Lester Duval grew up in the studio with world class musicians and engineers passing through daily.

He cut his engineering teeth early on, watching, learning and absorbing, going on to work on The Voice UK and tour with George Ezra across the UK, Europe, Australia & the U.S.A, squeezing in a handful of co-writes and production credits with various artists along the way before returning to continue writing and producing in the Bunker, his studio in Welwyn Garden City, just outside of London.

As well as writing with other artists, Lester works on his own projects, @@theodd910 and @2nd3xit (with @alfamist ), releasing music regularly with both.

Lester teaches Production on the Jazz courses at London’s Guildhall School of Music (@guildhallschool)and Drama.

Each week we will be taking a dip into the crates and minds of some of the digging scenes most prolific collectors.

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DIGGR: One record that sums up your happiest memories and where does it take you back to?

Lester Duval: “Fat Freddy’s Drop – Based On A True Story – the first time I heard this record will be deeply engraved in my memory for ever.”

D: What is it about vinyl that makes you dig it?

LD: “The ritual – physically putting a record on and letting each side play out (rather than hitting play on Spotify and skipping every other track). The gems are so often between the hits…”

D: 7 inches, 10 inches, or 12 inches?

LD: “12 inch”

D: Motivated Mondays … What tune gets your engine going?

LD: “Mean Mug – Homeboy Sandman (or pretty much any Homeboy Sandman record).”

D: Where is your digging Mecca (city / country) and why?

LD: “Toulouse – the French always have an interesting take on music, whether they’re making it or collecting/playing it so always find some gems there.“