b>Kutski is Hard Dance’s most authentic new superstar. Crossing genres easier than Eddie Izzard crosses genders, the Chester born big gun has been instrumental in exposing Hard Dance to a completely new generation of followers.

As his Radio 1 show continues to move to more prominent schedule times, Kutski’s popularity only promises to continue skyrocketing.

Storm’s long standing stalwart, Daley, caught up with the man that’s spearheading a revolution of the harder variety ahead of the massive 9th birthday celebrations at the Emporium on the 25th April.

Obviously the Radio 1 gig has been massive for you and your career. Did you have to earn the respect of your Radio 1 colleagues? Have their attitudes towards you or the harder edged music changed since your timeslot became more prominent?

To be honest, I expected to be look down on a bit being the new kid, and playing what I assumed people to perceive as un-credible music, but this was really not the case at all! Right from the start it was clear everyone at the station was one big team aiming to represent all aspects of music, and I was doing my part in my specialist area like them! I remember getting a pep-talk from Westwood telling me to walk round the building with my head held high as I’m ‘representing my thing’ and am just as important as any other DJ at the station! Quite an honour to get that from the big dawg!!

You’re known as a man who loves the technical element of DJing - cutting and scratching your way through your club-sets in addition to your radio show. As technology shifted from the analogue turntables to the CD based digital approach, did you find you had to remaster your skills to accommodate this change?

As I’m sure you’ll know, I was one of the last DJ’s to convert fully to CD’s, as I love the vinyl culture, but as times change I just had to get on with it! It wasn’t too hard to transfer what I was already doing to CDJ’s as at the end of the day, CDJ’s are emulations of vinyl decks, it’s was just a case of practicing on them a lot at first. Then I kind of discovered a whole world of new stuff I could do on them, which kind of softened the blow of leaving my beloved vinyl behind!

As a DJ who can appreciate all elements of the Hard Dance scene - from UK Hard House to industrial European Gabber –which type of Hard Dance do you think is currently leading the way?

It might sound a little biased as it is a style I really favour a lot at the moment, but Hardstyle seems to be really going off!! Obviously it’s massive in Europe because that is where the sound originated, but with Showtek winning best DJ and track at the HDA’s, Zany winning best album, and a whole host of other Hardstyle acts being nominated, I think this shows it is catching on a lot more in UK hard house clubs too!

With the extra professional commitment of an international radio show, when you’re not busy with some element of DJing or production – what do you do to entertain yourself or relax?

To be honest I’ve been so busy since the start of the year, any hobbies, pastimes or side projects have kinda gone out of the window! Not that I’m complaining of cause, because when I worked a fulltime dayjob, the music was my hobbie and pastime, so to be able to do that for every waking hour is a blessing!! I do still try and sneak a good practice in on Guitar Hero from time to time though lol…

Co-presenting the Hard Dance Awards this year, you would have been there when Storm was crowned “Best Large Club” winner for an unprecedented third year in a row. What is it that makes Storm so hugely popular with the clubbers?

It’s a combination of a lot of things. The venue is amazing, and as the night has been running for so long, it has the pedigree. So people know it will be a good night, and it has developed a very loyal following of people who are passionate about the night and really feel like they are a part of what its all about! Location-wise too, it’s ideal people can travel from London and Leeds alike with no great hassle, there is ample parking, and with in not being in a busy city, its easy to get to the venue! Basically, it’s the “perfect storm’ if you’ll excuse the pun!

Since you first broke onto the UK circuit, you’ve been a pioneer of the European sounds of Hard Dance. Now, when you’re invited to spin at the big European events and festivals, do you find yourself spinning the European tunes or do you find yourself playing more UK based Hard Dance?

It’s quite different playing in Europe, especially Holland. Over here I’ll mix it up, the techy stuff, some big uplifting bits, some hardstyle stuff… but over in Holland, they tend to just want the straight up hardstyle stuff!! I’m sure given time, once the clubbers over there start to understand what I’m about, I’ll be able to vary it up a little more each time, but while I’m still getting my feet under the table, I just make sure the dancefloor stay happy for my set as a priority!

As somewhat of a celebrity now, what’s the strangest place you’ve ever been recognised?

Out side of DJ’ing, I’ve honestly only ever been recognised twice. One in a drum & bass club in Liverpool, the other in a bar in my home town of Chester. I think I might have to get some kind of fancy haircut, or start cross-dressing or something… Something to make me stand out more haha…

You’ve achieved so much over the past few years, propelling yourself into the premier league of DJ superstars. What does the short term and long term future hold for DJ Kutski?

My number one priority without a doubt is the work I’m doing for Radio 1. I’ve worked so hard to get where I am, and I have such a good relationship with everyone there and I really am living my dream job, so I’m just pouring 100% effort into my show at the moment! Aside from that though, I’ve been busy working on production, and have releases forthcoming on Tidy and Detox (Holland), as well as my own label, Free-Range Muzik which I’ll be launching soon. I’ve got a tour of Australia and Malaysia in May, and an album project with Lisa Lashes and Showtek when I get back so it doesn’t look like I’m going to get much Guitar Hero in the near future :oP

Also a quick plug for a little pet project of mine I’m working on. I’ve designed my own little website to host all the mixtapes I’ve done over the years! Feel free to check it out – www.shitmixtapes.com

Storm would like to thank Kutski for taking the time to speak to us..