Charlie Sparks: I Didn't Even Know What a DJ Was Until 18 - Now I'm Headlining Awakenings

Charlie Sparks joins Katie for a raw, wide-ranging conversation about the philosophy, stories and personal experiences behind one of techno’s fastest rises.From discovering electronic music at 18 in Fabric to headlining Awakenings just a few years later, Charlie breaks down how Japanese anime One Piece became the blueprint for his entire career , mapping his journey from “nobody” to chasing his own version of king of the pirates.In this episode, Charlie opens up about his half-Japanese heritage, returning to Japan as a touring DJ after leaving as a student, crying in a taxi when his Awakenings booking came through, and a near-death experience in the Colombian jungle during his first ever tour. He also talks about playing sober for two years, why his mum has become the real VIP at his shows, the story behind his debut album, and why hard dance is exploding right now.This is a conversation about ambition, identity, resilience, community and the mindset it takes to build something that feels completely your own.Follow Katie: https://www.instagram.com/katiehayknight/Follow Can U Put Me On Guestlist?: https://www.instagram.com/canuputmeonguestlist/Follow Charlie: https://www.instagram.com/charliesparksmusic/This episode is powered by LabelWorx — the engine behind thousands of independent dance labels. Distribution, royalty management, promo tools and industry insights, all built by people who live and breathe dance music. Find out more at https://www.labelworx.comAlso powered by Trackstack - the all-in-one platform for music creators. Send and receive promos, get unreleased tracks into DJs’ hands, and create social-ready promo videos. Use code CUP for 10% off for life. https://www.trackstack.app/