In the Fifteenth episode There Is No Planet Earth Stories, I sit down with legendary DJ, producer, and remixer Justin Strauss for a wide-ranging conversation about his remarkable journey through music and nightlife culture.

We explore Justin’s early music experiences—from seeing The Beatles live to attending iconic shows at Electric Circus. He shares stories from his time as the frontman of the glam-punk band Milk n' Cookies, and his transition into DJing, including his first gig and influential residency at the legendary Mudd Club.

Justin also reflects on his pivotal roles as resident DJ at iconic 80’s NYC venues like Area, and The Ritz. Additionally, our conversation explores the origins and evolution of his prolific remix and production career, which continues to inspire across generations.

“Few DJs could adequately represent the last three decades of New York nightclub history - no less do so with such iconic credentials as Justin Strauss. Since he was 17, when his first band was signed to Island Records, Justin has had a career that reads like a Who’s-Who of the music scene, spinning at nearly every dance club that you’d ever want to go to. Starting as DJ at New York’s legendary Mudd Club, he spun his way through The Ritz, Limelight, Area, Tunnel, M.K., Life, Centro Fly and more, pioneering his own distinctive sound, and becoming one of the most sought-after remixers and producers not just in New York, but in the world. He has worked with the gamut of artists - Depeche Mode, Hot Chip, Sergio Mendez, Tina Turner, Jimmy Cliff, B-52s, Luther Vandross, 808 State, Malcolm McClaren, Skinny Puppy, Goldfrapp, LCD Soundsystem to name a few and on over 300 records!

Much of the new dance crowd that goes to hear Justin DJ today, doesn’t necessarily know his history; they simply love his spinning because he always keeps them dancing and surprised, seamlessly mixing between choice classics, delectable rarities and innovative beats. For Justin, no genre or style is off-limits – he can and will mix anything, so long as he can keep the crowd enthralled. His self-proclaimed mission is “connecting the dots” between what might otherwise seem disparate musical periods and styles, while introducing exciting new sounds. He does so with infectious passion, subverting preconceptions about what’s old and new, and inspiring young DJs with his masterful skill and ever-youthful spirit.

But Justin Strauss doesn’t stop there. As half of the production duos, Whatever/Whatever and A/JUS/TED, he continued to produce and mix records, working on remixes for the likes of Hot Chip, William Onyeabor,LCD Soundsystem, Blood Orange, Holy Ghost!, Franz Ferdinand, Beyonce. Working on new projects Extra Credit with Joe Goddard of Hot Chip & Marcus Marr, and with Max Pask under their Each Other moniker, whose debut E.P.’s were mixed by Soulwax and released on their Deewee label, with new releases coming soon. Touring the world Dj’ing at Panorama Bar in Berlin, Robert Johnson in Frankfurt, Zunkunft in Zurich to name a few. In fact, he doesn’t stop at all.”

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For the Fourteenth episode of There Is No Planet Earth Stories, I sat down with legendary club promoter Benny Soto, a pivotal figure in New York City's dance music scene. Benny takes us through his upbringing in the Bronx and shares how his formative experiences at the iconic Paradise Garage sparked his love for music and nightlife. We explore the evolution of his career as a promoter and event producer, including the backstory behind two of NYC’s most beloved party institutions: 718 Sessions and Dance.Here.Now. Don’t miss this insightful conversation about the culture, the music, and the passion that continues to drive Benny’s groundbreaking work in the scene.

"Benny Soto has been an essential force behind several of New York’s most important nightlife institutions including the Dance.Here.Now. and 718 Sessions brands, as well as the legendary venues Output and Cielo. From his days as an assistant for Keith Haring through now when he produces events with many of the world’s elite House and Techno DJ’s, Benny Soto has evolved into one of the industry’s most highly respected and esteemed promoters / event producers.”

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For the Thirteenth episode of There Is No Planet Earth Stories I'm Join by guest Doc Martin representing stories from San Francisco & Los Angeles
We discuss a range of topics including his formative musical experiences in San Francisco, the Los Angeles scene in the early 90's and various parties and residencies held in those years, as well as the evolution of his DJ, and music production career over the years, and much more.

A product of the 80’s San Francisco dance music boom, DJ/Producer Doc Martin has been creating innovative, high-energy electronic music for nearly three decades. Once a mainstay on the Pacific Northwest scene, he has gone on to perform everywhere from Ibiza to Tokyo, London and beyond, creating an enduring body of work in the process. Now, as he enters a new phase of his career, Doc shows no signs of slowing down, as he continues to evolve, revealing new sides of his artistry as he releases the most compelling music of his career.

Doc Martin’s choice to pursue a career in music was an obvious one, given the musical family he grew up in. Most notably, his mother sang with Bay Area icons Jefferson Starship.Doc, however, was more interested in absorbing the various electronic subcultures that were emerging around the country. Endless hours spent in SF’s indie record stores armed him with an expertise in everything from acid house to techno, as he developed the genre bending style that would come to define his career.

Within a few years of his first performance, Doc was selling out shows across his hometown, and began setting his sights on bigger things. In the early 90’s, he relocated to Los Angeles, where he quickly integrated himself into the city’s thriving rave scene. Not long after, his profile had risen enough for him to be invited to Europe to play at some of the continent’s most iconic clubs and parties, including Fabric(Residency), Circoloco, The Rex, Panorama Bar, and Sunwaves to name a few,. In the ensuing decades, he became a favorite amongst audiences from New York to London, performing regularly at clubs including Output, Coachella, The Roxy, Twilo, City Fox, Space, Desert Hearts, Movement, and Lightning in a bottle

After three decades of bringing people together with music, Doc Martin’s passion and drive remain as strong as ever. He maintains a steady schedule of performances across the globe while continuing to release new tracks regularly. As the rare artist to achieve the status of elder-statesman, he has left a lasting legacy in electronic music, a legacy which he continues to add to every day.


Also played with James Brown/Grace Jones/Tour Dj for Deee-lite,

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