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Once A DJA journey from the genesis to the afterlife of a working DJ Author: 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 Language: en Genres: Music, Music History, Music Interviews Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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"We were limited to 30 minutes of funk" - how Debo established a worldwide funk and boogie brand
Episode 82
Thursday, 16 April, 2026
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 productionOther ways to support the showFollow 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 clampsThis week we're heading to the West Coast to sit down with Debo (Ivan) — the man behind Funk Freaks, one of the most authentic funk communities operating anywhere in the world right now.Born and raised on the west side of Costa Mesa in Orange County, California, Debo's story is one of music as lifeline. From breaking a needle on a Sesame Street turntable at five years old, to getting his hands on a beat-up pair of mismatched Technics at age 12 — after his older brother borrowed them from a friend who was heading to prison — to teaching himself to mix at 4am before school every day for six months straight. The obsession was always there.We talk about what makes Orange County's relationship with 80s boogie and funk so deep-rooted and distinct from LA, the lowrider culture that kept this music alive for generations, and how Funk Freaks went from backyard boogies and house parties to a nine-year residency at the legendary OG Mics in Santa Ana — and eventually to chapters across Europe, South America and beyond.Debo also opens up about the blood, sweat and tears it took to break the stigma of "cholo music" in bars and clubs, his year living in Barcelona, touring European funk bars with nothing but a tourist visa and a crate of records, and how all of that led to opening the record shop and launching the Funk Freaks label.A genuinely inspiring conversation about community, culture, creativity and the power of music to change the direction of a life.In this episode:Growing up on the west side of Costa Mesa and how the environment shaped himLearning to DJ on a borrowed mismatched pair of Technics and a busted crossfaderThe Stanton DJ-in-a-Box moment and the mother who matched his first paycheckThe Beat Junkies influence and applying hip hop technique to funk recordsBackyard boogies, house parties and the stigma of "cholo music" in venuesOG Mics — the Santa Ana residency that became the capital of funk in Southern CaliforniaLiving in Barcelona, buying Euro funk pressings for cents and building the international networkHow the Funk Freaks chapters work (think: graffiti crew ethics applied to record collecting)Digging road trips from New Orleans to New York to Baltimore and why California is slim pickings nowThe Funk Freaks record label — limited pressings, DJ tools, and the story behind the Colors movie recreationWhy there's no such thing as overpaying for a record that means something to youWhat the DJ's job actually is — and why Europe gets it rightLinks:Funk Freaks Instagram: @funkfreaksRemote Control (production): http://www.remote-ctrl.co.uk
