The Memory Box – Gallery
Subscribe via Substack – The Memory Box – Things We Saw
Enjoy the journey
Curiosity hasn’t killed the cat just yet…
Don’t you think it’s wild how you can connect with someone or even with nature at the exact right time, often when you’re least expecting it? These moments can’t be planned; they just happen, like magic. Sometimes we’re in perfect sync, and sometimes we’re not. My fascination with this is one of the reasons I’ve been capturing photos for most of my life and why I don’t think I’ll ever stop.
There’s too much history to get into specific portfolios and things that have caught my attention over the years so to kick off, I’ve pulled together a collection of some of the best bits from my days in the pits, mixed in with throwbacks and snapshots of life behind the scenes.
The collection hopes to give you perspective and a chance to take a break and reflect. It’s a nostalgic journey down memory lane or peak back into club culture for current and future generations.
I’ve chosen not to caption most of the images with artists’ names, venues, or dates as in my opinion, it changes the viewers perspective.
Enjoy the mystery and have some fun guessing the artists, years, venues, and even the tracks they might have been touring at the time. Take a moment to reflect on where you were, and think about the artists, crew, fans, and behind-the-scenes who created those unforgettable experiences.
Working on this collection reminded me to slow down and look at things in detail again.
I lost that perspective on life for a while, taking time out daily to focus gave me time for a natural awakening that led to me starting to understand why our environments have such importance.
It turns out that “disappear and come back stronger” thing is real, if you get the opportunity, take it!
The collection contains over one hundred interviews and features published under Chapters+Stories with 200 + on the way.
Over the years I’ve been fortunate to have collaborated and worked with so many incredible artists and people and sincerely thank everyone involved on all levels.
This is body of work is 25 years in the making and I loved every minute of it, even the bad bits, the process of assembling this collection gave me a rare chance to reflect.
Sometimes disengaging is the best way to engage.
embrace cultures
follow your instincts
right time, right place
What would you never leave the house without?
“I never leave the house without a good book or two, especially when heading out on the road for the weekend of longer. It is a desert island discs kind of thing, in case I get stranded, and always take my iPhone with me because the voice recorder is so good on it, if an idea comes to my head I record it there and then. I have to record sounds and ideas quickly or else the thoughts just disappear. No matter where I am I have to sing it, and people always look at me like I am bonkers!”
– Tony Colman aka London Electricity
How do you measure success
True success is a feeling of satisfaction that can only be achieved from within.
Allow yourself time to process your achievements by acknowledging
the impact of your creations.
– RIP Scoop
Seeing as you travel a lot, what are the things you can’t go on tour without?
“There’s nothing you can’t go on tour without Darlin’. But the one thing I do like having is fresh socks. So, I try and get fresh sports socks put on the rider because there’s nothing better than a pair of brand new socks. That’s about it. I’m pretty easy to please really. Socks and – yeah, that’s it. And a pack of cigarettes. That’s me happy.”
– Jamie T
What’s your message to the world?
“All world leaders should meditate together before meetings
And Trump should do yoga”
– Little Dragon
“Look for what you notice
but no one else sees” – Rick Rubin
good times
“These days everyone has virtual friends on the internet. I much prefer meeting someone face to face and forming those relationships. I put the people before the music and I think people appreciate that.”
– Norman Jay MBE
What are the basic principles you live by?
Do the best you can with what you have.
Ask questions.
Be resourceful.
Master the art of the pivot.
Do everything with good intentions.
Remember your objective.
Don’t burn out.
Get it done.
How have your musical tastes changed over time?
“My tastes haven’t changed too much I don’t think. I still have a very varied musical diet so listen to a lot of soul and rare groove, I love playing a House set every now and then and I think your tastes tend to be your tastes, but you have to adapt them to the music that is available at any moment in time.”
– DJ Marky
Don’t judge a book by it’s…
With people consuming music so rapidly, in a disposable way, does the term “tastemaker” still apply to upcoming radio DJs?
“I don’t know! It’s odd… We have the most famous tastemakers in the UK, it’s like Zane Lowe working for Apple now – they’re coming here because American radio is so regionalised whereas we have a celebration of the BBC and that all goes back to John Peel, he was the one person that worked out of the box and was prepared to put his neck on the block and believe in music. I feel very blessed that I was able to spend some time with him. Maybe the spirit of John Peel has sunk through to people like me and the next generation. The one thing that I think people do need is a little bit of direction and to believe in certain people. It’s like, I like film, and I swear by Mark Kermode, he’s my guide because he’s an expert.”
– Gilles Peterson
RIP Jimmy the Hair
“I always wanted to be an everyday-man’s hip-hopper.
I just always make an effort to communicate on day-to-day terms.”
– Roots Manuva
“Don’t compare yourself to others.
Just do how you feel and be guided by your moods and feelings,
Because your mood with its smallest nuances will always set you apart from others.
So will your music.” – Alex Niggemann
Do you remember the first song you wrote growing up?
“I actually do remember the first song I wrote, I recorded it with my best friend and it was called Mr. Mysterious. It was a very cheesy song, copying Destiny’s Child.”
– Eliza Doolittle
“That’s a really amazing feeling to have,
to feel that energy and excitement when creative people are connecting”
– Chopper Fat Freddy’s Drop
“I’m surprised you’re asking me if you know how to party
but if you want to be told… you do it hard, you do it full on,
and you do it with a love and passion that is utterly contagious.”
– Michele Adamson
“When the crowd started singing the words back to me it was weird and wonderful.”
– Danielle Moore
What were the Jurassic 5 Days like?
“The original days of Jurassic, huh? Well, I was a stay at home Mom at one point, we all had day jobs and I was also a security guard at one point. Trying to get gigs, it was again about being in the right place at the right time and doing the right thing and being seen by the right people.”
– Chali 2na
“Take a step back and help one another.
Greed is becoming a big thing nowadays with everybody
taking what they can and not helping each other.
It feels good to smile and to help each other.”
– Paul Oakenfold
the art of the reset
Coming together and parting ways is a natural part of human coexistence;
prioritise moments for connection and self-reflection.
So, what did you originally think about the Ibiza scene? How did Circoloco persuade you to give it a shot?
“Well, Circoloco had been trying to get me to play for a while but then they closed. I went to check out one of their parties in Italy, I just didn’t think much to the deeper House scene over in Ibiza. When they hired Tony Humphries at DC10, I thought it was interesting.
So I went to meet Andrea (Pelino) in Italy who spoke of DC10 and said;
“it is just a red room, great sound system and some top DJs but no one commercial and just a really pumped crowd.”
From the minute I started playing there, I have never had to change anything I do on stage and I felt part of the support structure and the family of Ibiza. As planes flew over us as we played outside, the emotion was special and deep and so I began playing the wildest, deepest
House and Disco to see how the crowd reacted.
I then played in London at The Arches with the Circoloco DJs and I was sold.”
– Kerri Chandler
How do you find peace with such a demanding schedule?
“I’m completely in love with the mountains. I love to go snowboarding.
There is something so special about the calmness and letting your
eyes see from a mountain top. It’s amazing.”
– Kolsch
What do you love about DJing and what influences you?
“I work really hard but I don’t think that what I do is really ‘work’.
I look at my life like I have been invited to this really cool party and
then asked to choose the music. It isn’t work, it isn’t a burden.
It is ‘let’s get a wiggle on’ and I never ever complain about what I do.
Everything influences me and I LOVE IT.”
– Craig Charles
LETS FUCKING GO!
Our generation, Our Rules, Our Time…
Don’t sit around and wait for someone to make it happen for you…
YOU HAVE THE POWER!
Love. – Pav – Foreign Beggars
What were your early influences that made you want to produce music?
“My early influences were mainly House, Hardcore and Jungle. A need to produce because I wasn’t getting any DJ gigs are my reasons for starting to produce. Gone were the days where you can just DJ, so I had to get in the studio and learn my craft.”
– Eats Everything
rule no.1
“Nobody likes being told what they can and can’t do…”
Respect each others creative right for a main role, improvise, flow with ideas in harmony, create a unique piece of art with input from the collective to take your creation to levels that can’t be reached by one human alone.
– Matthew McConaughey
“An open minded crowd, is good for me”
– Shanti Celeste
What’s all the buzz about being conscious?
The words you choose and the language you use, are like ripples in a pond – they carry energy that shapes moods, builds connections that influences the people in the world around you. When you align your words with intention, you don’t just communicate—you create.
Use your mind and instincts to control your vernacular, unlocking the superpower to grow, build your community, and find your people—those who will help you craft your ideal life within the life the world has planned for us.
Ley Lines
“The closure of fabric was a low light! 15 years of Playaz at Fabric was bought to an abrupt end and naturally I was upset at the pass of the club but it’s been amazing how the whole music community is supporting the fight to get their license back and hopefully they will win that fight.”
– DJ Hype
diverse communities bread creativity and innovation
Mastering your words and energy transforms conflict into an opportunity for connection and growth. By speaking intentionally, aligning your language with empathy, and grounding your energy, you can de-escalate tension, foster understanding, and inspire collaboration. Consider how you resolve disagreements and use them to strengthen relationships – think about the ripple effect that can be created by sharing positive views in your community and beyond.
rewind selecta
Once you repeat, it means something is not right.
Our work is a repetition of things but our goal is not to repeat the exact same thing,
it might look the same, but it’s not…
CHAPTERS + STORIES
TRAVEL DIARY
Putting this collection together has been an inspiring, humbling rollercoaster. I’ve often been stopped in my tracks by photos of people who are no longer with us and by the memories they evoke. These images capture the unique moment they were taken and also make me wonder about those who unknowingly became part of a story, leaving me to ponder what they might be doing now. It’s a feeling anyone can relate to.
If you recognise yourself in this collection and would like credit, a link, or a copy of the photos, please reach out via social media. Thank you for being where you were, at the moment you were captured. I’m actively working on this project, so if you’re up for a collaboration, holler anytime.
