Some interviews just take their time to find the right moment… and this one’s been a long time coming.
I first met Dean Church, better known to most as DjD, through a mutual friend, Stacy-James. But honestly, I’d heard his name long before that. In Kettering’s music circles, Dean’s the kind of figure people speak about with genuine affection and respect – a local legend mentioned in the same breath as other pillars of the scene. For years, we’d crossed paths at events but never properly chatted.
That changed when Dean launched The Social. I went along with Stacy, finally met the full crew, and instantly got it – why everyone talks about him the way they do. And over the last two years, as I’ve had more interactions with Dean, that feeling has only grown. He’s one of the good ones: calm, kind and the definition of community spirit. He’s been behind the decks for decades, watching dance music evolve from vinyl to USBs, from tiny basement nights to festival stages, all while keeping his love for connection at the centre of it.
Over a year ago, we finally sat down for a proper long-form interview. It took months to actually happen – busy schedules, life, everything in between – and the plan was to pair it with our first ever Fleckies digital cover shoot. But due to many moving factors, that vision has never quite made it over the line (one day!) – nevertheless, these words deserve to be out in the world, so here it is.
“IT ALL STARTED WITH MY MUM BUYING A HOUSE RECORD.”
Dean’s story begins, fittingly, at home.
“My mum and dad both had great taste in music,” he tells me. “Soul, Motown, a bit of disco – all that 70s and early 80s electronic stuff. My mum actually bought the first house record in our house – Farley ‘Jackmaster’ Funk’s Love Can’t Turn Around. From then on I was hooked.”
He laughs about sneaking into local clubs as a teenager, hearing DJs spin early house and techno at places like Times nightclub. “I was fifteen, shouldn’t have even been there, but that’s where I caught the bug,” he says. “Back then you didn’t buy decks first – you collected music. You built a collection before you even thought about DJing.”
FROM JUNGLE TO JAZZ – AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN
In the mid-90s, Dean helped pioneer one of Kettering’s first regular jungle nights.
“We started a little session under the train station – probably 1995 – and it was the first proper jungle and drum & bass night in town,” he remembers. “There weren’t many people doing it back then. We’d do two nights a month, small crowd, but pure energy.”
That night evolved into Flava Unit, a run of events that spanned everything from Thames boat parties to New Year’s Eve sets.
“We’d book DJs like Randall, do house in one room, drum and bass in another. It was a proper community thing.”
Even as the sound of DnB shifted – from soulful rollers to techier edges – Dean stayed rooted in the music’s heart.
“The crowd knew their records,” he says. “You could feel the energy build when they recognised a tune coming in. That’s something you don’t always get now.”
VINYL ROOTS, DIGITAL FUTURE
Like so many who came up through the 90s, Dean’s relationship with vinyl runs deep.
“We were all vinyl back then. You’d spend your wages on records every Friday. But when people started sending me new music, I bought one of the first Pioneer CDJ-1000s locally – just so I could burn the tracks to CD and play them without spending forty quid on dubplates.”
Eventually, the shift to laptops and digital DJing came naturally.
“Technology opened everything up,” he admits. “You’re not limited to what’s in your record bag anymore – you can play anything, anywhere. It’s made DJing more accessible, which is great, though sometimes people see it as a shortcut to fame rather than about the music.”
For Dean, it’s always been about the music. “I’ve never chased the money. I just enjoy playing records to people.”
MENTORING, MEMORIES AND MOMENTS
Dean’s influence reaches far beyond his own sets. He’s helped guide countless DJs in the area – including Kettering LEGEND Rhys Alford, who went from messaging Dean for advice about headphones to playing main stages within a year.
“I’ve always tried to give people their first chance,” he says. “We weren’t ever a cliquey thing – if someone loved the same music, they were welcome. Seeing those people still DJing now, years later, that’s what it’s all about.”
And then there are the moments that remind him why he still does it.
“I’ll never forget playing the Cellar Bar in Oxford,” he smiles. “Tiny room, low ceiling, packed to the walls. I was ill all week, nearly didn’t go, but ended up playing jungle all night. People banging on the air-con units, sweat dripping off the ceiling – pure madness. Nights like that stay with you.”
ADVICE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION
After decades behind the decks, Dean’s perspective on the next wave of DJs is grounded and honest.
“To really make it nowadays, you’ve got to get into production,” he says. “Back in the day, DJs were DJs and producers were producers. But that changed. Once record sales dropped and people weren’t making money from vinyl anymore, producers had to move into DJing to earn a living. And now, if you want to stand out, you need your own music. It’s the quickest way for people to recognise your sound.”
But he’s quick to add that the technical side isn’t everything.
“Community matters just as much,” he says. “It’s not just about getting gigs – it’s about building genuine connections. Sharing music. Supporting each other. Being part of something. That’s how scenes grow. That’s how you stay grounded. And that’s how you make a difference beyond just what comes out the speakers.”
THE SOCIAL – A HOMEGROWN INSTITUTION
Fast forward to now, and The Social has become one of Kettering’s most loved nights. It all started, fittingly, with Dean’s 50th birthday.
“I hired the room upstairs at Aura,” he says. “Invited everyone – open invite, all ages, loads of old faces. The next day Chris came to me and said, ‘We should do this more often.’ So we did.”
What began as a one-off became a bi-monthly ritual – part gathering, part celebration, part throwback to simpler times.
“We start at seven, finish at one,” Dean laughs. “If the place is packed at one, we still cut the PA – we’ve all got work or families now. But it works. People can come straight from work, have a few drinks, catch up, dance, then still be in bed before the birds are singing.”
What makes The Social special is the openness.
“Some of the people who play aren’t even DJs – they just have amazing record collections,” Dean says. “It’s not about perfection, it’s about sharing music and seeing mates you haven’t seen in years.”
That simplicity has become its magic.
“We’ve had people in their 20s through to their 70s come down. It’s just about reconnecting. That’s what music should be.”
LOOKING BACK, PLAYING FORWARD
After decades behind the decks, Dean’s approach remains refreshingly grounded.
“We’re not trying to ‘make it’ anymore,” he says. “We’re just happy plodding along, playing tunes, and seeing people enjoy themselves. Anything extra is a bonus.”
Still, his influence runs deep – from shaping Kettering’s early jungle nights to inspiring the next generation. And as The Social heads into its next chapter, it’s clear Dean’s legacy isn’t just about the music he’s played, but the people he’s brought together through it.
“AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE JUST LOVE PLAYING MUSIC.”
That line sums up Dean perfectly – humble, passionate and quietly iconic. In a world that often chases hype, he’s proof that longevity, kindness and community still matter most.
So tomorrow, Friday 14th November, The Social turns two, celebrating with another of its now-iconic nights at Aura, 7pm – 1am (and not a second later – beauty sleep, you know). Entry’s free, the vibes will be golden, and if you can get down there, trust me – you should.
Follow The Social: @the.s0cial
Follow DjD: @dean_DjD
