How To DJ

Luke Una has spent four decades at the heart of Manchester's underground music scene. In this episode, the co-founder of Electric Chair and founder of Homoelectric and Homobloc looks back on the clubs, record shops and communities that shaped him, from discovering house music in Sheffield to helping define Manchester's nightlife. He explains why reading a dancefloor matters more than technical abi...

Tommy Smith joins Chris Hawkins to tell the story of the legendary Blackburn warehouse parties that helped shape the UK rave scene. From discovering acid house in the late 1980s to organising illegal all-night events in disused mills, Tommy reflects on community, counterculture, clashes with the police and why he believes the movement changed society forever.  Learn more about your ad choices. Vis...

Chris Hawkins is joined by legendary Hacienda resident and British house pioneer Graeme Park. From growing up a Factory Records fan in Scotland, through his early days in Nottingham’s record shops and clubs, to becoming a key figure on the UK house scene, Graeme shares candid stories, reflections on the evolution of DJ culture, the unforgettable energy of the Hacienda, and his adventures remixing...

Phil Kieran joins Chris Hawkins on How To DJ to talk about the moments that shaped his career — from blagging his first DJ set at Belfast’s Limelight to becoming one of electronic music’s most respected producers. Phil reflects on discovering dance music in the early 90s, learning through trial and error, and why making mistakes is still central to his creative process. He also talks about produci...

Remixer and DJ Louis La Roche joins Chris Hawkins to chat about his career in music so far. From discovering dance music through Fatboy Slim and building tracks from samples, to remixing global artists and navigating the realities of life as a touring DJ.  Louis reflects on growing up in Norwich, becoming obsessed with records at a young age, and launching his career after early support from manag...

Swedish DJ, DJ Seinfeld, joins Chris on How To DJ to break down his career in music, from growing up in Sweden, through to his time studying in Edinburgh and living in Barcelona. Armand opens up about his use of sound from film, TV and other media and discussed his music-making philosophy. He also discusses his breakout hit "U" and the impact that YouTube had on his journey. How To DJ is a Listeni...

Jack sits down with BBC Radio 6 Music & How To DJ presenter Chris Hawkins to discuss his gig history. From a life-changing experience at Glastonbury with Faithless, to memorable moments with Pete Doherty and his favourite UK venues, Chris shares his passion for live music. How To Gig is a Listening Dog Media production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mike Pickering joins Chris Hawkins on How To DJ to discuss his life and career in music. Mike shares stories from his days at the Haçienda, signing bands like the Happy Mondays at Factory and later founding M People. Later, he shares how he discovered Calvin Harris and launched his career at Columbia Records. How To DJ is a ⁠Listening Dog Media⁠ production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...

Chris is joined by Mark & James from Manchester house duo, Solardo. The pair discuss their meteoric rise from a council estate in Wythenshawe to playing huge gigs across the globe and launching their own record label. They delve into what brought them together, the impact other artists had on their career, and how they took matters into their own hands to achieve their phenomenal success. How to D...

Join Jack Wood as he talks to artists about their gig history. From their first gigs, their worst gigs and their dream festival line-up. Jack discovers what live gig experiences shaped artists careers today. Listen to How To Gig wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chris is joined by pioneering British House DJ, Lottie, to delve into her career over 3 decades. From early gigs in the North West, to iconic clubs in Miami and Ibiza, Lottie shares her journey through music. How to DJ is a Listening Dog Media production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chris Hawkins is joined by Alex Paterson, co-founder of The Orb, for a deep dive into the origins of ambient house and a life spent pushing musical boundaries. From punk gigs and roadie days with Killing Joke to raves with the KLF and the creation of The Orb’s landmark album Adventures Beyond the Ultraworld, Alex shares the stories, influences and chance encounters that shaped his career. Along th...

Chris Hawkins is joined by Alan Braxe & Fred Falke for their first joint interview in 20 years as they discuss the anniversary of their seminal track "Intro". In this episode, the pair discuss the track, it's impact on their career and what it is like being back together after such a long time. How to DJ is a Listening Dog Media production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.co...

Chris sits down with Simon and Sean from 2 Bad Mice as they discuss their life in music, from the origins of the band through to their own label, touching on live performance, signings and their success with Bombscare. This episode was recorded at Listening Dog Studios. How to DJ is a Listening Dog Media production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Eddie Piller joins Chris Hawkins to discuss his life and career in music. The son of the founder of the Small Faces fan club, Eddie has been in and around music his entire life. In the episode, he talks about the band that inspired his musical journey, mishaps along the way, and running Acid Jazz Records. How to DJ is a Listening Dog Media production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcas...

London Elektricity AKA Tony Coleman sits down to chat with Chris Hawkins about his life and career through music, touching on what got him into music, owning his own label and his thoughts on AI in music. How to DJ is a Listening Dog Media production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chris introduces some of the best bits from our guests on How to DJ in 2025 including Dave Seaman, Trevor Nelson, Lisa Loud and DJ Spoony. How to DJ is a Listening Dog Media production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Johnno Burgess joins Chris Hawkins to talk about his life and career through music, the success of Bugged Out and his latest book. How to DJ is a Listening Dog Media production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chris sits down with Chris Todd & Jim Baron from Crazy P. The pair share their memories of late bandmate Danielle Moore, founding the band, breaking in Australia and the journey they've taken as Crazy P as well as their future plans. How to DJ is a Listening Dog Media production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chris Hawkins is joined by Mixmag "Raving Reporter" Kirk Field who shares his memories of rave culture including how technology and Margaret Thatcher enabled the rave scene. Kirk also discusses his best-selling books Rave New World and his latest book Rave new world presents planes, trains & amphetamines: Clubbing Holiday Confessions. How to DJ is a Listening Dog Media production. Learn more about...

Chris is joined by the only female DJ to win the number one DJ in the world award by DJ Mag, Smokin Jo. During their conversation, Smokin Jo talks through her career from her early clubbing days through to her love for Ibiza and her various residencies and performances at iconic venues in London and the rest of the world. How to DJ is a Listening Dog Media production. Learn more about your ad choi...

Chris sits down with DJ and Presenter Andi Durrant who discusses his career from starting out in Yorkshire through to remixing iconic tracks, winning radio awards and spending times on private jets. How to DJ is a Listening Dog Media production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chris joins Manchester's DJ Tintin who talks about his career on the northern music scene, from early encounters with Liam Gallagher at the Boardwalk, to touring with New Order and the poignant gig which took him back to his childhood. How to DJ is a Listening Dog Media production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chris is joined by presenter and author Elizabeth Alker who talks about her career through music and radio from her beginnings in Rochdale through to presenting on BBC Radio 3. Elizabeth's new book Everything We Do Is Music is out now. How to DJ is a Listening Dog Media production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

DJ, producer and vocalist Sally Rodgers joins Chris to chat about her life in music as one half of iconic production duo A Man Called Adam, becoming a DJ and moving into education. How to DJ is a Listening Dog Media production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices