Dexter Jones

How many clubbers, DJs and music lovers already have permanent hearing damage without even realising it?

In this week's episode, I sit down with Jono Heale, Director at ACS Custom, musician and one of the UK's leading voices on hearing health in the music industry.

After developing permanent hearing damage himself, Jono made it his mission to help protect musicians, DJs and clubbers from making the same mistake.

We discuss tinnitus, hearing loss, safe listening levels, why ringing ears should never be ignored, whether one loud nightclub can permanently damage your hearing, and why so many people don't discover the problem until it's too late.

If you've ever left a club, festival or gig with ringing ears, this conversation is essential listening.

In this episode:

• How tinnitus really starts
• Why hearing damage is often permanent
• Can one loud nightclub damage your hearing?
• Safe listening levels explained
• Why DJs are at greater risk
• Why dance music is particularly challenging for hearing
• The truth about hearing protection
• How ACS Custom helps protect musicians worldwide
• Practical advice every clubber should know

Chapters:

00:00 The diagnosis that changed everything
00:21 How many clubbers already have hearing damage?
02:10 Why musicians often ignore hearing loss
04:00 What is tinnitus?
05:43 Why ringing ears are a warning sign
07:57 Meet Jono Heale & ACS Custom
10:55 Why custom earplugs work better
14:12 Why hearing damage is becoming more common
18:30 Jono's own hearing loss journey
22:40 Living with tinnitus every day
25:55 How Jono joined ACS Custom
30:20 Why musicians need hearing protection
36:10 The moment ACS changed Jono's career
37:30 The Musicians' Hearing Health Scheme
38:25 Why tinnitus can't currently be cured
43:05 Can one nightclub permanently damage your hearing?
45:40 Why dance music is harder on your ears
49:00 Why some people lose hearing faster than others
53:40 Are DJs more at risk?
56:15 The biggest myths about hearing protection
59:45 The future of hearing health
01:03:30 Jono's advice to every clubber

What happens when your first-ever single becomes one of the biggest dance records of all time?

In this exclusive conversation, Darude reveals the untold story behind Sandstorm, from handing out demo CDs in Finland to becoming an international superstar within weeks. He explains why having your biggest hit first was both a blessing and a burden, why he couldn't even DJ properly when success arrived, and how he has spent the last 25 years building a career beyond one iconic record.

We also dive into the evolution of dance music, surviving overnight success, record label pressure, social media, AI, mental health, and why passion, not fame, should always come first.

Whether you're a fan of trance, dance music history or electronic music production, this is one of Darude's most open and insightful interviews.

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IN THIS EPISODE:

• How Darude got his name after repeatedly playing the same record at a party

• How handing out one demo CD changed his life forever

• Why Sandstorm was created in just a week and a half

• Becoming a global superstar before he could properly DJ

• Why having your first release become your biggest hit comes with unexpected downsides

• The pressures of following one of the biggest dance records ever made

• Why Darude says he still loves playing Sandstorm after 25 years

• The story behind the iconic Sandstorm music video and the annual Helsinki run

• How the music industry has changed from vinyl and CDs to streaming and social media

• Why record labels wanted him to copy Sandstorm, and why he refused

• Rebuilding his debut album from scratch after the original project files were lost

• How technology has transformed music production over the past two decades

• Why supporting new artists through his Vibing Out label matters so much

• Darude's honest advice for young producers starting their careers today

• Why passion, not fame, should always come first

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Chapters

00:00 Intro
00:35 How Darude got his name
02:39 Discovering electronic music
07:00 When music became more than a hobby
08:08 Meeting JS16 changed everything
09:20 Creating Sandstorm
10:16 Overnight success in weeks
10:50 Becoming famous before learning to DJ
14:25 Does he get bored of Sandstorm?
17:00 The story behind the Sandstorm video
19:20 Creating the Darude Sandstorm Run
25:35 Overnight success and its downsides
30:00 Pressure after your biggest hit
33:35 Touring the world
37:00 How the music industry has changed
40:10 Why Sandstorm still works today
43:20 Hearing Sandstorm played by an orchestra
45:00 Current projects and new music
47:05 Technology and producing music today
48:35 Rebuilding Sandstorm from scratch
52:20 Future ambitions beyond dance music
54:00 Launching the Vibing Out record label
56:45 Helping the next generation of producers
01:00:10 Advice for young producers
01:04:10 Fame, TikTok and today's DJ culture
01:08:00 Mental health in dance music
01:09:25 One More Tune: his perfect closing track
01:13:00 Final thoughts

How did a monthly Wednesday night attract 2,000 clubbers to The Haçienda?

Guy Williams experienced Manchester’s acid-house explosion before becoming a regular DJ at Flesh, one of The Haçienda’s most groundbreaking club nights. From there, his journey took him through Trade, DTPM, Queer Nation, Defected Records and the golden years of Ibiza.

In this episode, Guy takes us inside the clubs, record labels and dance floors that helped shape British club culture. He explains how Manchester changed during the early 1990s, why Flesh became such an important night and how he progressed from learning to DJ in public to playing around the world.

Guy also discusses working for Pete Waterman, becoming club promotions manager at Defected, witnessing Ibiza’s extraordinary 24-hour era and eventually creating Flash at Pikes—a party built around brilliant music, inclusivity and clubbing without prejudice.

A fascinating journey through Manchester, London and Ibiza with someone who experienced it from inside the DJ booth.

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WHAT’S INCLUDED:

• Growing up surrounded by records and musicians
• Being 18 in Manchester during the Second Summer of Love
• Discovering The Haçienda and Manchester’s underground clubs
• Learning to DJ while already playing in public
• Performing as part of DJ duo Planet Janet
• Becoming a regular DJ at Flesh
• How Flesh attracted 2,000 clubbers on a Wednesday
• Manchester’s changing club culture during the early 1990s
• The connection between Strawberry Sundae and Trade
• Working for Pete Waterman and Jive Records
• Becoming a resident at Trade, DTPM and Queer Nation
• Working behind the scenes at Defected Records
• Why Guy never embraced hard house
• Ibiza’s legendary 24-hour clubbing era
• Creating Flash at Pikes Ibiza
• Flash’s relationship with Homoelectric
• Why the best dance floors welcome everybody
• The final record ever played at The Haçienda

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CHAPTERS:

00:00 2,000 clubbers on a Wednesday
00:42 Guy Williams: Manchester to Ibiza
03:36 Growing up inside the music industry
06:29 Discovering Manchester clubs and The Haçienda
09:40 How Guy Williams became a DJ
12:32 Planet Janet and the first residencies
13:15 What happened to Guy’s record collection?
18:50 How Flesh transformed The Haçienda
23:39 Strawberry Sundae and its connection to Trade
26:43 Working for Pete Waterman
30:50 Moving to London
31:04 Becoming a Trade and DTPM resident
33:29 Working at Defected Records
35:51 The music Guy played at Trade
37:32 When British club culture began changing
38:42 Ibiza’s extraordinary golden years
44:30 Creating Flash at Pikes Ibiza
48:25 Flash, Homoelectric and inclusive dance floors
51:41 Guy’s life in Ibiza today
54:14 The final record played at The Haçienda

Graeme Park never planned to become a DJ. A reluctant "yes" behind the counter of a Manchester record shop led to one of the most influential careers in dance music history.

From discovering I Feel Love and the explosion of Chicago House to becoming one of the defining resident DJs at The Haçienda, Graeme shares the moments that shaped both his life and an entire generation of club culture.

We also dive into the rise of Acid House, why The Haçienda became legendary, how Haçienda Classical was born from a drunken conversation, and why, after more than 40 years behind the decks, Graeme still believes great music has no boundaries.

This is the story of a man who never intended to become a DJ... and ended up helping shape dance music forever.

🎙️ Guest: Graeme Park

In this episode:

• Growing up in Manchester
• Working in record shops before Spotify
• The record that changed everything – I Feel Love
• Becoming a DJ by accident
• The birth of House music in Britain
• Life inside The Haçienda
• Why The Haçienda became legendary
• The rise of Haçienda Classical
• DJing then vs now
• Why great DJs should never stop discovering music

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Chapters 📖
00:00 I Never Wanted to Be a DJ
01:17 How a Record Shop Changed My Life
06:52 The Record That Changed Everything
09:19 Becoming a DJ By Accident
13:12 Discovering Chicago House Music
15:06 How The Haçienda Really Began
21:22 Why The Haçienda Changed Clubbing Forever
30:54 The Birth of Haçienda Classical
34:11 "The First Show Was a Disaster"
38:28 Why Every DJ Has an Orchestra Now
48:01 Has Dance Music Become Too Formulaic?
53:53 The Records That Defined The Haçienda
56:43 Why I Stopped Drinking
59:33 Cycling, Fitness & Still DJing After 40 Years
01:00:32 Final Thoughts

🎙️ The Dexter Jones Podcast – Conversations with the people who shaped dance music.

👍 If you enjoy the podcast, please like, subscribe and leave a comment. It really helps us continue documenting the history of dance music through the people who lived it.

He thought he was absolutely smashing it...

For 45 minutes, George Kafetzis believed he was hosting one of his best Facebook Live sessions ever. The comments were flying in, people were reacting, and everything seemed perfect...

There was just one problem.

There was no sound.

In one of the funniest stories ever told on The Dexter Jones Podcast, George shares the unforgettable moment his wife walked downstairs and broke the news that thousands of people had been watching... in complete silence.

But beyond the laughter is the story of one of the UK's most respected DJs, promoters and likeable industry characters. George has spent decades helping shape club culture, promoting events, supporting artists and building a reputation as one of the genuine good guys of the dance music scene.

In this episode, we talk about:

🔴 The hilarious 45-minute silent Facebook Live
🎧 George's journey through the UK dance music scene
🎤 DJing, promoting and life behind the scenes
😂 The funniest moments from a lifetime in clubland
❤️ Why passion for music never disappears

Chapters 📖 

00:00 The Silent Facebook Live Disaster
02:31 Social Media, Comedy & Not Taking Yourself Too Seriously
02:54 Forbidden Forest, Godskitchen & Still Playing Big Gigs
03:20 Growing Up In Birmingham
04:16 Wanting To Be An Actor
05:24 Entertaining Crowds & Nearly Breaking The Decks
06:44 How George Got Into DJing
07:42 Birmingham Clubbing, Slag, Crunch & The Early Scene
09:19 Working At TGI Fridays In Its Glory Days
11:40 Playing Clubs, Promoting Nights & Building A Name
12:21 Bringing Cream Classics Back To The Q Club
13:57 Why The Q Club Was So Special
26:33 Acting, DJing & Hearing Damage
35:12 Godskitchen Birmingham & Luna Springs
40:16 DJs George Rates Today
46:45 Embracing The Viral No Sound Clip
47:13 Why Birmingham Is Such A Special Dance Music City
50:06 The Final Tune: Orbital - Belfast
50:42 Closing Thoughts

If you love dance music, Ibiza, club culture and the stories behind the people who built it, you're in the right place.

If you enjoy the podcast, please consider subscribing. Every like, comment, and share genuinely helps us preserve these incredible stories from dance music history.

Subscribe for a brand new episode every Sunday.