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London Calling Podcast Yana Bolder
Richard James Bio
At 46 years old, he’s a devoted husband and proud father to a wonderful daughter. His journey into dance music began in the late 1980s, when, as a curious 9 or 10-year-old, he was captivated by the energy and joy of the UK rave scene—despite the negative media coverage at the time. Watching crowds come alive to the sounds of tracks like Sweet Harmony, Ride on Time, and the once-banned French Kiss, he instinctively felt the magic of house music. Even then, he knew—House is a feeling.
In the early 2000s, a local DJ in his hometown of Luton inspired him to purchase a pair of Technics SL1200s, which he still proudly owns. Teaching himself to mix, he soon found himself immersed in the local scene. A chance encounter with Edwin P, aka Hyper Hypa, at his new job in the motor industry led to his first gigs. The vibe was all about funky house, disco-infused beats, soulful and gospel house—and the energy was electric.
However, a demanding sales career meant weekends were off-limits, and DJing became a hobby confined to my bedroom. Life moved on—marriage, fatherhood, and then the unexpected pause of the COVID-19 pandemic. Furloughed and with time to reflect, he reconnected with his passion. Embracing the digital era with tools like Rekordbox, he returned to the decks, playing gigs in his new hometown of Bedford and more recently in Derby.
Today, with a Monday-to-Friday career outside of sales, he finally has the time and freedom to pursue his love for house music. Whether behind the decks or on the dancefloor, his passion spans across genres and generations. Now in his 40s, he’s determined to give DJing another shot—because there’s still plenty of life in this old dog yet. No regrets. Just rhythm, soul, and the love of the music.