Rephonic
Artwork for How To DJ
Djing
Electronic Music
Ibiza
Acid House
Dance Music
Music
Manchester
Drum and Bass
Music Production
Live Music
DJ Culture
Mental Health
New Order
K-Klass
Groove Armada
Graham Massey
House Music
808 State
Music Industry
Rhythm Is a Mystery

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. There are anecdotes aplenty, essential do's & don'ts, as well as gear recommendations, PLUS there's always an apocalyptic set closer too!

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes145Founded5 years ago
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Music InterviewsMusic

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Artwork for How To DJ

Latest Episodes

Chris Hawkins welcomes Tom Wainwright, one of the Hacienda’s most beloved resident DJs. From humble beginnings washing pots alongside Laurent Garnier in Manchester’s iconic Dry Bar, Tom Wainwright takes us through his journey from buying his first r... more

Jagz Kooner joins Chris Hawkins for a career-spanning conversation about DJing, production, remixing and his part in some of the most influential British music of the last four decades.

Jagz traces his journey from growing up in West London, recordi... more

This previously unreleased episode of How To DJ is released in loving memory of William Orbit.

Recorded after William had returned from seeing Madonna perform in Paris, this wide-ranging conversation captures the Grammy-winning producer, musician an... more

In this episode, Chris Hawkins sits down with hard dance pioneer Rob Tissera to look back on more than 35 years behind the decks. Rob recalls arriving in Manchester at the height of the acid house explosion, practising in a tiny room in Chinatown and... more

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Recent Guests

Jagz Kooner
DJ and producer known for Sabres of Paradise and influential remixes
Sabres of Paradise, Warp Records
Episode: Jagz Kooner
William Orbit
Guest, legendary producer and DJ
William Orbit Studio / production career
Episode: William Orbit
Andy Votel
DJ, founder of Twisted Nerve and Finders Keepers, graphic designer and label curator
Twisted Nerve, Finders Keepers
Episode: Andy Votel
Luke Una
DJ and founder of Homoelectric/Homoelectric, Electric Chair, Electric Elephant
DJ/Promoter/Entrepreneur
Episode: Luke Una
Tommy Smith
DJ and organizer who helped build the Blackburn rave scene
Independent scene facilitator
Episode: Tommy Smith
Graeme Park
DJ, Hacienda veteran, Hacienda Classical collaborator
Hacienda, Hacienda Classical
Episode: Graeme Park
Phil Kieran
DJ, producer, and film composer
Independent artist/producer
Episode: Phil Kieran
Brett Yules
Louis La Roche, house and disco producer, remixer and DJ
Louis La Roche project
Episode: Louis La Roche
Armand Jacobson
DJ Seinfeld, lo-fi house producer
Episode: DJ Seinfeld

Host

Chris Hawkins
DJ, presenter and interviewer with long-standing experience in live music and dance scenes; known for guiding conversations, sharing anecdotes, and conducting 5-question rapid-fire segments.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 131 ratings
  • Almost great

    Love listening to the life and experiences of DJs. Chris as the host is spot on. Show is only marred by the infomercial that takes up too much of the conversation.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    HowlingTerror
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Listening Dog(‘s Dinner) Media of a podcast.

    What a weird podcast. The guest generally are good. Some of their answers are interesting. However it’s ridiculously corporate. The product placement ad from Flare audio is the most cringe thing you will ever hear. Clearly noone cares about the “ear trumpets” they are flogging. Embarrassing. Despite sounding like the most BBC radio presenter you can ever imagine, the audio is terribly balanced with the hosts mic frequently far too quiet. Also, the host is a rock DJ and heems totally out of place... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    firefighter us
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Incredible!

    Can’t believe I’ve just found this, what a podcast! Had to leave a review after listening to my first show -

    Fabio & Grooverider. There hasn’t been any podcast since ‘Gilles Petersons Worldwide Podcast’ that really hits the mark. Well done Chris Hawkins!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Garvey1972
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Always great listening!

    Addicted to this podcast series. Always a great range of guests and love hearing about how they became the DJs they are today and all their anecdotes and DJ tips. Definitely recommend!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    James G234
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Fantastic

    An absolute pleasure listening to the Utah Saints pod. The Utah’s are obviously top fellas with countless tales of their antics over the years… and the Hawk doing his usual great stuff in bringing it all together. Great stuff.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mik.e.
    United Kingdom3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests are varied and the conversations feel authentic and music-focused.
Some listeners note promotional segments and audio balance could be improved.
Consistently engaging with a mix of historical context and modern perspectives.
Hosts bring insightful, behind-the-scenes storytelling and strong guest curation.
The show is recommended for true fans of dance music and DJ culture.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Andy Votel
Q: What were the early gigs like in Manchester and how did those environments shape your approach?
He describes early Manchester gigs as pivotal in expanding his networks and shaping his improvisational approach, highlighting venues like Dry Bar and Night and Day, and noting how these spaces fostered collaborations and a DIY, experimental ethos that informed later label work.
Andy Votel
Q: So which came first for you, Andy? Was it being a DJ or being in a band?
He explains that he has always been involved in music in various forms, with a strong focus on DJing as a natural progression from his earlier involvement in rap and graffiti culture, driven by a desire to deconstruct and recontextualize music rather than pursue conventional band roles.
Luke Una
Q: What was the last gig you went to?
Bon Iver at Glastonbury, described as a phenomenal performance with a moonglow moment, though he also enjoys intimate, dark-room sets with Theo Parrish and a red light ambience.
Luke Una
Q: What's the best party you've ever been to?
One of the most magical moments was during illegal Electric Esoles in Manchester, with various venues and a big double-decker bus transporting attendees to a secret venue, forming a highly memorable experience.
Luke Una
Q: What's the best and worst crowd you've ever played?
The best crowd was a Sydney legal party at Cobock Studios, with many memorable moments, while the worst involved a festival where someone headbutted him for not playing England songs, though he was generally lucky with gigs.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About How To DJ

What is How To DJ about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This program centers around deep-dive conversations with prominent DJs, producers, and industry insiders who share career-defining stories, technical insights, and practical tips for navigating the dance music world. Episodes often feature long-form narratives about early scenes, pivotal gigs, and the evolution of club culture, with a signature format that includes a rapid-fire 5-question segment from a box of 45 questions. Noteworthy threads include resilience and reinvention, behind-the-scenes moments from legendary venues, and thoughtful takes on production, touring, and the business side of music. The show often blends historical context with fresh perspectives from current scene leaders, making it a valuable listen for aspiring guests ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to How To DJ?

These podcasts share a similar audience with How To DJ:

1. Talk ’90s to me
2. The Louis Theroux Podcast
3. THE ADAM BUXTON PODCAST
4. The Romesh Ranganathan Show
5. Full Disclosure with James O'Brien

How many episodes of How To DJ are there?

How To DJ launched 5 years ago and published 145 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on How To DJ?

Recent guests on How To DJ include:

1. Jagz Kooner
2. William Orbit
3. Andy Votel
4. Luke Una
5. Tommy Smith
6. Graeme Park
7. Phil Kieran
8. Brett Yules

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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