A respected pillar of the North East dance scene for over thirty years, Tony Hutchinson has done it all. We caught up with the toon legend for a quick chat ahead of his birthday event.
From Newcastle to Miami, sounds like a Tinie Tempah lyric right? But in actual fact it’s just some of the landmarks in Dj Tony Hutchinson aka Hutchy’s long-standing career. From the electro clashes of the 80’s to early house music, Tony has certainly been there, done it and wore the t-shirt (you still owe us a pint). In a career spanning over three decades, Hutchy has rubbed shoulders in the booths of illustrious nights like Shindig, To The Manor Born and Liquid in Miami.
A regular on Newcastle radio station Method Radio, as well as guesting at the likes of Hardwick and Lindisfarne Festivals and long celebrated resident at Newcastle mecca Colonel Porters (where Newcastle Brown Ale was invented), the years have been kind to Tony and with an army of fans and well wishers, it’s fair to say there is still plenty of fuel left in the tank of this selector.
Ahead of his birthday event at Newcastle hotspot Tokyo on the Saturday July 13th, 2024, which sees Tony joined by Paula Halfpenny aka Sista Paula, we caught up with Hutchy for a chat at our table about all things House. Here’s what went down…
KOTT: Hi Tony, how are you? Can you tell us whereabouts you are right now?
Tony: At home in Newcastle, chilling after a lovely meal with my friends Neil and Samantha.
KOTT: Thanks for taking some time out to sit down with us, firstly, let’s go back to the beginning, when did you first become aware of electronic music?
Tony: As a teenager listening Gary Newman Depeche Mode, OMD and what later became Electro from the USA.
KOTT: Was there any DJ’s or performers that really inspired you in the early days?
Tony: A few but firstly the grandmaster Cutmaster Swift and later Carl Cox and Micky Finn. And of course Frankie Knuckles & David Morales. Also bands like Soul II Soul and the first time I saw the prodigy I was blown away.
KOTT: You’re first clubbing experience, where was it and who was on?
Tony: At first going to the cheesy Ritzy type clubs as a teenager but my first real music clubbing experience was at The Academy in Bournemouth watching Soul II Soul, Adeva and Salt N Peppa live .
KOTT: What is it that you love about the dance scene?
Tony: How people leave all their troubles at the door and just unite. They forget and dance and enjoy the music and smile. I have made friends on dance floors for life .
KOTT: What single night out has been the most memorable for you? As a DJ? As an attendee?
Tony: As a DJ playing at Madonna’s club Liquid in Miami and seeing Demi Moore and Bruce Willis having a full fight on the dance floor and nobody battered an eyelid!
As an attendee again Miami with my mate Scott Bradford on a night off at the Miami Music Conference hearing Danny Howells playing a full on Forensic Records / Scott Bradford mega mix we didn’t leave the dance floor at Club Space and there was a drive by shooting as we were leaving that was a night we will never forget!!
KOTT: The summer looks like a busy one for you, the Hardwick Festival is always a highlight in the north east house music scene, you’ve got a birthday event too coming up at Tokyo in Newcastle on the 13th Julyalongside another of our favourite DJ’s Sista Paula, but overall, what’s your favourite nights/venues to play?
Tony: Im loving our new all day partys at Tokyo the vibe and atmosphere is amazing .The next one is our second party. The first one we were supposed to finish at 8pm but I was asked to just stay on, so the next one on the 13th July we are doing open till close from 3pm to 02:00 am. Our course I love Colonel Porters as I was resident there for over 10 years playing with some of the biggest names in the business. I love the festival season especially Hardwick and Lindisfarne, I have agreed to do more festivals this year like Scoop too. I love playing at the LLIP parties they’re always a up for it crowd and not forgetting my brother Mark’s Restoration Parties with its diverse music policy. Where all our mates get together and have a massive party
KOTT: If you could eternally be stuck in one year’s music scene, which year would it be?
Tony : Well that simply would have to be 1991. The music and DJ’s were not pidgin holed . The nights started properly with real warm up sets and flowed properly from start to finish . I know older people always say we had the best music and time but I truly believe we did and thank got we had no phones back then . The early Rezerection crazy illegal beach partys at the waters edge in South Shields.
Pepper Box parties in Wilkshire in Druid Castles all before the clamp down
KOTT: What is something that bugs you about the DJ scene?
Tony: ‘bitchy’ music snobs vinyl only dj’s . We were all one back in the day. The scene is too divided now people don’t help each other like they used to . You don’t get the divide in places like Ibiza everyone looks out for each other.
KOTT: What is one track that never gets old for you no matter how many times you hear it?
Tony: That has to be Voodoo Ray by a A Guy Call Gerald. It gets me every time as it’s timeless but my favourite song / track of all time is by Sandy B and is called ‘Feel Like Singing’ the Bop Till You Drop mix . The words in the song just get me and are so true to life.
KOTT: Where do you think the scene is headed? One year from now? Five years from now?
Tony: One year from now, more daytime clubs/ cool bars but the noise restrictions need to be addressed.
Five years more big brand super clubs charging ridiculous money to see DJ and crazy drinks prices.
On the plus side the emergence of more female DJ’s like Holly Hutchinson smashing it (Plug Plug).
KOTT: Last question, for fun… What is one track that got popular that you can’t stand?
Tony: Sorry Mighty Mouse RIP but them horrible ABBA remixes need to go to room 101.
KOTT: Tony thanks for sitting at our table, we look forward to catching up soon!
