This week on When I Grow Up, Paul Glazby sits down with the one and only Micky D, a high-energy DJ, record store alum, and former semi-pro ice hockey player with a passion for hard house that spans decades.

From spinning CDs at a Sydney ice rink at 14 to closing out iconic clubs like DCM's and Frantic in the early 2000s, Micky shares how a last-minute DJ no-show changed his life and led to a multi-decade career behind the decks. The episode dives deep into the Sydney club scene of the late ‘90s and early 2000s, Micky’s time balancing DJing with corporate life, and how he’s finding his way back into music post-COVID, with a fresh passion for techno and a continued love for hard house.

Paul and Micky reflect on the evolution of DJ culture: the lost art of long builds, the challenge of holding a crowd’s attention in the era of short mixes and screens, and why the feeling of connecting through music still trumps all. There’s a lot of love here, for the music, the journey, and the friendships forged on and off the dancefloor.

Plus, they reminisce about 25 years of Frantic, the legacy of icons like Tony De Vit and Ian M, and what it means to keep the spirit of the scene alive while embracing what’s next. Expect a lot of laughs, a touch of nostalgia, and some honest truths about burnout, evolution, and chasing that euphoric high, naturally, of course.

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