A DJ's Journey

DJ History meets Big Beat in this keystone episode. Fatboy Slim (Norman Cook) joins Deckard for a conversation nine previous A DJ's Journey guests have been teeing up since episode one.From punk bass player at 14 to the biggest DJ in the world, Norman traces the full arc: The Housemartins, Beats International, the four-ingredient recipe for Big Beat (Beatles pop hooks, punk attitude, hip hop breaks, acid house energy), the Tuesday-night Brighton club that named a genre, and the 360 DJ-in-the-round he invented at Brixton Academy because he felt outgunned following rock bands.Inside this episode:→ Confirming the Krafty Kuts (Ep 11) dubplate story from behind the Southern Fried counter→ The James Murphy origin moment at Don Hills strip club in New York→ Damien Harris (Ep 18) being called in to be fired from Loaded and talking his way into inventing Fatboy Slim instead→ The NHS-funded DJ workshops Norman runs for autistic adults→ The night at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle, summer 1999, that made Deckard become a DJ 27 years ago📧 Newsletter: https://adjsjourney.beehiiv.com/Sign up for cross-episode stories, deep dives, and the conversations that didn't make the cut.

Breakbeat history gets the insider treatment as Justin Rushmore — co-founder of Finger Lickin' Records and one half of Soul of Man — sits down with Deckard for a deep dive into one of the most important independent labels in UK dance music.Justin traces his path from discovering Street Sounds Electro compilations as a teenager to throwing "French Kissing Balls" at 16, organizing acid house revival raves, and eventually meeting Jem Stone through a serendipitous connection that launched Finger Lickin' Records in 1997.This episode covers the full arc — how hearing the Freestylers' Essential Mix crystallized the Finger Lickin' sound, why the label became an "umbrella for no rules" in an era of chin-strokey dark breaks, and how Justin pushed Plump DJs to release A Plump Night Out when they resisted. He explains the Dog Star and Bar Vinyl as ground zero for the Brixton breakbeat scene, what it was like selling records out of the back of vans to the same shops he'd been shopping in, and how running a record shop became the social hub that attracted Lee Coombs, Krafty Kuts, and the wider Finger Lickin' family.Justin shares incredible stories from the road — getting kidnapped in an RV after a Mighty party in San Francisco, pulling back a curtain to find Lee Coombs DJing alone at his own after-party, and the night Norman Cook got on his knees backstage in Barcelona bowing down to Soul of Man (and later had zero memory of it).The conversation goes beyond nostalgia into what happens when a scene runs its course. Justin talks about the conscious decision to end Finger Lickin' after 10 years and 100 singles, the transition into Bug Club — his fleet of VW camper van DJ booths that have done over a thousand events including the London Marathon and Formula One — and the question that defined his post-label life: how can a DJ age gracefully?With Finger Lickin's 30th anniversary on the horizon for 2027, Justin hints at big plans to reconnect with the global community the label built.This episode directly connects to Ep 6 and Ep 10 (Lee Coombs), Ep 9 (Jem Stone), Ep 11 (Krafty Kuts), Ep 14 (The Freestylers), and Ep 15 (Plump DJs) — making it one of the most cross-referenced conversations in the series.Topics: Finger Lickin' Records history, Soul of Man, breakbeat culture, Brighton DJ scene, UK breaks, independent record labels, Bug Club, Bar Vinyl, Dog Star Brixton, Fatboy Slim, A Plump Night Out, acid house, rave culture, DJ entrepreneurship00:00 Introduction to Justin Rushmore02:00 Musical Beginnings and Influences05:40 Transition to DJing and Early Parties10:52 The Rise of Breakbeat and Acid House18:11 The Birth of Finger Lickin' Records25:35 The Big Beat Scene and Community Dynamics32:20 Soul of Man's Place in Breakbeat History37:17 Pushing for Albums and Collaborations41:08 The Evolution of a Music Collective45:12 Navigating the Digital Shift in Music47:04 Personal Growth and New Ventures52:52 The Future of Bug Club and Events57:33 Reflecting on the Past and Celebrating the Future#breakbeat #fingerlickinrecords #soulofman #djhistory #ukbreaks #djculture #bigbeat #brighton #fatboyslim #plumpdjs #adjsjourney

Breakbeat helped define an era, and The Freestylers were right in the middle of it. In Episode 14 of A DJ’s Journey, Deckard sits down with Aston Harvey to trace the roots of The Freestylers, the rise of UK breakbeat and big beat culture, the story behind We Rock Hard, life on the road with Lenny Kravitz, and what still drives Aston today. They also get into rave culture, scene history, and new music with Dub Pistols arriving in March 2026.00:00 The Musical Roots of Aston Harvey02:01 The Birth of Hip Hop and B-Boy Culture04:32 Transitioning to DJing and Music Production07:29 The Rise of Breakdancing and Early Influences10:20 Starting Out in the Music Industry13:01 Formation of Blaps Posse and Early Collaborations15:48 The Evolution of Freestylers and Big Beat Scene24:21 The Evolution of Big Beat and Freestyle Music26:40 Creating a Live Band Experience28:20 Embracing the Journey of Touring31:20 Navigating the Music Business34:17 The Impact of Chart Success37:09 Evolving Sound and Technology41:00 Collaborations and New Projects44:11 The Community of Electronic Music47:39 The Unique Spanish Scene49:35 The Evolution of Music Genres52:23 Adapting to Different Audiences55:18 The Cyclical Nature of Music57:03 The Challenges of Breakbeat and Drum and Bass01:00:41 Anecdotes from the Studio and Touring Life

A DJ's Journey Ep 13 Fort Knox FiveIn this clip as told by Steve Raskin - John H handed out Fort Knox 5 mixtapes everywhere. Every club, every city, every person he met. One of them ended up with Gwen Stefani's manager. Her first solo tour was being planned and they wanted exactly what Fort Knox 5 were doing. There was just one problem — only room for one on the tour bus. Steve Raskin made a decision that said everything about their partnership. Episode 13 drops Wednesday. Link in bio.#ADJsJourney #FortKnoxFive #FortKnoxRecordings #Breakbeat #NuFunk #BreaksMusic #DJLife #MusicPodcast #DJPodcast #ElectronicMusic

📣 New Episode Drop: Krafty Kuts on A DJ’s JourneyFrom bingo caller and car boot crate-digger to breakbeat icon, Martin Reeves aka Krafty Kuts shares the wild ride that took him from the UK’s underground scene to world tours and legendary festival sets like Shambhala 🌍🎶We talk:🔊 His musical roots in ska, funk & electro🎧 How a Beastie Boys record named him “Krafty Kuts”📀 The moment Fatboy Slim walked into his shop🔥 Touring with Rage Against the Machine, playing to 40k🎤 Raising Future Flex & streaming during lockdown💥 And why BREAKBEAT. IS. BACK.Full episode up July 9. You know what to do 🎙️Follow Krafty Kuts:🎚️ @KraftyKutsOfficial on Facebook🎶 Bandcamp | Patreon📷 Threads | TikTok🎵 SoundCloud | Mixcloud🟢 Spotify | Twitch🎧 Beatport | X/Twitter00:00 The Musical Roots of Crafty Cuts03:07 The Evolution of DJing and Breakdancing05:58 From Record Collector to DJ09:08 The Journey into Production12:20 The Rise of Crafty Cuts15:13 Influences and Inspirations18:08 The Impact of Live Performances21:23 The Transition to Music Production24:19 The Breakthrough Moment27:10 The Whirlwind of Success32:41 The Journey to Recognition36:04 Building a Breakbeat Scene39:51 Mastering the Craft of DJing45:23 The Importance of Supportive Relationships49:59 Navigating the Music Industry56:07 The Evolution of Breakbeat and EDM01:00:39 The Melting Pot of Genres01:01:48 Heartfelt Moments in Music01:02:55 Collaboration and DJing Dynamics01:04:07 The Art of DJing and Musical Expression01:07:01 Influences and Musical Journey01:09:04 Family Legacy in DJing01:11:02 The Festival Experience and Community01:13:00 The Power of Streaming and Connection01:17:51 Advice for Aspiring DJs01:21:38 Upcoming Projects and Future Directions01:25:27 Outro Music

A DJ’s Journey - Ep. 9 Jem "Stone" Panufnik In this conversation Deckard speaks with Jem Stone, co-founder of Finger Lickin' Records, who shares his unique journey through the music industry, from his unconventional musical upbringing to the birth of his record label. He discusses his early influences, the evolution of the breaks scene, and the importance of collaboration and community in music. Jem also reflects on the relationship between his art and music, his experiences as a DJ, and the changes he has witnessed in the music scene over the years. Jem reflects on his journey through the music industry, discussing his disillusionment with evolving music trends, the challenges of maintaining artistic identity, and the importance of collaboration. He shares insights into his involvement with producing, art and DJing, the revival of Finger Lickin' Records, and the creation of his new project, Kaptain Karnival, which combines music and storytelling. Throughout, he emphasizes the need for creativity and the joy of making art that resonates with personal experiences.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Gemstone05:57 First Musical Loves and Inspirations11:50 The Birth of Fingerlickin' Records18:11 The Evolution of Fingerlickin' and Its Roster24:12 The Big Beat Era and Its Impact29:30 The Journey of an Artist37:38 Art and Music: A Creative Synergy43:33 The Evolution of DJing48:39 The Shift in Musical Tastes59:17 Reflections on Music Production01:08:57 Reviving Finger Lickin' Records01:21:55 Creative Fuel and Aging GracefullyIG https://www.instagram.com/jem_stone_panufnik/🎨 Jem’s Gallery: ⁠https://jempanufnikart.comJem Stone Art FB https://www.facebook.com/jempanufnikart/Jem Stone Music FB https://www.facebook.com/jemstonemusic/ 🪩 The Legend of Kaptain Karnival: https://kaptainkarnival.comKaptain Karnival FB https://www.facebook.com/kaptainkarnival/ Kaptain Karnival IG https://www.instagram.com/kaptainkarnival/Finger Lickin’ Records https://www.instagram.com/finger_lickin_records/#ADJsJourney #JemPanufnik #FingerLickinRecords #Breakbeat #UKBreaks #FatboySlim #DJPodcast #funkybreaks #renniepilgrem #DJCulture #ElectronicMusic #kaptainkarnival

🎧 A DJ’s Journey – Episode 7: Simon ShackletonHosted by DeckardSimon Shackleton joins Deckard for a deep dive into a life shaped by music — from acid house and warehouse parties to global tours and reinvention. They cover his early days as a classically trained pianist, forming Lunatic Calm, defining breakbeat as Elite Force, and his most recent work, The Shadowmaker.Listen now on Spotify and all major podcast platforms.#ADJsJourney #DJLife #MusicProduction #SimonShackleton #ElectronicMusic #Breakbeat #TheShadowmaker #DJPodcast #EliteForce

Qdup shares his musical journey, from his childhood influences to his evolution as a DJ and producer. He discusses the impact of his early experiences with music, the rise of Fort Knox, and his festival experiences, particularly at Shambhala. Jason emphasizes the importance of supporting independent artists and shares insights into his current projects, including music production and sample packs. The conversation highlights the joy of music, the community it creates, and the aspirations for the future.🔔 Subscribe for more DJ stories, music culture insights, and behind-the-booth interviews!Qdup Links: https://qdupmusic.bandcamp.com/https://soundcloud.com/qdupmusichttps://open.spotify.com/artist/5UngVn9tz1U6mmyR6Tp6Ki?si=cSmh8zLMTnKZR7jyiuOoZAWild Things ft Awoke with Roat Beatz & Kenny Beeper that came out recently-https://fortknox.bandcamp.com/album/wild-things-ft-awoke-remixed#ADJsJourney #Qdup #DJLife #ElectronicMusic #ShambhalaFestival #Breakbeat #SamplePacks #SupportIndieArtists #LiveDJSet #BaltimoreBeats #Deckard #MusicProduction #UndergroundMusic #IbizaDreams #HybridSet #FestivalCulture