DJ Mikey Dalton, just another celebrity DJ trying to cross over to the underground scene? With sets secured with some big names in the industry including Miss MoneyPennys, Ministry and Garlands and studio partnerships with producers such as Jon Fitz and Jason Heard, has this boy got something to offer?

"A firm favourite with our crowd and he absolutly smashed it, truly smashed it! Mikey will rock any dancefloor you give him!" Dave Hinett, Miss Moneypennys.

We took ten to have a sit down with Mikey and find out what makes this DJ tick, what hes got planned for 2008 and what can he really bring to the table?!

Hi Mikey, how are you?

All cool thanks dude how nice of you to ask!

Mikey you’re from Liverpool, what’s the biggest thing you’ve ever stolen? lol

Hmmm….obviously a woman’s heart! lol sorry too Cheesy I know!

Tell us a little about what you’ve been up to over the last few months?

The past few months have been quite hectic for me. A lot of travelling to play gigs and also a lot of partying. I’ve played some great gigs and people have been really responsive which is great for me! I’m also spending a lot of time in the studio working on new productions which is going really well.

How is 2008 summing up so far and do you have anything in the pipeline that your excited about?

2008 is shaping up great so far…the diary is busy I’ve got a few belter gigs that I cant wait for like playing the Dance Arena at Birmingham’s Mardi Gras with some really big DJs, Ibiza and a couple of residencies I'm looking to get off the ground as well.

Sum up the style of music you play?

I’d describe it as funky, dirty electro house!

You’re a celebrity that has put your hand to DJing in the underground dance music scene, but you’re not the first to do this, what sets you apart from the rest of the other celebrity DJs?

Well I haven’t just put my hand to DJing…I had been DJing for a number of years before Big Brother and had also done a 3 year music production degree...I think that sets me apart from many of the others. You also have to have lots of energy and a real passion for what you’re doing to succeed in this industry.

DJs such as Kate Lawler and Fran Cosgrave have exploded in 2007 and it just goes to show celebrities can cross over to the underground dance music scene successfully. What do you think it takes to do this and has anybody helped you along the way?

It takes a huge amount of hard work! I’m getting there now and I'm starting to get respected in the industry but it has taken a lot of work to get to this stage. There have been various different people who have helped me on my way but id say the person who has helped me most is Jon Fitz. Jon has gone out of his way on many occasions for me and has also put a good word in for me here and there because he knows how well I can play.

If we wanted to buy you a drink what's your favourite tipple?

JD and Coke all the way!!

When did you start DJing and tell us about your first set?

Started DJing whilst I was at uni in Manchester. A couple of my friends had decks and we used to play around on them and then I took the step of getting my own set of decks and the journey began. I used to play a lot of after parties back when I first started DJing and I would really buzz off the vibe. Everyone would be there for one reason…to party hard..and this usually lasted for a few days!! lol

Who are some of your influences past and present?

The likes of Daft Punk, Groove Armada and Eric Morillo all influenced me. Morillo had such energy and I remember the first time I saw him play I was in awe of how he really worked the crowd! Present influences are the likes of The Swedish House Mafia, Dirty South of course Jon Fitz.

Tell us a fact we don’t know about Mikey Dalton?

Weirdly enough…there never seems to be anything about me that people don’t already know! The trusty News of the World seemed to reveal most things when I was in Big Brother!!

You’ve recently been in the studio with Jon Fitz (Heard & Fitz) working on some tracks how did that go?

Yeah things have been going great actually. Fitzy has a lot of experience producing and is really talented. It’s great putting our heads together in the studio and we have been getting some great results. Our recent productions are up on my myspace at: www.myspace.com/djmikeydalton and were working on some new material at present.

Do you have any other studio time lined up and are you hoping to work with any other producers in the future?

I have a host of other producers I will be working with sometime in the future…I’m looking to get into the studio with Jason Heard asap. It’s all about actually having the time to get in there and get some work done because as anyone in this game will tell you…we’re always busy!

In 2007 you played in Ibiza for Garlands & Pukka UP and at BCM Majorca for Miss MoneyPenny's, what have you got lined up for summer 2008?

I will be revisiting those gigs once again smashing it up and I will also be playing a host of other venues across Ibiza. My booking agent Chris Golding at TurninGold Management is putting together some dates in Ibiza for me as we speak! Ibiza is an amazing experience and always a massive boost for your profile, hopefully I will be going back there for many years to come. I’m also hoping to drop in on few UK festivals this year, fingers crossed!

What’s the best gig you’ve ever played?

In terms of size it had to be Miss Money Pennys at BCM's in Majorca where I played out to around 2000 people and it went off!! This aside I still think the best gigs are the more intimate clubs where people really come to see and hear you play…Id say Plastic @ Dragon Eye in Birmingham is one of those gigs.

Top 3 Clubs?

1. Dragon Eye in Birmingham
2. El Divino in Ibiza - you can’t beat the sunrise on the outside terrace!
3. Mission in Leeds

Top Five Tracks at present?

1. Bryan Cox - Where You At (Gaetan Remix)
2. Romain Curtis ft Awa - I’m A Soldier (Filthy Rich Remix)
3. Chemical Brothers - The Salmon Dance (Crookers Remix)
4. Tim J - Music Is My Life
5. Claude Vonstroke - Deep Throat (Sebastien Leger Remix)

And finally Mikey can you tell us a joke?

Killed a duvet the other day. To be honest, I’m feeling a bit quilty about it! Bum Bum!

Thanks very much Mikey, take it easy.

Catch Mikey Dalton at De-funkt @ Opal Lounge, Solihull Friday 29th Feb & GlitterBall @ Storm, Southend on Sea, Friday 7th March

FOR MIKEYS MYSPACE, MIXES AND PRODUCTION CLICK HERE

For Bookings contact Chris Golding at TurninGold Management on 07900 566264 or email turningold@yahoo.co.uk

TurninGold Management Representing DJs - Mikey Dalton, Fran Cosgrave, Paul Thomas, Kenzie, Fenton Gee, Rachel Barton, H2.