Once A DJ

Remote CTRL

Welcome to "Once a DJ," the captivating podcast hosted by Adam Gow, better known as DJ Wax On. For two decades, DJ Wax On has immersed himself in the world of DJing, exploring the art form alongside his other professional pursuits. In this show, he speaks to legends of the DJ game and contributors to the culture, about where their passion for the art has taken them. With a genuine interest in personal growth and a deep appreciation for the unique skills acquired through DJing, he invites you to embark on a journey of self-discovery and exploration. A https://remote-ctrl.co.uk podcast

  1. "I saw a sea of masks of my face" - Steve Davis on his unexpected journey into Djing

    1 DAY AGO

    "I saw a sea of masks of my face" - Steve Davis on his unexpected journey into Djing

    Once A DJ is brought to you by: https://www.vinylunderground.co.uk - 10% off your next order using code onceadjhttps://www.sureshotshop.com/ - Record adapters (including customs) & accessorieshttps://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 PodcastsAny feedback or questions? Hit up the Once A DJ Instagram PageSubscribe to the Once A DJ PatreonBuy your Once A DJ Sureshot 45 adapter clamps 6-time snooker champ and lifelong record collector Steve Davis took the mainstream by surprise when he started DJing... his career blossomed quickly, but he'd been paying his dues with digging and collecting for decades previous... In this interview we get into the day job and also the new hustle, and how they complement each other, and also how they're very different.In this fascinating episode, we sit down with one of Britain's most famous sporting icons - six-time world snooker champion Steve Davis - to explore his journey into electronic music, DJing, and his band The Utopia Strong. Steve shares incredible stories about the golden age of snooker in the 1980s, including the legendary 1985 World Championship final against Dennis Taylor that 18.5 million people watched until the early hours of the morning. But more importantly, we dive deep into his lifelong love of music, from discovering prog rock and psychedelic music as a teenager, to becoming a respected DJ on the alternative electronic music scene, to creating experimental instrumental music with The Utopia Strong. This conversation explores the parallels between elite sport and creative pursuits, the importance of obsession and dedication, dealing with success and failure, the power of humor and perspective, and why at 68, Steve feels like Peter Pan with no intention of retiring. Whether you're interested in snooker history, electronic music, or the mindset of elite performers, this episode offers unique insights from someone who's mastered multiple crafts.GuestSteve Davis OBE - Six-time world snooker champion (1981, 1983, 1984, 1987, 1988, 1989), BBC snooker commentator, DJ, and member of electronic music trio The Utopia Strong. Known as the "Romford Terminator" during his dominance of snooker in the 1980s, Steve has become equally respected in the alternative electronic music

    1h 25m
  2. "What sets you apart is your records" - Supreme La Rock talks authenticity and developing your own sound

    12 FEB

    "What sets you apart is your records" - Supreme La Rock talks authenticity and developing your own sound

    Once A DJ is brought to you by: https://www.vinylunderground.co.uk - 10% off your next order using code onceadjhttps://www.sureshotshop.com/ - Record adapters (including customs) & accessorieshttps://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 PodcastsAny feedback or questions? Hit up the Once A DJ Instagram PageSubscribe to the Once A DJ PatreonBuy your Once A DJ Sureshot 45 adapter clamps https://www.instagram.com/supremelarock https://linktr.ee/supremelarock In this episode of Once A DJ, Adam Gow sits down with the "newly crowned king of the Drum Break", Supreme La Rock. What begins as a nostalgic look at a four-year-old mesmerised by a Christmas turntable evolves into a masterclass on the evolution of hip hop and the relentless pursuit of the perfect record. Supreme recounts his pivotal teenage summers in New York, where witnessing block parties and B-boys first-hand sparked a mission to bring that burgeoning culture back to a then-untouched Seattle. The conversation captures the emotional weight of a life built on "real hip hop," moving from DIY mixers fashioned with toothpicks to international tours and deep-seated friendships with legends like Biz Markie. Supreme reflects on the transition from an "outcast" teen to a world-renowned digger, detailing the shift from 99-cent gambles to chasing rare acetates. It is a reflective journey through the philosophy of selection, the importance of community, and the simple, enduring power of soul music that makes you want to move.

    1h 39m
  3. "We had a machine behind us" - Amadeus Mozart Pt. 2 - on the story of Tidy Trax

    29 JAN

    "We had a machine behind us" - Amadeus Mozart Pt. 2 - on the story of Tidy Trax

    Once A DJ is brought to you by: https://www.vinylunderground.co.uk - 10% off your next order using code onceadjhttps://www.sureshotshop.com/ - Record adapters (including customs) & accessorieshttps://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 PodcastsAny feedback or questions? Hit up the Once A DJ Instagram PageSubscribe to the Once A DJ PatreonBuy your Once A DJ Sureshot 45 adapter clamps This one picks up where we left off - right at the moment when a mobile DJ dressed as Dr. Stiff meets a pop star called Andy Pickles and accidentally builds one of the biggest hard house labels in the country. Amadeus takes us through the Tidy Trax origin story properly this time: the Hit the Decks albums, the handshake deal that launched everything, and why sometimes the best business moves happen when you're just trying to help a mate out.There's a proper detour into wedding DJing (Amadeus has got opinions), stories about turning up to gigs dressed as a doctor with his wife as a nurse, and the moment he realized he'd gone from making tracks in his bedroom to running a business with 40-odd staff. The conversation wanders through sampling culture, remixing everything, and why nothing's truly original - from disco to hip hop to hard house to the ATV logo. It's not a linear career journey; it's more like watching someone accidentally stumble into their life's work and then double down on it.By the end, we're talking AI, Paul McCartney getting paid for robot Rihanna tracks, and why you can't build a wall to stop a train.

    1h 45m
  4. "You Think It's Sh*t Then You Realise You Like It" - Amadeus Mozart on Discovering House Music

    15 JAN

    "You Think It's Sh*t Then You Realise You Like It" - Amadeus Mozart on Discovering House Music

    Once A DJ is brought to you by: https://www.vinylunderground.co.uk - 10% off your next order using code onceadjhttps://www.sureshotshop.com/ - Record adapters (including customs) & accessorieshttps://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 PodcastsAny feedback or questions? Hit up the Once A DJ Instagram PageSubscribe to the Once A DJ PatreonBuy 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 revolutionBeing into disco during the punk rock movement (1977-79)The UK's reaction to the "Disco Sucks" movementspan class="ql-ui"...

    1h 52m
  5. "Failure is an essential part of success" - J Period on becoming a master of the mixtape

    22/12/2025

    "Failure is an essential part of success" - J Period on becoming a master of the mixtape

    Once A DJ is brought to you by: https://www.vinylunderground.co.uk - 10% off your next order using code onceadjhttps://www.sureshotshop.com/ - Record adapters (including customs) & accessorieshttps://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 PodcastsAny feedback or questions? Hit up the Once A DJ Instagram PageSubscribe to the Once A DJ PatreonBuy 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. GuestJ.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 CoveredEarly influences: Growing up in LA and discovering hip hop through Beat StreetThe move to New York in 1999 and starting the DJ journeyThe craft of mixtape curation and storytelling through musicBuilding relationships with artists like The Roots, Lauryn Hill, and Nasli...

    1h 31m
  6. "What am I gonna do with all these records?" - Aidy West on Vinyl Underground and 30 Years of Chicago, Detroit, and Underground House

    11/12/2025

    "What am I gonna do with all these records?" - Aidy West on Vinyl Underground and 30 Years of Chicago, Detroit, and Underground House

    Once A DJ is brought to you by: https://www.vinylunderground.co.uk - 10% off your next order using code onceadjhttps://www.sureshotshop.com/ - Record adapters (including customs) & accessorieshttps://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 PodcastsAny feedback or questions? Hit up the Once A DJ Instagram PageSubscribe to the Once A DJ PatreonBuy 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 MarkersPart 1: Musical Origins (00:02:03 - 00:17:45) 00:02:03 - Introduction00:02:41 - Growing up with Madness and two-tone00:04:16 - First records: Buggles and WH Smith Saturdays00:05:09 - The Jam's "Going Underground" changes everything00:06:36 - Breakdancing and electro: "Oral sex spelled A-U-R-L"00:09:33 - Fresh '86: Afrika Bambaataa and the Wembley pilgrimage00:13:21 - The legendary Hammersmith Public Enemy gig at 1400:15:24 - 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 scene00:19:23 - Hip house and Doug Lazy's "Let It Roll" obsession00:21:12 - First DJ experience at college parties00:22:13 - A-level results and joining the family business00:24:54 - Buying Technics with summer warehouse job money00:26:17 - Meeting Alton and discovering Chicago/Detroit00:26:51 - 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 scene00:33:12 - Moving to Brighton and the scene there00:38:09 - The Orbital "Chime" hunt across London00:40:44 - Adam Naked: "Talk about giving up food for funk"00:42:33 - The NEC record fair that started everything00:46:10 - "I'm gonna start a shop" - birth of 80s Vinyl...

    1h 45m

About

Welcome to "Once a DJ," the captivating podcast hosted by Adam Gow, better known as DJ Wax On. For two decades, DJ Wax On has immersed himself in the world of DJing, exploring the art form alongside his other professional pursuits. In this show, he speaks to legends of the DJ game and contributors to the culture, about where their passion for the art has taken them. With a genuine interest in personal growth and a deep appreciation for the unique skills acquired through DJing, he invites you to embark on a journey of self-discovery and exploration. A https://remote-ctrl.co.uk podcast

You Might Also Like