You recently left your position as Label Manager at world renowned distributor, 'Amato' to work on new projects. Being such a well respected figure there, how did you feel leaving and are you glad you made the change?
"I was sad to leave, I really enjoyed my work there and worked on some really exciting big projects. I have nothing but respect for Mario, he taught me so much and was a really good boss to work for, but the time came for me to move on and do my own thing in the big wide world and concentrate on things I always wanted to do but didn't have the time to."
Can you tell us anything about the new projects you are involved in or is it all top secret stuff?!
"I'm currently working on www.trackitdown.net , it's an MP3 download community website for underground dance music and we have some really good artists and labels already on board, we are very excited buy its potential and for me it's step towards the future we have all been waiting for, we go live on the 1st July so check it out!
We have some hot exclusive tracks (never to be available anywhere else) from the likes of Nick Sentience and some wicked exclusive mixes from Chris Liberator, Darren Tate and Paul Glazby, Tayo and Trouble on Vinyl just for starters!
I have also been working on some new tracks, one with Gem 😉 , two more with Maddox and loads of new proper techno tackle along the lines of Bailey and co."
You're now part of the 'Mainline Music' stable, which also plays host to acts such as K90, Organ Donors, Mike Koglin and DJ Energy-Dai. How does it feel to be part of the growing success of this booking agency?
"It's feels great, to be taken seriously with what you do is everybody's goal. To be part of a professional set up enhances that and Sam has had so many years experience in dealing in this area, his advice and guidance has become an integral part of what I do."
Where has being on the agency taken you this year, in terms of clubs you have played at?
"It's taken me further a field into more foreign territories, something I've always wanted to do is experience different cultures through my music. It has also enhanced relationships with the heavyweight promoters in England and as well as playing the traditional harder clubs we have been gaining good success in some of the mainstream clubs in the country."
How long have you been playing and what was it that inspired you to get into it?
"I've been playing for nearly 10 years now, 4 years in clubs. I first started by scratching a Vanilla Ice record on my Dad's deck because it annoyed me. Then I used to sit and listen to Pete Tong on a Friday night when I was 15 and discovered old skool and Carl Cox. A year later I bought my first set of decks and still to this day the big man is my inspiration."
How hard has it been to get where you are today and what advice would you give to people wanting to get into the industry?
"Incredibly hard, in a world where so many people out there can beat mix its essential to make yourself heard and make yourself different from the crowd. It's why I have always strived to not play the same records the other hundreds of DJ's out there are. The hardest thing I found is people taking you seriously and putting a value on what you do. My only advice to people is to believe in yourself, be individual, take your time, think long term and not go for short term gains, they can often damage your development and to remain determined while it seems nothing is going your way, the good always out's."
You've had tracks released on label greats such as Tidy and Nukleuz. Do you have anything in the pipeline on the production front for 2004?
"I have been working on some new tracks, one with Little Gem ;-), two more with Maddox and loads of new proper techno tackle along the lines of Bailey and co."
How important do you think production is a DJ's career? Do you feel production is just as important as Djing or do they just go hand in hand?
"In some genres like techno its essential, its your business card to let people outside the UK know who you are and what your about. These days' production and Djing go hand in hand with each other. Its important to hone your skills in each, and again not to rush, a good record is a good record regardless of the year or month it is released."
You're playing your first Wildchild event on Friday 2nd July when they go head to head with Goodgreef at their 'North Meets South Soundclash'. Can you tell us a little about your style and what we can expect to see from you there?
"I'm heavily championing the digital revolution and the funky techno vibe. Expect to see fast hands with big use of the mixer and effects on the CDJ's ! And of course lots of smiles ;-)"
Will you be roadtesting any new material at Wildchild?
"Ill be dropping as many of the new tracks I've been working on as possible to see if they need any more work on them, hopefully they wont!"
What's on the agenda for the rest of 2004?
"To continue to push the digital boundaries, take the MP3 vibe to as many places around the world as possible, keep pushing the productions and the DJing as far as technology allows me and to generally enjoy myself."
