16 October
Mark Ronson made a special appearance at London’s legendary Roundhouse last week, launching his new book Night People: How To Be a DJ in 90s New York City in true Ronson style, with a celebration of creativity, connection, and community.
The Grammy-winning DJ, producer, and songwriter spent the day with aspiring young DJs and musicians, exploring the Roundhouse’s Creative Studios and sharing stories from his early days behind the decks in 1990s New York, the era that inspired Night People, his new memoir.
During his visit, Mark Ronson met with participants of the music workshops, courses and events within the Roundhouse’s vital youth programme. The programme offers access to music studios, courses, and industry mentorship for young creatives. At the heart of this programme is the Creative Studios, where 13–25 year-olds can book professional-level studio space and gear for just £1 an hour.
The visit was an invaluable opportunity for young people to connect with an industry icon. One participant, Owen Walters, who had come to attend the talk and Q&A on their 21st birthday, was lucky enough to get their guitar signed.
Mark Ronson is known for creating some of the biggest musical moments in the past two decades. He has worked with artists like Lady Gaga, Adele, Amy Winehouse, Dua Lipa, Bruno Mars, Miley Cyrus, and created the Barbie soundtrack. Night People is a new memoir of the music, characters, escapades and energy of Mark Ronson’s formative DJ days in ’90s New York.
The Roundhouse is the UK’s largest independent creative powerhouse, with a packed line-up of iconic gigs and events. The Roundhouse’s youth programme reaches 11,000 young people a year through affordable creative opportunities.
Mark Ronson said: “I’ve played some of my favourite shows ever at the Roundhouse, it’s such an awesome, historical venue. That’s why I wanted to come back and talk to some of the young people that use this incredible studio they have here. The Roundhouse has all these recording studios that young people can hire for £1 an hour. It means young people that wouldn’t be able to afford to get in the studio, really brilliant creative young musicians, producers, inspiring singers, rappers, can have that opportunity to create.”
He added: “Not many people know that, aside from being an incredible arts venue, the Roundhouse runs a pioneering youth programme for aspiring creatives. Every gig ticket and every drink bought at the bar goes towards funding their vital work.”
Dwayne Harris, Senior Music Industry Programme Manager at the Roundhouse, said: “It was amazing to show Mark around our Creative Studios and watch some of our young people come alive in his presence. It’s great to be able to give our young people access to someone as talented and impressive as Mark. I know they all got a lot out of the session, and we’re so grateful to Mark for coming down and supporting our work.”
Owen Walters, aspiring musician and Roundhouse youth programme participant, said: “As a young musician just starting out here at the Roundhouse, it was just absolutely incredible to be in the same room as a living legend. I think that Mark Ronson is probably one of the most influential musicians who has shaped the world of pop music today. And it was just incredible to hear about his early days, how he started off as a DJ, his journey towards his first few albums. On my 21st birthday, it was a dream come true to meet the one person that I admire the most in the music industry.”
Roshan Singh Gujra, young DJ and Roundhouse Young Trustee said: “It was surreal meeting an icon like Mark Ronson. It was great sharing stories and hearing about the house parties he played at in New York in the 90s.”
DJ Shakaraa, Roundhouse youth programme participant, said: “It was such a surreal experience getting to DJ for Mark Ronson. Back to black by Amy Winehouse was one of the first albums I ever bought on vinyl and curating that collection was a big reason I wanted to learn how to DJ. Introducing him to new genres like South African house music was so much fun and very representative of how the Roundhouse brings together people who appreciate a variety of different genres of music to collaborate together. As a very new DJ, it’s easy to doubt yourself but getting praise from a legend like Mark Ronson was the motivation I needed to keep pushing. It was a night I’ll never forget!”