PARTY STARTERS PODCAST

Mr Marbella and Ministry Of Sound compilation king! COLIN FRANCIS joins me on the podcast to talk about his success with Ministry Of Sound and how his journey in Marbella started.  It was fascinating to discover that Colin was responsible for moulding that VIP vibe that is evident in high-end venues today. He offers lots of valuable advice for DJ's and is a perfect example of how to carry yourself in the industry. 

The godfather of bassline, Niche legend sir Shaun Banger Scott! Before we get into the interview I asked Shaun to put together a mini-mix of all the tracks & mash ups he’s done over the years - have a listen and you will then understand why I call him the legend of the bassline scene! We talk all things original Sidney Street Niche, his Federation residency as SAS, and how our paths first crossed.

The number 1 promoter in Dubai! Chris Wright flew to Dubai with 2 grand in his back pocket and has built one the largest events companies in the city with 17 weekly parties. We talk all things lockdown and what the future of Dubai nightlife looks like in comparison to Vegas and Ibiza. 

What a journey this one is! From been arrested for throwing Leeds first illegal acid house rave to creating the UK's hottest house event KissDaFunk, booking David Guetta for 600 quid and a shit load more mind-blowing stories! Rob Tissera is the definition of the word legend and it was an absolute pleasure to hear his  life story. 

I've used this episode, my time and my platforms to educate myself on the Black Lives Matter movement. Why does this relate to the music & nightlife industry? If you stripped away all the music of black origin from the industry and took away black artists, it would be a very sad place. Music of black origin and the influence black artists have had on the music industry and other musicians is greatly the reason why it is as strong and powerful as it is today. I'm not telling you what to think or do, just please listen, learn, understand and form a more educated opinion. Racism must stop now. 

From seasons in Malia to the main stage at Leeds Arena! I speak with DANNY T to find out how a commercial resident DJ went on to tour the country, sell out his own headline events, and then take on the biggest show of his career at Leeds Arena. 

Bass don DJ Q talks about stumbling into the bassline sound he is now famous for, what influences his quick mixing, multi-deck DJ sets, and how he has always stayed true to the sound he loves, even when the authorities stopped him from playing. 

With over 22 years experience, LOW STEPPA knows exactly how to stay in the game and keep relevant, always positioning himself as a bookable headline act. He now plays on the Defected shows and is releasing the music he truly loves. 

With over 5000 views on a single stream and consecutively holding 3000 people every week, DALE CASTELL is very much the king of Facebook live streams! He shares some advice on how best to go about doing a live stream and how they've helped him fall back in love with music & DJ'ing. 

They don't get much more straight talking than TOM SHORTERZ. He tells it exactly how it is and gives you a really honest insight into the industry, the side people don't talk about. I really respect Tom's opinion on the music & nightlife industry, he's been through it all and knows the game as good as anyone. He's always stayed true to what he loves which is music and playing in his home city and his journey from where it all started to present day is a true reflection of that. Big up Shorterz!

From no artists to some of the worlds hottest talent in just 3 years! I catch up CATALYST management founder GUV to find out how he's kicked down the doors of the worlds biggest record labels in a fearless pursuit of his vision, something he's obsessed about since been a kid. He offers some valuable advice for people wanting to get their music heard and what he looks for in an artist. 

Following on from the SUPPLY & DEMAND episode I give you my TOP TIP #2 for putting on an event. The occasional swear word does slip out. I apologies if this offends you - I'm not here to sugar coat anything, I talk openly and passionately so you can learn and avoid making the mistakes I and others have made. 

From a PR handing out flyers on the streets of Ibiza to working with the worlds biggest brands and super-star DJ's, when it comes to the white isle, NICK FERGUSON is the man! It's fascinating to hear how Ibiza has changed over the years and how some of the worlds biggest DJ's first started, including CALVIN HARRIS. Listen in and get ready to hear an amazing journey of how a kid from Cornwall went on to run the world-famous CREAM and remain one of the top promoters in Ibiza. 

In these TOP TIP episodes i'l be sharing my most valuable advice, tools and secrets on how to successfully organise an event. Taking it right back to the basics, il guide you through, step by step on how to become a successful party starter from my own experience. 

This episode gives you advice on how to successfully DJ abroad as I speak with Zante king NATHAN DAWE. Nathan was grinding it out for years in the clubs and spending summers DJ'ing in Zante where he gained valuable experience, confidence and skills. It was his mash-up mixes on SoundCloud that then really blew him up and took him from a resident club level DJ to a touring artist. Nathan really opened up in this interview, telling me about a special moment in a mirror when he had a word with himself, really humble and polite guy that you can learn a lot from. 

Kicking off the podcast is Leeds based DJ, promoter and serial entrepreneur DANNY BOND. This is the first time he has spoken openly about his journey and put to bed a lot of unanswered questions surrounding his career. In his peak, Danny was the biggest DJ in Yorkshire and promoted the largest events in the country and still remains a leading figure within the Leeds nightlife scene. I’ve known and worked with Danny for many years and it’s been eventful to say the least! We take it way back to where he first started out and journey through the years of bassline music and all the shenanigans that go with it including kidnap threats! I really enjoyed this interview, we literally just sat and chatted like old mates. I thought I knew Danny’s full story but he really opened up and it was good to finally hear why he made the decision to retire from the game and then come back again. He offers some very smart and valuable advice to people wanting to make it in the industry as well as his plans for the future. Big up Dan! 

This episode looks at how a videographer levelled up from steady club work, on an average wage, to touring the world with MK, becoming his official tour videographer! Reece is super professionally and you can really learn a lot on how to present yourself in the industry and make the most of every meeting. Many videographers and photographers get stuck in the club rut - doing the same club shows for the same wage for years, Reece gives advice on how to brake that cycle and progress further.  

This episode looks how to make the jump from been a MC, hype man to becoming one of the UK's hottest solo artists. BRU-C is very much the voice of the new bassline sound, collaborating with the likes of Skepsis, Darkzy, Holy Goof, Chris Lorenzo and many more. He started out as an MC, hype man - hosting over DJ sets. He has now made the transition into becoming an artist in his own right, releasing his own music including a debut album which has currently amassed over 20 million streams! 

Welcome to the PARTY STARTERS podcast. I’ve been DJ’ing and throwing parties since the age of 12. I got my first set of Techniks turntables at 12 years old and have never looked back! Starting out as a bedroom DJ playing to absolutely no-one to playing at major UK festivals, touring Europe, other parts of the world and accomplishing everything I’d every dreamed of as a DJ. I've also built one of the UK’s biggest nightlife brands SLEEPIN IS CHEATIN and have recently opened my first venue DOLLHOUSE which is Leeds most exclusive VIP venue. Throughout my time in the industry, the same questions are always been asked - how the hell do you do it!? How do you get that big break, how do you start a night, how do you organise a festival, how do you get a record deal, how do you become a DJ, how do you even start! Everyone is looking for the answers but the problem is, there isn’t any real accessible information available. When I was starting out I struggled to find the answers like many of you. There isn't a book or YouTube tutorial to learn this stuff - you have to live, breath and go through it to really understand how to do it. The information, advice, secrets & answers you need lie with the people who have been there, done it, and in some cases, still wear the t-shirt. The super-star DJ’s, artists, producers, promoters, managers, venue owners - all the big PARTY STARTERS hold all the answers you need.  But how the hell can you get in touch with these people - there big stars, there touring the world, there super busy, there’s no way you can get in touch with these people! And when you try, you just get ignored. I’ve been there, I know what’s it like. And that’s we're my PARTY STARTERS PODCAST comes in.  Using a phone book full of interesting characters and contacts that I’ve made from my time in the industry, I bridge the gap between you and the people you need to speak with. My mission is to interview as many industry dons as possible to try identify the key tools, tactics, habits, skills & routines needed to successfully make it in the nightlife & music industry, as well as the personal & mental battle you have to go through. I want to give a real insight into what it actually takes to make it in the nightlife & music industry so people thinking about a career in it know what they are really getting into - the highs, lows, egos, stress, partying, pressure, drink, drugs, fame, money, mental health, I’m leaving no topic untouched. You can then use all this advice & information to become your own successful PARTY STARTER. Life is one big party, and this podcast will help teach you how to throw the biggest & best party possible, and get paid for it. Maybe you don’t want a career in this industry, that’s fine, you will still find this very entertaining as let’s be honest, it is a f*cking crazy industry full of interesting characters. And not forgetting, it’s a huge, huge business machine! A personal mission of mine is to get CARL COX on PARTY STARTERS PODCAST. Oh yes oh yes! Now I am still aware that these people are very busy so some of the interviews are short, sweet, and straight to the point. And listen, I’m a busy guy too so I’m not doing this to hear the same shit everyone says - work hard, believe in yourself, you already know you need to do that! I want to find out what has really made a difference in these people’s lives, what sets them a part and what it actually takes to be a successful PARTY STARTER. And as I know some of these guys personally, I can get away with asking stuff others wouldn’t be able to - I find out what its really like behind the scenes and the journey they've been on.So listen in and get ready to go on some mind-blowing journeys through the nightlife & music industry.