Once A DJ

Once A DJ is brought to you by:
https://www.vinylunderground.co.uk - 10% off your next order using code onceadj
https://www.sureshotshop.com/ - Record adapters (including customs) & accessories
https://myslipmats.com/ - Custom and off the shelf Slipmats, dividers and more.
Once A DJ is a https://remote-ctrl.co.uk production

Other ways to support the show
Follow the show on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
Any feedback or questions? Hit up the Once A DJ Instagram Page
Subscribe to the Once A DJ Patreon
Buy your Once A DJ Sureshot 45 adapter clamps

Amo/Tidy Trax links:
https://www.instagram.com/tidytrax/ (label)
https://www.instagram.com/tidyamo/ (Amo)
https://www.youtube.com/@tidytrax

In part one of this two-part conversation, we sit down with Amadeus Mozart (Lee Marlow), one half of The Tidy Boys and the architect of the Tidy Empire that defined UK hard house.
Born in Kettering in 1965 into a working-class family, Amadeus traces his musical journey from his audiophile father's obsession with the Moog synthesizer to becoming a disco devotee in the punk rock era. We explore his formative years being bullied at school for loving Village People while his classmates embraced The Clash, his discovery of London's underground gay club scene in the 1980s, and navigating the AIDS crisis while waving the flag for gay rights.
This episode covers the crucial early years: his friendship with Darren Kennedy, the influence of classical music through his gay housemate Norman, and the loss of his father in 1996 just before his breakthrough success. It's a story of passion, persistence, and staying true to your musical vision against the odds.
Key Topics:
Growing up with Spotlight on the Moog (1968) - the pre-Kraftwerk electronic revolution
Being into disco during the punk rock movement (1977-79)
The UK's reaction to the "Disco Sucks" movement

Just wanted to share a couple of thoughts in lieu of new episodes for 2026!

Once A DJ is brought to you by:
https://www.vinylunderground.co.uk - 10% off your next order using code onceadj
https://www.sureshotshop.com/ - Record adapters (including customs) & accessories
https://myslipmats.com/ - Custom and off the shelf Slipmats, dividers and more.
Once A DJ is a https://remote-ctrl.co.uk production

Other ways to support the show
Follow the show on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
Any feedback or questions? Hit up the Once A DJ Instagram Page
Subscribe to the Once A DJ Patreon
Buy your Once A DJ Sureshot 45 adapter clamps

In this special episode, we sit down with mixtape legend J.Period for an in-depth conversation about his journey from LA to New York, the craft of storytelling through music, and what it takes to sustain a prolific creative career in the ever-changing music industry.
J.Period shares intimate insights into his creative process, from his early days discovering hip hop through Beat Street to becoming one of the most respected mixtape curators in the game. We explore his collaborations with icons like The Roots, Lauryn Hill, Nas, and Q-Tip, and discuss how he's adapted his craft in the streaming era while maintaining artistic integrity.
This conversation goes deep into the philosophy of curation, the importance of resilience in creative work, and how to balance prolific output with quality and family life. Whether you're a DJ, producer, or creative professional, there's invaluable wisdom here about staying authentic and building a sustainable career in music.
Guest
J.Period - Legendary mixtape DJ, curator, and storyteller known for his innovative blends and narrative-driven projects. Creator of iconic mixtapes including The Best of Lauryn Hill, collaborations with The Roots, Nas, Q-Tip, and many more.
Key Topics Covered
Early influences: Growing up in LA and discovering hip hop through Beat Street
The move to New York in 1999 and starting the DJ journey
The craft of mixtape curation and storytelling through music
Building relationships with artists like The Roots, Lauryn Hill, and Nas

Once A DJ is brought to you by:
https://www.vinylunderground.co.uk - 10% off your next order using code onceadj
https://www.sureshotshop.com/ - Record adapters (including customs) & accessories
https://myslipmats.com/ - Custom and off the shelf Slipmats, dividers and more.
Once A DJ is a https://remote-ctrl.co.uk production

Other ways to support the show
Follow the show on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
Any feedback or questions? Hit up the Once A DJ Instagram Page
Subscribe to the Once A DJ Patreon
Buy your Once A DJ Sureshot 45 adapter clamps

Aidy West, owner of Vinyl Underground for over 30 years, shares his journey from breakdancing kid to underground record dealer. From attending Fresh '86 at age 14 to shipping directly from Detroit, surviving vinyl's dark days, and witnessing the Record Store Day boom - this is the story of passion over profit in the record game.
Chapter Markers
Part 1: Musical Origins (00:02:03 - 00:17:45)
00:02:03 - Introduction
00:02:41 - Growing up with Madness and two-tone
00:04:16 - First records: Buggles and WH Smith Saturdays
00:05:09 - The Jam's "Going Underground" changes everything
00:06:36 - Breakdancing and electro: "Oral sex spelled A-U-R-L"
00:09:33 - Fresh '86: Afrika Bambaataa and the Wembley pilgrimage
00:13:21 - The legendary Hammersmith Public Enemy gig at 14
00:15:24 - Record shop culture and getting ignored in London

Part 2: Hip Hop & Early House (00:17:45 - 00:30:26)
00:17:45 - Northampton's healthy hip hop scene
00:19:23 - Hip house and Doug Lazy's "Let It Roll" obsession
00:21:12 - First DJ experience at college parties
00:22:13 - A-level results and joining the family business
00:24:54 - Buying Technics with summer warehouse job money
00:26:17 - Meeting Alton and discovering Chicago/Detroit
00:26:51 - Yorkshire Bleep: The origins of UK bass music

Part 3: Building Vinyl Underground (00:30:26 - 00:48:13)
00:30:26 - ESP/Dreamscape and early rave scene
00:33:12 - Moving to Brighton and the scene there
00:38:09 - The Orbital "Chime" hunt across London
00:40:44 - Adam Naked: "Talk about giving up food for funk"
00:42:33 - The NEC record fair that started everything
00:46:10 - "I'm gonna start a shop" - birth of 80s Vinyl...

Once A DJ is brought to you by:
https://www.vinylunderground.co.uk - 10% off your next order using code onceadj
https://www.sureshotshop.com/ - Record adapters (including customs) & accessories
https://myslipmats.com/ - Custom and off the shelf Slipmats, dividers and more.
Once A DJ is a https://remote-ctrl.co.uk production

Other ways to support the show
Follow the show on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
Any feedback or questions? Hit up the Once A DJ Instagram Page
Subscribe to the Once A DJ Patreon
Buy your Once A DJ Sureshot 45 adapter clamps

DJ Design on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/djdesign
DJ Design on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/djdesign

In our second sit down with DJ Design, we cover his experiences with his group, running a label Look Records, and when it all falls down.
Get the lowdown on why he had such a good run producing, what led to Foreign Legion getting management, and what went wrong with the Beastie Boys remix. And what happens when everything you loved disappears and you have to start again.
This is an honest and revealing insight into one artist’s experiences for the good, and for the bad, respect to Design for sharing so much.