The Trailblazers podcast is back for its third series, exclusively on Deezer.
Norman Jay joins presenters Nick Halkes and Eddy Temple-Morris for the first episode of the Deezer Original Podcast. During the episode, Jay picks tracks that relate the most to his story.
The Trailblazers series uncovers the personal stories behind the dance world’s biggest pioneers. The first episode is available from July 2.
The eight-part series will feature guests helped shape electronic music and played an important part of its history. In the second Trailblazers episode, Justice’s Xavier de Rosnay reveals the biggest moments that defined his career, including playing at Glastonbury and making the duo’s film Iris: A Space Opera.
Upcoming interviewees include Arthur Baker, MJ Cole, James Lavelle, DJ Fresh and Trevor Horn. The last two series of Trailblazers featured Goldie, Fatboy Slim, Mary Anne Hobbs and Gary Numan.
After the last two series of Trailblazers topped the podcast charts, Halkes and Temple-Morris wanted to unearth more inspiring electronic music stories.
Records that Arthur Baker and Trevor Horn made blew me away when I was still at school and first getting into dance and electronic music
Nick Halkes
Nick Halkes said:“Putting the new series of this podcast together has been an absolute pleasure. Records that Arthur Baker and Trevor Horn made blew me away when I was still at school and first getting into dance and electronic music. When I moved up to London to go to uni, Norman Jay and the rare groove sound was exploding all around me.
“As a manager I worked closely with DJ Fresh and stood backstage, by the side of the stage and out front at his gigs from Middlesbrough to Ibiza. The music that our guests have made and played has been important to my own journey in music and I'm delighted to bring their stories to a new audience. When I'm giving advice to developing artists it's not uncommon for me to draw upon the anecdotes and wisdom that our Trailblazers guests have shared with me. These pioneers have done important work and it's a thrill to see more essential knowledge and history added to the archive!”
Eddy Temple-Morris said:“Both Nick and I are really happy to be able to continue this legacy project. Dance music has become such an important part of our culture and our documenting its leading lights through the years for future generations to learn, appreciate and understand is something we consider an honour and a privilege.
“We’ve managed to tick some great names off the wish-list for this series: The very definition of Trailblazer is embodied by people like James Lavelle, who started what must be the coolest label in the world and spearheaded the trip hop genre and MJ Cole, who is unquestionably the key man in the invention of UK garage… they blaze the trails, mere mortals follow!”
“Our first episode kicks off with Norman Jay MBE and we’re really grateful to hear from him about the difficult challenges he faced and the constant obstacles he fought to overcome as a black DJ,” added Antoine Buffard, Deezer’s global dance & electronic music editor.
“He really was a huge game changer in the field and never afraid to challenge the status quo. His deep dive into his own family influences and musical inspirations is both insightful and deeply inspiring. We're excited and grateful to be able to share his story with the world.”
Becky Hill has just launched her podcast series on rave culture.
Click here to read our report on this summer’s Ibiza shutdown.
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