You Had To Be There! Jodie Harsh announces debut book release

DJ and producer Jodie Harsh is stepping into the literary world with her debut book, You Had To Be There. This memoir follows her journey through London’s club scene, starting from her arrival in the city at just 15 years old.

The book takes readers on a tour of Jodie’s favourite haunts, including legendary nightclubs like Astoria, The Cross, Mahiki, Boombox, and The End. Jodie shares unforgettable nights out, wild parties at friends’ houses, and the atmosphere that defined an era.

Jodie’s story also touches on the evolution of the city itself. She provides a personal look at how London’s nightlife and culture reshaped after the 2008 financial crash and reveals the birth of her iconic blonde beehive.

“For a decade, I barely slept. I frantically jumped from club to club in a London that is now lost but not forgotten. My decadence almost destroyed me, but thankfully I kept on dancing. I’ve finally written the book I have always wanted to read, and I can’t wait to introduce you to the characters, and the places, that made it all so wild.”

Beyond her book, Jodie continues to light up the nightlife with her weekly queer-centred event, Feel It, at OMEARA. The event features top acts like The Blessed Madonna, Fatboy Slim, Confidence Man, and salute.

In 2021, Jodie starred in the Google documentary A Search Story, which highlighted her influence in the dance music scene from the ’00s. The documentary explored themes of self-expression and the fluidity of the LGBTQ+ nightlife scene.

You Had To Be There is set to release in Autumn 2025 via Faber and is available for pre-order here.

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Words: Steve John / Image: Mixmag.net