BIOGRAPHY
DJ Paul Coady - 1987 TO DATE
Paul is one of Ireland's top Trance djs since the 1990s and is dedicated to the world of Trance music over 3 decades later. A long time ago in the late 1980s electronic music was discovered by Paul in Dublin and as Ireland was not known for this style of music, he knew it was going to be a difficult road ahead, to promote this music.
Then came Acid house music to the UK and the era of Estacy was found and the introduction of the rave scene was born in the 1990s. Paul traveled to Cream in Liverpool and The Ministry of Sound in London, to study the scene. Eventually the rave scene arrived in Ireland, with the underground clubs popping up all over Dublin, then the rest of Ireland.
The main clubs in Dublin was The Asylum Nightclub, Dublin, Sides Nightclub, Dublin and The Olympic ballroom, Dublin and the list goes on. This is where Paul discovered Trance music and (The Soundcrowd) a Dublin Duo act
(Tim Hannigan and Mark Kavanagh) this was one of the first electronic acts he studied, and was introduced to DJ Dilly and DJ Mick Walsh from Ireland, wizards on - The 1210s, also Trance DJs in the Asylum Nightclub, Dublin and DJ Pressure another longtime friend in the business and today he is a veteran and a legend.
Paul has 2 of his white labels, (Pride) was the main tune. It made the Irish charts, that put that genre music on the map.
Only 300 copies of the original was produced , DJ Pressure was the most laidback dj and shyness always showed, his head always down when in the mix, one word (fantastic) at mixing .
But when it came to the mixes he played in the clubs, DJ Pressure learned him the different keys of the tunes and the timing of the mixes.
DJ Pressure has been a major influence from the night Paul walked into the Asylum Nightclub and DJ Pressure was on the decks as the resident.
They gigged a few times together after that, including years later at Planetlove Ireland 2008.
On we go with the story, this music was the best thing he had ever heard and that's when he came across a music shop called Abbey Discs, in The Abbey Mall, Dublin the only DJ record shop in Dublin at the time.
The owner of the record shop, (Billy) along with Tara and Derek and Jamie became long time friends with Paul, in Liffey Street.
This shop would be the main influence for the music career that he has given to his listeners and fans over the years, especially in Ireland. Billy introduced Paul to labels like Hooj Toons and Manifesto Records etc.
Paul then contacted the labels and with the radio shows he done every week, he ended up on so many mailing lists, that the postman became good friends. Delivering white labels every few days. The postman would hear the toons pumping out as he approached the house.
Today Paul is one of only a handful of Irish djs playing his style of music on Irish radio. TranceMix.
Now his show is worldwide with a large audience each week, every Saturday night, on Freedom FM App.
Paul: "It is fantastic to see this music continue on through the generations".
He would consider himself on the ball, well tuned in and a family man now. Even after settling down and taking a brake from the madness and lack of sleep every weekend, black bags under the eyes and too many after parties, that will be in his autobiography (one day).
Today he lives a fantastic life with his family and it is a bonus to be married to a women that he met at one of his gigs over 21 years ago. Now Paul is back on the scene and producing each week for his audience as he strives to keep going until the ringing in his ears gets unbearable lol.
DJ Paul Coady: "music is constantly changing and we must change constantly with it".
3 Decades Later
Paul: "It's all about giving it the best that you can and trying to keep everyone happy and sometimes, you will make a mistake".
For over 3 decades, DJ Paul Coady has been living the dream of his own Irish success.
Playing in most top Irish & UK clubs and festivals over 30 years, Paul has built up his own trademark and is rated one of the top Trance djs in Ireland over the last number of years.
Paul has made guest appearances on most Irish radio stations including RTÉ - 2FM and iRadio Ireland recently, playing the rhythms of the top 100 Trance djs worldwide and taking their music to Irish and International audience's.
He has built up a large fan base over the last 34 years and he has played on 22 plus, FM Irish radio and Internet stations, his loyalty is to his audience and is 110%, and you will always find him in his studio working on some production every week, as he does his weekly show
'TranceMix' Saturday Night on Freedom Fm Dublin Ireland. 90s - 00s that is going from success to success.
He hopes his music takes people to a good place and it's all about taking humanity on a journey of sounds.
Paul: "Once the dance floor is full all night, they must be enjoying themselves and the owner has a smile".
HOW IT ALL BEGAN
Born in Dublin, Ireland (March 1972) , Paul's passion for music started at 14, when he would record the BBC Radio 1 top 40 every Sunday onto a Cassette Tape and cut out the dj talking, and just had the music on both sides of the tape. His first record he bought was…
(Tight Fit - The Lion Sleeps Tonight) 7" record.
First Album on Tape lol 😂
Charts Hits 1981 and Brake dance, double albums.
At the young age of 17, he spent all of the money he earned from working in a local butchers part time each week and usually spent all of it on records, and home to play them non stop on a 3-1 stereo player,
and his mother wasn't too happy.
She called it (Boom Boom) music with no lyrics.
(Mad Music).
His mother was a 60s chick on a Vespa !.
(Every song had lyrics back then she would remind Paul about the 60s music, she called them the classics way back).
When Paul was 17 his mam and dad bought him his first set of twin turntables for his birthday ..
Citronic Cloud with pitch control, and with a built in amp, he didn't like them because they were too heavy to carry, this was the introduction of knobs, buttons, cables and into the world of technology, moving to today's technology.
Then he built up his dj equipment and started doing local school discos in the late 1980s .(Softcell, Madonna,).
Then Paul discovered 12" records and the rest is history. From 7" & 12" records to CD to Digital today.
When he was 18 he became a perfectionist on the Citronic belt drive decks, mixing and recording the mixes and selling them on Tape for 5pound to people asking for one. Then he was given his first big gig in the local ice rink in Dolphins barn, Dublin.
Paul: "It was the only gig I had to put on a scarf and heavy overcoat, as it was freezing".
Gigging for a Dublin local guy, he had dj equipment for rent and he rented DJ Equipment to Paul on a regular basis and soon after that, he started doing venues.
Then one of the best day of his life was when he discovered a video in a famous Megastore shop in Dublin, the video was called..
(the DMC mixing championship). 1219s
That's when everything changed in the 1990s, Paul purchased his first set of Technics SL1210s decks second hand and still uses them today.
Now he could fine tune his art and understand what it's like not to use belt drive decks anymore. In the mid 1990s, Ireland's first pirate dance station was set up in Dublin called Sunset FM.
A local friend also a dj Andy P. Q102, Told me, there was a 2 hour show show going every Sunday afternoon, and the slot was free
So he jumped on the 4 buses every Sunday and headed nearly 15 miles with a full box of 12" records.
Pauls first tune he played was (1993 Lionrock - Carnival) (Classic) and that was the introduction to the dance scene that Paul was looking for, this opened up so many doors immediately.
The station was in the top bedroom of a djs house and the phonebox outside his house was the station phone number. Listeners would ring the phonebox, and the djs would run out to the phonebox, when running a competition on their show.
In the good old days.
Paul: "One of the first 12" records in my record collection was a tune from the 1970s called
(Popcorn by Hot Butter) and one of my favorite tunes is
(New Order - Blue Monday) from the 1980s".
Once Paul heard these tunes it set him on the right road, and dance music would be just that. Another Dj and friend of his introduced him to the Roland 303 and 606 and other drum machines he used in his mixing.
So as soon as he put the headphones on, everything changed again. This would be the sound he was looking for.
Today you will always here the 303 and 606 in Paul's sets . Over the years electronic music would change from Producers like Mike Oldfield who would be a major influence and Moby with Go.
Today the bar is set with djs like Above & Beyond, Vini Vici but the main man that Paul looks up to would be Armin Van Burren, and the different styles he brings to his shows, his rise to fame, included lots of productions and remixes (100% Professional) Mr. Trance, as well as playing in front of packed clubs every weekend and is 5 times number 1 dj in the world.
Pauls life has always been music driven since the time his mother collected 60s and 70s,
7" singles and albums, so Paul would be the master of over 5 decades of music.
So maybe we should thank his mother.
Paul: "If we can keep the clubs full and packed with Trance Lovers, Trance music will survive over 30 years and Stadiums and large scale festivals, sold out, and Ibiza clubs still packed every year, we are definitely doing something right thanks mam"
THE DJ
It doesn't matter how many hours Paul practices
as soon as he enters the DJ booth, the Irishman clicks the switch with his unique style and blends it all together.
Always remembering to tell the story with his sets with the crowd, creating one big happy family for the night. As soon as the Announcement is made that the DJ is in the house, there is normally the whistle people that start it off.
Brilliant Atmosphere !!!
No boos at the end of the night is normally a good night and it's usually…"We want more, we want more".
When you witness everyone enjoying the set and getting hypnotic on the sounds, the you lose yourself completely in the music, and become one with the people around you.
Mixing seamlessly, Paul has created his own sound and style in Ireland, making his DJ sets a truly unique experience,
Paul: "United is the aim of the game and happiness".
His busy life as a DJ started In 1990 in a small venue called Itchy Feet, Dublin and moved to Club La Mirage Dublin, where he was the resident Dance dj for 4 years.
In that time he was presenting Paul Coady in The Mix on Sunset FM Dance station, every Sunday.
Then in the mid 1990s the biggest dance station in Dublin, Club FM 106.4. was launched.
When the dance scene eventually arrived in Ireland Club FM was ready for the explosion of new dance clubs.
These clubs needed djs and Club FM would be the go to for djs. The owner of Club FM GK was now becoming a promoter and all of a sudden, Dublin was buzzing.
Paul was doing his weekly show when he received a phone call from another promoter who was listening to his weekly radio show at the time and liked his style of music.
The promoter asked if he would like to support 2 Unlimited at the Tivoli Theatre, well he nearly collapsed in the radio studio and thought, it was a wind up !.
Since then Paul has went on to perform alongside
Fragma, in Victor Street, Dublin, Fats & Small, Bogarts Galway. DJ Quicksilver in Touch @ The Boyne Valley, Drogheda.
Paul also worked with top Irish
DJs…Robbie Nelson, The 4th Dimension, Mr. Spring, Mark Kavanagh, Mark McCabe, Bryan Kearney, John O' Callaghan, Jenny Greene, John Power, DJ Pressure, Al Gibbs and the list goes on, over the years.
He has also played with top international djs such as
Ferry Corsten, Eddie Halliwell, Marco V, Judge Jules, Richard Durand, Lisa Lashes,Simon Patterson, Utah Saints, Seb Fontaine, Tall Paul, Josh Wink, Tidy Boys and the Audio Bully's in 2007.
He also supported djs at Gods Kitchen, Dublin , Cream Ireland and Gatecrasher, At The Parnell Complex, Dublin.
Also in the mid 2000s he was special guest on RTÉ 2fm Dance Show with Mark McCabe while doing radio shows such as
Club FM, Kiss FM, V.I.B.E FM, HOT FM, Galaxy, Storm FM, Energy Radio, Essential Galaxy- FM, Freedom FM
24 Radio Stations between 1987- Present.
And all started in 1987 on a local radio station called Smile FM, a local pirate radio station, Dublin. Love songs only nothing else allowed.
WHERE?
Some of the Dublin Clubs Paul played in Dublin:
- The Temple Theatre,
- The Red Box,
- P.O.D,
- Marleys
Kildare:
- Time
Armagh:
- The Met.
Cork:
- Sir Henry's, 2. The Maltings
Galway:
- Club G.P.O, Club Bogarts
Longford:
- Privilege
and many many more.
Paul has had the privilege of performing at some of the Europe's biggest clubs Including BCM in Spain and Paul made special appearance with Judge Jules,
JJ - The International Tour.
Eventually Paul was invited to DJ at The Planetlove Summer Sessions 2007 & 2008 festival @ Fairyhouse 7 Arenas of Sound. 40.000 people Over 100 artists.
This was a huge step up into the Trance scene and was the highlight of his career. After the festivals Paul was invited to play clubs home and abroad at private events, and shows working for an International and National DJ agencies.
Protect your ears…After so many years of suffering noise abuse on his ears and living a life like the Movie (It's All Gone Pete Tong)
mixed with (Kevin and Perry Go Large) you get the picture. Something had to give !.
The madness was time to slow things down
(Every weekend for years Fri.Sat.Sun)
with regular trips to Ibiza for the closing parties over the years.
He started to concentrate on fixing the ringing in his ears, it was getting worse and some of the managers in the clubs were complaining about how loud it was. Sometimes the barmen had control of the amps.
Paul went to see a specialist and was tested for his hearing. It was bad news that it was mainly the left ear that was the issue, the doctor told him "time to stop and listen to classical music".
It was a major blow to his career and the advise was Critical and he always mixed from Right ear headphone and left ear 1k monitor sometimes and never covered his left ear.
As the gigs went on into the night the monitor went up and up and up, and even using top of the range headphones, the volume was still not loud enough sometimes, and was on max by 1am.
He pushed the right headphone into his right ear. Sometimes Paul thought that the Amps where not working properly.
It was always something else getting the blame. Eventually one night on the phone, he was in touch with a Dj friend in the UK, when he explained he had the same issue and helped Paul find a new way of mixing, this would be great news.
Today he uses the headphones on both ears and mixes from left to right ear, now the headphones are at normal levels and simple earplugs..
Now he wants to keep it limited to the amount of gigs he does.
Paul: " I don't miss going home from a gig and walking around my house for 1 hour with ringing in both ears, your hearing is so important and nobody wants to lose their hearing".
RADIO
When Paul started On Smile FM , Ballyfermot in Dublin in 1987 it was Love songs all the way, and a love for everything with buttons and faders, meeting friends along the way and in 2021, now Paul has a weekly show called
"Trance Mix", Website: www.freedomfm.ie
Every Saturday Night nearly 35years later.
In April 2021 Paul was a special guest on
The Ignite National Dance Show on iRadio Ireland,
in the mix.
Thanks to Mark McCabe and iRadio.
Paul aired the first episode of The Essential Trance Mix in 2004. 17 years later he still hosts the weekly two-hour show on different radio stations, where he presents the biggest tunes of the moment and plays the latest Classic Dance and Classic Trance Mixes every Saturday night.
Follow him on Mixcloud and SoundCloud to listen back to his Mix shows.
Paul: "I hope the music and the mixing is enjoyable and the day I stop enjoying it, the day the Headphones go on EBay.
Reflecting upon the 'Trance Mix" show.
Paul says: "It is a privilege and it's an honor that the fans and listeners always enjoy the show and I am always open to new ideas and receive so many emails from around the world, that I would like to thank everyone for their support over the years, I would be nothing without the listeners and without radio none of this would be possible.
For me the amazing part is working on the set that was created in the studio and watching everyone go crazy, it is like a drug. It's great that Trance music brings everyone together. so it feels amazing, that together we are united through Music".
The Family is Number One
Whenever Paul is bringing his daughter to school or HipHop classes she is my number 1 fan, he always enjoys life away from the decks.
Paul: "sometimes we all need a reality check and it's amazing how quickly kids grow up".
But the professional Dj Paul Coady shuts the studio door, switches on the (On Air) light and it's back to the production and keep doing the mix, till it's 110% finished, that's what he does best.
He has helped other djs get into the business and done Dj classes on Radio production, to pass on the intelligence he has learned to the newcomers.
They are all our dj family.
Past and Present
FINALLY
Paul: "In a time of strange and challenging times, we must all stick together, we must make the most of what we got, Over the next few years I will watch a major shift in the music scene. I hope and wish and dream that the future is safe for everyone.
But lets think ! we are in the hands of the up and coming talent out there. As everyone gets older and names and faces change, let's hope humanity always has the passion for what has given me a great life.
The music introduced him to the life he lives today it has taken me to places I never thought I would ever see. It has introduced me to all my friends today. Dance music gives me 2 families...the real family and the clubber family.
All the professionals who have guided me over the years, in Dublin
Now the future is secure and again it's a pleasure to each and everyone who reads this.
Today it's so easy to get into the business with streaming and the days of spending all your money on records is long gone.
Paul: "Hope you enjoyed the read ! and don't forget the earplugs !! Very Very Important".
Paul would like to thank the following influencers:
Mr. Turner who is not with us any more.
This man introduced him to Smile FM Radio, Dublin in 1987.
without him their would be no ...DJ Paul Coady
Radio Dublin…(No Names)…1988
JR...Mr. Entertainment
Gary ... Sunset FM
Glen & Pat ...Club FM
All the promoters in Dublin and the DJ Agency's
The Man on Telly ...
Mark McCabe ...for the RTÉ Experience
Judge Jules ...for the friendship
Danny Kearns .....Galaxy FM
Club 107.1 …(JD &PS) Management 2021
Sean Power …Freedom FM 2021
Dj Pressure for the professionalism
Stephen Nutley ….The Life Guide
Andy Preston Q102…Long Time friend
Etc, Etc, Etc !!!!
Paul: "To all the pirate radio stations that took the risks to operate the dance music scene, always ducking and diving from the law.
All the DJs who take the time to create something unique for the masses.
You the listeners and the adjudicators, without you there would be no vision and remember you make up the family of Dance Music".
Lastly :
All Pauls family that put up with him 24/7 over the years and the noise levels.
Remember dreams do come true !
Stay Safe Everyone
Long live Trance Music
Long live Dance Music
Produced by Stephen Nutley
The Life Guide