1. 2007 has been an amazing year for you.. What has been your highlight and what do you have got planned production wise for 2008?

I think the highlight for me would probably be my cover version of Brian Eno's "Ascent" getting picked up by Armin and released on Captivating Sounds. I think it really helped get my name out there and show that i can do uplifting trance aswell as the techy stuff (with Orbit on the flip). It was great to see it about so much on forums, charts and I think there was lots of good talk about it. Some bad of course, it being a cover with my name on it, but you can't please everyone and I'd like everyone to know that the cover wasn't an attempt at stealing Eno's tune, but more of a praise to the most beautiful tune on earth! :)

For 2008 I think we'll see the birth of a new pseudonym for techno/melodic minimal and music at around 128-134 bpm. I'm getting into it a lot and really enjoy the subtleties of the production side to it. I'll of course still be continuing with the uplfting trance and tech trance too. So I think this year is going to be a really busy one for me!

2. When you are in the studio, do you always go into studio with an idea to work on do you produce as you go so to speak?

I usually have some idea of what I want to do. I rarely, in fact never make the same type of trance twice in a row. If I do something dark and techy one time, the next time I'll change and do something lighter and more uplifting, or perhaps work on a different style altogether. So when I open up a new project I aim for a particular sound, by getting the percussion right first and going from there. Sometimes I'll come across a sound in my library or synthesize a noise that takes what I'm working on in a whole new direction. I like it when that happens, it makes for some really interesting tunes and the outcome is normally something quite different from whats out there already. At least i like to think so anyway!

3. What inspires you most?

I don't think that I could bring it down to just one thing alone. I get my inspiration from so many styles of music, at the moment I'm really getting into my down tempo trance and techno, there's so much I feel I can do in those genres and I draw my influences from different things all the time.
I try not to be - for want of a better word - "polluted" by one type of music as I feel it would be detrimental to my own sound. There are lots of good producers out there at the moment so its hard not to draw influence from whats big at the moment, but I do try and mix things up as much as I can.

4. You have a new single called "Sector 7" coming out on Digital Remedy on December 3rd. Tell us a bit about it..

Well, first up, the name for it comes from my all time fave game Final Fantasy 7. I cant get enough of it still nearly 10 years after its release!
It's a tough energetic trancer with some slightly techy influence. Its got quite a huge build up in it which isn't something I usually do as I feel buildups were overdone a few years ago but I thought it was something a bit different from my other productions. It's got some really great reactions so far and I hope it continues to do so and hopefully people will enjoy it on the dance floor as much as I do playing it!

5. Next year Digital Remedy are taking you on for DJ Management. What can they expect from you when you get behind the decks?

Indeed! I'm really quite excited about this prospect and looking forward to playing out around the country and maybe even abroad some time! I think what could be expected from my sets varies on the time I play! I like so many different styles and I'm really quite picky, so it could range from a bit of melodic minimal and progressive trance, through to some really dark energetic tech trance and anything in between. I think a good mix of styles in a set is important a lot of the time. I'd say "take the clubber on a journey" but i think thats quite a cheesy thing to say so and it really depends how long you're on for as to how much of a "journey" you can create. As long as the set builds nicely along the way and i play what people want to hear, I'm sure we'll all be happy!

6. Tell us something about yourself that not many people know.

I've got "trumpeters lips"!! I used to play the trumpet for a few years when I was a kid. Maybe this is what initially got my musical mind working.

Quick Fire Round

* Amsterdam or Ibiza?

Amsterdam!

* Trance Or Hard House?

Trance....but I do still enjoy a bit of filth every once in a while!

* Daddy Or Chips?

Chiiiiiips!

* After Party or Bed?

After Party! Although it depends how tired I am I guess!

* Arse, legs or tits?

I'm not too fussy really...... can't a choose all three?!

* Looks or personality?

Again.... can't I choose both? Haha!

* Comfort or fashion?

Comfort for sure!

Also, one last thing if I may! I'd like to take this opportunity to let everyone know about my "band" with my brother and mate. We're called Portasound and you can find us at www.myspace.com/portasoundband It's not trance orientated but good fun silly happy dancing music. We're starting to get a few fans and get some gigs so keep your eyes and ears peeled and I hope you enjoy it!

Excellent... Thanks Michael and be sure to check Michael out on December 1st at Heavens Industry in Cambridge and his new Single "Sector 7" out on Digital Remedy on December 3rd.