Rinse FM Podcast

DJ Perception - 31 March 2023

J-Dubz is a Bedford based UK Garage DJ who first found love with this distinctive underground sound around 1998. 

A classmate was listening to something called ‘Garage Nation’ on his Walkman, and wanting to fit in, I pretended I knew exactly what Garage music was and asked to borrow the tape… As soon as I heard Mr Blakey announce ‘Introducing Timmy Magic, from London’s Dreem Teem’ I was instantly hooked… It was like nothing like I’d ever heard before. Music with such groove, swing, soul, energy… I knew I’d stumbled across something special. After hearing Blakey, all I wanted to do was be an MC and would spend hours writing lyrics. However, there was a shift when a friends brother bought some belt drive Soundlab turntables and I tried to learn to DJ for myself. Once I’d caught the DJ bug, writing lyrics stopped and my energy (and money) went into learning the craft and buying my own turntables & vinyl. After a brief stint away from the scene during the grime era, my passion reconnected during the ‘Lost Years’ where garage was yet again a small underground scene, but very musically focused & led by some of UKG’s old school pioneers. 

Flash forward ‘’some’’ years and I’ve been lucky enough to represent brands such Str8 GarageHouse, Give Me Garage, MC Kie Presents and the mighty Garage Nation, the brand that made it all happen for me! This genre means the world to me, it’s opened so many doors and introduced me to some incredible people, as well as put me on stages with some people I consider idols 🙏🏻

Huge thanks to JP for reaching out and asking me to feature on this amazing collaboration with an incredible array of DJ’s & proper connoisseurs! What some of these guys have forgotten about Garage, I’m yet to learn!👌🏻 Garage music is alive and thriving thanks to an influx of new talented producers! UKG is something I’m glad has been a huge part of my life… Long may it continue! 💙

J - Dubz UK Garage Mix 15 / 30

Luke Harmony found a taste for being a DJ in his teens, back in 99’, through his passion with vinyl, rooted in his love for Garage, enjoying the diversity and all round energy that the music had to offer. Nothing quite came close to the sound, listening to the likes of Tuff Jam and DJ EZ, and pirate radio stations such as Upfront 99.3 FM. He enjoyed nothing more than sifting through record stores around his hometown, London, always present in Independance Records in Lewisham, known for its rich Grime history, City Sounds, Uptown Records & Big Apple, to name a few.
Over the years he showed real dedication to the art, honing his skills holding residencies and playing locally in bars, clubs and private affairs throughout London. A turning point, and appreciation from the music world, came when the ever popular, Kiss 100 FM, announced Luke “Agency DJ Of The Year” in 2008. 
Being judged by top DJ’s, Steve Smart, DJ Swerve, and hosts Ricky & Melvin the decision was unanimous, baffling their programming director with his technical ability in competition. Luke Harmony was swiftly flown to Ibiza and had a one-off showcase on Kiss 100 on his return. Building on his versatility within all genres over the years and humble ability to seamlessly merge any type of sound together with perfect synchronisation, he then started and run his own club night in 2008, “Love & Harmony” with partner Mark Love playing the best in House & Garage. Together they spread L&H’s mantra “It’s All About The Music” from London to Nottingham, with sell out nights and a unique twist on clubbing, the brand quickly became known throughout. Luke enjoyed some time on various pirate radio stations over the years like Select FM & Hype Radio before hanging up the headphones outside of the ‘bedroom’ for his main career elsewhere in 2012.
UK Garage has always been at the core of Luke and he has always kept more than an ear to the ground, collecting so much more than he could ever listen to. He’s also spent well over a decade buying and selling vinyl to hungry addicts, all the while expanding his own collection. In 2018 he decided to get back to his roots and concentrate more on what he loved, buying 1210’s and getting back to DJing mainly UKG. 
Luke has DJ’ed alongside many of his own personal favourite producers and DJ’s, playing beside DJ EZ and MJ Cole, The Dreem Teem, Pied Piper, DJ Luck & MC Neat & many others, even a back to back with Justin Wilkes. He’s played in many top clubs like Ministry Of Sound, Pacha and London’s O2, to name but a few, and untold underground hotspots. But the all-round connoisseur is happiest just vibing to whoever will listen to him playing, even if just on an Instagram live!

Jeremy Sylvester - 01 September 2023

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