#Dear DJDIARY, #DJDannyHoward Saturday, 9 Aug, 2014
Danny Howard is responsible for making you stay in on a Saturday evening. Yes, we’re talking BBC Radio 1 Dance Anthems which broadcasts every Saturday with this bloke as your host.
What does Danny do? Well, he’s primarily accountable for getting you geed up on a Saturday so you’re ready for the clubs.
Okay, that’s an understatement! Apart from being a radio host, Danny is a DJ (dah). In fact, it was his talent for deejaying that earned him his own show on BBC Radio 1.
This is #DJDIARYENTRY/10
In 2011, Danny Howard won the BBC Radio 1 Ibiza Superstar DJ Comp and it’s been an eventful journey ever since.
“Winning that competition changed my life and gave me the platform I needed to showcase what I can do as a DJ and now as a broadcaster,” Danny says.
Danny seemed to have the natural act for radio hosting – charm, wit, intellect and of course the man knows his music.
But winning the Ibiza Superstar DJ Comp didn’t come with a radio hosting contract.
The winner would become part of the Radio 1 dance family and would fly to Ibiza to DJ at
Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel. And that was that.
Shortly after winning the competition, Sam Bailey invited Danny to host an Ibiza rewind radio show as a Christmas special and it was here that Radio 1 would recognise Danny’s natural ability for radio.
The Christmas special was Danny’s first go at radio hosting, which is surprising because he is really good at it.
But don’t worry, Danny is human and he did have the jitters.
“It was a scary experience but we pre-recorded it which took the pressure off a little bit. I do all my shows live these days and have done ever since I started full-time on Radio 1,” Danny says.
If you’ve listened to Dance Anthems, you’ll agree that Danny’s a real pro. And so, Danny had us scratching our heads and stroking our non visible beards to how he obtained the confidence and poise for radio hosting.
“I think I get my confidence of speaking from when I used to coach football! Sounds silly, but when I used to lead a team and coach them, I had to say everything with confidence and authority so I think it stemmed from that,” Danny explains.
When it comes to Dance Anthems, Danny says the greatest part is hearing from the people.
“The best thing is when people text in saying that we’re changing their minds about staying in,” Danny says. “That’s a real buzz, to know that you can influence people through the music you’re playing.”
And he says one of the most thrilling aspects is releasing ‘World Exclusives.’
“It’s extremely exciting,” Danny cheers.
“It’s nice to know that some of the world’s biggest artists recognise the show as an important platform to premier music. It’s something I work hard at to ensure the show’s profile and credibility is always growing.”
Apart from hosting Dance Anthems, Danny also presents Nothing Else Matters on Sirius XM’s BPM. But if he isn’t on air, he’s either DJing at a club or in the studio producing a track.
His latest track is Vargo with Futuristic Polar Bears and Danny says he has a follow up to Vargo with the same fellas in the works. We like the sound of that!
“I’m also working on some remixes for Afrojack and Fedde Le Grand which is very exciting,” Danny explains.
Danny says he wants to come to Australia soon and with a bit of luck that’s exactly what we’ll see.
“Hopefully it won’t be too long before I’m there. I’ve never been to Australia but I hear great things,” Danny says. “The only thing that worries me is I’m extremely petrified of spiders and you have big ones!”
Oh Danny Howard, the big ones are harmless.
#DJDIARY/QUESTION
Q:If you could sit in on any other producers studio time, who would it be and why?
A: It would have to be someone like Daft Punk or Chemical Brothers! They are musical gods and come from an analogue background…it would be interesting to see how seminal dance records are actually made!