Dexter Jones

In this episode of The Dexter Jones Podcast, I sit down with William Daniel to break down how he got into the music industry at just 15 years old… and ended up working directly with some of the biggest DJs in the world. From working in a record shop in Glasgow to sending promos to Judge Jules, Paul Oakenfold, and Radio 1, William shares how he built a network from scratch and earned respect in one of the most competitive industries out there. We dive into vinyl culture, record shops, and what it was really like selling music to names like Paul van Dyk, Armin van Buuren, and Ferry Corsten… all before most people even know what they want to do with their lives. This is a real insight into how the dance music industry works behind the scenes — no shortcuts, no hype… just experience. If you’re a DJ, producer, or trying to break into the music industry, this episode is packed with lessons. 🔑 THINGS WE TALK ABOUT: * How William Daniel got into the music industry at 15 * Working in a record shop during the vinyl era * Sending promos to DJs like Judge Jules and Paul Oakenfold * Radio 1 exposure and early DJ promotion * Building a DJ network from scratch * Selling records to Paul van Dyk, Armin van Buuren, and Ferry Corsten * How record shops shaped the dance music scene * Breaking into the electronic music industry with no connections * DJ culture in the early trance and house scene * How to get noticed as a DJ or producer * The importance of taste, track selection, and music knowledge * Behind the scenes of the DJ industry * Advice for new DJs and producers * The reality of the music business vs social media perception 00:00 AI Is Changing Music Forever… Here’s The Truth 01:16 A Surprise Guest From The Dance Music Scene 05:56 Getting Into Music From An Early Age 08:03 Discovering Record Shops & DJ Culture 15:41 Is AI Replacing Music Producers? 21:11 The Power Of Vinyl & Old School DJing 29:15 How Hard Is It To Break Through As A DJ Today? 37:12 Releasing Music On Labels (How It Really Works) 45:23 The State Of Trance Music Right Now 52:38 Ghost Producing In Dance Music Explained 59:08 Artist Fees vs Reality – The Big Disconnect 01:05:47 The Last Track Of The Night (DJ Psychology)

From raves to reality… this is what it’s really like working in the dance music industry. In this episode of The Dexter Jones Podcast, I sit down with Steve Arnold to break down his journey from the early rave scene through to working behind the scenes in dance music. From Godskitchen and Global Gathering to artist liaison roles, interviews, and the real grind it takes to break into the industry… this is the side of dance music most people never see. We dive into the Midlands rave scene, UK club culture, and what it actually takes to build a career in electronic music. No hype, no filters… just real stories from inside the industry. If you’re a DJ, producer, or just obsessed with dance music culture, this one’s for you. 🎙️ WHAT WE TALK ABOUT In this episode, we cover the reality of working in the dance music industry, from the UK rave scene to major events like Godskitchen and Global Gathering. • How to get into the dance music industry • The UK rave scene and Midlands club culture • Behind the scenes of DJ life and artist liaison work • The grind of becoming a DJ and building a name • Dance music events, touring and industry insights • Then vs now: how clubbing and DJ culture has evolved • Honest advice for new DJs and producers

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. --- 🎧 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 --- ⏱️ 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 --- 🎤 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.

Dirty Sanchez was one of MTV’s wildest and most controversial TV shows, reaching over 400 million viewers across 64 countries and becoming a global phenomenon in the early 2000s.  In this episode, Pritchard from Dirty Sanchez joins the podcast to reveal what really happened behind the scenes of the MTV show, from how Dirty Sanchez started and exploded worldwide to the full-on lifestyle, Ibiza stories, and the reality of life after fame. How did it become MTV’s wildest and most popular show? In this episode, I sit down with Pritchard to uncover the full story behind Dirty Sanchez, from its unexpected beginnings to its rise as one of the biggest shows MTV ever produced. What started as a group of mates filming skateboarding, pranks, and chaos quickly turned into something far bigger than anyone imagined. MTV were looking for a UK version of the Jackass movement, and within no time, Dirty Sanchez exploded onto screens around the world — reaching over 400 million people across 64 countries. But none of that was the plan. As Pritchard explains, they genuinely thought it would be one show, one year… just getting paid to party and have a laugh. Instead, it became a global phenomenon. We talk about what life was really like during that time — travelling the world, pushing boundaries, and living a lifestyle that was completely full on. The energy, the madness, and the pressure to keep going further eventually started to take its toll. We also dive deep into Ibiza — a huge part of the journey. From performing live at Bar M to experiencing the island at its peak, Pritchard shares how Ibiza became the place where everything escalated. The freedom, the atmosphere, and the culture made it a playground where anything felt possible — and where some of the wildest moments happened. But this episode isn’t just about chaos. It’s about what happens after. We talk about the reality of that lifestyle, the impact it has over time, and how Pritchard has completely transformed his life since those days. From stepping away from alcohol to doing serious work on himself, this is a side of the story that most people never hear. From global fame… to personal change. If you remember Dirty Sanchez, this is the story behind it. If you don’t — this is one you won’t expect. ⚡️ WHAT WE COVER IN THIS EPISODE: • The origins of Dirty Sanchez and how it started from skateboarding and prank videos • How MTV discovered the crew and turned it into a global TV show • Reaching 400 million viewers across 64 countries • Why they never expected Dirty Sanchez to blow up • What life was really like behind the scenes of MTV’s wildest show • The “get paid to party” lifestyle and how it became full on • The pressure to keep pushing boundaries • How the chaos and lifestyle took its toll • Ibiza stories, Bar M residency, and wild island moments • Living in Ibiza during the peak years • Life after Dirty Sanchez • Personal transformation, sobriety, and self-work • Reflections on fame, identity, and change ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 – Dirty Sanchez: 400 Million Viewers Worldwide 05:32 – From Pro Skateboarder to Filming Chaos 07:15 – Ibiza Residency & Party Lifestyle Begins 12:16 – MTV Discovery: The UK’s Jackass Era 13:07 – Becoming MTV’s Biggest Show Ever 16:44 – Life After Dirty Sanchez: The Dirty Vegan Journey 23:32 – Rowing the Atlantic: The Ultimate Challenge 28:02 – Why He Turned to Veganism 37:52 – “Sleep When You’re Dead” Lifestyle 42:17 – Personal Reinvention & Life Transformation 52:16 – Dealing with Anxiety & Mental Health 58:28 – Discovering a Passion for Cooking 1:06:55 – The Importance of Exercise & Routine 1:09:03 – Favourite Life Chapters & Lessons Learned --- All About Pritchard: https://www.mathewpritchard.com/

In this episode of The Dexter Jones Podcast, I sit down with DJ and producer Denney (James Denney) to explore the journey behind a career that has taken him from the early days of UK club culture to some of the most respected underground dance floors in the world. From his beginnings playing at Sugar Shack, through the legendary Back To Basics nights in Leeds, to releasing music on Jamie Jones’ Hot Creations, Denney shares the story of how he built a life in dance music. This is a brilliant conversation about the evolution of the underground scene, the reality of becoming a DJ, and what it really takes to sustain a career in dance music. In this episode, we talk about • Denney’s early days discovering dance music • Playing at Sugar Shack and learning to DJ • Working at the legendary Back To Basics in Leeds • How underground club culture shaped his career • The journey to releasing music on Hot Creations • Touring internationally and playing in Ibiza • The realities of building a long-term DJ career • How the dance music scene has evolved over the years • Advice for DJs trying to break into the industry Timestamps  00:00 Introduction 02:14 Discovering dance music 07:40 The Sugar Shack years 15:10 Back To Basics and the Leeds scene 25:32 Learning the craft of DJing 38:20 The underground club culture 49:05 Releasing music on Hot Creations 58:41 Playing Ibiza and touring internationally 1:09:30 How the dance music scene has evolved 1:18:05 Advice for new DJs 1:23:40 Final thoughts --- Follow Denney: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denneymusic/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DenneyMusic Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/denney Subscribe If you enjoy real stories from the dance music world, make sure you subscribe to The Dexter Jones Podcast for new episodes every week featuring DJs, producers and key figures from the global club scene.  

In this episode of The Dexter Jones Podcast, Paul “Madders” Madan returns for part two, sharing the raw and brutally honest story behind the rise and fall of Sundissential, one of the most iconic club brands in UK dance music history. Madders was at the centre of the 90s rave explosion, helping build Sundissential into a phenomenon that packed superclubs across Birmingham and Leeds. But behind the scenes, addiction was taking hold. What started with early rave culture and Class A drugs slowly spiralled into cocaine, crack addiction, and eventually losing everything. In this powerful conversation, Madders opens up about the darkest years of his life, the collapse of Sundissential, his battle with addiction, and the long road to recovery. This is a brutally honest story about rave culture, fame, ego, addiction and redemption. If you were part of the UK club scene in the 90s and early 2000s, this episode will take you right back to one of the wildest eras in dance music history. Topics covered in this episode • The rise of Sundissential and UK hard house culture • Life behind the scenes of 90s rave promotions • How addiction slowly took control • Crack cocaine and the downward spiral • The collapse of a legendary club brand • Hitting rock bottom • Recovery and rebuilding life after addiction Chapters 00:00 – “Crack Was My Life” 03:02 – When Did It Start Going Wrong? 04:39 – The First Time I Took a Class A Drug 06:55 – The Invisible Line Into Addiction 12:19 – Active Recovery Since 2017 27:39 – The Moment I Started Using Crack Cocaine 33:36 – The Beginning of the End for Sundissential 37:19 – Three Weeks in Birmingham Crack Houses 42:17 – When Sundissential Went Bust 1:00:03 – “If I Thought This Mug Would Change How I Felt…” 1:02:48 – The Moment of Clarity About Paul “Madders” Madden Paul “Madders” Madden was a co-founder of Sundissential, one of the most influential hard house club brands in the UK. During the late 90s and early 2000s, Sundissential events attracted thousands of clubbers every week and helped shape the UK dance music scene. After years of addiction and personal struggles, Madders is now in recovery and works helping others facing similar challenges. Subscribe for more stories from dance music culture The Dexter Jones Podcast explores the real stories behind club culture, DJs, promoters and the people who built the dance music scene. 🎧 New episodes every week. Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/@dexterjonesibiza --- The Wellbourne Clinic The Wellbourne Clinic is a UK-based addiction treatment centre that provides professional support for people struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. The clinic offers therapy-based treatment programmes designed to help individuals understand the root causes of addiction and build the tools needed for long-term recovery. With a focus on personalised care, The Wellbourne Clinic provides a safe and supportive environment where people can begin rebuilding their lives. Their approach combines therapeutic support, recovery guidance, and community-based recovery pathways to help individuals move forward with stability and purpose. Paul “Madders” Madden now works within addiction recovery support and has been involved in helping others facing similar struggles. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, you can learn more about their work here: https://thewellbourneclinic.co.uk/ --- Addiction & Recovery Support If you or someone you know is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, there are organisations that offer confidential help and support. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Support groups for people struggling with alcohol addiction. https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk Narcotics Anonymous (NA) Support meetings for people recovering from drug addiction. https://ukna.org FRANK – UK Drug Advice Service Free confidential advice about drugs and addiction. 📞 0300 123 6600 https://www.talktofrank.com Drinkline – National Alcohol Helpline Free confidential helpline for people concerned about drinking. 📞 0300 123 1110 Samaritans If you are struggling and need someone to talk to. 📞 116 123 https://www.samaritans.org The Wellbourne Clinic Professional addiction treatment and recovery support. https://thewellbourneclinic.co.uk Important note Recovery is possible. If you are struggling, reaching out to one of the organisations above can be the first step toward getting help.

Paul Glazby returns to The Dexter Jones Podcast for Part 2 of this in-depth Hard House interview, diving into UK club culture, Vicious Circle Records, Tidy Trax era dance music, DJ burnout, music industry politics, management failures, and the real reason he stepped away from the UK Hard House scene. In this episode, Paul Glazby opens up about losing 75% of his DJ income, building multiple gym businesses, moving to New Zealand and Australia, starting again at 40 in real estate, and why Hard House and underground dance music have come back into his life after more than a decade away. If you lived through the UK Hard House era, this is essential listening. If you’ve ever walked away from something you loved, this will resonate even more. This is not just about DJing. It’s about identity, reinvention, burnout and rebuilding. In this episode we cover: • The collapse of his DJ career • Losing 75% of his bookings overnight • Fake gigs and music industry politics • Launching Red Management • Seven years of burnout juggling fitness and DJing • The 10-hour farewell set • Moving abroad and completely disconnecting from dance music • Losing half his gym membership overnight • Reinventing himself in real estate at 40 • The return of Hard House • The one track he would close the night with — 🎧 CHAPTERS 00:00 The Collapse: “My DJ Career Looked Like It Was On Its Ass” 01:09 Losing 32 Kilos & Reinventing Myself Through Fitness 06:01 Drugs, DJing & The Night Everything Changed 08:12 Tidy Management, Trophy Twins & Industry Politics 12:55 Fake Gigs, Cancelled Bookings & A 75% Income Drop 19:42 Launching Red Management & Taking Back Control 20:26 Seven Years of Burnout: 5:30am Clients + Weekend Gigs 21:57 “I’m Never Gonna Do A UK Gig” – The Final Announcement 26:36 Moving Abroad & Losing Touch With Dance Music 33:00 The Gym Collapse: Losing Half My Members Overnight 34:22 Starting Again at 40: From DJ to Real Estate 40:05 “Music’s In The Blood” – Hard House Comes Back 47:13 The One Last Track: RRF – Yomamba — About Paul Glazby Paul Glazby is a UK Hard House DJ and producer known for Vicious Circle Records and his work during the peak of the Tidy Trax era. A key figure in underground UK club culture, he has released extensively across the Hard Dance scene and remains one of the most respected names in Hard House history.

🎧 Paul Glazby: Hard House’s Greatest Era & Why It’s Coming Back  This week on the podcast, I sit down with Paul Glazby, DJ, producer, label owner, and founder of hard house record label Vicious Circle, to unpack the rise, fall, and resurgence of Hard House. From teaching himself to mix in secret… To clearing the dancefloor at Insomniacs before becoming a resident… To build one of the most influential Hard House labels of the early 2000s… This is a deep dive into one of the most important eras in UK club culture. We talk about: • The real impact of Tony De Vit’s passing on Hard House • How Gatecrasher & trance briefly overtook the harder sound • The explosion of 2000–2002 Hard House • Building Vicious Circle from scratch • Producing classics like Kick It • The vinyl collapse & MP3 era • Why Hard House is back • The new generation pushing 150–160 BPM • And how podcasting reignited Paul’s passion for music This is Part 1 of 2. Part 2 drops very soon. If you were there in the early 2000s… this will hit. If you weren’t… this explains everything. 🔥 Topics Covered: Hard House history Vicious Circle Records Insomniacs Sheffield Tony De Vit Tidy Trax BK & Hard Dance evolution Hard House comeback 2025 Vinyl era vs digital UK club culture 1998–2005 Why are harder sounds trending again 🎶 About Paul Glazby Paul Glazby emerged from Sheffield’s underground scene in the late 90s and became one of the defining names of UK Hard House. Founder of Vicious Circle, his productions helped shape the tougher edge of the genre during its peak years. After a long hiatus, he has returned — producing new music, relaunching labels and hosting the Hard House History podcast. ⏱ Chapters 00:00 Introduction: Hard House Then vs Now 03:12 Teaching Himself to Mix in Secret 07:45 The Night Half the Club Walked Out 12:30 Tony De Vit’s Death & The Scene Shift 18:40 Gatecrasher, Trance & The Hard House Takeover 24:10 The 2000–2002 Hard House Explosion 30:25 Launching Vicious Circle Records 36:50 Producing “Kick It” & Signature Sound 43:15 Vinyl Collapse & The MP3 Era 49:40 Why Hard House Is Coming Back 56:10 The New 150–160 BPM Generation 01:02:30 Podcasting, Comeback & What’s Next New episodes every Sunday at 5pm UK. No clickbait. No bots. Just real stories from the people who built the scene. If you’ve been enjoying the journey this past year, thank you. We’re just getting started.

In this episode, I sit down with Jason "JFK" Kinch to unpack 30 years of PaSSion and the era of weekly UK club culture before the corporate superclubs and festivals muddied the waters. Operating alongside Gatecrasher, Cream and Godskitchen. Before huge production budgets and global DJ brands. PaSSion was building something different. From the early days of flyering streets and risking everything financially, to flying in unknown artists like Ferry Corsten and a young Armin van Buuren who was still at university, this is a raw and honest look at what it really took to survive in the golden era of UK clubbing. JFK opens up about: • The reality of losing money as a promoter • Why are you only ever as good as your last party • The integrity of Tony De Vit turning down upfront feed to remain resident • Taking risks on artists nobody knew • Growing from 750 capacity to 2,500 • And why seeing that first person run onto the dancefloor still makes it all worth it This is not a throwback for its own sake. This is clubbing history from someone who lived it. If you care about UK club culture, trance history, and the foundations of the scene before it went global, this episode is essential viewing. Subscribe or follow for more club culture deeps dive with the people who built the scene. Chapters: 00:00 30 Years of Passion - Before the Superclubs 07:35 The Emporium - Mark & Eric and the Birth of Passion 10:42 The Brutal First Six Months of Passion 16:48 Why Is He Called JFK? 21:52 Weekly Partying in the 90s Club Scene 28:26 Running The Emporium Nightclub 32:36 The Tony De Vit Residency Story 37:25 Ferry Corsten at Passion - Before the Fame 39:02 Booking a Student Armin van Buuren 43:46 Taking Passion to Ibiza 52:57 Tiësto at Cream Ibiza – The Superclub Era 1:00:14 The Generational Shift in UK Clubbing 1:06:54 The Return of Passion 1:12:00 Modern Day Clubbing Challenges 1:17:47 The Truth About Promoters Losing Money 1:20:28 Why He Can Never Walk Away 1:36:18 The Last Tune of the Night

This episode of the Dexter Jones Podcast tells the real story of Paul Madan AKA "Madders", who is one of the defining figures behind Sundissential and UK club culture. It’s an honest, unfiltered conversation about success, addiction, collapse, and recovery. From the height of clubland to a twenty-year battle with crack cocaine, this episode goes beyond dance music into accountability, survival, and rebuilding a life. This is one of the most important conversations we’ve ever recorded on the Dexter Jones Podcast. This is not a nostalgia piece. It’s a raw, human conversation about success, excess, addiction, collapse, recovery, and the long road back to finding meaning again. From the rise of Sundissential and packed-out clubs to a twenty-year battle with crack cocaine, losing everything, finally finding recovery and his true purpose in life, this episode goes far beyond dance music. It’s about accountability, survival, and choosing to face life head-on. This episode is dedicated to everyone around the world living with any version of addiction, and to those in recovery who choose courage, honesty, and hope every single day. In this episode, we cover: 📖 The real story behind Sundissential and its impact 🤯 The pressure, chaos, and reality behind the scenes 🤧 Addiction, denial, and hitting rock bottom 😢 Losing everything and starting again ▵ Recovery, responsibility, and life today 🥰 What survival actually looks like when the noise stops --- Chapters 📖 00:00 Intro | The Real Story Begins 04:08 Why He’s Always Been Called “Madders” 06:13 The Rumour That Madders Was Dead 10:14 Addiction Tightens Its Grip 25:53 Promoting the First Events | Early Clubland Days 37:32 How His Mum Invented the Name Sundissential 44:53 Sundissential Grows to 100,000 Members 57:51 Five Thousand People Turn Up to One Club 01:05:00 Sundissential Becomes a Superclub Brand 01:27:56 Club Deaths, Media Pressure, and Everything Falling Apart --- THE WELLBOURNE CLINIC A huge thank you to Paul and the team at The WellBOURNE Clinic for the vital work they do supporting people affected by addiction and recovery. If you’d like to learn more about their approach and the support they offer, please visit their website:  https://thewellbourneclinic.co.uk/

Live performance in electronic music is widely misunderstood. In this episode, Saytek explains what playing live actually means and why it is fundamentally different from DJing. Saytek has never DJed. Every performance is built, arranged, and performed live in real time. Nothing is pre-arranged, nothing is duplicated, and no two sets are ever the same. He has been part of electronic music culture for decades, from early UK rave and squat parties to international touring, Berlin clubs, Ibiza seasons, and headlining techno rooms around the world. His background in sound engineering and deep technical understanding shaped a live performance approach that prioritises creativity, risk, and connection with the crowd. In this conversation, we break down the realities of live techno performance. We talk honestly about gear, Ableton, hardware myths, Berlin vs UK culture, why live acts are rarer than DJs, the sacrifices involved, and how electronic musicians actually think while performing. This is not a DJ debate. It’s an explanation. Topics include: • Why Saytek has never DJed • What live techno performance really involves • Hardware, Ableton, and the myth of “cheating” • Sound engineering roots and early London club culture • Squat parties, illegal raves, and DIY scenes • Berlin vs UK techno culture • What defines an electronic musician • AI, creativity, and human imperfection • Gear Acquisition Syndrome and why more gear isn’t the answer ⏱️ PODCAST CHAPTERS 00:00 – Saytek: “I’ve Never DJed” 04:27 – What Is Techno (and Why Live Matters) 10:56 – Live Techno Gear Explained 12:52 – Ableton Live: Tool or Cheat? 19:06 – How Saytek Got Into Live Performance 26:08 – London, Club Home & Sound Engineering Roots 32:19 – Squat Parties & Illegal Raves in London 35:53 – Berlin vs UK: Techno Culture Explained 45:02 – What Is an Electronic Musician (Not a DJ) 54:27 – AI, Creativity & the Future of Electronic Music 01:08:44 – Gear Acquisition Syndrome (GAS) Explained If you’re a DJ, live act, producer, promoter, or someone interested in how electronic music is actually performed, this episode will give you real insight.

Today, I sit down with one of the most respected and quietly influential figures in modern trance and electronic music, Stephen Kirkwood. Stephen’s story is not the usual DJ success narrative. This is a deep, honest conversation about creativity, resilience, graft, and finding multiple ways to survive and thrive in an industry that constantly shifts beneath your feet. If you know Stephen for his productions, his releases on major labels, or his appearances at iconic venues like Amnesia Ibiza, this episode reveals the layers behind the music. If you do not know his story yet, this is a rare opportunity to hear how a working-class kid from Scotland built a career in trance, production, education, and business by staying adaptable and relentlessly consistent. We talk about Stephen’s journey from early DJ gigs and self-promoted club nights to working with industry heavyweights, hearing his music played by legends like Paul van Dyk, and eventually playing after them on some of the biggest stages in dance music. One of the most surprising parts of this conversation is how Stephen built Banging Pizza, a now multi-location pizza business that became a genuine hub for the Scottish electronic music scene. What started as a lockdown pivot turned into a thriving brand, with shops run and franchised by DJs and producers from the scene itself. It is a perfect example of creative thinking outside the booth. We go deep into music production, the reality of putting in 10,000 hours, why most tracks fail before one finally works, and how mentorship from figures like Lange, Mark Sherry and David Forbes shaped Stephen’s sound and mindset. Stephen also opens up about teaching the next generation through Escapade Studios and why education and community matter more than ever in today’s music industry. This episode also explores: • The pressure of playing after global trance legends • Law of attraction, manifestation, and belief • Why consistency beats perfection in music careers • The truth about ghost production vs collaboration • Using AI as a creative tool in modern production • Social media, micro-communities, and the 1,000 true fans principle • Why trance is experiencing a genuine resurgence • How Ibiza performances change an artist forever We also talk candidly about rejection, releases falling through at the last minute, managing expectations, and how to stay mentally grounded in an industry built on highs and lows. This is not just an interview for DJs. It is a conversation for any creative, entrepreneur, or artist trying to build something meaningful while navigating pressure, comparison, and constant change. If you love Ibiza culture, trance music, electronic production, behind-the-scenes industry stories, or real conversations about creativity and survival in music, this episode will resonate deeply. Do not forget to subscribe for more long-form conversations with DJs, producers, promoters, and the people who built the culture from the inside out. Chapters: 00:00 Intro – Stephen Kirkwood: Trance, Ibiza & Creative Survival 03:15 When Covid Stopped Music and Forced a Pivot 07:31 Growing Up in Scotland: Where Music First Entered His Life 09:35 Starting a Local Club Night and Promoting Parties 14:27 SKcapade Studios: Teaching Producers and Giving Back 17:32 The 10,000-Hour Truth About Music Production 22:52 Ibiza, Law of Attraction and Manifesting Big Moments 25:03 Lange, Mentorship and Real Industry Friendships 40:25 The First Time Hearing His Music Played by the Legends 45:40 Social Media, DJs and Building a Real Audience 50:28 Why 1,000 True Fans Beats Huge Follower Counts 55:44 Playing After Paul van Dyk and Going “Cloud Nine” 59:28 AI in Music Production: Tool or Threat? 01:12:15 One More Tune: The Perfect Last Track of the Night

In this episode of The Dexter Jones Podcast, Dexter Jones sits down with Habs Akram, a pioneering VJ, visual artist, and live visual mixer who has helped shape how electronic music events, clubs, and festivals look for over 35 years. Working alongside some of the biggest names in dance music, including Carl Cox, Habs has played a key role in bringing club visuals, live video mixing, and stage visuals into global electronic music culture, from underground London parties to Ibiza superclubs, Glastonbury, and world tours. Often mistaken for “the lighting guy”, Habs explains what a VJ actually does, why visuals matter on the dance floor, and how live visual mixing can completely change the way music is experienced in clubs and festivals. We dive into: 🔥 The moment Carl Cox told Habs: “Best visuals I’ve ever seen” 🎥 Why VJs are still misunderstood and undervalued in club culture 🌍 Touring the world with Nine Inch Nails and creating visuals used as lighting 🎬 How Habs’ work ended up in AI: Artificial Intelligence, directed by Steven Spielberg 🎪 The infamous Glastonbury “blag” that led to running the Pyramid Stage 🧠 Mixing visuals live, in real time, not pressing play 📱 The decade-long journey to building V4M, a live visual app that fits in your pocket 🎶 Why visuals should respond to music, not overpower it 🖤 The art of restraint, blackouts, and understanding the shape of sound This episode is not just about visuals. It’s about timing, instinct, creativity, and what it really means to bring music to life on a dance floor. If you’ve ever wondered how iconic nights actually come together behind the scenes, this one’s for you. Chapters:  00:00 Why I wanted Habs Akram on the podcast (VJ & visual pioneer) 02:14 VJ vs lighting engineer – what a VJ really does 03:01 How live visual mixing actually works in clubs and festivals 03:30 West London roots, early rave culture & clubbing history 04:01 Turning up to Slinky in a suit – learning the rave scene 06:53 From corporate AV to underground dance music visuals 07:51 The visual idea that was ahead of its time 10:02 Nine Inch Nails tour, Spielberg & breaking into world tours 25:38 Carl Cox’s compliment: “Best visuals I’ve ever seen” 28:40 Why Habs doesn’t rate AI visuals in dance music 50:28 V4M app explained – live visuals from your phone 1:05:15 Space Ibiza years & the golden era of club culture 1:14:00 The secret sauce: blackouts, timing & reading the drop 1:22:18 Last tune to end the night – closing moments --- Download the V4M APP  www. https://visuals4music.com/ Info: https://www.facebook.com/Habsy.Akram

The System Is Broken: Why Dance Music Is Harder Than Ever | Jason FUBAR In this episode of The Dexter Jones Podcast, I sit down with Jason FUBAR, a long-time DJ, promoter, and rave scene grafter who has lived every era of dance music culture first-hand. Jason has been part of the scene for over 35 years. From the early rave days in Blackpool to superclubs, festivals, bars, the Royal Navy, Ibiza, Mallorca, and booking future superstars before they were even known, he’s seen the industry evolve from the inside. This conversation is a reality check on why dance music feels broken right now. We talk honestly about rising costs and shrinking margins, exclusivity deals, micro-venues versus mega clubs, and why promoters are being squeezed harder than ever. Jason also shares stories from running bars and festivals, touring internationally, and witnessing UK rave culture being built from the ground up. This is not nostalgia for nostalgia’s sake. It’s about the current reality, what has changed, and what still makes dance music special after 30+ years. 🎧 Take your time with this one. We talk about: ■ Why it now costs more to make less money in dance music ■ Rising overheads, ticket pricing, and the real pressure promoters face ■ How exclusivity deals are damaging local scenes ■ Why small 200–300 capacity parties are making a comeback ■ Social media, trolling, and the abuse aimed at DJs and promoters ■ DJ culture then vs now, and why the scene feels different ■ Ibiza, BCM Mallorca, and the Balearic circuit ■ The Syndicate Blackpool and the superclub era ■ Why originality in music is disappearing ■ What still makes dance music worth fighting for Chapters: 00:00 The System Is Broken: Why Dance Music Is Harder Than Ever 08:23 You Used to Spend a Quid to Make a Tenner 13:25 Starting Out DJing in the Early Rave Era (1991) 24:14 Joining the Royal Navy While DJing 33:29 English Drinking Culture and Festival Spending Power 38:25 Back to the Old Pool Festival: Risks, Costs and Crowd Control 51:24 Trolling on Social Media: Abuse, Misogyny and Promoter Hate 01:03:09 The Syndicate Superclub, Blackpool (5,000 Capacity Era) 01:18:37 BCM Mallorca and Breaking Into the Balearic Scene 01:29:46 How Early Facebook Changed Ibiza Forever 01:32:19 Music Production Today: Remixes, Samples and Industry Laziness 01:40:36 One More Tune: Final Track Choices and Podcast Wrap-Up ----more---- For guest invitations, sponsorship proposals, and collaboration enquiries, please contact Dexter: rave@onemoretimeibiza.com

Ian Van Dahl on the pressure, politics, and reality of making timeless dance music Few tracks define an entire generation of club culture quite like Castles in the Sky. For many, it was a soundtrack to first nights out, Ibiza summers, and the emotional peak of late-90s and early-2000s trance. In this episode of The Dexter Jones Podcast, I’m joined by Ian Van Dahl to revisit the story, sound, and legacy behind one of the most influential dance music projects of its era. We explore the rise of euphoric trance at a time when clubs were built on emotion, release, and collective energy. From early aliases and studio pressure to record label politics and creative control, this conversation pulls back the curtain on what it really took to create records that still resonate decades later. This is not nostalgia for nostalgia’s sake. It’s about understanding why this music mattered, why it connected so deeply, and why it continues to hit differently today. If you lived through the golden era of trance, this will resonate. If you are discovering this music for the first time, this episode offers vital context into a moment when dance music felt truly timeless. 🎧 Take your time with this one. We talk about: 🎶 The story behind Castles in the Sky 🌍 How Ian Van Dahl broke through globally 🧠 Making music before laptops and DAWs ⚖️ Record labels, pressure, and creative control 🪩 Eurodance, trance, and why the UK scene was different 🔮 Why modern DJs struggle with identity Chapters: 00:00 Intro and meeting Ian Van Dahl 01:31 How the name Ian Van Dahl was created 03:16 Early music career and multiple aliases 10:50 Making music in the 90s before laptops and DAWs 22:02 Eurodance vs trance and why the UK was different 30:04 The Ian Van Dahl project and Castles in the Sky 39:24 Record labels, pressure, and creative control 54:35 European club culture and the rise of Eurodance 1:19:22 Why modern DJs struggle with identity 1:29:00 What’s next for Ian Van Dahl as an artist For guest invitations, sponsorship proposals, and collaboration enquiries, please contact Dexter: rave@onemoretimeibiza.com

What happens after Ibiza? For many, Ibiza is a moment in time. For others, it becomes a turning point that quietly shapes everything that follows. In this episode of The Dexter Jones Podcast, I’m joined by Lisa Good, a former Manumission performer, to explore what life really looks like after the lights come up and the music fades. We begin where it all started. The Manumission years. The madness, the freedom, and the surreal experience of living in Ibiza during one of its most iconic cultural eras. But this conversation goes deeper than nostalgia. Lisa shares the journey that came after Ibiza, how travel, the ocean, and a series of life-changing experiences led her away from the party world and towards a new purpose rooted in environmental action, community, and long-term legacy. This is not a charity pitch. It’s an Ibiza story that didn’t end when the island chapter closed. At its core, this episode is about evolution. How a place like Ibiza can change you, challenge you, and quietly influence the rest of your life in ways you don’t always recognise at the time. If you lived through Ibiza in the late 90s and early 2000s, this will resonate. If you’ve ever wondered what happens after a life built around music, freedom, and excess, this conversation is for you. 🎧 Sit back, take your time, and enjoy this next chapter. To find out more about Pure Sea, visit: www.puresea.co.uk We talk about: 🪩 Life during the Manumission era in Ibiza 🗺️ What happens when that world ends and reality returns ✈️ Leaving Ibiza and searching for identity afterwards 🌊 How the ocean became a turning point 🎗️ The connection between music culture and community action 🎧 Ibiza DJs and creatives giving back Chapters: 00:00 Ibiza, Manumission & Losing Identity 02:03 Welcome Back: Life After Manumission 05:43 When Ibiza Comes to an End 08:18 Travelling Thailand Changed Everything 10:04 Swimming With Sharks in Thailand 12:09 Australia, Diving & Marine Conservation 16:20 Cage Diving With Great White Sharks 19:29 From Ibiza to Ocean Activism 23:09 The Birth of Pure Sea 27:23 Why Registering a Charity Is So Hard 32:47 Beach Cleans With DJs & Fatboy Slim 34:00 Cleaning Up Camden Lock 40:38 Teaching Ocean Awareness in Schools 45:15 Why Helium Balloons Kill Wildlife 51:22 Why the Education System Must Change 57:04 Animal Testing, Activism & Awareness 1:01:43 Food Waste & Overconsumption 1:03:53 Why Everyone Should Watch My Octopus Teacher 1:07:21 One Last Tune From Manumission 1:09:45 A Labour of Love For guest invitations, sponsorship proposals, and collaboration enquiries, please contact Dexter: rave@onemoretimeibiza.com

Who documented Ibiza before everyone had a camera? Before podcasts, before social media, and long before everyone had a camera in their pocket, Ibiza’s club culture was documented by a small group of presenters, hosts, and storytellers working quietly behind the scenes. In this episode of The Dexter Jones Podcast, I sit down with Katie Knight, one of the most influential yet often overlooked voices in dance music media, to explore how Ibiza’s club history was captured during its most important years. From her early days at Amnesia Ibiza to hosting interviews for Amnesia TV, Boiler Room, Ibiza Global Radio, the International Music Summit, and live broadcasts for Amazon Music, Katie has spent over a decade documenting the artists, venues, and moments that shaped Ibiza and the global electronic music scene. This conversation pulls back the curtain on the media side of dance music. We talk candidly about working inside Ibiza’s clubs during the 2010s, being thrown into high-pressure interviews with artists like Carl Cox, Marco Carola, and Steve Aoki with little or no preparation, and why presenters and hosts play a critical role in preserving dance music history. We also explore career advice for aspiring presenters and podcasters, the importance of communication and public speaking, the realities of live broadcasting, radio versus filmed interviews, cultural and language fluency in Ibiza, online abuse in the modern era, and why nostalgia-driven storytelling resonates more than hype. This is not an episode about trends or algorithms. It’s about legacy, documentation, and the responsibility to tell the story properly. If you care about Ibiza, club culture, dance music history, or the people who built the scene behind the scenes, this episode is essential listening. 🎧 Take your time with this one. We talk about: 🇪🇸 Life inside Ibiza clubs before social media 📺 How Amnesia TV documented a generation of artists 🎤 Being thrown into interviews with no training or prep 🪩 The unseen role of presenters in dance music culture 📻 Radio vs filmed interviews and the power of storytelling ❌ Misogyny, online abuse, and resilience in the industry 🎬 Why nostalgia content connects more deeply than hype ❤️ Preserving Ibiza’s cultural history properly Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Katie Knight 02:00 Wanting to be a presenter from the age of five 06:00 Growing up in Spain and becoming bilingual 10:00 Discovering Ibiza and early connections 14:30 First steps into Ibiza club culture 19:00 Life inside Amnesia: press, social media, and long days 24:00 Amnesia TV begins: thrown in the deep end 30:00 Interviewing artists every night, seven days a week 35:30 Ibiza mornings, terraces, and club culture nostalgia 40:30 Why Amnesia still feels like family 46:00 Boiler Room, press rooms, and the smell of Ibiza 51:00 From Amnesia to radio and global platforms 56:30 Radio vs filmed interviews: storytelling with the senses 1:01:30 Interviewing global stars and handling entourages 1:06:30 Misogyny, online abuse, and resilience 1:11:30 Podcasting, editing, and the unseen workload 1:16:00 Why nostalgia interviews outperform hype 1:20:00 Presenting around the world: Middle East and beyond 1:24:00 Legacy, pride, and documenting Ibiza properly 1:27:30 One More Tune For guest invitations, sponsorship proposals, and collaboration enquiries, please contact Dexter: rave@onemoretimeibiza.com

The world’s highest DJ set and the story behind it In 2018, a team from Last Night A DJ Saved My Life made dance music history. Alongside Nightmares on Wax, the LNADJ crew climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and performed what was, at the time, the highest-altitude DJ set ever recorded, all to raise money for children in need. The challenge raised thousands of pounds, funded a new housing unit for a special-needs children’s home in Tanzania, and has since been turned into a full two-hour documentary titled Ain’t No Mountain High Enough. In this episode of The Dexter Jones Podcast, I sit down with Neil Kemp, the LNADJ filmmaker who climbed alongside the team, carried the cameras up the mountain, battled 10 per cent oxygen, freezing temperatures, and exhaustion, and ultimately brought this record-breaking moment to life on screen. This conversation goes far beyond the headline. We talk about the realities of filming at extreme altitude, the technical and physical challenges of DJing on a mountain, the emotional moments that unfolded during the climb, and how a charity-led idea turned into a powerful piece of dance music history. The record itself has since been surpassed, but the purpose, impact, and legacy of this climb remain unmatched. This is not a hype story. It’s a story about commitment, creativity, and using dance music culture to create real-world change. 🎧 Take your time with this one. We talk about: 🎚️ How the 2018 world-record DJ set happened 🏔️ The technical nightmare of DJing at extreme altitude 🧠 Mental and physical challenges on the climb ❤️ Raising money and creating lasting change in Tanzania 🎬 Turning a near-lost project into a feature-length documentary 🌕 The next challenge: the world’s highest full-moon party in Nepal Chapters: 00:00 DJing on Mount Kilimanjaro – World’s Highest DJ Set Intro 02:18 Last Night a DJ Saved My Life – The Moment That Sparked Everything 05:41 How a Broken Microphone Changed the Direction of the Journey 09:12 Clubaholic TV and Filming Dance Music Culture 13:04 Falling in Love With House Music and DJ Culture 16:38 Why This Kilimanjaro DJ Set Had to Be Documented 20:11 Preparing to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro – Training and Planning 24:07 Life on the Mountain – The Reality of High Altitude 28:19 Summit Night on Kilimanjaro – Mind Over Instinct 32:02 Sunrise at 5,895m – Above the Clouds 35:08 The DJ Set on Mount Kilimanjaro – The World’s Highest Performance 39:14 Descending Kilimanjaro – The Hardest Part of the Climb 42:03 Raising Money for Charity in Tanzania 46:08 Turning the Kilimanjaro Climb Into a Documentary Film 49:32 What Happened After the 2018 Kilimanjaro DJ Set 52:14 What’s Next for the Charity and Future Projects 54:40 Final Thoughts on the Kilimanjaro Experience For guest invitations, sponsorship proposals, and collaboration enquiries, please contact Dexter: rave@onemoretimeibiza.com

If you lived, worked, or partied in Ibiza during the 90s or early 2000s, you already know her name. If you didn’t, this episode offers one of the most honest insider accounts of Ibiza’s most outrageous era. In this episode of The Dexter Jones Podcast, I sit down with Lisa Good, one of the most creative and unforgettable characters to ever work in Ibiza nightlife. Lisa takes us deep inside the world of Manumission, a party still regarded by many as the greatest clubbing experience of all time. From the raw creativity of the entertainers to the madness inside Privilege, Space, and the old San Antonio West End, this conversation captures Ibiza’s golden years exactly as they were lived. We trace Lisa’s journey from being bullied as a teenager to finding escape in rave culture, Spiral Tribe festivals, Club UK, and eventually booking a Teletext ticket to Ibiza in 1994. Arriving alone, she found a family in the West End and was accidentally pulled into Manumission after walking in with painted costumes, vegetables, and no plan. Only in Ibiza. Lisa shares vivid, never-before-heard stories about backstage chaos, the entertainers, the dressing rooms, the rubber chicken, the Coca Loco tree, Dennis Rodman, Space Tuesday carry on, Ibiza Uncovered, the end of the West End era, and friendships that lasted a lifetime. This episode also reflects on the cultural shift from pre-social-media Ibiza to the modern VIP era, and why the freedom, creativity, and sense of belonging of that time can never truly be recreated. If you lived through San Antonio in the mid-90s, worked a season, partied at Privilege when Manumission ruled the island, or simply want to understand why Ibiza changed so many lives, this conversation will resonate deeply. This is not revisionist nostalgia. It is one of the most detailed interviews ever recorded about the creativity, escapism, and human energy that defined Manumission and a generation of club culture. 🎧 Take your time with this one. We talk about: 🪩 Manumission backstage stories and entertainer secrets 🍸 Life in San Antonio’s West End in the 90s 🌈 Why Ibiza gave so many people a second childhood 🎶 Space, Carry On, DC10, and the rise of morning culture 📺 How Ibiza Uncovered changed the island forever 🧠 What really made Manumission the greatest party in history 🔚 Why today’s club scene will never feel the same Chapters: 00:00 Introduction: Meeting Lisa Good 01:05 Arriving in Ibiza for the first time (1994) 03:02 Getting lost in the West End 05:14 Finding the people who changed her life 07:32 Bullying, escapism, and rave culture 09:58 Spiral Tribe, Club UK, and Teletext holidays 12:10 Returning to Ibiza alone 14:36 Life in the West End: jobs and friendships 17:04 Why Ibiza felt like home 19:28 Ibiza before social media 21:40 Ibiza Uncovered and the island’s transformation 24:15 Discovering Manumission 26:22 The legendary random audition 28:40 Becoming a Manumission entertainer 31:33 Costumes, characters, and chaos 33:56 The rubber chicken and crowd reactions 36:14 Madness at Privilege 38:58 Space Tuesday carry on 41:42 Ibiza as a second childhood 44:10 The Ibiza blues 46:18 The end of the West End era 48:40 The rise of the VIP generation 51:05 Why Manumission will never be repeated 53:33 Creativity, escapism, and identity 55:18 The lost art of fun and freedom 57:12 What Ibiza meant to a generation 59:01 Final thoughts from Lisa Good For guest invitations, sponsorship proposals, and collaboration enquiries, please contact Dexter: rave@onemoretimeibiza.com

This is where the Graham Gold story gets wild. In Part Two of this conversation on The Dexter Jones Podcast, I sit down with Graham Gold to explore one of the most important chapters in UK dance music history. We dive deep into the rise of trance, the birth of legendary club nights, and the behind-the-scenes reality of a scene that exploded across London, Ibiza, Thailand, and beyond. From breaking future global icons to shaping dancefloor culture at its peak, this episode captures the moment when UK club culture became a worldwide movement. Graham doesn’t just talk about history. He lived it. From booking Tiësto, Armin van Buuren, and Ferry Corsten before they were household names, to building Peach into one of the most loved club nights in British dance music, this conversation is packed with insight, nostalgia, and unfiltered truth. We talk about the evolution of trance, the reality of touring at scale, Ibiza tales, industry shifts, and what it really means to live through multiple eras of club culture without losing your identity. If you care about UK dance music history, trance culture, legendary club nights, or the real stories behind the records, this episode delivers. No myths. No revisionism. Just first-hand experience from someone who helped shape the scene. 🎧 Take your time with this one. We talk about: 🎶 Early UK bookings for Tiësto, Armin van Buuren, and Ferry Corsten 🪩 The story of Peach and how it became a defining club night 🔊 The evolution of trance and its impact on British nightlife 🌍 Touring life, Ibiza stories, and global scene shifts 🎛️ Breaking new talent and championing records before the hype 🧠 Behind-the-scenes moments from a true pioneer Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 03:10 Chris Hill, the Soul Mafia, and the first UK superstar DJs 10:20 Early grind: Funky Roadshow, mobile discos, and radio apprenticeship 17:45 Discovering house music and the origin of the name 24:30 From disco to house: BPMs, Philadelphia, and four-to-the-floor 31:40 Soul roots, early UK house clubs, and missing the M25 raves 38:15 Chart shows, Malibu sponsorship, and going full house on radio 44:50 Birth of Peach at Legends and building the resident DJ team 51:20 Moving venues: Café de Paris, Leisure Lounge, and Camden Palace 57:30 Inside Peach nights: tunnels, 6am finishes, and culture change 1:03:40 First UK bookings for Tiësto, Armin van Buuren, and Ferry Corsten 1:09:00 Touring 170 cities, air miles, riders, and life on the road 1:12:40 Remixing, production, engineers, and releases on Discover 1:16:10 The Brian Eno The Ending story and the white label that got away 1:18:45 Moving to Thailand and Koh Phangan life 1:20:30 Today’s gigs, new crowds, and Graham’s final tune choice For guest invitations, sponsorship proposals, and collaboration enquiries, please contact Dexter: rave@onemoretimeibiza.com