Naughty Parrot Radio

Will McGregor, competition winner at the Naughty Parrot launch party, flies down from Scotland to join Naughty Parrot Radio. It’s a funny, honest and very Scottish conversation about telly, finding yourself through music, and learning to read a dance floor.From growing in a traditional Christian home in Scotland, with music as his way escape, to moving to London at 17 to work on Big Brother, Will has been behind the scenes of some of the UK’s biggest shows: EastEnders, Strictly Come Dancing and Gogglebox. He talks about the day he nearly crashed a bus on Albert Square, why he left TV to bet on DJing, and how a compliment about some cowboy boots ended in an Ibiza boat party.In this episode we cover:Growing religious Scottish home, and how music got him through hard times.Getting into TV through the 2014 Commonwealth Games, then London at 17Big Brother, EastEnders, Strictly and Gogglebox: behind-the-scenes storiesSwapping a 10-year TV career for the decksThe We Are Made course, 28 days in Ibiza and an Ibiza boat partyWinning a spot at the Naughty Parrot launch partyWhy Scottish crowds want it faster, harder and at 150bpmKEY TAKEAWAYS:“What’s for you won’t go by you”: put the work out there and trust the universe.Say yes to every gig when you’re starting out, because every one teaches you something.Learn your crowd: what fills a dance floor down south won’t always work in Edinburgh.Speak up when something’s wrong, even on your first day.Never be jealous of someone else’s life, because you can build the one you imagine.Show up for other artists: a DM to an up-and-coming producer can go a long way.A great party is about energy.TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 – Trailer 01:22 – Intro: meet Will McGregor, Naughty Parrot launch party winner 02:08 – Flying down from Scotland and the Irn-Bru Xtra debate 03:08 – Growing up around music and his grandparents’ vinyl 03:36 – Coming out, faith, and music as a way out 06:40 – Commonwealth Games 2014 and moving to London at 17 07:46 – Big Brother: Katie Hopkins, Perez Hilton and his first live shot 10:14 – Landing a job on EastEnders 10:49 – First day on set: cueing the bus crash with a broken earpiece 13:30 – Strictly Come Dancing, Susan Calman and the glitter cannon 15:39 – Gogglebox and the “voice of God” 17:27 – Anti-terrorist police and a broken-down minibus in Liverpool 19:56 – Covid, buying decks and London Sound Academy 21:03 – BBC Casualty in Cardiff and garden party gigs 21:29 – 10 years, 6 cities and nothing to show for it: leaving TV 23:03 – We Are Made and the Ibiza boat party 23:58 – 28 days in Ibiza and feeling the energy of a room 25:15 – How a pair of cowboy boots changed everything 26:44 – Applying for the Naughty Parrot launch party 29:31 – The launch party: no phones, bongos and organised chaos 32:47 – “Never be jealous of anyone’s life” 34:26 – Finding balance and saying yes to every gig 36:51 – The 80s night heckler: “That’s not ‘82, it’s ‘79” 38:20 – Scotland’s haggis hunting season 40:31 – Bits & Pieces, Scotland’s unofficial anthem 41:31 – The mix: harder, faster, Scottish 42:24 – “Raise the roof”: the most stressful set of his life 45:24 – Artist spotlight: Charlotte Moss 47:03 – Where the name Will McGregor comes from 49:24 – Quick-fire round: sunrise vs. closing, USB vs. vinyl 50:59 – Dream venue: Pikes Ibiza 52:59 – Two truths and a lie (and a fried caterpillar) 55:18 – Echo Note tradition 57:18 – Sign-off🎧 Subscribe for more conversations with DJs, creatives and cultural tastemakers.🦜 Naughty Parrot Radio. Be Bold. Dance Free.Follow Will McGregor Instagram: instagram.com/djwillmcgregorFollow Naughty Parrot: Instagram: instagram.com/naughtyparrothqTikTok: tiktok.com/@naughty.parrot.hqSoundcloud: soundcloud.com/rij_musicRIJ.: instagram.com/rijmusic_Naughty Parrot Radio. Be Bold. Dance Free. Hit us on our socials to stay connected with your community:InstagramTikTokYouTubeSoundCloudMixCloud

Sam Phonic, winner of the first ever Boxed In DJ competition by Ministry of Sound and the Faded Back to Back DJ Battle, joins the Naughty Parrot Podcast for an honest, funny conversation about DJ battles, imposter syndrome and finding where you belong in dance music.From staying behind after school on "the worst decks I've ever seen" to winning a battle on four decks at Egg, Sam shares what it's really like to compete in a room where everyone is watching, why three months of seven-nights-a-week in Greece made him the DJ he is, and why some of his best nights out have been the ones he went to alone.In this episode we cover:Learning to DJ at 12 and turning the school music room into a raveEntering (and getting rejected from) the Back to Back DJ Battle before going on to win itWhat a DJ battle is actually like: 5-minute rounds, 4 decks and zero room for mistakesImposter syndrome, even straight after winningA 3-month residency in Faliraki, 7 nights a weekTeaching primary school kids to play in a band by dayKEY TAKEAWAYS:Why getting rejected once isn't the end: Sam didn't get in first time, then won the whole thingUsing the decks as an instrument rather than just pressing playThe "jump scare" approach: mixing tracks nobody expects to work togetherWhy competitions and platforms matter for DJs trying to growHow going to a gig on your own can lead to the best night of your lifePartying with balance: knowing your limits, sleep, and (a lot of) ginger shotsWhy you have to do this for the love of it, not the glamourTIMESTAMPS:00:00 – Intro01:21 – Meet Sam Phonic, Back to Back DJ Battle winner02:20 – Starting out at 12 and the worst decks in school04:20 – London Sound Academy and first gigs at Egg05:10 – Finding your people in the dance scene07:12 – Entering the Back to Back DJ Battle08:22 – How a DJ battle works: 5 rounds, 5 minutes, everyone watching10:35 – Amplify Academy and learning to position yourself as an artist12:47 – Going first in the heats: "Please like me"13:45 – Final night at Egg16:31 – The Eminem x Prodigy "jump scare" on 4 decks17:33 – Winning and "feed the ego"18:45 – Why DJ battles and platforms matter20:28 – Defining the Sam Phonic sound21:40 – Going to gigs on your own23:50 – Imposter syndrome, even after winning25:35 – Partying with balance (and ginger shots)27:25 – The School of Rock day job29:20 – 3 months, 7 nights a week in Faliraki31:58 – The mix and guilty pleasures33:45 – Murder on the Dancefloor, Saltburn and "Perfect"36:05 – The most ridiculous booth moment36:48 – Quick-fire round: Carl Cox, frozen pizza and ghost chillies37:55 – Echo Note tradition39:32 – What's next: new remix and Bob Sinclar40:32 – Sign-off🎧 Subscribe for more conversations with DJs, creatives and cultural tastemakers.🦜 Naughty Parrot Podcast. Be Bold. Dance Free.Follow Sam Phonic Instagram: instagram.com/samphonicofficialFollow Naughty Parrot: Instagram: instagram.com/naughtyparrothqTikTok: tiktok.com/@naughty.parrot.hqSoundcloud: soundcloud.com/rij_musicRIJ.: instagram.com/rijmusic_Naughty Parrot Radio. Be Bold. Dance Free. Hit us on our socials to stay connected with your community:InstagramTikTokYouTubeSoundCloudMixCloud

Steven Braines, co-founder of HE.SHE.THEY and a working artist manager, joins the Naughty Parrot Podcast for a raw, funny and unfiltered conversation about inclusive nightlife, class, and building a brand without diluting what you believe in.From growing HE.SHE.THEY into a 25-country movement to living life as his drag alter-ego Sandra, Steven shares behind-the-scenes stories, industry home truths, and what it actually costs, financially and mentally, to build something real in music.In this episode we cover:- The real economics of artist management (what managers actually take home)- Building HE.SHE.THEY from a fashion label to a global inclusive party brand- Drag queen Sandra, and using comedy to talk about hard topics- Class, privilege and trust funds in the music industry- Campaigning against Keir Starmer to be Newham's next MP- ADHD, hyperfocus and getting medicated (or not).KEY TAKEAWAYS:- Why diluting your values to avoid controversy doesn't actually work- The real math behind what an artist manager takes home- How to get noticed without being annoying (the follow-up email rule)- Why "just be nice" is the actual long-term industry currency- The hidden cost of a music career for people without family money- How Sandra, his drag character, became a way to talk about hard topics through comedy- What running for Green Party council taught him about PR and storytelling- Managing ADHD, hyperfocus, and burnout without losing the plate-spinningTIMESTAMPS:00:00 – Intro: meeting SteveN Braines, HE.SHE.THEY co-founder00:52 – Why the brand talks politics openly04:52 – Building a genuinely inclusive brand, not a gatekept one07:16 – Safer spaces vs. universal spaces11:32 – Origin story: HE.SHE.THEY started as a fashion label14:16 – The lockdown pivot: community, livestreams, Web316:45 – Growing to 25 countries and the DMs that show the impact19:44 – Steve's own journey with queerness and not fitting the mould24:06 – Failing on purpose: screenwriting, drag, wrestling26:53 – Breaking into artist management29:19 – What artist managers actually earn33:22 – How to actually get noticed: the follow-up email35:40 – Why "just be nice" is the real industry currency40:34 – Trust funds, privilege and the "scales of justice"46:16 – Class, access and the hidden cost of a music career51:21 – Meet Sandra: the drag character born in lockdown57:01 – Comedy as a way in to talk about diversity1:00:55 – Running for the Green Party1:06:52 – Partying with balance: sobriety, steam rooms, anxiety1:15:36 – Escaping the spotlight: wrestling, comedy, Reiki1:18:49 – ADHD, hyperfocus and the medication debate1:21:31 – Artists to watch / shoutouts1:24:26 – Quick-fire round1:29:27 – Final quick-fire questions1:31:10 – Echo Note tradition & sign-off🎧 Subscribe for more conversations with DJs, creatives and cultural tastemakers.🦜 Naughty Parrot Podcast. Be Bold. Dance Free.Follow Steven Braines Instagram: @stevenbrainesFollow HE.SHE.THEY: @he.she.theyFollow Naughty Parrot: Instagram: instagram.com/naughtyparrothqTikTok: tiktok.com/@naughty.parrot.hqSoundcloud: soundcloud.com/rij_musicRIJ.: instagram.com/rijmusic_Naughty Parrot Radio. Be Bold. Dance Free. Hit us on our socials to stay connected with your community:InstagramTikTokYouTubeSoundCloudMixCloud

Groovy, uplifting, and full of live-sound energy, this is the DJ mix that captures exactly who Holly is behind the decks. Recorded exclusively for Naughty Parrot Podcast, it's the perfect soundtrack whether you're winding down or getting ready for a night out.This mix from Ibiza-based DJ Holly blends funky house, tech house, and disco influences with a focus on groove-driven, live-instrument sounds, think warm basslines, soulful chords, and vocal-led moments that build a real journey rather than just a string of tracks. Recorded as a companion to her interview on Naughty Parrot Podcast, the mix reflects her personal taste: fun, energetic, and unmistakably her own.House music lovers, Ibiza culture fans, and anyone who wants a groove-heavy, feel-good mix to soundtrack their day (or night).KEY TAKEAWAYS:A true reflection of Holly's personal sound, groovy, warm, and full of energyInfluenced by live instrumentation: strings, guitar, and soulful vocals woven into house and discoRecorded fresh off real Ibiza club sets, including Hï and UNVRS.A mix built for both home listening and warm-up setsAbout our guest:Holly is an Ibiza-based DJ known for her high-energy sets and residencies across the island's biggest venues, including Hï Ibiza and UNVRS. Originally from Durham, she built her path into music through hospitality and ski-season travel before settling into the island's club scene.Follow Holly:Instagram:   / hollyhutchdj  TikTok:   / hollyhutchdj  If you enjoyed this conversation, follow Naughty Parrot Podcast on your favorite app and leave us a rating, it helps more listeners find these stories. We'd love to hear your thoughts, so feel free to reach out and share your favorite moment from this episodeNaughty Parrot Radio. Be Bold. Dance Free. Hit us on our socials to stay connected with your community:InstagramTikTokYouTubeSoundCloudMixCloud

She played Ibiza's most iconic rooms, closed UNVRS, and lived through the chaos of the island's party scene, but almost gave it all up before it started. On this episode, Holly opens up about burnout, sobriety, and what it really takes to survive as a woman in the DJ industry.Holly takes us through her journey from running restaurants in Durham to becoming one of Ibiza's most in-demand DJs, playing legendary venues like Pikes, Hï, and UNVRS. She shares the real story behind her nerves before her first big gig, why she stepped away from DJing during her most "chaotic" years, and how going sober transformed her creativity and production skills. We also dig into the double standards female DJs face on lineups, the friends and mentors who've shaped her journey, and why slowing down has become her biggest lesson yet.This episode is for fans of house music, Ibiza culture, and honest artist interviews, and for anyone curious about the real, unfiltered life behind the DJ booth.What we cover in this episode:    • Why sobriety became the key to Holly's creativity and production growth    • The nerves and pressure behind playing a closing set at UNVRS Ibiza    • Why representation for female DJs still lags behind on major lineups    • How burnout shaped her approach to boundaries and self-care    • Advice for anyone building a creative career later in life    • The behind-the-scenes reality of what DJs actually do to prep a setAbout our guest:Holly is an Ibiza-based DJ known for her high-energy sets and residencies across the island's biggest venues. Originally from Durham, she built her path into music through hospitality and ski-season travel before settling into the island's club scene.Follow Holly:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollyhutchdj/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@HollyHutchdjIf you enjoyed this conversation, follow Naughty Parrot  on your favourite app and leave us a rating, it helps more listeners find these stories. We'd love to hear your thoughts.Naughty Parrot Radio. Be Bold. Dance Free. Hit us on our socials to stay connected with your community:InstagramTikTokYouTubeSoundCloudMixCloud

What happens when music becomes more than a passion - when it becomes a lifeline?In this episode, Rij sits down with Antoine, a French-Canadian DJ now making his mark on the UK scene, who won a spot at the Naughty Parrot launch party and hasn't looked back since. But this conversation goes far deeper than music.Antoine opens up about moving countries to chase a dream, the journey from professional dancer to filmmaker to DJ, and his experience living with HIV: what it took to process, how it shaped his strength, and how it lives inside every set he plays.He also talks about finding balance in nightlife, the power of soul in music, and what it felt like to play in a castle with dancers and live musicians on either side of him.This one will stay with you.Key Moments in This Episode:The journey from Canada Antoine grew up in French-Canadian Quebec, trained as a contemporary dancer in Montreal — commercial style, working with drag queens, Pride shows — before pivoting to filmmaking and eventually landing in London on a youth visa at 29. He arrived knowing almost nobody and started from zero.From filmmaker to DJ The frustration of filmmaking — months of work, a network that didn't materialise, projects going nowhere — pushed Antoine to try something different. He walked into Pirate Studios, bought a USB, and started building. Six months later, he was playing a castle.The Naughty Parrot launch night Antoine submitted his competition entry at 11:30pm on deadline night — nearly didn't send it. Rij was about to close the entries when it came through. He listened. Antoine won. On the night, with dancers and live saxophone on either side of him, he lost himself completely in the set: "I looked at the time and I was like, my hour's almost gone. I completely lost track of time. It was another dimension."Living with HIV In one of the most open and courageous moments the show has had, Antoine shares his experience of being diagnosed with HIV in 2016. He talks about how the world was different then, how he processed it, and the years it took to find acceptance. His response was extraordinary: he wrote and directed a 30-minute film about the diagnosis — a deeply cathartic process that helped him forgive, grieve, and eventually find a positive light. The film is available to watch on IndieCinema.co (7-day free trial).His message to anyone going through something similar: talk. To your friends, your family. "They help you in ways you would never expect, and that you don't even think you need — but it just feels so good to express yourself."Music and soul Antoine describes his sound in three words: nostalgic, heavy, soulful. His dance background lives in the rhythm and groove of everything he plays. He's currently influenced by Brooklyn-based artist Jules Grant — discovered the track Alive and played it on repeat for three days straight. "You can feel it when an instrument is played and recorded live. He does it to perfection."The mix Antoine recorded the mix the day before the episode — and cried at the end of it. Tech house with a disco soul, built to hit hard at the start and pull you into a dream. "I want people to have a good time. That's the journey."Partying with balance Antoine is in his 30s, teaches fitness classes, does breathwork, stretches daily as a meditative practice. He used to party hard — until he physically moved away from the environment that made it too easy. "How can you create memories if you don't remember anything?"What's next Antoine is heading to Barcelona with his friend Misconduct to start something new — a new event, details TBC. Five-year goal: play World Pride.About Naughty ParrotNaughty Parrot is a nightlife and lifestyle brand built around one belief: music, moments and people leave echoes. The Naughty Parrot Podcast sits at the intersection of electronic music, culture, wellbeing and human connection.Naughty Parrot Radio. Be Bold. Dance Free. Hit us on our socials to stay connected with your community:InstagramTikTokYouTubeSoundCloudMixCloud

A curated Naughty Parrot Podcast music mix by Darren James, the DJ who built the world's smallest club in lockdown. This mix reflects the energy, emotion and atmosphere behind the conversation.🎧 Created to accompany Darren's episode on the Naughty Parrot Podcast.Listen to the full podcast episode here:https://youtu.be/9YxkE59KVJQMuch love, 🦜 Naughty Parrot xNaughty Parrot Radio. Be Bold. Dance Free. Hit us on our socials to stay connected with your community:InstagramTikTokYouTubeSoundCloudMixCloud

Darren James has been DJing for over a decade. He’s played Ibiza, built a fully soundproofed club in his spare bedroom, and spent years quietly watching social media slowly drain the soul out of the scene he loves. In this episode, he finally says what a lot of DJs are thinking.Topics CoveredThe World’s Smallest Club: a lockdown passion project gone properlyThe 2012 deep house era and how Darren got into DJingWhy social media is a net negative for electronic music cultureCareer vs. hobby — the distinction that changes everythingLongevity hacks from someone who’s been in it for a decadeDarren James is a London-based DJ and electronic music artist known for genre-fluid sets rooted in deep house and melodic electronic sounds. Find him on SoundCloud at darren.james._Follow the show so you never miss an episode.Naughty Parrot Radio. Be Bold. Dance Free. Hit us on our socials to stay connected with your community:InstagramTikTokYouTubeSoundCloudMixCloud

A curated Naughty Parrot music mix by Nick, Manager of Pikes Ibiza and founder of Manoeuvre Records. Mixed by Danny Beck. This mix reflects the energy, emotion and atmosphere behind the conversation, pulling from the sounds of Ibiza nightlife, afterhours moments, and the culture that shapes unforgettable nights.🎧 Created to accompany Nick’s episode on the Naughty Parrot Podcast.Listen to the full podcast episode here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tvpk9SRR5k Much love, 🦜 Naughty Parrot xNaughty Parrot Radio. Be Bold. Dance Free. Hit us on our socials to stay connected with your community:InstagramTikTokYouTubeSoundCloudMixCloud

Nick, Manager of Pikes Ibiza and founder of Manoeuvre Records joins the Naughty Parrot Podcast for a raw, hilarious, and deeply honest conversation about nightlife culture, Ibiza, and the realities behind the scenes.From running one of Ibiza’s most iconic venues to navigating sobriety in an industry built on late nights, Nick opens up about balance, boundaries, and what modern club culture really looks like. We also unpack that viral voice note that took on a life of its own, plus stories from Pikes Ibiza, 528 Ibiza, and the wider global dance music ecosystem.This episode goes beyond the DJ booth: touching on culture, chaos, community, and the human side of nightlife leadership.In This Episode, We Cover:THE viral voice note everyone was talking aboutLife behind the scenes at Pikes Ibiza and 528 IbizaNightlife culture, chaos, and connectionChoosing sobriety while working at the heart of club cultureBuilding Manoeuvre Records and curating unforgettable eventsDJs and artists currently on Nick’s watchlistFeaturing:Guest: Nick – Manager of Pikes Ibiza & Founder of Manoeuvre RecordsHost: RIJ. (Founder of Naughty Parrot)Vibes: Nightlife Culture, Ibiza, Club History, Sobriety, Music Industry, DJ Culture, Events, Community🎧 Subscribe for more conversations with DJs, creatives, and cultural tastemakers.🦜 Naughty Parrot PodcastBe Bold. Dance Free.Follow Naughty Parrot:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naughtyparrothqTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@naughty.parrot.hqSoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/rij_musicRIJ: https://www.instagram.com/rijmusic_Listen:Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | MixcloudNaughty Parrot Radio. Be Bold. Dance Free. Hit us on our socials to stay connected with your community:InstagramTikTokYouTubeSoundCloudMixCloud