In the two decades that have passed since Tony Walker discovered dance music and spent his entire student grant on decks, his illustrious DJ career has spanned five continents and seen him work alongside some of the worlds most revered DJ's, producers and promoters.
Since his first ever gig (after a Carl Cox main set at a Leeds rave no less) the self confessed vinyl obsessive has maintained a permanent presence on the northern dance scene making his name synonymous with house music and club culture
Walthamstow born but with an affinity for the 'home of all soulful music', also known as the north west. Tony has made Leeds his home since his Uni days in the early 90s.
First residing alongside pop dance act Utah saints in 1992, Tony went on to create 'Happy' a weekly house night at the once infamous home of Back to Basics; The Music Factory in Leeds. The night soon became notorious in the north and eventually nationally winning the prestigious accolade of best UK midweek dance night from DJ magazine.
Then came 'Love to Be' (voted club of the year in 1995). Immediately a phenomenal success, this promoter/ DJ role lead Tony to further work with clubs such as Gatecrasher and eventually his own radio show with American icon DJ Disciple. The 'Transatlantic mix' was soon nationally networked on Kiss / Galaxy and the direct American influence set a welcome precedent in the field.
The show was truly irresistible as it showcased the most upfront tracks from both sides of the pond often months before national releases were made and attracted interviews and acclaim from international players such as Armand van Helden, Roger Sanchez, Dj Sneak, Eric Morillo, Mousse T, David Morales. 'An underground, grass roots show but with all the benefits of commercial radio' commented Mixmag. Indeed the show was such a success it was later translated into global syndication and a sell out tour with dates as far and wide as Australia and the US.
With his status well and truly elevated into that of 'superstar DJ', Tony became a regular spinner at some of the best clubs around the globe including: Ministry of Sound, Gatecrasher, Pacha (Ibiza), Centro Fly (NYC), Speed Queen, Passion, Déjà vu, Federation, Sugar (Singapore), Salt (Australia), Stark (Dallas).
Tony's talents are by no means restricted to DJing. Extensive Knowledge of the intricacies of the industry has been gathered writing freelance for Muzik, Ministry and DJ magazines as well as managing both Urban Rhythm and Eastern Bloc record shops, producing his own tracks (recorded as Main Connection, Soul Friction, The Barkin Brothers, One Foot in the Groove, Peak Time Players and Trimtone), managing his own labels Love to be..., One Foot in the Groove and Trimtone Music as well tour managing the Love to be... and Love to be...Live concepts.
Today Tony can be found spinning at Leeds based club of the year (as voted by Mixmag) Federation and FunkyLove, as well as playing a prestigious selection of UK and European venues with Love to be... During the week he is kept busy as managing director of leading artist management, promotions and production agency Adept as well as looking after the Premier Entertainment Yorkshire venues which include Ivory in Harrogate.
In the two decades that have passed since Tony Walker discovered dance music and spent his entire student grant on decks, his illustrious DJ career has spanned five continents and seen him work alongside some of the worlds most revered DJ's, producers and promoters.
Since his first ever gig (after a Carl Cox main set at a Leeds rave no less) the self confessed vinyl obsessive has maintained a permanent presence on the northern dance scene making his name synonymous with house music and club culture
Walthamstow born but with an affinity for the 'home of all soulful music', also known as the north west. Tony has made Leeds his home since his Uni days in the early 90s.
First residing alongside pop dance act Utah saints in 1992, Tony went on to create 'Happy' a weekly house night at the once infamous home of Back to Basics; The Music Factory in Leeds. The night soon became notorious in the north and eventually nationally winning the prestigious accolade of best UK midweek dance night from DJ magazine.
Then came 'Love to Be' (voted club of the year in 1995). Immediately a phenomenal success, this promoter/ DJ role lead Tony to further work with clubs such as Gatecrasher and eventually his own radio show with American icon DJ Disciple. The 'Transatlantic mix' was soon nationally networked on Kiss / Galaxy and the direct American influence set a welcome precedent in the field.
The show was truly irresistible as it showcased the most upfront tracks from both sides of the pond often months before national releases were made and attracted interviews and acclaim from international players such as Armand van Helden, Roger Sanchez, Dj Sneak, Eric Morillo, Mousse T, David Morales. 'An underground, grass roots show but with all the benefits of commercial radio' commented Mixmag. Indeed the show was such a success it was later translated into global syndication and a sell out tour with dates as far and wide as Australia and the US.
With his status well and truly elevated into that of 'superstar DJ', Tony became a regular spinner at some of the best clubs around the globe including: Ministry of Sound, Gatecrasher, Pacha (Ibiza), Centro Fly (NYC), Speed Queen, Passion, Déjà vu, Federation, Sugar (Singapore), Salt (Australia), Stark (Dallas).
Tony's talents are by no means restricted to DJing. Extensive Knowledge of the intricacies of the industry has been gathered writing freelance for Muzik, Ministry and DJ magazines as well as managing both Urban Rhythm and Eastern Bloc record shops, producing his own tracks (recorded as Main Connection, Soul Friction, The Barkin Brothers, One Foot in the Groove, Peak Time Players and Trimtone), managing his own labels Love to be..., One Foot in the Groove and Trimtone Music as well tour managing the Love to be... and Love to be...Live concepts.
Today Tony can be found spinning at Leeds based club of the year (as voted by Mixmag) Federation and FunkyLove, as well as playing a prestigious selection of UK and European venues with Love to be... During the week he is kept busy as managing director of leading artist management, promotions and production agency Adept as well as looking after the Premier Entertainment Yorkshire venues which include Ivory in Harrogate.