HousePlanet.DJ - Your House Music News Portal - HousePlanet Distribution

Those Toolroom Records guys have been instrumental in helping the UK to become a world-leading force in big room house music once again, fusing the core ethics of the sound with the more recently discovered elements of electro house and minimal techno to make for a potent and dynamic blend.

Not bad mate. Just taking a morning off to go through emais.

Well I have been into music for as long as I can remember. I always used to muck around with my dad's guitars or my granddad's keyboards.

I started producing records when I was about 13/14. I used to mainly do covers of rock and pop back then, and I used to spend a lot of time trying to copy the exact sounds from the records. Very difficult on keyboards bought from a catalogue! But somehow I managed it. Then I started making dance music when I got to about 19/20. That was when I had started to notice all the interesting sounds that were coming from that genre.

Well the first club nights I went to were really underground techno nights like Ultimate Orange, House of God, Spacehopper and Atomic Jam. They were just insane! 2000 shirtless technoheads grinding away to Dave Clarke, Surgeon and the like...brilliant.

Funky rolling techie housey grooves...

Well I find different things influence me each day. Today I am kinda feeling a bit progressive and a bit French. Who would have thought it eh? To be honest I like to try to learn new things in my studio. I used to really try to push things, but I think over the last few years I have let that slip a little. I am getting back into it now and it’s great!

Well again I love all music. I am a musician by trade so I love to hear great musicians. John Martyn (RIP) was one of my biggest influences. He could say more with his voice and a guitar than somebody like Mozart could say with a whole orchestra. Deep emotional music! I also love hip-hop, trance, prog, folk, rock...I could go on but I am sure you get my message!

John Martyn... I would love to do an original track with him, but if that couldn't happen then a remix of Love + Evil would do me!

BT - 1.618 - absolutely stunning... if I were to try and make this it would take about a year I swear... but still I would love to give it a go!

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Dirty South - Let It Go [Axwell Remix] - Ax just NAILED it on this. Perfect remix. It’s not crazy clever like the BT thing, but it is a great example of perfect house music.

Of mine?  I love Breakwater. And of my past stuff... probably Mark Knight - I Like That [Funkagenda Remix] or Artificial Funk - Never Alone [FATT Remix]. Forthcoming, there is a track of Mark’s I have done a really great string arrangement for. It’s kinda his follow up to Susan but I really went OTT on the orchestration on it!

What was the concept behind re-creating the modern masterpiece that is Man With The Red Face and has the name got any specific meaning?

Well we simply wanted to take the original concept and make it into a club friendly track. I loved the original track, but in this day and age it was very difficult to fit into a set [try the Jan Driver remix from the original release ;) – Ed].

Yeah we always work together now. It’s pretty easy as we share a studio. I co-engineer for most of Mark’s solo stuff anyhow and quite often while we are doing that we'll just get an idea and run with it! We got together years ago for his Saturday Sessions EP and have worked together ever since!

Well, now I am more into pushing the technical aspects of my DJing. I usually have 3CDJs on the go nowadays with loops, FX and acapellas running simultaneously. And I am looking to switching to a more live based solution allowing me to create new remixes on the go!

Well, they are both GREAT guys. I love ‘em! In fact I just got back from the states with a pair of limited trainers for Micky...they are Adidas with the House Of Pain logo on them! He is such a dedicated guy and when people see what he is capable of beyond his trademark "fidget" sound they will be SO shocked! And as for Paul, well we have been friends for a long time now. I would do anything for him! We have done quite a few tracks together over the years and I am sure we will do more! There isn't a set that goes by where I don't play one of his.

Loving Matteo Di Marr at the mo. Really playable stuff and I think he will have a massive hit this year. Kim Fai is also set to break through I think. Now he is down with the Swedes, its only a matter of time!

You have remixed numerous artists including Chris Lake’s U.S smash Carry Me Away. Have you any intended forays planned into the commercial scene and what is your view on the saturation of the charts with house and electro?

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What are your top 3 studio tips and what is your number 1 studio snack?

Tip 2: Make sure your samples (drums etc etc) are clean. Nothing worse than flams or clicks on productions)

I think I love Pacha NYC the most. My favorite booth and my favorite club in the world. Just such a wicked underground vibe and the crowd are amazing.

Man there have been so many, so it’s very difficult to think of just one. Brazil has always been pretty amazing. Maybe the Spirit Of London Festival where I headlined a stage last year...that was intense...

Iceland or Fiji.

If you weren’t a DJ/producer, what would you be?

Lying on my bed answering questions for Data Transmission about what it is like being Emperor of Universe and High Overlord of all that I survey and also telling you about the release of my timely cover version of Long Train Running by the Doobie Brothers being released...

Mark Knight - Trainer Fetishist

Sinden - Wonky Tripe

Tequila - Don't Touch

I don't know. I will let you know if that situation ever arises...

Well I am launching a new label for my productions so I will be working very diligently on that, and also I am working on moving towards a more live performance setup. I am also really looking forward to the summer in Ibiza!

I used to play ‘70s/’80s/’90s pop music at a club in the West Midlands called the Shed... It was a pretty grim job, but I would argue STILL better than an office job!