Interview with Paul Benney

The Focused Mind Podcast

Paul Benney describes himself as having spent 30 years at the coalface of music, media, and acid house.

If you’re into music, you’ll likely know his work as a co-founder of Jockey Slut and its associated club night, Bugged Out!, which began in Manchester in the early '90s. Since then, Bugged Out! has held residencies in Liverpool and London and now hosts a weekender event, next taking place in March 2026 in beautiful Bognor. Most recently, Bugged Out! curated a day at the Stonebridge tent at Glastonbury Festival this past weekend.

After Jockey Slut folded in the 2000s, the brand was revived post-pandemic as Disco Pogo—described as the Rouleur magazine of the music industry. It’s a coffee-table-quality publication featuring long-form writing on all things electronic music, both past and present.

As a journalist, editor, record label founder, publisher, and distributor, Paul has remained constantly active. His projects include Daddy Management, Brille Records, and Dummy/DMY, all of which he has founded and run.

In our conversation, we explore the mental health challenges that come with maintaining such boundless energy, especially after burning the candle at both ends in his 20s and early 30s. He shares how becoming a father and moving out of London to Southend helped him adopt more sustainable physical and psychological habits.