Neil Martin · Beats, Business & Life

Beats

The cover of Paul Weller: Dancing Through the Fire by Dan Jennings, centred in a thin gold frame on a midnight blue background under the words From my bookshelf

Why I still rate Paul Weller: Dancing Through the Fire

How a fan podcast became Paul Weller’s authorised oral history, and what his demos teach you about raw over polished.

The cover of Night People by Mark Ronson, centred in a thin gold frame on a midnight blue background under the words From my bookshelf, with the line “It’s hard to stay present when your mind is constantly pairing tempos and keys instead of focusing on the person in front of you.” beneath it

Night People is the book every DJ should read

Why Mark Ronson’s Night People is a must for anyone who has ever played records, and what it says about staying present.

The cover of What’s Your Vibe? by Craig David, centred in a thin gold frame on a midnight blue background under the words From my bookshelf

What Craig David’s book taught me about protecting your vibe

Beats

A Southampton DJ on Craig David’s What’s Your Vibe?, and how to look after your mindset when people knock you down.

Illustration of an old grey suit jacket left on a hook in a backstage corridor, beside an open stage door with a grand piano in a warm spotlight beyond

Rocketman, Socrates and the courage to let go

Beats

A coaches’ call about letting go, Elton John at Glastonbury and a line from Rocketman. On admitting what you don’t know.

Smiling close-up selfie of Neil Martin outdoors in a white sports jacket

I forgot my headphones, so Public Enemy ran with me

Beats

My first parkrun of the year, no headphones, and a stranger’s hoodie that put the beats in my head. A short one about consistency.

Illustration of a small home studio desk at night with a music keyboard, a podcast microphone, headphones, a laptop showing a sound wave and fairy lights, with snow outside the window

Writing my own theme tunes

Beats

On Christmas Eve 2018 I wrote a theme tune for a brand new podcast. Why the little extra is worth the effort.

Illustration of a wooden crate of vinyl records on a kitchen table, one record pulled halfway out, with a bunch of house keys and a plain mobile phone resting beside it in soft morning light

What estate agents can learn from DJs, with Chris Watkin

Beats

On Chris Watkin’s sofa I explained why I make content the way I DJ. Find the sample, remix it, watch who dances, and start with a rough demo.

Episode 166: The Commitment Neil Wasn’t Going To Share

Beats

Between episodes I told Nigel about a goal for 2022 I wasn’t going to share. Then I shared it on air. Getting my music out again.

Illustration of a vinyl record, a small music sampler with square pads and a cassette tape laid out in a row on a desk in warm light

Sample, song, mixtape: how a DJ creates content

Beats

The day it clicked: I make content the way a DJ makes music. A sample becomes a song, and the songs become a mixtape.

The cover of It’s So Easy by Duff McKagan, centred in a thin gold frame on a midnight blue background under the words From my bookshelf, with the line “Yes, confidence was knowing I could do anything. But, I realized, confidence must always be rooted in work.” beneath it

It’s So Easy and the confidence you have to work for

Beats

Why Duff McKagan’s recovery story is the best case I know for building confidence through work, routine and rituals.

The cover of The Storyteller by Dave Grohl, centred in a thin gold frame on a midnight blue background under the words From my bookshelf, with the line “Every day is still a blank page, waiting to write itself.” beneath it

Dave Grohl’s The Storyteller and the megastar who stayed a normal bloke

Beats

Dave Grohl’s The Storyteller shows you can be a megastar and still be a normal bloke, and that every day starts as a blank page.

The cover of Porcelain by Moby, centred in a thin gold frame on a midnight blue background under the words From my bookshelf, with the line “When I became a vegan in 1987, in one fell swoop I extended my life expectancy and annoyed most of the people in my life.” beneath it

Why I still rate Moby’s Porcelain

Beats

Why Moby’s funny, honest memoir of the years before Play is a brilliant read about refusing to give up on your talent.

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About

Hi, I’m Neil

DJing since 1987, three decades in business, and the author of Done Beats Perfect. This is where I write it all down.

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