With a DJ career that has spanned over a decade, Grant Richards is Kinky Malinki’s longest standing resident and the man behind 2007’s Kinky Malinki: The Album. Having played in some of the best clubs across the globe, Richards was nominated for Best Breakthrough DJ in the 2005 House Music Awards, whilst his radio show was recommended as ‘one to watch’ by DJ Mag. We caught up with him ahead of his set at Hoi Polloi’s First Fridays to talk about all things House, clubbing and... trainers?!?

Hi Grant, any chance of a sneaky peek in your record bag? What will you be playing at Hoi Polloi’s First Fridays on May 2nd?

Well it’s a CD wallet is that alright? All you’ll find in my record bags is old records gathering dust. My CD wallet however has chewing gum, tissues and shed loads of CD’s, funnily enough. I’ve been told I can play what I want which is nice to have to not compromise in any way at all. Expect some real fresh new music with a smattering of cheeky edits that will have you bouncing.

Who do you rate DJ wise, both internationally and new to the scene? Anyone to watch out for?

I have a real love for the Dutch at the moment, loads of new music, artists and DJ’s filtering through right now. In fact they are taking over. Move over the Swedish House Mafia!!! From the guys that have been around a while I’d have to mention Hardsoul, every set I’ve experienced I’ve been truly impressed. Then from the new breed I really dig Mischa Daniels, very talented chap indeed.

Who/what are your influences?

I draw influences from all over the place. My old dear helped shaped my musical brain as a nipper. Stevie Wonder has wowed me over the years with his amazing musical ability. I love live music and often go and check new bands or artists as I just love the vibe at gigs. Often the smaller the better as you can really feel the energy and rawness then. From a house music perspective I would say that a few people that I feel can do no wrong are Joey Negro (he simply cannot produce an average tune) and Mark Knight who just churns out large track after large track.

There seem to be ever increasing classifications within House music, how do you define your sound or do you prefer not to be pigeonholed?

I f#@king hate pigeon-holes. Pardon my French but it frustrates me a lot. The press need these but I don’t feel that clubbers need them. I play house music of many different kinds and can even appreciate the types I don’t play. The important thing is making the people dance with the house music not what type it is right?

Hoi Polloi prides itself on providing a platform to showcase up-and-coming DJ talent. Any tips for aspiring DJs?

All DJ’s need a platform so it’s good that the young guns get these openings. All the early times are experiences that help mould you as a DJ. The actual DJing bit is easy but it can take quite some time to get the rest right so a bit of patience is required and a bit of humility doesn’t go a miss.

You’ve said before that you love making music, and you’ve played a pivotal role in the production of two Kinky Malinki albums, what are you working on at the moment?

I do love making music, it is more a hobby for me and all the time I’m learning more and more. I’ve recently started working with a couple of chaps and we go under the name of Let’s Press Go and things are looking good so far. The album stuff is fun too and I am genuinely lucky to have the platform with Kinky to put the compilations together. It’s not quite the same as putting together a mix tape for your pal’s when you know you need to sell thousands of copies!!!

As a resident with Kinky Malinki whose former London home was Turnmills, and as a DJ clocking up vast air miles playing in clubs across the globe, what do you think of the future of clubbing in the capital since Turnmills’ closure and of course last year’s closure of Canvas, The Key and The Cross?

It is a true shame to lose some really historic clubbing venues and it has definitely caused a few headaches for some promoters I’m sure but the scene always changes and with them closures twice as many will be opening their doors and who knows some of these new venues could go on to be just as historic in several years time? I think it’s a good thing for the punter as it forces change and change is good.

Kinky Malinki’s Club Tours see you jet-setting to destinations including Dubai, Jakarta, Singapore and Shanghai, what’s your favourite venue and why?

All of those you mention have been cracking gigs and I really loved Singapore, they are really up for it but none of those are my favourite as that crown goes to Pacha, Egypt. It’s a huge sprawling venue with no roof and a swimming pool in it and I played to a good few thousand people and was really blown away by the magnitude of it all. I’d love to go back.

Hoi Polloi was formed on bringing about good times and party vibes attained in clubs, at gigs and festivals – hence the famous Hoi Polloi hands. Last year you attended your first ever music festival and with such a selection of festivals this summer, any plans to pitch your tent and don the wellies this year?

Well it’s all a bit quiet on the western front as I have a year of weddings and therefore stag do’s and some 30th birthdays too so it seems that the emphasis is on them at the moment. I really wanted to check out the Big Chill which apparently has some really tip top showering facilities which to the uninitiated may not seem that important but after my experiences last year I think that’s pretty damn imperative!!!

Your website blog (www.grantrichards.com) covers your DJ travels and is jam-packed with tales of your experiences whilst DJing. What’s the strangest thing to have happened to you in a club?

Well one of the strangest things to happen to me was at that gig in Egypt. I’d had a real dodgy stomach before the gig and had been to the lav about 10 times so thought there was no way there could be anything more in me to come out. How wrong was I? Mid set I had a real urge to go, it was so bad it hurt my belly. Anyway I managed to flag down the resident DJ to try and explain I needed the toilet and that he may need to cover me for a track or so. He seemed to understand what I meant and showed me a secret toilet for DJ’s. Off I ran and done the necessary and came back to find the resident was nowhere to be seen and that I only had about 45 seconds left on the track playing!! Thank the lord I hadn’t taken anymore time.

You’re known as much for your Trainer collection as you are for your DJing, exactly how many pairs do you own? and if it came to it (think burning fire type scenario), could you chose between a trusted pair of sneakers and a prized white label vinyl?

Now that’s a good question!! I’d take the trainers over the vinyl, some of my pairs are worth a fair bit of money, I’m sure some of my vinyl is too but it would cost me less to replace and the sneaks are often rarer too. As for how many I have at last count it was coming in at 125 pairs. Andy Ward from Soul Central actually told me the other day that I’m a sick individual who wastes far too much money on trainers. I think he’s right.

What can we expect from Grant Richards in the near future?

More of the same really. I’d like to think that I’m a reliable, experienced DJ and that anything that happens comes gradually and through hard work as that has been the pattern of things over the past 11 years. I don’t think I’ll wake up one day and something mind altering would’ve happened with my career but if it does I’ll grab it with both hands and run with it.

And now for a quick-fire round of complete the sentence -

In my car, I listen to… Radio One quite a bit actually.

Not a lot of people know that I… fucking love Star Wars, the original Trilogy though.

A phrase I often say is… bore off.

In a nutshell, my philosophy on life is… Carpe Diem, latin for sieze the day. I have it etched on a ring that was made for me for my 30th birthday.

If I wasn’t a DJ, I’d fill my time… stalking Nicola from Girls Aloud.

The ringtone on my mobile is… the standard ringtone as I’ve just got a blackberry and I’ve not changed it yet.

The last text on my phone was from… my old school pal Richard, discussing cheese!!

If I had three wishes, I’d wish for… I only need one really, the life of Hugh Heffner but without the old age.

The last time I danced was… the other week at my mates 1st birthday party. He wasn’t one, his party was.

My party trick is… I can juggle three balls or fruit or pretty much anything.

The strangest dream I’ve had was… I have weird dreams every day. I even used to have a dream book to analyse them.

The club or party I most wish I’d attended has to be… Studio 54 back in the glory disco days in New York.

If I could be a Rock star, Film star, Porn star or Pro Footballer, I’d be a… I’ll go for the footballer as I desperately wanted to be a pro keeper when I was younger.

The first record I bought was… ET the Extra Terrestrial theme tune music.

The song I wish I’d written is… pretty much any Stevie Wonder song, excluding “I Just Called To Say I Love You”

The record that never leaves my record bag is… Alan Braxe & Fred Falke - Intro

The tune that reminds me of school is… the whole of De La Soul’s first two albums.

The song I’d like played at my funeral is… Mondo Grosso “Star Suite”, you probably have never heard it but it is the most sublime bit of music and a fitting way to leave this planet.

Grant Richards joins Hoi Polloi resident Master K, along with DJaw at Hoi Polloi’s First Fridays on Friday 2nd May @FHT, South London.