Woody Cook has exclusively revealed to MailOnline that ADHD [Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder] has helped him become a better DJ, following his Glastonbury debut last month.
The son of Fatboy Slim star Norman Cook and Radio 2 host Zoe Ball, 23, said the condition has now become his ‘unique selling point’ as he moves around so much behind the decks, he stands out from other DJs.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a behavioural condition defined by inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness.
Woody told MailOnline: ‘Having ADHD has contributed to my style. I’ve always jumped around a lot as a person’.
‘I was contemplating calling myself Monkey Man as a DJ, by me letting go, it allows the audience to feel it too’.
Woody Cook has exclusively revealed to MailOnline that ADHD [Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder] has helped him become a better DJ, following his Glastonbury debut last month
The son of Fatboy Slim star Norman Cook and Radio 2 host Zoe Ball , 23, said the condition has now become his ‘unique selling point’ as he moves around so much behind the decks, he stands out from other DJs
He explained: ‘I’ve become at one with the DJ and the hype man and this inbetween phase, ADHD has really helped with that’.
‘As a DJ you’re a performer, you’re not just there to stand there and I think there’s definitely part of my set where the crowd moves because I do.’
Woody started DJing during lockdown in bid to entertain himself and his friends when nightclubs were shut.
Despite his dad’s success, he claims to have never been given a lesson and is self-taught.
Instead Norman, 60, who’s had three Top 10 albums and seven Top 10 singles during his illustrious career, has given him plenty of life advice, rather than technical, as he embarks on a career in music.
Woody said: ‘He never really gave me any lessons, I didn’t touch decks growing up, he gave me more instructional stuff’.
‘I would ask him questions like, ‘why did you do that in a set?’ ‘Why did you do this?’
‘And he would say “you will never be the best DJ out there, but you can be the most unique?” On a list of ten people, why would they pick you? What would make you unique to a promoter or booker?’.
Woody told MailOnline: ‘Having ADHD has contributed to my style. I’ve always jumped around a lot as a person’
He explained: ‘As a DJ you’re a performer, you’re not just there to stand there and I think there’s definitely part of my set where the crowd moves because I do’
Despite his dad’s success, he claims to have never been given a lesson and is self-taught (Norman pictured on stage in 2023)
Woody pictured with both his parents in 2015
‘So he gave me a lot of life lessons rather than actual hands-on stuff.’
Woody added: ‘It was just my own curiosity. I was like, ‘I’ll teach myself.’
He describes his music as ‘eclectic and energetic’ and insists his sets are nothing like his famous father’s, claiming there are clear differences between the two.
‘I hop genres quite a lot. I go from disco, to house, to garage, to jungle to reggae dance. But whatever I do I try to channel this punk, Prodigy-esque energy and stage presence’.
Woody continued: ‘We both definitely have a stage presence, we share the DNA of it because I’ve watched him DJ for so long my introduction to DJing is what he was doing, so there’s an overlap there.
‘I play a lot more obscure different genres and he keeps it just to house. And I obviously move a lot more – and that’s not just down to age difference.’
The budding DJ is set for a busy summer with yet more gigs, including Mucky Weekender in Winchester, Hants, in September.
The boutique festival will take place over three days, rather than two, for the first time this year at the 5,000 capacity venue at Vicarage Farm from September 5 to 7.
Asked what fans can anticipate from his set, Woody adds: ‘You can expect me to jump around and give Prodigy-esque energy while playing Ulta 90s house, to techno to speed garage, maybe a bit of jungle. Lots of energy and crowd interaction.
‘I’m there to live it large.’
For tickets, visit the Mucky Weekender website
