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#14 TONY WALKER
In the two decades that have passed since Tony Walker discovered dance music and spent his entire student grant on decks, his illustrious DJ career has spanned five continents and seen him work alongside some of the worlds most revered DJs, producers and promoters.
Since his first ever gig (after a Carl Cox main set at a Leeds rave no less) the self confessed vinyl obsessive has maintained a permanent presence on the northern dance scene making his name synonymous with house music and club culture.
Walthamstow born but with an affinity for the home of all soulful music, also known as the north west. Tony has made Leeds his home since his University days in the early 90s.
First residing alongside pop dance act Utah saints in 1992, Tony went on to create Happy a weekly house night at the once infamous home of Back to Basics; The Music Factory in Leeds. The night soon became notorious in the north and eventually nationally winning the prestigious accolade of best UK midweek dance night from DJ magazine.
Then came Love to be…(voted club of the year in 1995). Immediately a phenomenal success, this promoter/ DJ role lead Tony to further work with clubs such as Gatecrasher and eventually his own radio show with American icon DJ Disciple. The Transatlantic mix was soon nationally networked across the UK on Kiss FM / Galaxy FM and the direct American influence set a welcome precedent in the field.
The show was truly irresistible as it showcased the most upfront tracks from both sides of the pond often months before national releases were made and attracted interviews and acclaim from international players such as Armand van Helden, Roger Sanchez, Dj Sneak, Eric Morillo, Mousse T, David Morales. An underground, grass roots show but with all the benefits of commercial radio commented Mixmag. Indeed the show was such a success it was later translated into global syndication and a sell out tour with dates as far and wide as Australia and the US.
With his status well and truly elevated into that of superstar DJ, Tony became a regular spinner at some of the best clubs around the globe including: Space (Ibiza), Ministry of Sound, Gatecrasher, Pacha (Ibiza), Centro Fly (NYC), Speed Queen, Passion, Déjà vu, Federation, Sugar (Singapore), Salt (Australia), Stark (Dallas).
In 2000 he went on to be listed no 22 in DJ magazines top 100 DJ’s public poll. Despite this accolade Tony’s talents are by no means restricted to DJing. Extensive Knowledge of the intricacies of the industry has been gathered writing freelance for Muzik, Ministry and DJ magazines as well as managing both Urban Rhythm and Eastern Bloc record shops. Tony can often be found in the studio producing his own tracks (recorded as Main Connection, Soul Friction, Trimtone, One foot in the Groove and the Barkin Brothers), managing his own labels One foot in the groove, Peak Time Players and Love to be... He also signed a prestigious worldwide record distribution deal which saw all his labels taken onto i tunes, traxsource, beatport and all leading digital outlets. Tony also set up the Nightlife Solutions consultancy to provide bars and clubs with marketing, promotion and managerial support. From this he has taken ownership of bar and nightclub projects in Europe and the UK.
Today Tony can be found djing at a prestigious selection of UK and European venues. During the week he is kept busy as managing director of Love to be...ltd and overseeing the Nightlife Solutions portfolio.
SPINOGRAPHY
Tony started djing in 1989. His first gigs were Ark and Dream in Leeds. He then presented several shows on Dream FM in 1992. His first weekly club residency was at the Gallery in Leeds in 1992 for the Utah Saints with whom he toured America. He created and promoted “Happy" a weekly house night at the Leeds Music Factory in 1993, which became best midweek dance night in the UK (as voted by DJ Mag). In 1994 he promoted and Djed at “Love to be” voted club of the year 1995. In 1996 Tony gained the accolade of best resident Dj in the UK. 1997 saw the start of his first UK wide radio show the “Transatlantic Mix” on the Kiss/Galaxy Network. Tony was elevated to the realms of the superstar Dj when he broke into the worlds top 100 Djs list at number 22. Since then Tony has been a regular spinner at the best clubs around the globe including: Love to be (worldwide tour), Retro (worldwide tour), Hed Kandi, Federation, Ministry of Sound, Gatecrasher, Glasshouse, Passion, Déjà vu, Kinky Malinky & Venus (UK), Space, El Divino, Es Paradis, Eden & Pacha (Ibiza), Centro Fly & Cheetah (NYC), Supper Club (Amsterdam), Sugar (Singapore), Flux & Home (Australia), Stark & Fishdance (Dallas) to name only a few. Tony is now managing director of Love to be... Ltd and is taking the sucessful club brand back on tour to celebrate its 18th year in clubland. The Love to be...events in Leeds at Mint Club and Space are the regions busiest soulful and funky house night and has been nominated for club of the year 2010. Tony has also established the Love to be...brand in Manchester at Venus the club, Planet in Liverpool, Sakura in Lincoln, Voudou in Barnsley, Plug in Sheffield, Cotton Factory in Huddersfield, Tube in Halifax, Helsinki in Leicester, The School in Hull, Club M in Majorca, Pacha and Space in Ibiza. 2011 saw Tony set up his groundbreaking nightclub project Phono in Leeds which has quickly established itself as one of the leading late night venues in the North of England playing host to some of the regions most respected events such as Retro, Glasshouse, Risque, Radar and the legendary Love to be... afterparties.
Tony’s production credits are lengthy including projects for Laurent Wolf, Crispin J Glover, Lonnie Gordon, Jonnie Fiori, Mary Pierce, Jeremy Sylvester, Unique 3 and Serena as well as his own trax recorded as Main Connection, Soul Fricton, One Foot in the Groove, Peak Time Players and the infamous Barkin Brothers. Tony Is co-founder and Managing Director of the One Foot in the Groove Label which has over 70 releases under its belt all of which can be found at traxsource, beatport and all good download sites. Tony relaunched the Love to be... record label in 2010 which is currently looking for trax to sign alongside its current catalogue some of which can be heard on Tony's myspace page or via the love to be website www.wix.com/lovetobe/love-to-be. Message Tony with links to your demos if you are looking for you track to feature on the Love to be... label. Tony also co ordinates and produces at the Love to be... studio suite which is based in Leeds.
Tony's radio work has included being presenter of several shows on Dream FM (Leeds) from 1992 to 1995. In 1996 Tony became producer and presenter of the Transatlantic Mix show on Kiss/Galaxy Network. This show was co presented with Dj Disciple from NYC and featured the best upfront house music alongside interviews with artistes such as Armand Van Helden, Roger Sanchez, Dj Sneak, Eric Morillo, Mousse T, David Morales, Tony Humphreys, Barbara Tucker, Sandy B…etc. Tony also presented the Dance Capital Show on Galaxy 102 (Manchester). Several of Tony’s shows have been syndicated globally to networks including Station 1 (Italy), UK Radio (Greece), KDGE (Dallas) and WIRE (NYC). Tony now hosts the Love to be... radio show Mondays 6-8pm on www.ssradiouk.com, MGR, Monkey Radio, & House Social Radio. Tony also hosted the One foot in the Groove show on SSR which has been nominated the best global dance music radio station at Midem
As you can see Tony is testiment to the phrase "music is my life"
