The Mixmag columns, collected
As you may well know, until the print magazine paused last summer, I wrote a column every month for the OG club culture and electronic music magazine, Mixmag.
Much like The Secret DJ: Book Two, the columns cover everything from observations about the state of the culture, to reminiscences about my adventures in DJing, to practical advice about the industry, the craft and the pitfalls of life behind the decks.
Each month, my words were accompanied by a different illustration from a selection of superb artists – whose names will definitely reward a bit of googling.
I’ve rounded up links to a selection of the Mixmag columns from the past couple of years below (I’ll add a few more in future as I dig them out), so dive in if you’re looking for diversion – or even a little nostalgia for a time when the concerns of clubland seemed a whole lot more pressing than they do right now (they will again!). Just click on the pic or the headline to go straight to the column on the Mixmag site.
“YOU’LL DIE OF A HEART ATTACK IF YOU STRESS ABOUT YOUR PLACE IN THE GAME”
WORDS: THE SECRET DJ | ILLUSTRATION: SAMUEL O’DONNELL 25 AUGUST 2017
BEING A PROMOTER LETS DJS STAND UP FOR WHAT THEY BELIEVE IN
WORDS: THE SECRET DJ | ILLUSTRATION: TIAGO MAJUELOS
25 JUNE 2019
“THE RITUAL OF PREPARATION HELPS TO REBUILD SHATTERED CONFIDENCE”
WORDS: THE SECRET DJ | ILLUSTRATION: WILLIAM DAVEY
25 OCTOBER 2018
“‘PAYING TO PLAY’ IS A GENUINE THREAT TO DANCE MUSIC CULTURE”
WORDS: THE SECRET DJ | ILLUSTRATION: TIAGO MAJUELOS
13 APRIL 2018
FOR DJING, FEAR IS THE MIND KILLER
WORDS: THE SECRET DJ | ILLUSTRATION: ALEX JENKINS
12 OCTOBER 2017
“WHAT IS A DJ ACTUALLY FOR?”
WORDS: THE SECRET DJ | ILLUSTRATION: GEORGE MORTON
22 OCTOBER 2019
CAN’T DJ WITHOUT BEING DRUNK OR HIGH? READ THIS
WORDS: THE SECRET DJ | ILLUSTRATION: GEORGE MORTON
30 JULY 2018
“THE ARTISTS WHO KEEP IT REAL ARE USUALLY THE ONES AROUND FOR THE LONG RUN”
WORDS: THE SECRET DJ | ILLUSTRATION: WILLIAM DAVEY
1 OCTOBER 2019
“REJECTION IS A FACT OF LIFE FOR ANY DJ. IT’S HOW YOU DEAL WITH IT THAT COUNTS”
WORDS: THE SECRET DJ | ILLUSTRATION: TIM, TOM AND TERRY
14 APRIL 2020
“RESIST THE URGE TO BECOME A COPYCAT DJ”
WORDS: THE SECRET DJ | ILLUSTRATION: WILLIAM DAVEY
23 AUGUST 2019
THE SECRET DJ ON WHAT MAKES A GOOD DJ GREAT
WORDS: THE SECRET DJ | ILLUSTRATION: TIAGO MAJUELOS
11 FEBRUARY 2020
“SABOTAGING THE NEXT DJ IS
NEVER OK”
WORDS: THE SECRET DJ | ILLUSTRATION: ELLIS VAN DER DOES 23 AUGUST 2018
“PRESSING RESET IS TOUGH, BUT IF YOU’RE SERIOUS ABOUT MAKING IT, NOTHING CAN STOP YOU”
WORDS: THE SECRET DJ | ILLUSTRATION: TIAGO MAJUELOS
4 APRIL 2019
THE SECRET DJ ON WALKING THE FINE LINE BETWEEN COOL AND COMMERCIAL
WORDS: THE SECRET DJ | ILLUSTRATION: ALEX JENKINS
30 JANUARY 2018
