1. You’ve been missing in action for the last year – where have you been hiding?

I wish it were a nice warm sunny place but unfortunately not!! Just been a bit tied up with lots of other things going on elsewhere… its amazing how quick time flies. I’ve still been about just not as much!! Obviously been playing for my residency at Freeformation but also played a couple of other events too.

2008 has been an up and down year for everyone I think but I have to say I did enjoy hanging out with monkeys and lions at Long Leat. ;o) All I can say is roll on 2009 cause im really excited about the new projects and idea’s ive been preparing over the last couple of months!!

2. Before you vanished you were on your way to the top, what were your highlights?

I’ve had great fun DJing and there are so many highlights and memorable moments!!! I’ve played some great venues such as Koko, SEone, Shepherds Bush Empire and The Sanctuary.

But the most memorable for me would have to be playing at my first Frantic. It was for their 9th Birthday at Renaissance Rooms!!! Many friendly faces and I thoroughly enjoyed rocking the place.

Ive also have to say playing main room at Heaven for Polysexual South rocked too and rocking the main room for Hard South at the Honey Club in Brighton at 4am was awesome. I’m from Brighton and went to my first dance night there so it’s a spiritual home for me and it was an honour to play there!!

And on the production front it would have to be hearing the Nu Energy Collective Live PA play mine and K-Complex’s track Live for the moment as their opening set at Global Gathering!! They were performing on the stage and the rain had been falling but it went off once they started playing and it was so nice to hear!!

3. 2009 is going to be the year we see you return to the hard dance scene starting with Glow Ball on New Years Eve – have you managed to get to one of their parties and what did you think?

Unfortunately I haven’t been to a Glow Ball yet, I missed one cause it was Kevin Energy’s birthday and ended up getting a bit worse for wear!! Haha I’ve known Kris, Mat and the team for a long time and know their way of running a party so I know its going to be amazing. I can’t wait for NYE!!!

4. Where do you see the hard dance scene going this year?

To be honest I really don’t know. The scene has been very quiet from what ive seen, im not sure why to be honest!! There is still new breed of ravers coming through so I know its not going anywhere!! And with the standard of talent of up and coming DJ’s we are safe too!!

5. Where do you see the hard dance scene taking you this year?

I hope I can pick up on where I left off in 2007!! My plan is get back out there… I’m in the process of designing and building a new web site to host everything that you need to know about what im doing and more importantly where im playing as your going to see a lot more of that hopefully too!! Haha

6. There are more and more hard dance DJs popping up, some have stuck it out on the scene, some have taken early retirement and some have appeared from nowhere.

a. Who do you see as having the staying power to see in New Years Eve 2010?

There are loads of New Breed DJ’s!! Ive had the pleasure with playing with or watching a lot of them coming through and the standard is fantastic!! The one’s for me though would have to be the Diablotraxx lads; Ajay, Above and Rob OTT.

Also big out there are three lovely ladies Helen G, Caz Wood who just keep going from strength to strength and Nicky D is doing great things!! Especially on the production front…

Also keep and eye on the Brighton lads though who are doing great things LD Concept, DJ Drummer and Buzz!!

b. Who would you like to see make a comeback this year

Tony De Vit, god bless. I can hope cant I!!

c. Who do you think will be joining you on the race to the top?

All of the above!!! Also watch out for Nik Spiers and Sam 11-11.

7. With the return of Magna at the legendary science park is there anywhere that has never been used before that you think would make a great rave location?

Oooo that is a hard one… can we do a rave on Button Moon or in cellar of the castle on Trap Door?? Id love to party with Berk, Brutt and the thing upstairs!! Haha

Seriously… id love to see a party at the disused Quarry/Warehouse just outside Brighton!! It’s a bit of a health and safety hazard so will never happen but if we could I reckon it would be mad especially as its got good acoustics and the sound would travel for miles!! Haha

8. You’ve manage to get a number of tracks under your belt already – does 2009 see you return the studio? And is there anyone in particular you want to work with?

2009 is looking really busy at the moment… we have a few releases scheduled for this year and loads more new work to be done!!!

Ive got collaborations planned for with Kevin Energy, Rob OTT, Audio Hedz and too good friends of mine LD Concept!! And ive got a few personal projects im going to be working on too so keep your ears out…

9. What do you have in store for us on NYE?

Now that would be telling!! Haha But guarantee this I plan on it being a kick ass power of hard dance!! New and classic material. Huge breakdowns and memorable vocals. Exactly what I hope you would expect from a Hoopz set!!

10. Who/what will you be hunting for at 11.59 on New Years Eve ;-) ?\

Jennifer Love Hewitt or Duffy would be nice!! Haha though it could be the plot or my marbles. Ill be looking for my mates… no NYE celebrations is complete with a count down with friends!! See you all there!! :o)

Thanks Hoopz, it's been great to catch up and can't wait to hear you play on New Years Eve x