You have a great reputation as a performer and a producer, but how did it all start for you? What got you interested in DJing in the first place?

I have always loved music. I used to buy loads of mix tapes, but would only like half the tracks on the mixes. So I decided to buy decks and buy the music I liked. I never wanted to be a club DJ. That kind of happened by accident as I had friends running parties who asked me to play. Then we started up Frantic and the rest is history and my career took off from there.

As one of the top DJs today what do you think has played the biggest part in your success? And what sets you apart from other people in the industry?

I dunno, I guess that’s something you’d have to ask other people. I’ve always been very passionate about the music and love playing. I also try and take time out the have a dance and a chat with people. I don’t take myself too seriously and consider myself the same as everyone else. I just play the music that people sometimes dance to!!!

Apart from the obvious love for the music, what keeps you motivated?

The people and wanting to please them. I get so many nice things said to me about my DJing and music that I like to replay the people by playing the best set that I can. Also I think its important to keep making tracks and keeping the scene going. A lot of people have moved on or stopped DJing/making music. So for someone who has been around for a long time I feel its important to give some back to the scene and the people who love it.

Over the years which DJ’s and producers have been the biggest influence in your career?

Firstly it was Paul Oakenfold, then Tony De Vit. Production wise it would be Paul Oakenfold, Way out West, Nick sentience, K90, BK, Steve Blake, James Lawson and Technikal.
You've travelled the world playing sets to sell-out crowds; do you have a favourite destination?
At this present time I’d say Argentina. I love the crowds. The people are very friendly and its an amazing country. All my gig’s there have been amazing and they have the best steak on earth there!!!

2008 has been an exciting year, hard dance has had a little resurgence, production quality has improved, digital downloads have almost completely replaced vinyl... What have been the highlights of the year for you?

Finally getting to release my album ‘Digital Revolution’. Although I will be releasing it digitally shortly. It was a long time coming and am very happy with the final product. Also my trip to South Africa in July, where I had one of the most enjoyable oversea trips in years.

What excites you the most about joining Puzzle Project? What treats are you preparing for the loyal fans of Puzzle Project in the near future?

I’m really looking forward to playing as I’m playing tech trance. I’m really happy that Puzzle Project have given me the opportunity to play a different style of music. And I hope the crowd enjoys what I have in store for them.

What special qualities does a track have to have to earn a spot in one of your sets?

A great groove, good bassline and most of all, has to be uplifting.

You've done a million interviews over the years, what question have you been dying to answer that no-one has ever asked you?

Ha ha, no because once I had to write the questions to myself for a website once. So really I interviewed myself!!!!!

Have you got any secret projects you will be working on in 2009? Do you have any teasers for us?

I made a whole album of trancey breakbeat stuff, which I’m now going to go back to and work on. It sounds like Way out west type stuff. So I’m going to try and get all the tracks finished and look to release the album later this year. I’m also co-run a trance label called Vision Control and will be producing some tech trance this year. We have a radio show on Slinky fm starting too and will be presenting that. So its going to be a busy year.

Do you think there are enough talented nu-breeds to take our beloved scene forward?

There are plenty of nu-breed DJ’s. I’m not sure that most of them have what it takes. I have seen a lot of them play very inappropriately at times. Playing way to hard at the start of the night. The night need to progress and playing a set that would normally get played at say 3 or 4 in the morning, at the start of the night isn’t gonna impress anyone, especially the DJ’s playing afterwards. Also playing way to fast at the start of the night kills the crowd by about 2 in morning and people leave early. There is no thought to thinking about what time they are playing and go for a glory set at the start of the night, when they are meant to be warming up for people. People need to think about what time they are playing and play appropriately. They will get a lot further by doing this. On the other hand there are quite a few really good up and coming producers. I think musically the scene will be really good this year and I’m excited by a lot of the stuff I’ve heard recently.

I've heard a wee rumour that you've branched out into tech-trance. How important do you think it is for a DJ to be able to play more than one genre?

I don’t really believe that people have to play other styles. I played trance before I started playing harder music and have always loved it. I’m really passionate about trance and wanted to start playing it as an alternative to keep playing hard music. I’m not doing it to be cool or jumping on a band wagon. I’m doing it because I love the music.

What is it about hard dance that people love so much?

I’d say the energy from the music. You don’t get the same energy from any other style of music.

Now, time to get serious and to ask the tough questions. If your life depended on it, which one of the Puzzle Project boys would you take out on a date?

You have to be joking?? The one who has enough money to pay for the date!!!!

Which is your favourite smurf? If they made a DJ smurf would you feel mainstream?

Ha ha, I can’t remember most of there names. Papa Smurf. That’s about it. I’m sure he would be the daddy if he DJed!!!!

Not many people would know that we met quite a few years ago in NZ where you were (and still are!) a huge International DJ, and I was just a mad clubber. Could you have imagined that we would end up residents together at one of London's most exciting monthly parties?!!

No, not at all. But its good to see someone you know work hard and start to get somewhere. So it will be a pleasure playing alongside you. Just don’t play better than me ;-)