How To DJ

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 and performance. 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 45 and there’s always an apocalyptic set closer too! In Series 4 Chris lines up eight more episodes of life stories & experiences, tips & techniques, to find out just how the minds of much-loved DJs work. And the final guest still to come in this series is Dave Pearce! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 45 and there’s always an apocalyptic set closer too! In Series 4 Chris lines up eight more episodes of life stories & experiences, tips & techniques, to find out just how the minds of much-loved DJs work. Guests still to come in this series include DJ Paulette & Dave Pearce! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 box of 45 and there’s always an apocalyptic set closer too! In Series 4 Chris lines up eight more episodes of life stories & experiences, tips & techniques, to find out just how the minds of much-loved DJs work. Guests still to come in this series include Dave Berry, DJ Paulette & Dave Pearce! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 a box of 45. In Series 4 Chris lines up eight more episodes of life stories & experiences, tips & techniques, to find out just how the minds of much-loved DJs work. Guests still to come in this series include Scroobius Pip, Dave Berry & more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 including a shark fishing anecdote which once made him the talk of Tinsel Town! 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 45. In Series 4 Chris lines up eight more episodes of life stories & experiences, tips & techniques, to find out just how the minds of much-loved DJs work. Guests still to come include Lauren Layfield, Scroobius Pip, Dave Berry & more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 then it’s all here! 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 45. In Series 4 Chris lines up eight more episodes of life stories & experiences, tips & techniques, to find out just how the minds of much-loved DJs work. Guests to come include Mark Rae, Lauren Layfield, Scroobius Pip, Dave Berry & more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 tale of what it takes to build a career from a total immersive passion in music to even having a ‘specialist’ toy named after you! 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 45. In Series 4 Chris lines up eight more episodes of life stories & experiences, tips & techniques, to find out just how the minds of much-loved DJs work. Guests to come include Mark Radcliffe, Mark Rae, Lauren Layfield, Scroobius Pip, Dave Berry & more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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

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’ll find out what time Greg has to carry his 35 kg dog out to do his business every morning (!) 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 45. In Series 3 Chris lined up eight more episodes of life stories & experiences, tips & techniques, to find out just how the minds of much-loved DJs work. Guests from this latest series also include Clint Boon, Emma B, Chris Liebing and Colleen ‘Cosmo’ Murphy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 magical, organic art if you’re prepared to fully immerse yourself in that world. 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 45. In Series 3 Chris lines up eight more episodes of life stories & experiences, tips & techniques, to find out just how the minds of much-loved DJs work. The final guest still to come in this series is Radio 1 Breakfast Show DJ: Greg James. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 enormity of what he’s achieved to date. 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 45. In Series 3 Chris lines up eight more episodes of life stories & experiences, tips & techniques, to find out just how the minds of much-loved DJs work. Guests still to come include Colleen "Cosmo' Murphy & Greg James. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 silly’ too! 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 45. In Series 3 Chris lines up eight more episodes of life stories & experiences, tips & techniques, to find out just how the minds of much-loved DJs work. Guests still to come include Mark Archer from Altern8, Colleen "Cosmo' Murphy & Greg James. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 she made weak at the knees with just her voice. Just never buy her coffee OK?! 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 45. In Series 3 Chris lines up eight more episodes of life stories & experiences, tips & techniques, to find out just how the minds of much-loved DJs work. Guests still to come include World DMC Champ JFB, Mark Archer from Altern8, Colleen "Cosmo' Murphy & Greg James Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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; Chris Hawkins warms up his guests before asking them to pick a set of 5 questions from a box of 45. In Series 3 Chris lines up eight more episodes of life stories & experiences, tips & techniques, to find out just how the minds of much-loved DJs work. Guests to come include Emma B., DMC Champ JFB, Mark Archer from Altern8, Colleen "Cosmo' Murphy & Greg James Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. 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 45. In Series 3 Chris lines up eight more episodes of life stories & experiences, tips & techniques, to find out just how the minds of much-loved DJs work. Guests to come include Clint Boon, Emma B., DMC Champ JFB, Mark Archer from Altern8, Colleen "Cosmo' Murphy & Greg James Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, former Sunday Best founder Rob Da Bank charts his fascinating journey of ‘happy accidents’ from being a corduroy trousered trombone playing ‘geek’ to a Radio 1 DJ and then onto being a renown Festival Curator. From curating spaces for the likes of David Byrne & Björk to hang out, to having to pick up the mantle of one of his heroes, Rob’s story is as eclectic as his musical palette; and to think he nearly sailed around the world for Team GB! 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 45. In Series 3 Chris lines up eight more episodes of life stories & experiences, tips & techniques, to find out just how the minds of much-loved DJs work. Guests to come include Chris Liebing, Clint Boon, Emma B., DMC Champ JFB, Mark Archer from Altern8, Colleen "Cosmo' Murphy & Greg James Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 45. In Series 3 Chris lines up eight more episodes of life stories & experiences, tips & techniques, to find out just how the minds of much-loved DJs work. Guests to come include Rob Da Bank, Greg James, Chris Liebing, Clint Boon, Emma B., DMC Champ JFB, Mark Archer from Altern8, Colleen "Cosmo' Murphy & more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, former Radio 1 launch DJ Tony Blackburn chats with Chris Hawkins about his journey to that acclaimed position, what still drives him at the venerable age of 78 to keep him broadcasting on BBC Radio 2, and how his love of Soul music brought a wholesale change to British popular culture. In Series 2 Of How To DJ; Chris has cued up eight more episodes of life stories & experiences, tips & techniques, to find out just how the minds of much-loved DJs work. Guests available in this series include Graeme Park, Danielle Perry, The Secret DJ and Laurent Garnier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, acclaimed techno producer & DJ Laurent Garnier chats with Chris Hawkins about how fairgrounds fed into his musically formative years, before catering college led him to The Hacienda, and then into a stellar award winning career that hasn’t been hampered by his total disregard for technology! In Series 2 Of How To DJ; Chris has cued up eight more episodes of life stories & experiences, tips & techniques, to find out just how the minds of much-loved DJs work. Guests available in this series include Graeme Park, Danielle Perry & The Secret DJ. The final guest in this series will be the first on air Radio 1 DJ, Tony Blackburn. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, recorded during COP26 especially for the Eden Project’s Festival of Discovery, Coldcut’s Matt Black talks to Chris Hawkins about his life & career as a DJ and Producer and how he gradually woke up to the increasingly important issues facing us all environmentally. As part of DJs for Climate Action Matt is hoping to use music as a force for change that will educate us all to think differently about the decisions we make in our day to day lives as well as ensuring we continue to dance and enlighten our minds through the medium of music. The accompanying album The Climate Soundtrack, excerpts of which feature in this episode is available to download now via Bandcamp: https://djs4ca.bandcamp.com/album/climate-soundtrack It’s the result of what the DJs For Climate Action collective made from a sample pack of sounds and loops sourced from rainforests, oceans and climate crucial regions across the world. In Series 2 Of How To DJ; Chris has cued up eight more episodes of life stories & experiences, tips & techniques, to find out just how the minds of much-loved DJs work. Guests still to come include Laurent Garnier & Tony Blackburn. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, pioneering Northern Soul DJ & broadcaster Richard Searling talks about the scene he was front and centre of in its heyday, the importance of owning the records that no one else has, and why he feels he’s paid his dues filling dancefloors but won’t stop playing the music he loves! In Series 2 Of How To DJ; Chris has cued up eight more episodes of life stories & experiences, tips & techniques, to find out just how the minds of much-loved DJs work. Guests still to come include Laurent Garnier & Tony Blackburn. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Absolute Radio presenter & DJ, Danielle Perry talks about the importance of being a real music fan behind the mic, her love of being on stage but not the centre of it, and why another evening presenter used to be her nemesis. In Series 2 Of How To DJ; Chris has cued up eight more episodes of life stories & experiences, tips & techniques, to find out just how the minds of much-loved DJs work. Guests still to come include Laurent Garnier, Richard Searling BEM, & Tony Blackburn. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In Series 2 Chris cues up eight more episodes of life stories & experiences, tips & techniques, to find out just how the minds of much-loved DJs work. In this episode, recorded live at The Fringe at Tramlines Festival in Sheffield, Hacienda DJ Graeme Park talks about his enduring passion for new music, how Hacienda Classical evolved from his dislike of being always asked to play ‘some proper classics Parkie!’, and how he reacted to Kate Moss asking for (a) “French Kiss’ ... Guests still to come include Laurent Garnier, Richard Searling BEM, Danielle Perry, & Tony Blackburn. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In Series 2 Chris cues up eight more episodes of life stories & experiences, tips & techniques, to find out just how the minds of much-loved DJs work. In this episode, Jodie Harsh talks about the drive, focus and music passion it takes for her to perform as a DJ first and a Drag artist second. She tells Chris how an underage clubbing experience ultimately threw her into a career where she now always puts her work at the centre of her audience’s enjoyment, even if that might mean losing a key part of her outfit behind the DJ booth! Check out her accompanying playlist on Spotify where you’ll find some excellent tracks from the other bow to her career as a music producer and artist recently signed to Warner Records. Guests still to come include Laurent Garnier, Graeme Park, Richard Searling BEM, Danielle Perry, & more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, recorded just before he was seriously ill with a severe bout of COVID, The Secret DJ chats about his life in music, journalism and of course DJ’ing. He shares his thoughts on the scene past & present; what it takes to become a master of the craft and why there’s a genuine need for him to operate anonymously. Throughout, his spirit and energy are front & centre of which we have no doubt powered him through his illness; welcome back Secret DJ! Guests still to come include Laurent Garnier, Graeme Park, Jodie Harsh, Richard Searling BEM, Danielle Perry, & more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 45 and there’s always an apocalyptic set closer too! In Series 2 Chris cues up eight more episodes of life stories & experiences, tips & techniques, to find out just how the minds of much-loved DJs work. In this first episode DJ Yoda chats about the genesis of his career and craft, his scratch DJ heroes, how it feels to play to massive crowds and still occasionally empty rooms. He covers the excitement and flaws of playing with pioneering tech but why he still prefers to use turntables. Plus find out what George Lucas had to say when he played a Star Wars Premier event (!) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 45. In Series 2 Chris cues up eight more episodes of life stories & experiences, tips & techniques, to find out just how the minds of much-loved DJs work. Guests to come include DJ Yoda, Laurent Garnier, Graeme Park, Jodie Harsh, Richard Searling BEM, Danielle Perry, The Secret DJ & more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From club to radio and every other music DJ in between; Chris warms up his guests before asking them to pick a set of 5 questions from a box of 45. Series 1 ends with a chat with radio legend Christian O'Connell who discusses his career so far. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From club to radio and every other music DJ in between; Chris warms up his guests before asking them to pick a set of 5 questions from a box of 45. Chris sits down with BBC Radio 1Xtra DJ Jamz Supernova who is described as one of the UK's leading up and coming DJs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From club to radio and every other music DJ in between; Chris warms up his guests before asking them to pick a set of 5 questions from a box of 45. Chris sits down with DJ and Musician Hifi Sean about his journey from being in a band to becoming a DJ. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From club to radio and every other music DJ in between; Chris warms up his guests before asking them to pick a set of 5 questions from a box of 45. Chris chats to Samantha Hall (otherwise known as Goldierocks) about her DJ career so far. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From club to radio and every other music DJ in between; Chris warms up his guests before asking them to pick a set of 5 questions from a box of 45. Chris chats to Radio X DJ John Kennedy about his love of music, and how he chooses what music to showcase on the radio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From club to radio and every other music DJ in between; Chris warms up his guests before asking them to pick a set of 5 questions from a box of 45. Chris chats to Ivor Novello award winning DJ Ashley Beedle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From club to radio and every other music DJ in between; Chris warms up his guests before asking them to pick a set of 5 questions from a box of 45. Chris chats to legendary Manchester DJ Dave Haslam about his career, including his time at the iconic Hacienda nightclub. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From club to radio and every other music DJ in between; Chris warms up his guests before asking them to pick a set of 5 questions from a box of 45. Chris chats to Dj, Radio Presenter and Bassist with Primal Scream, Simone Marie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

6 Music Radio DJ Chris Hawkins explores the life stories, techniques, minds and experiences of much-loved DJs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices