JD

How did you get into DJing?

I promoted and DJd at my own club night in Glasgow, “Pin Up Nights”, between 2003 and 2012. Guest musicians and DJs at our parties included (to name a few) Florence and the Machine, The National, Alex James from Blur, MGMT, Tony Wilson (Factory Records) and the unforgettable Rick Witter of Shed Seven!

What for you are the key cornerstones of a great DJ set?

Sections for all the ages, including at least a few brand-new chart hits for the grumpy teenagers, and a torrent of big hits near the end.

What 5 artists best represent your variety and diversity of musical tastes?

I could go onto Mastermind with specialist subjects The Clash, Blur, Bowie, Madonna and Stevie Wonder. (The Beatles are the best band ever, but everyone knows that already.)

Do you think DJing a wedding differs in any way from a regular DJ set - and if so, how? - or do the core principles remain the same?

I was a clubs DJ for a decade before I DJd at weddings. I think it’s pretty different. You can’t be as self-indulgent, you need to be able to span more genres, you feel a certain obligation to fill the dancefloor, and you have to be fun and try to accommodate requests (as long as they’re not rubbish).

What 10 albums would be your Desert Island Discs?

Astral Weeks - Van Morrison

What’s Going On - Marvin Gaye

Abbey Road - The Beatles

Innvervisions - Stevie Wonder

Hunky Dory - David Bowie

Blue - Joni Mitchell

London Calling - The Clash

Parklife - Blur

Debut - Bjork

The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill - Lauryn Hill

Do you have any big DJing no-no's?

If a request is terrible, you can’t play it unless there’s express authorisation from the Bride!