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This one's a track-by-track walk through his own catalog and the records he signed. Damian tells the story of the "coat noise" he accidentally recorded on the streets of New York that became a single; Noel Fielding's surreal monologues on "Generalization"; executive-producing Justice's "D.A.N.C.E." before the world caught on; and the four years it took to get "Reach Out" with Linda Lewis right — a record he says he wants played at his funeral. Plus the Lo-Fidelity Allstars, Bentley Rhythm Ace, and Space Raiders — Skint at its most gloriously unpretentious. The oral history of dance music, told by those who created it. 📬 The Crate Letter: https://adjsjourney.beehiiv.com #CrateDigging #DJHistory #Skint #BigBeat #MidfieldGeneral

DJ history, first-hand: Donald Glaude on 35 years of Seattle rave culture, from The Underground to the festival era. In Episode 1, DJ Dan told us Glaude handed him the mic and christened him a star. In Episode 22, recorded after Dan's passing, Glaude tells the other half, and how Dan paid it forward into the Funky Tekno Tribe. Beatles records at six. Learning to mix on a Radio Shack mixer. Eight-hour Friday nights at The Underground. The pre-EDM road with Dan, Fatboy Slim and Carl Cox. The Vegas residencies at Drai's and ICE and the deliberate choice to trade EDM paydays for community. It peaks at Joshua Tree, in tears, "I took them to church" and a defiant second act. One of American dance music's most electric showmen, at his most human. The oral history of dance music, told by those who created it. New stories every week in The Crate Letter: adjsjourney.beehiiv.com

DJ Qbert, the most decorated turntablist in DJ history, joins Deckard on A DJ's Journey. The first US turntablist on the show traces the line from the Excelsior District and the Filipino mobile-DJ crews that built West Coast DJ culture, to back-to-back DMC World titles (and being asked to stop competing), to the Invisibl Skratch Piklz, Wave Twisters, the QFO, and Thud Rumble. Along the way: DJ Muggs' advice about respecting your gift, why he hears scratching as a universal language, and the rule in hip hop that the more you give away, the more comes back.🎧 Listen everywhere podcasts are available📩 The Crate Letter: https://adjsjourney.beehiiv.comA DJ's Journey - the oral history of dance music, told by those who created it.00:00 Intro00:45 The Musical Roots of Qbert03:55 The Journey into DJing and Turntablism06:47 The Rise of the Invisibl Skratch Piklz09:29 Innovations in DJ Hardware and Techniques12:44 Wave Twisters: The First Animated Hip-Hop Movie15:38 The Evolution of DJing and Spirituality17:51 Collaborations and New Projects20:57 The Future of DJing and Upcoming Tours29:21 Innovative DJ Tools and Projects31:19 The Evolution of Vinyl and Digital Music33:48 Embracing Technology and AI in Music37:45 Health, Wellness, and Creative Energy43:13 The Universal Language of Music46:35 Learning from Great Musicians50:23 Future Projects and Collaborations#DJHistory #DJQbert #Turntablism #ScratchDJ #InvisiblSkratchPiklz #DJCulture #HipHop #ADJsJourney #DJPodcast #WaveTwisters

DJ history you haven't heard: Kelly Reverb returns to A DJ's Journey — our first-ever two-time guest — for a deep dive into 1980s and '90s Dallas dance music. From the legendary Starck Club (designed by Philippe Starck, "ground zero" for MDMA before it was criminalized) to Lizard Lounge, the original Hard Rock, and the night Jerry Jones turned up on his dance floor, Kelly maps a scene the history books skip. He tells the DIY origin of the iconic red-white-and-blue Lone Star Records, the hand-stamped "F**k You We're From Texas" white label, and how his track "Go Get On It" (as Southside Reverb) landed on the soundtrack to Blade. Then the conversation turns: the MP3 crash, the open-format grind, the alcoholism it bred, and five years of sobriety that sparked a creative renaissance with co-writer Chad LeMans. Part 2 picks up where Episode 3 left off. The oral history of dance music, told by those who created it. Subscribe to The Crate Letter at adjsjourney.beehiiv.com. CHAPTERS 00:00 The Dallas Club Scene: A Historical Overview 03:04 The Starck Club and Acid House 05:58 The Rise of DJ Culture in Dallas 09:07 Influences from the UK and Chicago House 12:05 Radio and the Dallas Music Scene 14:59 From DJing to Producing 18:10 Renegade Soundwave and Local Artists 20:56 The Shifting Dallas Scene 27:07 Turning Point: The Aha Moment 28:52 DIY: Starting My Own Label 30:30 Collaborations and Early Productions 33:32 From Idea to Reality: The First Record 35:20 From Local Gigs to Touring 39:32 Reflections on Career Choices 40:43 White Labels and Remixes 42:43 The Music Industry: Challenges and Luck 48:40 The Rise of Lizard Lounge 52:08 The Decline of the Record Business 55:12 Adapting: The Shift in DJing 58:05 The Struggles of the Entertainment Industry 01:01:50 Rediscovering Passion and Creativity 01:05:50 The Journey to Sobriety and Music 01:09:42 The Evolution of Music Promotion 01:13:22 Legacy and Impact of Music 01:17:22 Adapt or Get Off My Lawn

Rusty Belicek found a Slick Rick tape in an Oklahoma parking lot at age 11 — and it set everything in motion. From DC's 18th Street Lounge to opening for James Brown to building All Good Funk Alliance with Frank Cueto, Rusty tells the inside story of breakbeat's mid-tempo underground. Topics covered: the Star Wars soundtrack as first musical memory, finding forbidden music in a Seventh-day Adventist household, meeting Frank at NOVA, the Funk Weapons label, DC's Go-Go scene, 18th Street Lounge residency, Swing the South production breakdown, opening for James Brown, the wedding DJ sacrifice, Burning Man and Funky Town, scene vs. community, and the hardware store as creative discipline. Listen on all platforms: 🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-djs-journey-dj-podcast-dj-history-insights/id1804651291 📧 The Crate Letter: adjsjourney.beehiiv.com 📸 Instagram: @adjsjourneypod Chapters: 0:00:00 Intro 0:01:24 First Musical Memory: Star Wars Soundtrack 0:02:36 Off the Wall, Thriller, and the Sister's Record Collection 0:03:33 Punk Rock, Fugazi, Depeche Mode 0:06:06 The Slick Rick Tape: An Oklahoma Parking Lot Origin Story 0:08:05 Oklahoma to the DC Area via the Air Force 0:09:08 Meeting Frank Cueto at NOVA 0:10:50 The AGFA Sound: Trance-Techno Meets Hip-Hop and Breaks 0:13:22 Maxi Records, Choosing Mid-Tempo Over House 0:16:04 Going Full-Time: Labels, Day Jobs, Economics 0:18:00 The Wedding DJ Pivot: Kids and Sacrifices 0:22:33 18th Street Lounge: No Top 40s, Full Nights 0:24:45 U Street Music Hall: Opening and Closing 0:26:40 Winter Music Conference: First LP Deal 0:28:37 Go-Go: DC's Indigenous Sound 0:30:50 Baltimore Club: BYOB and Mark Farina 0:35:06 Swing the South: The Production Breakdown 0:41:25 How AGFA Changed Deckard's DJ Philosophy 0:47:35 Record Store at 16 and Learning to Beat Match 0:51:03 Burning Man: Funky Town and Early Bassnectar 0:55:55 Opening for James Brown: The Briefcase and The Splits 0:59:30 Ghetto Funk Origins   1:01:10 Whistler: Matthew Alien and Vinyl Richie 1:04:30 Z-Trip, Uneasy Listening, Cut Chemist 1:07:45 Where AGFA Is Now 1:10:00 The Hardware Store Life #breakbeat #AllGoodFunkAlliance #RustyBelicek #DJHistory #FunkMusic #DCMusic #NuFunk #ADJsJourney #DJCulture #DJPodcast

DJ History from the architect's chair. Damian Harris founded Skint Records, designed the Fatboy Slim logo, started the Big Beat Boutique, and A&R'd Norman Cook into the biggest DJ on the planet. Now he tells his side of the story. From punk gigs with his brothers in Canterbury to acid house in Brighton, from living with Norman Cook to watching "Santa Cruz" become Skint's first release — Damian traces the full arc. He walks through the A&R instinct that signed the Lo-Fidelity Allstars in two minutes flat, the night he played a Justice remix in his office and said "this is the future," and the moment he walked away from the label he built. This is the companion episode to Ep 17 (Fatboy Slim). Same story, other side of the desk. First label boss on A DJ's Journey. Damian now runs Vicious Charm, his own independent label. 🎧 Subscribe to The Crate Letter: adjsjourney.beehiiv.com 📸 Instagram: @dj.deckard   Chapters:   00:00 Introduction to Damian Harris and Skint Records   03:42 Musical Beginnings: Punk to Hip Hop   12:19 Art School and Early DJ Experiences   16:53 Brighton: A Musical Hub   17:41 Life with Norman Cook   21:20 The Birth of Big Beat and Skint Records   30:13 A Historical Coincidence: The Birth of Skint Records   31:51 Transitioning to Label Ownership   35:05 The First Releases: Building a Foundation   37:15 Instinct and A&R Decisions: The Early Years   39:32 The Promise of Lo-Fi All-Stars   40:43 The Big Beat Boutique: Origins and Evolution   45:42 The Big Beat Boutique Era: A Cultural Shift   49:26 Balancing Multiple Roles: DJ, Producer, and Label Owner   51:40 The A&R Pipeline: Finding New Talent   54:29 Curating the Big Beat Sound   57:08 The Evolution of Breakbeat: Diverging Paths   01:01:48 The Evolution of Breakbeat and DJ Culture   01:02:42 The Rise of Fatboy Slim   01:05:40 Navigating Success and Pressure   01:08:44 The Shift in Musical Genres and Personal Growth   01:13:11 Challenges in Creating Iconic Albums   01:17:57 The Difficult Decision to Leave Skint Records   01:18:27 Exploring New Ventures and Creative Freedom   01:21:04 Returning to Skint and the Changing Music Landscape   01:26:03 Future Aspirations and the Vision for Vicious Charm   #DJHistory #SkintRecords #FatboySlim #BigBeat #BigBeatBoutique #DamianHarris #MidfieldGeneral #Brighton #UKBreakbeat #ADJsJourney   #DJCulture #IndependentLabel

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.

Fatboy Slim. The name nine guests dropped before he ever sat in the chair.Full episode out now on A DJ's Journey, Ep 17. Norman Cook on Big Beat, Brighton, the Big Beat Boutique, and the Tuesday night that named a genre.🎧 Apple / Spotify / SoundCloud: https://adjsjourney.com/episodes/ep17-fatboy-slim🎙️ Hosted by @djdeckard👤 Guest: @fatboyslim#FatboySlim #NormanCook #BigBeat #ADJsJourney #BreakbeatMusic #DJHistory #BigBeatBoutique #Brighton #Shorts

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 entrepreneurship 00:00 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

Lee Rous of Plump DJs sits down with Deckard for a DJ history deep dive — from the Freskanova Records scene and Finger Lickin' to a 10-year Fabric residency, Field Day Sydney, Coachella, and 25 years of A Plump Night Out. We get into DJ culture in the UK breaks underground, the Spain breakbeat revival, what's fueling the Plumps' creative resurgence, and their upcoming album Night of the Baku — out October 2026. A DJ's Journey — DJ stories from the artists who shaped dance music.

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 Harvey 02:01 The Birth of Hip Hop and B-Boy Culture 04:32 Transitioning to DJing and Music Production 07:29 The Rise of Breakdancing and Early Influences 10:20 Starting Out in the Music Industry 13:01 Formation of Blaps Posse and Early Collaborations 15:48 The Evolution of Freestylers and Big Beat Scene 24:21 The Evolution of Big Beat and Freestyle Music 26:40 Creating a Live Band Experience 28:20 Embracing the Journey of Touring 31:20 Navigating the Music Business 34:17 The Impact of Chart Success 37:09 Evolving Sound and Technology 41:00 Collaborations and New Projects 44:11 The Community of Electronic Music 47:39 The Unique Spanish Scene 49:35 The Evolution of Music Genres 52:23 Adapting to Different Audiences 55:18 The Cyclical Nature of Music 57:03 The Challenges of Breakbeat and Drum and Bass 01:00:41 Anecdotes from the Studio and Touring Life

Breakbeat music and DJ culture meet in this deep conversation with Steve Raskin of Fort Knox Five. DJ Deckard hosts one-half of the legendary DC-based duo to explore breakbeat origins, the funk-fueled DC scene, life as a touring DJ, and the story behind Fort Knox Recordings. Whether you’re a DJ, a music lover, or just curious how the greats built their careers — this one’s for you.​ In this episode of A DJ’s Journey, Deckard and Steve dive into how Fort Knox Five helped shape modern funk and breakbeat, what it takes to run an independent label, and how to build a long-term career in underground music. You’ll hear stories from the studio, the road, and iconic events like Shambhala and Burning Man, plus insight into carrying on the Fort Knox Five legacy after the loss of Jon Horvath.​ Topics: Breakbeat origins · DJ culture · Fort Knox Five · Funk music · Independent music · DC music scene · DJ history · Touring DJ life · Burning Man & Shambhala · Fort Knox Recordings​ In this episode you’ll learn: How Steve Raskin’s early bands and influences evolved into Thunderball and Fort Knox Five The role DC’s funk and go-go scene played in shaping the Fort Knox sound What it’s really like to tour the world as a breakbeat/funk DJ How Fort Knox Recordings was built as a home for funk, breaks, and party-starting bass music How the crew has navigated change, loss, and legacy while keeping the dancefloor energy alive​ Keywords: breakbeat DJ, Fort Knox Five interview, funk DJ podcast, DC funk scene, DJ history podcast, DJ culture podcast, Burning Man DJ, Shambhala DJ, independent label, Fort Knox Recordings, touring DJ, Steve Raskin About the guest: Steve Raskin is a producer, DJ, and visual artist best known as one-half of Fort Knox Five, the DC-based funk and breakbeat outfit behind Fort Knox Recordings and a long list of festival-tested anthems. From early band days through major label deals, Thunderball, and the rise of Fort Knox Five, Steve has helped shape the sound of modern party-funk and breaks.​ About the host: Deckard is a San Francisco Bay Area DJ and host of A DJ’s Journey, a podcast exploring the stories, struggles, and creative processes behind DJs and producers who have dedicated their lives to the craft. Timestamps: 00:00 The Funky Roots of Steve Raskin06:17 Musical Beginnings and Early Instruments09:11 Education and the Art-Music Connection12:11 The Rise of Edsull and Major Label Experiences14:59 Transition to Electronic Music and Thunderball17:56 Fort Knox Five: Formation and Vision20:50 The Evolution of Sound and Collaboration23:51 The Breakthrough of Fort Knox Five26:50 Creative Process and Musical Philosophy30:46 The Creative Process and Collaboration33:05 Evolution of Fort Knox 5's Sound35:36 Establishing Fort Knox Recordings36:12 Blending Genres and Influences37:40 Early Shows and Canadian Connections39:08 Impact on the BC Music Scene40:36 Experiences at Shambhala40:56 The Release of Radio Free DC44:37 Balancing Thunderball and Fort Knox 546:06 John as the Brand Ambassador48:04 Burning Man and Legacy54:08 Bringing John's Spirit to Burning Man59:13 The Healing Power of Music01:01:22 Navigating Change and Loss01:03:36 The Evolution of Fort Knox Five01:07:37 The Joy of DJing and Being a Fan01:08:45 Curating Funk: The Label's Journey01:12:27 The Magic of Burning Man01:15:44 A New Chapter in Whistler01:19:19 Memorable Moments from Festivals

A DJ's Journey Ep 13 Fort Knox Five In 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

A DJ’s Journey Ep. 12 drops now — featuring the legendary Sporty-O (@sportyowingman), the international wingman himself. From hustling mixtapes in Atlanta to performing on the main stage at EDC, Sporty-O’s story is one of hustle, reinvention, and relentless love for music. We talk about his early days as a hip-hop MC, his move to LA and writing music for TV, connecting with Keith MacKenzie through MySpace, and finding his true voice in electronic music. Now stepping into DJing while still producing and performing, Sporty-O reflects on evolution, staying creative, and how dance music opened up a global world of sound and possibility. 🎧 Available on all platforms 🔊 Hosted by Deckard 🔥 Full episode out now ShowNotes 00:00 The Musical Roots of Sporty-O 13:06 From Hip-Hop to Dance Music 24:37 Navigating the Music Business 31:48 Opportunities in Los Angeles 32:34 The Breakbeat Scene and Guest List's Impact 34:50 Transitioning from Hip Hop to Dance Music 38:02 The Moment of Realization in Dance Music 41:2 Unique Contributions to Electronic Music 44:26 Navigating Production in Dance Music 48:59 Collaborations and Touring with Keith 53:31 The Birth of Tequila Rageface 01:00:23 Returning to Atlanta and Building Community 01:02:32 The Journey of Music and Community 01:06:42 Evolving as an Artist in Dance Music 01:14:12 Navigating Challenges in DJing 01:22:45 The Future of Performance and Collaboration #ADJsJourney #SportyO #ElectronicMusic #PodcastInterview #DanceMusicScene #HipHopInfluence #DeckardPodcast

📣 New Episode Drop: Krafty Kuts on A DJ’s Journey From 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/Twitter 00:00 The Musical Roots of Crafty Cuts 03:07 The Evolution of DJing and Breakdancing 05:58 From Record Collector to DJ 09:08 The Journey into Production 12:20 The Rise of Crafty Cuts 15:13 Influences and Inspirations 18:08 The Impact of Live Performances 21:23 The Transition to Music Production 24:19 The Breakthrough Moment 27:10 The Whirlwind of Success 32:41 The Journey to Recognition 36:04 Building a Breakbeat Scene 39:51 Mastering the Craft of DJing 45:23 The Importance of Supportive Relationships 49:59 Navigating the Music Industry 56:07 The Evolution of Breakbeat and EDM 01:00:39 The Melting Pot of Genres 01:01:48 Heartfelt Moments in Music 01:02:55 Collaboration and DJing Dynamics 01:04:07 The Art of DJing and Musical Expression 01:07:01 Influences and Musical Journey 01:09:04 Family Legacy in DJing 01:11:02 The Festival Experience and Community 01:13:00 The Power of Streaming and Connection 01:17:51 Advice for Aspiring DJs 01:21:38 Upcoming Projects and Future Directions 01:25:27 Outro Music