Gary Dedman on vinyl, Hoxton Whores, and surviving 30 years in dance music

From vinyl crates to global club culture, this is the story of one of the most quietly influential figures in UK dance music. In this episode of The Dexter Jones Podcast, I sit down with Gary Dedman to unpack three decades inside the industry. From running one of the UK’s largest vinyl distribution warehouses to producing anthem after anthem as Hoxton Whores, and eventually reinventing himself as Hutch, this conversation traces the full arc of a modern dance music career. Gary takes us back to the heart of London’s vinyl era, life inside distribution warehouses, and how records were broken long before algorithms and streaming platforms existed. We explore how Hoxton Whores became one of the most in-demand remix names in clubland, the pressure and burnout that came with success, and the difficult decisions required to evolve creatively. The conversation also covers the shift from vinyl to digital, music piracy, producer credit, and the realities of longevity in an industry driven by hype cycles, ego, and constant reinvention. From underground roots to global stages, this is an honest account of what it really takes to last. This is not a success story dressed up for promotion. It’s a grounded reflection on craft, adaptation, and staying relevant without losing yourself. If you care about house music history, vinyl culture, the mechanics of the industry, or how artists survive long-term, this episode delivers. 🎧 Take your time with this one. We talk about: 💿 Life inside London’s vinyl distribution scene 🏭 Building one of the UK’s biggest distribution operations 🎶 The rise of Hoxton Whores as a remix brand 🔥 Touring, chaos, and burnout at the peak 🔄 Reinventing creatively as Hutch 📀 Surviving the shift from vinyl to digital 📉 Piracy, producer credit, and protecting music 🧠 Longevity, ego culture, and the modern dance landscape Chapters: 00:00 The sit-down party at DC10 03:00 Mods, northern soul, and family influence 05:30 First DJ gigs and hip-house beginnings 08:10 Becoming the UK’s first “YTS DJ” 10:00 From lifeguard courses to club nights 12:30 Early house and hip hop scene 15:00 First turntables and DJ gear 17:20 After-parties, noise complaints, and eviction 20:00 Building sound systems that shook the street 23:00 Moving to London and launching Empire Vinyl Distribution 25:00 Brick Lane and the underground music hub 27:30 From DJing to the Hoxton Whores project 30:00 Building the Hoxton Whores brand 33:00 Touring life and Ibiza madness 36:00 When vinyl ruled the clubs 39:00 Piracy and the digital shift 42:00 Why producers deserve more protection 44:30 How distribution changed the game 47:00 Studio process and remix culture 50:00 Defining tracks and Ministry of Sound releases 53:00 Transitioning from Hoxton Whores to Hutch 55:30 Founding Strategic DJs and artist management 58:00 Social media and DJ culture 1:00:00 The rise of the pop-star DJ 1:03:00 Finding new music in an oversaturated scene 1:06:00 Breaking tracks through promo distribution 1:08:00 Hutch and the next chapter 1:10:00 Festivals vs underground culture 1:13:00 Favourite gigs and Ibiza memories 1:14:00 What “One More Tune” means Links: Labels: Beatport catalogues (Galactica, Automata, Revoke) Agency: www.strategicdjs.com Promo Club: www.pro-mo.club Bookings and info: www.iamhutch.com For guest invitations, sponsorship proposals, and collaboration enquiries, please contact Dexter: [email protected]