The Journey Behind Defected Records and Glitterbox with Simon Dunmore

The Journey Behind Defected Records and Glitterbox with Simon Dunmore

Simon Dunmore is one of the most influential figures in electronic music. As the founder of Defected Records, he helped shape the global house music movement, discovering iconic records, building one of the world’s most respected independent labels, and transforming club culture through innovation, community, and a relentless passion for great music.In this conversation, Simon shares the incredible journey behind Defected Records, from growing up in Northampton and falling in love with vinyl to launching one of dance music’s biggest brands. He opens up about taking risks, navigating the collapse of the music industry, embracing digital transformation before everyone else, creating Glitterbox, surviving COVID, and why longevity will always matter more than overnight success.Timestamps:00:00 – Growing up in Northampton and early childhood00:52 – Moving around the UK and adapting to change02:42 – Youth culture: rockabilly, punk, soul and finding his tribe04:02 – Where his love of music began05:35 – Buying his first records and discovering soul music07:00 – Moving to London and the club scene08:33 – Making mixtapes and building an audience10:40 – First DJ gigs and entrepreneurial hustle15:13 – Working in a record store and discovering new music17:10 – Acid House, rave culture and the evolution of house music20:07 – Landing a job in the record industry at Cooltempo & A&M24:48 – The rise of UK dance music and radio success28:44 – Ministry of Sound and launching Defected Records34:56 – The story behind Roger Sanchez – Another Chance39:09 – Why Finally by Kings of Tomorrow changed everything42:32 – Napster, digital disruption and saving Defected46:38 – Building one of dance music’s strongest online communities50:03 – Taking Defected to Ibiza52:43 – Trusting instinct and spotting timeless records55:58 – The emotional power of music58:16 – Creating Glitterbox and bringing soul back to clubbing01:04:03 – Defected Croatia and building a global community01:05:48 – Surviving COVID and adapting through innovationIf you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, like, and leave a comment with your biggest takeaway.#HowFarCanWeGo #Simondunmore #DefectedRecords #HouseMusic #ElectronicMusic #DJ #MusicBusiness #Entrepreneurship #Ibiza #Glitterbox #DanceMusic #Podcast

How To Build A Music In The UK With Omar Lye Fook Full Interview

Omar Lye-Fook is a respected voice in UK culture, known for his work across music, media, and creative storytelling. With decades of experience navigating the entertainment industry, he brings a unique perspective on identity, discipline, creativity, and longevity in an ever-changing world. In this conversation, Omar opens up about his journey through music, culture, personal growth, and the realities behind success. From the evolution of the UK creative scene to lessons learned through experience, he shares honest insights on staying grounded, adapting through change, and building something meaningful over time. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction: Omar’s background and roots in music 00:15 - Early days with his father’s label and childhood influences 01:15 - Starting to write music at 14 and recording in studios 02:24 - Reflection on his first single and learning patience in music 02:57 - Childhood memories in Canterbury and musical upbringing 03:39 - Growing up in a musically rich environment 04:02 - Participation in youth orchestras and international tours 05:01 - Family background, parents’ separation and reunion 05:35 - Influences from body popping and dance culture 06:00 - Punk, mod, and casual fashion influences 07:19 - Moving to Manchester and educational choices 07:48 - Reconsidering opportunities with record labels and education 08:00 - Attending Guildhall and transitioning to jazz and composition 09:28 - Launching his first label with his dad and early releases 10:06 - The story behind the hit single “Your Love” 11:09 - Musical inspiration from Ohio Players and “Heaven Must Be Light” 11:56 - The creative process of “Your Love” and its rhythmic marinade 12:38 - The album “The Way I Feel” and career consistency 13:06 - Collaborations with his brother on tracks like “Bully” 13:38 - His work with Stevie Wonder, first in 1984 and subsequent encounters 14:18 - Working with Paul Weller at Black Barn studio 15:08 - the UK tour and his thoughts on live performance with full band 20:26 - Industry challenges: streaming, live gigs, and AI 22:37 - His tracks with Beverly Knight and health journey, including blood tests 23:16 - His cancer diagnosis and early detection 24:44 - Honours and recognition (MBE) and family pride 26:34 - Family background: siblings, children, and their talents 28:17 - Cultural reflections: Notting Hill Carnival and community experiences 29:40 - Future plans in Jamaica and global music scene 31:42 - The significance of physical memorabilia like photographs and cars 33:15 - His children’s talents, ambitions, and academic achievements 34:30 - Reflections on studying and work ethic of his children 36:16 - Gratitude and closing remarks #ukmusic

Normski Photographing Hip-Hop Stars (NWA, Public Enemy, Whitney Houston) Before They Were Stars

In this conversation, Normski shares his journey from growing up in Camden to becoming one of the most influential photographers in hip hop and street culture. He reflects on the environments that shaped his eye, the discipline behind his craft, and what it meant to document cultural movements before the world recognized their impact.Buy His Book Here Normski: Man with the Golden Shutter: https://amzn.to/4cEmiliKey Points:- Growing up in Camden and how a multicultural environment shaped identity and perspective- Early exposure to music scenes, including punk, mods, and the emergence of hip hop- Discovering photography at a young age and developing a creative obsession- How restriction, discipline, and practice built his technical skillset- The importance of timing, access, and trust when capturing authentic moments- Behind-the-scenes stories photographing artists like Run DMC, LL Cool J, and Big Daddy Kane- The evolution from film to digital and what was lost in the transition- Navigating London’s cultural landscape and the role of community in creativity- Turning passion into a career and building a legacy through consistency- Why authenticity and perspective matter more than equipmentChapters:00:00 - Introduction to Normski and his cultural influence01:05 - Growing up in Camden and early life in NW London02:28 - Identity, culture, and early education experiences03:55 - Camden’s evolution into a cultural hub05:11 - Music scenes: punk, mods, and early hip hop08:20 - Discovering photography at a young age11:37 - Childhood interests and creative curiosity15:03 - Musical background and artistic development18:36 - Community, friendships, and growing up in London22:33 - Camden Market and early entrepreneurial mindset27:12 - First experiences photographing live music33:17 - Learning photography through film and darkroom work43:43 - Technical discipline and mastering the craft52:30 - Turning photography into income56:07 - Navigating culture, access, and opportunity62:50 - Film vs digital and the shift in photography70:45 - The role of discipline and mentorship83:29 - Influences from iconic photographers89:18 - Reflections on career, culture, and legacyThe Normski Interview: Real Talk on Success & Stories Behind the Camera: https://youtu.be/B-ZBQmXpQ7w#streetculture #hiphop #photography

This Is What They Don’t Show About Growing Up in London

More details in my new book, "Beautiful Chaos" is coming soon!

Addiction, Trauma & Psychosis: The Story Of A Brother We Couldn’t Save

In this conversation, Samantha shares her deeply personal story of losing her brother to addiction and mental health struggles. Her insights shed light on systemic failures, the importance of mental health awareness, and the power of lived experience in fostering understanding and change.Key Points:- The impact of childhood adoption and family dynamics on mental health- Mark's journey through addiction, self-sabotage, and mental health deterioration- The influence of drug culture, especially the rave scene, on youth and mental health- Challenges with mental health system failures, including hospitalizations and legal issues- The critical role of early intervention, stigma, and systemic reform- Samantha’s transition into working in mental health for healing and advocacy- The importance of education, awareness, and accessible support systems- How trauma and grief shape responses to mental health crises- Practical insights on coping, recognizing warning signs, and seeking helpChapters:00:00 - Introduction to Samantha and her brother Mark’s story02:24 - Childhood background and adoption story04:21 - Mark's self-sabotage and fear of rejection06:12 - Involvement in the nightclub and rave scene09:02 - The escalation of drug use and mental health issues11:21 - Mark's history of addiction and attempts at recovery14:11 - The impact of familial tragedy and Mark’s erratic behavior17:37 - The night of crisis and her brother’s erratic actions20:24 - System failures in mental health care and hospitalizations23:16 - The tragic day her brother was found dead32:16 - Systemic disconnects and law enforcement interactions34:20 - System failure and missed opportunities for intervention37:24 - Samantha’s journey into working in mental health and advocacy38:46 - Understanding mental health illnesses and systemic challenges44:42 - The silent nature of mental health problems and stigma50:09 - The importance of speaking out and raising awareness55:20 - Practical advice on crisis situations and seeking help58:50 - The physical and mental health connection, systemic gaps63:03 - Reflection on societal drug culture and mental health decline67:03 - The ongoing journey of grief and hope for systemic changeHer Brother Asked For Help… The Mental Health System Failed Him: https://youtu.be/cFhk-Z4p6Os#mentalhealthawareness