In this episode, Arthur sits down with DJ/producer John “Jellybean” Benitez. From marathon sets at the Fun House to shaping Madonna’s early hits, remixing Sting, and defining the sound of an era. Expect untold stories, rare insights, and the search for that one elusive groove: the perfect beat.

In this episode, Arthur sits down with Peter Hook of New Order, Joy Division, The Light, Monaco, Freebass and Revenge. These two go way back and discuss everything from how New Order formed, the lost beat for Blue Monday, Manchester, The Haçienda and much more.

In this episode, Arthur sits down with Kieran Hebden, aka Four Tet. They trace Kieran’s musical journey from growing up in a house full of jazz, soul, and Motown, to forming Fridge, discovering electronic music, and producing groundbreaking records. Together they revisit the London underground of the late ’90s and early 2000s, Output Records, Trevor Jackson, and the nights where Boards of Canada, Daft Punk, and Ronnie Size played back-to-back.

In this episode, Arthur sits down with powerhouse vocalist Taylor Dayne, revisiting their shared history from New York clubs to global charts. They trace Taylor’s journey from Bronx childhood and AM radio obsessions to “Tell It to My Heart,” Clive Davis, and the whirlwind of late-’80s pop stardom. Arthur and Taylor unpack their collaborations, including the song that Clive passed on but later became a Tina Turner anthem, and remember wild nights at Lucky Strike, Café Tabac, and studio sessions with future icons like Avicii. Taylor reflects on surviving the industry, honoring mentors like Diane Warren and Whitney Houston, and why she still feels driven to make new music and protect the value of artists today.

In this episode of the Looking for the Perfect Beat podcast, Arthur Baker sits down with legendary singer Brenda K. Starr. They discuss her early musical inspirations, the influence of her family, and her journey through the music industry, including her friendship with Mariah Carey. Brenda shares her experiences in the Latin freestyle scene, the challenges she faced, and her current projects, including her new music and record label.

In this episode Arthur Baker sits down with legendary producer Marley Marl for a wide-ranging conversation about the origins of hip-hop, disco, and sampling culture. From early days in Queens and Astoria to legendary studios like Unique and Power Play, Marley reflects on how street culture, radio, and emerging technology shaped an entirely new sound.

In this wide-ranging, funny, and deeply reflectiveThis episode features Mogwai’s Stuart Braithwaite, starting with what his “perfect beat” is and how their friendship began. They rewind to Glasgow’s scene, Mogwai’s early bands, fast-start gigs, and the loud/quiet dynamics shaped by bands like Nirvana and Pixies. conversation, Arthur Baker sits down with Irvin Welsh to trace a shared life shaped by music, clubs, chaos, creativity, and collaboration. From disco, punk, and rave culture to Bowie, Chic, house music, and the birth of Trainspotting, Welsh explains how music became the foundation of his storytelling and worldview. The two revisit their early collaborations, misadventures in studios and clubs, and how raving ultimately pushed Welsh toward writing his first novel. Along the way, they reflect on joy, discipline, failure, AI, collaboration, and why disco still represents the purest human expression of freedom and movement.

This episode features Mogwai’s Stuart Braithwaite, starting with what his “perfect beat” is and how their friendship began. They rewind to Glasgow’s scene, Mogwai’s early bands, fast-start gigs, and the loud/quiet dynamics shaped by bands like Nirvana and Pixies.