...
Mar 18, 2022•31 min•Season 3Ep. 5
In this episode, national radio presenter Emma B chats with Chris Hawkins as she charts her passage from helping Timmy Mallett out with a radio drama aged 8, to taking her first paid job right at the top on Radio 1 and then finding her feet afterwards in commercial radio on Heart & Magic. As well as embarrassing her teenagers with her Tik Toks, she crams this episode with some really insightful tips on what makes her tick as a person and a broadcaster and find out which International star sh...
Mar 11, 2022•32 min•Season 3Ep. 4
In this episode, recorded live at 'Vinyl Adventures’ from Freight Island in Manchester: musician, club & radio DJ, Clint Boon tells Chris Hawkins how a young lad who thought coming from Oldham meant he’d never amount to much turned his fortunes up to eleven on his keyboard amp! Clint’s got stories, insight and creative perspective all bound up in this romp through his long and varied career that proves a DJ is rarely a one trick pony! From club to radio and every other music DJ in between; C...
Mar 04, 2022•34 min•Season 3Ep. 3
In this episode, award winning Techno DJ & Producer Chris Liebing tells Chris Hawkins about his journey from student discos where he was pulling beers whilst spinning tunes, to becoming a revered specialist of the genre. It’s a fascinating career that has taken him from (somewhat disastrously) running his own club to playing 16 hour sets at one of the world’s most respected. A self confessed ‘tech geek’ there’s plenty of insight into how he’s crafted his place right at the top of his field. ...
Feb 25, 2022•39 min•Season 3Ep. 2
