​The Secret DJ: "I often have to check my luggage for drugs... I’m no idiot"

Mixmag’s monthly contributing writer The Secret DJ, who tells various behind the scenes tales of life as a touring artist, has announced a full book project to be released June 7, 2018.

The identity of The Secret DJ is of course a secret, but all one needs to know is that the individual has been touring for many years and is a globally recognized talent.

With Mixmag features that dive deep into various aspects of what it’s like to be an international DJ, like reliving memories of post-gig euphoria in Ibiza, how "you'll die of a heart attack if you stress about your place in the game" and the proper way to walk the line between cool and commercial, it’s clear The Secret DJ has become a respected voice, not just behind the decks.

Set for release via Faber Social, the the book aptly titled The Secret DJ offers an unapologetic and honest glimpse into this unique lifestyle. As Faber provides the book’s synopsis:

“A globally recognised DJ takes us on a personal journey through a life in the hedonistic fast lane of club culture over the last thirty years. From world-class venues in Ibiza to local pub function rooms, this is less an instruction manual and more a cautionary tale, which will illuminate anyone who has harboured an ambition to fill a dance floor.

“The Secret DJ is both the story of a rave generation whose days of pills, thrills and bellyaches are behind them, and a shockingly honest exposé of what really goes on behind the beat.”

One such story from the forthcoming book, that is available now online, tells of The Secret DJ traveling to Miami for the annual Winter Music Conference. Here is a portion of the story:

"I often have to check my luggage for drugs. Usually a nice airport security staff member will do this for me, but I like to do it myself first. Don’t get me wrong, I’m no idiot. It’s futile and stressful to transport anything under prohibition, but people genuinely do throw drugs at you. Sometimes literally. With the best intentions in the world, they can put a ‘gift’ of drugs in your bags at the club. It doesn’t occur to them that in a few hours those same bags will go through X-ray scanners and past dogs and machine-gun-wielding hormonal steroid-beasts. Also there’s every chance someone like Tour Manager will put some in there completely innocently ‘for safe keeping’ and then immediately forget they are there. So it’s always best to check."

Read the full excerpt from the forthcoming book here.

For more of The Secret DJ's features for Mixmag, read about how a proper DJ selects well and mixes well, thoughts on the awkward shift change between DJs and what its like to have a promoter driving you while high on cocaine.