BBC 6 Music Radio DJ and colleague of Tom Robinson, Chris Hawkins and I had a chat over a packet of Jaffa cakes. This is how it went.
Check out his show weekday mornings 5am-7:30am.
Hello Chris, how are you?
Great thanks! Excited for 2024.
A radio DJ for BBC 6 Music… wow. How did it all start for you?
I was on BBC Radio London and doing some cover shows on Radio 2 when I got a call about a mystery new radio station, codenamed Network Y. I got asked to do some pilot shows and now here I am!
What did you listen to growing up?
A lot of radio. From a young age I was fascinated by the one to one nature of the medium – I loved how it felt like DJs were talking just to me, sharing their favourite music. I also loved talk radio… I love how radio engages with audiences.
Did you have a particular favourite radio DJ when you started out?
I’ve always been a huge fan of Chris Evans. His energy is infectious. Also, specialist DJs, passionate about the music they’re playing.
Your morning show is full of so much fun, how do you get into that headspace so early in the morning?
Some mornings I’m convinced I’ve fallen asleep standing up in the shower before leaving for work, but a strong coffee before the show, 25 star jumps and 50 squats seems to do the trick.
It’s a two and half hour show, what is the easiest and most challenging part of the role?
A lot of planning goes into each show. Every song is carefully chosen and we have regular features but what I love most is opening the mic at 5am and seeing where the show goes. I love the show to be led by listeners and their contributions absolutely make the show.
You run the How To DJ podcast. What are your top three tips?
It takes experience to be the best – put your 10,000 hours in.
Expect the unexpected.
Go to the loo before you start a long set.
Tell us about your work with Nordoff Robbins.
It’s a fantastic music therapy charity of which I’m a very proud ambassador. Music therapy can be utterly life changing and it’s incredible to see the difference it can make.
You have an interest in upcoming artists. What are the three best ways to catch Chris Hawkins’s ear?
When sending music, remember to label it up properly.
Make it easy to click and play.
If you could choose three classic songs, and three from under the radar artists to take with you to a desert island what would they be?
These change all the time but my top three from my top 50 today are:
Talking Heads, Once In a Lifetime
James, Sometimes
New Order, True Faith
For more under the radar acts…
The Last Dinner Party, Nothing Matters
Hak Baker, Full On (Hak Baker is amazing!)
Tom A Smith, I’m A Weirdo
What are you listening to at the moment?
Right now? Mary Anne Hobbs’ on 6 Music. I still can’t believe how lucky I am to work at a radio station that plays music I love so much.
What are you looking forward to doing in 2024?
I’m hosting and DJing at a load of festivals, which I love doing. I also have my now night, Awesome Friends, at a bunch of venues around the UK and I’m doing In Conversations with artists I love and admire.
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Enjoyed it
Thanks Marina!
Nice one, Del. Tea and biscuits should always be a prerequisite for a chat. Noticed you’re shaking it up from your normal shortbread.
The (ridiculously) early show should be lauded to the skies. Chris brings fun to the unearthly hour, but intelligent fun. It all starts with the presenter, and people of a like mind will become assimilated into the structure of the show; In other words as a minimum, if you have good taste in music, work bloody hard and treat your audience as you’d like to be treated, you’ll gain respect from your listeners and from your peers in the industry. Chris is synonymous with the daybreak show but he really does deserve a job with a bit of a lie-in. The same can also be said of his producers, all of whom seem to be top-drawer.
Nice one Del. And he didn’t mention Shrewsbury once!
Really enjoyed this interview and respect to the amount of work putting all this together takes – interviews and planning radio shows! New Order, True Faith…haven’t listened to this in too long.
This was very interesting, thanks. Chris is a great DJ and presenter, his passion for radio shines through every time he’s on air. As a listener, I never feel he’s just going through the motions.