Raver Baby are pleased to have Kutski playing for us on Friday 30th January @ Raver Baby - Event Twelve. We caught up with Kutski for a quick chat about the event, his Christmas presents and Radio 1!

How was your NYE? Was it an enjoyable one?
Yeah, New Year was busy, but amazing at the same time! I played early at NEC, then shot up the M6 to Glagow to play the closing set at the Arches! I was quite sad to be on my own on the motorway when the clock struck 12, but i had a celebratory peperami from the service station, so it wasn't all bad!! Following that I played Goodgreef in Leeds on NYD, then I had my Radio 1 show live in London on the 2nd, so i certainly clocked up the mileage, but all amazing gigs!!!

What was your new years resolution?
I have no will power what so ever, so I don't even bother any more. I did think I should start going to the gym again, but at time of writing I've not been once and eaten take-a-way nearly every night, so I guess that's out the window!! I'll tell you what would be a good one though, stop eating so much junk from service stations!! No more midnight peperami's for ol' Kutski from now on!!

We’re excited to have you at Raver Baby 12 – what have you got in store for us on 30th January?
I don't get the opportunity to play hardcore sets that often so when I do I make sure i savour them!! I've got loads of new music over the past few months, from big future anthems, to some obscure creative records, to some forgotten classics, even some wicked drum and bass I'm really feeling! So, the plan is to mix it all up in a big pot and see what happens on the night!! I'm ready to take things as 'off the wall' as the dancefloor will allow :D

Air is one of our favourite venues due to the great atmosphere created by the ravers. What’s your favourite venue?
Air is an amazing venue. I've had loads of amazing gigs there at nights like Gods Kitchen, but I've never been to a hardcore event there, so I can't wait to see it! I don't think anyone could argue that there is something electric about hardcore events that take the atmosphere to the next level! Generally speaking, I'm a big fan of venues with character, like The Mass in Brixton, which is an old church, or The Arches in Glasgow, which is underneath the railway arches in Glasgow. The big super clubs are nice to be in, but I'm still a fan of the grimy underground sweatboxes I grew up in!

You’re also booked to play at the HTID 30 Weekender – what are you most looking forward about it?
I love weekenders! I've played loads of Tidy ones, and also the Hardcore Heaven one once, and they have always been a right laugh! Popping round to peoples chalets for a quick boz on the decks, having a can of strongbow by the railings in the afternoon, watching all the girls in fluffy boots and hotpants haha... infact now I think about it, I like weekenders because I can relive my mis-spent youth lol... I'm even more excited about it now!! If you lucky i might bring out my Eclipse bomber jacket and Trash jeans ;o)

And we hear you’re going to be treating us to a pure hardcore set, which we can’t wait for – can we expect more hardcore sets from you in the future?
Yeah hopefully!! I've always seen my self as and equal hard dance and hardcore DJ, but when i started to get gigs in the late 90's, the hard house scene was a lot more vibrant and accepting of new DJ's, so following that, i have become more established in that scene, but it's not through lack of trying in the hardcore scene! Hopefully, with the weekly radio show, my profile will raise enough to get more hardcore bookings!!!

What's been your most enjoyable set and why?
I've been playing out for over 10 years now, so it's hard to pin point one set, but the ones that stick in your mind are always the obscure ones, or the ones with a story behind them. For example, i played in China last year, and when i got out there i found out they thought i played Tiesto style trance!! Needless to say i was shitting it, 'cause when i went to sound check in the day, i played my lightest record, and they where like "this is really hard, only play a bit of this at the end!!". So i dealt with the situation the only way i knew how... drink lots before the gig!! When i put my first tune on, the dance floor slowly stopped dancing and just stared. When it got to the breakdown, in a rather drunken state, i started beaconing for everyone to put there hands up. They all looked at each other, started laughing, and then did it!! From then on the rest of the set was going off!! They hadn't heard anything like that before but where loving it! Gigs like that always stick in your mind!!

Your show on Radio 1 is going from strength to strength at the moment; you must be pleased with how it’s going?
Yeah it's had a crazy response which i've been buzzing off!! So much positive feedback from everyone, even from people that aren't into the music. We regularly get emails and txt's from people saying, "i don't know who you are, or what this music is, but i love it!!!" or from truckers saying "This is the only two hours of the week we don't have to worry about falling asleep at the wheel"!! It's great to see new people getting into the music!

What things are currently in the pipeline for your show & for you personally?
Now i've established my self in the new timeslot, we're going to start introducing guests again. I won't give too much away but, we've got some cool people lined up, from big UK and international names, as well as some exciting new talent across all the scenes (that don't even know they've been ear marked yet)!! We're also going to take the show on the road from time to time. First up we're going to be out in force at the Hard Dance Awards at the end of February, and we'll be recording sets to play back the all the best bits in the week to follow!!! So it's all looking exciting at the moment for sure!!!

Is there anything else you’d like to say before we close the interview?
I got a radio duck for xmas, which as you would imagine, is a rubber duck for the bath, with a built in waterproof radio! At first i passed this off a novelty item, but its really good, and i would highly recommend this as a great way to listen to the show lol...