How To DJ

Louis La Roche

How To DJ

Show Notes

Remixer and DJ Louis La Roche joins Chris Hawkins to chat about his career in music so far. From discovering dance music through Fatboy Slim and building tracks from samples, to remixing global artists and navigating the realities of life as a touring DJ.

Louis reflects on growing up in Norwich, becoming obsessed with records at a young age, and launching his career after early support from management and booking agents while still a teenager. He also discusses the pressure of being compared to major artists early in his career, the challenge of staying authentic, and why owning his own label, Ever After Records, became one of the best decisions he ever made.

The conversation also explores the economics of remix culture, including why many remixers never receive royalties even when tracks become huge successes, alongside behind-the-scenes stories involving official remixes for artists including Madonna, Basement Jaxx and Bruno Mars.

Elsewhere, Louis opens up about touring burnout, tinnitus, club culture, introversion, creative longevity in dance music, and his admiration for artists like Daft Punk, DJ Shadow and Aphex Twin.

How Fatboy Slim inspired Louis to start DJing at age 12

Growing up obsessed with disco, funk and electronic music

Leaving music college after being signed at 17

Why Louis chose to start his own label instead of signing to one

The truth about remix fees and royalty structures

Official remix stories involving Madonna and Bruno Mars

Supporting Kylie Minogue on arena tours

Touring burnout, tinnitus and protecting hearing

Why dark, intimate clubs still matter

Louis’ favourite remix of all time

His production techniques and DJ floor fillers

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