For this weeks ‘STAFF SELECTS’ it’s the turn of Senior Commercial Manager John Howlin, if you attended our 10th Birthday you would have been lucky enough to see him partying then night away behind the decks. Known for his ecliptic taste of music and encyclopedia knowledge of all things acid house we quizzed him on his all-time favourites.

In his own words:

“So I got the decks back out for the recent ATIKA 10 year birthday party. Dusted off after 18 years! Me and my pals in Liverpool played out at parties across the north west through the late 80’s and early 90’s. Back then we could have a crowd jumping, melting into acid puddles or hugging like they'd found a long lost family member. I didn’t have a clue whether I could still mix or move a crowd. Still don’t know really but have loved every second of being back on the decks; here’s a short mix from this week of some sing-a-long “scream up” house from the early days. It’s rough around the edges but I prefer tapes that are closer to the original sound we played in the cars up and down motorways on Sunday mornings. It’s all original vinyl (not even a compilation LP), recorded on Technics 1210’s which I’ve owned since 1990 and a basic 2 channel mixer”.

Q: What’s the first CD/record you ever bought?

A: Ghost town by The Specials. 7” record. From Woolworths in town.

Q: How would you describe your music taste?

A: Mood swings. Like me. Hard as fuck or super camp.

Q: Who is the best person(s) you’ve seen live?

A: Nirvana. Twice. Do you hate me for that?

Q: Who can you not stop listening to this year?

A: Boris Johnson

Q: What is your fave song of 2021?

A: I have no clue about current tunes but the record I discovered (thanks Tony!) this year is The Mexican Babe Ruthhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MV8Wv_LsN6E because it is the long lost original of this Todd Terry banger wot Sasha used to playhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csDzaxsFjVs