Well known in Auckland’s music industry, Frank Booker is a talented music producer, DJ and the co-host of ‘Hit It & Quit It’ radio and club night with Recloose. Frank is a favourite at various Britomart haunts including the popular ‘Freestyle Friday’ sessions at Tyler Street Garage. When he's not indulging in music of some form, Frank enjoys watching 70s television shows and is a self-confessed football enthusiast.

DESCRIBE TWO THINGS YOU LOVE ABOUT BEING A DJ.
I love exposing people to music they may not have heard but should have. I see the modern role of a DJ being something like a search engine filter, where the DJ exposes people to a wider range of excellent new music rather than just recycling the same rubbish as commercial radio.

I also love being able to work on music during the week as a producer and then road test tracks on the weekend. I find you will always get an honest reaction, be it good or bad, and as a producer it keeps you sharp.

THREE THINGS YOU LOVE ABOUT BRITOMART?
I love that it has regenerated downtown Auckland. When I moved to Auckland in 2000 there wasn’t much beyond High Street, whereas now everything is happening in and around Britomart. I love the range of different bars, restaurants and stores, and I've seen it grow since Northern Steamship Co. was the only bar in the area. I also love getting a view of the water from Tyler Street Garage rooftop bar, it reminds me that I'm not too landlocked.

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR TONIGHT?
I'm off to DJ at Tyler Street Garage and after I finish I might get a slice of Sal’s Pizza to celebrate a successful evening.

WHAT CAREER WOULD YOU HAVE IF YOU WEREN’T A DJ?
I'm sure I'd be involved in the music industry. I'm a bit of a jack of all trades, master of none: DJ, Producer, Promoter, Radio Host. I've also worked for record labels and done most things that make our little industry tick, so if I wasn't a DJ I'd be doing one or more of the above mentioned jobs. Either that or a professional footballer for Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, but my time for that may have passed.

DRINK OF CHOICE
I quite like Highland Park whisky at the moment, with a little water.

ONE THING NOT MANY PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT YOU IS?
Frank Booker isn't my real name. Frank is my mother’s maiden name, and Booker is my grandmother’s maiden name.

WHAT CAN’T YOU LIVE WITHOUT?
My wife and baby boy Joe.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT NZ?
It's my home and there's nowhere quite like it.

WHAT FILLS YOUR DAY?
Music producing, booking gigs and prepping radio shows. Although changing nappies takes up a bit of time at the moment too, alongside setting up a new company with a colleague, which is very exciting but still under wraps.

WHICH FAMOUS PERSON’S BIRTHDAY WOULD YOU LIKE TO DJ AT?
Chaka Khan.

WHAT’S YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE?
I recently bought a Bee Gees record at Real Groovy and that felt quite guilty. I also watch a lot of 70s television, including the Incredible Hulk, and it's great!

DID YOU HAVE ANY NICKNAMES GROWING UP?
Franky Knuckles.

HOW DO YOU LIKE TO WORK OUT?
I go to the gym, and a hardcore diet of record digging and indoor football keep me in tip-top shape.

TOP FIVE TRACKS FOR 2012 SO FAR:
1. Todd Terje – Inspector Norse
2. Debonair – Your Love
3. Bottin – Sage Comme Une Image (Dub)
4. Ben Sun – You Should Know Better
5. Tornado Wallace – Rainbow Road (Lewie Day Remix)

Gig guide
Britomart bars and restaurants