1. Hi Jim - what's keeping you busy at the moment?
Hey...well, i'm busy as ever in the studio writing new material that will be coming out on Misfit. I've also recently finished a new single thats coming out on Will Saul's excellent Simple imprint, so i'm really excited about that!

2. The last year or so has been a massive time for you - what have been the highlights?
Thats quite difficult to answer really. I think recently signing a record to Eric Prydz label Mouseville is pretty high up there. I also played the main room at MOS for Renaissance last weekend and that was a real dream come true! T o be honest, every gig I do and every record I sign makes me feel how lucky I am to be doing this - long may it continue!!

3. Where does being Venue's top DJ of the year rank among them? Right up there, we bet!
Ha ha. Well actually to me that counts for a lot. Bristol is where i have really developed as an artist. Its where i've tested out my newest records and where I have learnt how to properly play a club and (hopefully) control a room. So to get the award was great - and there's a lot of other fresh talent in Bristol so i was really pleased to get it.

4. Is there one thing you look back on as the moment you broke through, and if so what? Or was it just the product of a lot of hard work?
I don't believe you can get anywhere in dance music without a lot of hard work, but you also definately need some good opportunities - and you have to take them when you get them. Signing my first ever record to Saw was a big deal, and it put my name out there on a global scale pretty quickly. Also having support from A list DJ's on my work helps a lot and being able to record and remix on such stella labels as Renaissance and GU has all definately helped.

5. Tell us about Misfit, the new label you're launching. What inspired you to start it? What inspired the name?
Ive always wanted to set my own label up, so it was a natural step. It gives me more control over the whole release process, which is really good. Its exciting as well to create my own brand which i think these days is really key in being successfull. As for the name, well i like the word, but i fell it kind of describes my music as i dip in and out of styles and my sound is made up of a lot of influences...also, if you ask those that know me, im not exactly your classic jet setting DJ type!

6. You play all over the world now - what's been your craziest/best gig?
Last year i played this amazing gig in Moscow. I played for 3 and a half hours and the place just went nuts for the whole set. It was this sweaty little club and the vibe just ace...More recently, as i mentioned earlier, opening the Box at The Ministry of Sound was a real highlight. Playing to a full main room there was unbelievable!

7. Is it nice coming back and playing for Empathy? How does the local scene compare to the rest of the globe?
I always enjoy Empathy. Ive been part of it for a long time now and I feel like i know the crowd and feel at home there when i play. I still play at nearly all the parties, so its an important gig for me. Im really excited to be headlining as ive not done that for ages, so hopefully it will go off! Ive had some of my best DJ experiences at Empathy, so it compares really well to other places ive been...on the right night the bristol crowd is amazing!

8. You're on headlining duties at this one, as opposed to your usual resident role. Will you play it any differently?
I will do my thing...i will be able to play records that i would not usually get to play in a warm up set for example, which will be cool. Most people in Bristol dont see me playing a main set, so hopefully it will go down well. Im doing some special edits and intros and stuff just for that party...

9. What advice would you give other aspiring DJ/producers on breaking into a tough scene like dance music?
Well you have to work hard and stick at it. Also I think its good to aim high. There are thousands of small labels now putting out thousands of records every week. If you can get onto more established labels I think it definately helps. These days you have to be writing music if you want to DJ. Gone are the days of Djing to promote music - its now the total opposite. Id also like to say that i there's any aspiring producers reading this, the im always happy to listen to new music and help out if I can!!

10. Anything else you'd like to add?
Yeah, my final thing is that i want to make sure people realise the quality of Empathy. Its been going for 7 years this year and Stuart Wilkinson has been the driving force behind it from day one. Without Empathy, I dont think I would have got to where I am now and its a privilidge for me to be a resident....so people, get ya glad rags on and come to one of the institutions of Bristol's night life!