Hey mate how are you?
Very, very good indeed thanks -)
Your one of the hardest working DJs/Producers the UK has to offer, can you tell us how you stumbled upon the electronic music scene?
As a youngster i was heavily influenced by bands like Kraftwerk, Depeche Mode, Heaven 17 and The Human League - i was also really into music and as such i used to be in different bands while at school. When i got my first job i managed to get myself into some serious debt by financing a load of equipment (blacklisting my parents at the same time) and i started to mess around with House beats. From there i collected enough gear to start making full tunes and my first release was ready at the tender age of 21.
Did you always want to be a DJ or did it come after you had a string of floor filling releases?
I wasn't really interested in becoming a DJ initially and it was only when i had my first big track that i started to get into the idea of it. My studio partner at the time was Neil Hinde and we were in a band called The Lisa Marie Experience, when the track 'Keep On Jumping' broke i started to get loads of requests to DJ. At that point i had no choice but to start DJ ing - that was 15 years ago now!

You release music through many different labels but your own imprint is Slave Records, who would you say is one to watch on your label?
Interestingly at the moment i don't have anybody else signed to the label and i only use it to release my own productions. I'm currently in negotiations to sign a few artists but i can't mention who just yet. I guess you could look out for that D.Ramirez chap, i've heard he's rather spiffing -)
Fancy sharing any production tips for our technical readers?
The best tip i have for anybody, wether you're a seasoned pro or a complete novice is to make sure before you start a production, remix or whatever you have a solid idea of what you are going to do. For years i've gone into productions without a clue of how it's going to turn out and while that can yield it's own rewards it generally takes me ages to finish anything as most of the time i'm playing around.
Can we expect any more collaborations with artists such as Matt Tolfrey in the near future?
I am planning another studio session with Matt Tolfrey as soon as i can pin him down but in the meantime i'm open to working with people i find inspiring.
Will you be showcasing any new material at the mixmag tour party @ kerbcrawler?
Oh yes! I have loads of new productions and remixes including a new version of Max Linens - 'The Soul Shaker', a brand new remix for Dave Seaman and Andy Chatterly and my new one with Mark Knight and Underworld called 'Downpipe' on Toolroom.

D.Ramirez August 09 60 Minute DJ mix

1- D.Ramirez - 'Satur8' (Jamie Stevens Tech Dub) - Slave
2- Julian Chaptal - 'Mamdaye' - Remote Area Records
3 - Cozzy D - 'Longtime' - White
4 - Ramirez and Tolfrey - 'Bounce For Me' - Phonica/Vinyl
5 - Twotrups - 'That Cello Track' (Namito Cello Kebab Remix) - Yoshitoshi
6 - Max Linen - 'The Soulshaker' (D.Ramirez 2009 Remix) - Phonetic
7 - Reset Robot - 'Do The Slot' - Sci & Tec
8 - Dave Seamen - 'Attack Of The Abalones' - Renaissance
9 - Freakx Brothers - 'Ghettoblaster' (Tony Gomez Dubblaster Mix) - ITH (Defected In The House)
10 - D.Ramirez, Mark Knight & Underworld - Downpipe (toolroom)
11 - D.Ramirez vs. Joy Division - 'Control' - White
12 - D.Ramirez - 'Satur8' (Original Mix) - Slave

www.dramirez.co.uk