How To DJ

2x World Champion Turntablist DJ Woody joins Chris Hawkins on How To DJ. Woody and Chris discuss early influences in '80s hip-hop, the challenges of acquiring turntables, and the thrill of discovering kindred spirits in unexpected places. One concept discussed was the evolution of the turntable from playback device to true musical instrument, with a deep dive into the ethos and creativity that drove technical innovation, culminating in a key role helping design the world’s first musical turntable.
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From the birth of acid house to the unlikely story behind one of the biggest dance hits of the 1990s, Richard Norris joins Chris Hawkins on How To DJ.

A pioneering figure in British electronic music, Richard looks back on his extraordinary career, from creating the groundbreaking Jack the Tab compilation before he'd even heard acid house, to forming The Grid with Soft Cell's Dave Ball and making the iconic Swamp Thing.

Richard reveals how a banjo player discovered in a London pub ended up contributing to a million-selling hit, reflects on the magic of London's early acid house scene, and shares the creative chemistry behind Beyond the Wizard's Sleeve, his collaboration with Erol Alkan.
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In this episode of How to DJ, Chris Hawkins welcomes back much-loved DJ, journalist, and author Dave Haslam, the podcast’s first-ever guest.

Reflecting on his remarkable four-decade career, Dave shares memories from Manchester’s legendary music scene, recounting his early days with the fanzine Debris, nights at the Hacienda, and interactions with iconic artists and cultural pioneers. The conversation explores the evolution of club culture, the challenges of sustaining a creative career, and what it means to curate both a crowd and a legacy. Dave opens up about community, collaboration, and the moments on and off the decks that have defined his journey.
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Rusty Egan is one of the true pioneers of British club culture.

As co-founder of the legendary Blitz Club, a key figure in the New Romantic movement and a founding member of Visage, Rusty helped shape the sound, style and attitude of a generation.

In this episode of How To DJ, Rusty joins Chris Hawkins to look back on more than four decades in music — from discovering electronic records and experimenting with drum machines, to building the atmosphere at the Blitz, helping launch Camden Palace and watching DJ culture evolve into a global industry.

Rusty talks about programming a dancefloor, why a DJ should never make the night all about themselves, the importance of collaboration, his experiences with artists including Midge Ure, Steve Strange, Peter Hook and Tony Hadley, and why his love of discovering, making and playing music has never disappeared.

A wide-ranging conversation with one of the originals about club culture, creativity, longevity and what it really means to be a DJ.
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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 records with paper round money, to warming up the Hacienda’s legendary dance floors, to spinning in clubs around the world with Gatecrasher and Ministry of Sound.

Now a governance lawyer by day, Tom reflects on the highs and lows of life as a professional DJ, Manchester’s evolving club culture, and the enduring magic of house music.
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