1) Hello Rob, how are you and how has 2007 gone so far?

Im very good thanks. 2007 has been pretty crazy to be honest. My djing has seen a new high, I’ve played out in the US in May which was fantastic and something that will stick as one of the high points of the year.

2. Can you give some brief background on your music production and dj career for anyone that may not know?

I started out djing at school parties in about 1998 (I think) and got to play stuff like V-One – Dead Cities and other quite underground trance at the time. There wasn’t many people that knew what I was playing but I had a great time and fixed it into my head that I wanted to do something with this music.
A few years later the djing went onto hold as I started experimenting properly with production. Bought a nice shiney keyboard and a PC and literally sat and taught myself how to use what I had. It basically went on quite quickly from there

3. Has dance music production always been something that you have looked to get into?

I think so yeah, when I started out I always wondered how to create the tracks the make the sounds that were used at the time. The curiosity just grew and grew I think.

4. A couple of your aliases seem to be getting a lot of recognition as well, can you give us some info on them as well?

I have quite a few, hehe. There is Solar Movement which is basically similar in style to the Activa sound which basically came about when I wanted to sign 2 tracks to Somatic Sense but was under contract with another label that stopped me using Activa.
There is Mekk which is a lot more techy and dark, mostly bassline based. That project is exclusive to Discover Dark
Astralis which is a bit of a strange one to be honest. I think ill be looking at doing a follow up to Solar Flare sometime this year.
As Collaborations go there is Substate and C.M.R with Chris and Matt Kidd and Aira Force with Jon O’Bir.

5. This is your first gig in Scotland, are you up for it?

Yes, definitely! Ive heard lots about the Scottish crowd and really cant wait to hammer out some new tracks.

6. How have things been going locally for you?

In terms of djing in York, its pretty much non-existant. There is no scene here what-so-ever. The nearest place is Leeds which has Digital Society, a great new trance night where I can be found if im not djing elsewhere.

7. Seen by many as a name that is making massive waves in the trance scene, what has been your own personal highlight so far?

That’s quite hard to answer as the last 18 months has just gone so quick. Ive done so much in that time and had so many amazing nights and experiences that it all gets a little blurred!
As djing goes, flying out to the US was amazing. It was my first time in the country and I met loads of great people and had an excellent night playing at Shampoo. I met Tom Colontonio out there who looked after me and really made my stay a lot more relaxing. Cheers Tom!!
As production goes it would be my signing to Spinnin. There easily the biggest label that I have signed with and they have made it a pleasure to work with them.

8. How does it feel to see your tracks play listed by the biggest trance djs on the planet?

Strange. Its something that doesn’t really sink in. There is always a massive satisfaction from seeing your track played by people like PvD and Tiesto in tracklists etc, but there is a definite rush when you hear them in a club unexpected and seeing peoples reactions. I love standing and just listening to them over the massive systems, Tracks always sound sooo much better in clubs!

9. Can you tell us a little bit on any new material planned?

Yeah, im always working on new stuff. Theres an Activa follow up for Spinnin under way at the moment. Ive finished the b-side to the new Mekk EP on Discover Dark called Save Your Soul. Im also working on a Mekk remix of a track called Silver Haze again for Discover Dark as well as some other smaller bits and bobs.

10. Do you get the chance to go clubbing yourself? Any djs that you admire?

As much as possible. I can normally be found wandering crasher (although not any more). I also go to Good Greef quite a lot at various places depending whos on. I am always at Digital Society in Leeds too. That is a great new night that always has fresh lineups. I always look up to van Dyk hes been pretty inspirational to many people including me. Also John Askew, I really love his sets, not to mention the fact that he is so down to earth and a sound bloke.

11. What other producers are rocking your world right now?

Tom Colontonio!! Amazing producer and a great guy. Theres big thing ahead for him I think.

12. What are your favourite tracks outside EDM?

I like bands like the Cooper Temple Clause, The Music and Bloc Party, anything really that catches my attention.

13. What kind of Studio equipment can be found in your studios?

Hardware!! Hehe. I’m not particularly against software synths as I do use them a little, but the sounds that some from an Access Virus, they just cannot be beaten. I use a Roland XP30 and Access Virus synths run from Cakewalk Sonar on a bog standard 6 year old Dell PC. Need a PC upgrade soon I think!! I use reason and sometimes v-station softsynths.

15. What do you get up to when not making EDM?

Working 9-5, it’s a right pain in the arse!! The Xbox 360 is rather addictive!

16. Restaurant or Take away?

Both! hehe

17. For everyone coming to see you this month, can you describe in three words what your set is going to be like?

Fast, energetic and uplifting