So hello Martijn ten Velden! You're due to be playing in London this weekend at the Phonetic party, "Dead Famous" but for the purpose of our readers why don’t you start by telling us a bit about your history, where did it all begin?

> I bought my first drum machine (Roland tr-808) when I was fifteen. I then bought one deck and a little mixer so I could scratch over the top of my beats. I just loved playing around with beats and records. I've lived in Haarlem until the age of 18. I moved to the UK because I felt the music scene was way bigger over there as it was in the Netherlands, which gave me the opportunity to fully express myself musically.
In between, I made about a 100 records that were mostly released on UK labels such as EMI, Warners, Toolroom, Defected, Phonetic, Nocturnal Groove, Renaissance, Positiva, and Stealth.

Your playing in the UK this weekend, do you notice any differences in the international clubbing scene?

> I do not notice any substantial differences in global clubbing. People just want to party their asses off and listen to rocking music. Dance music makes the world smaller and brings cultures together.

Do you have a favourite club/country to DJ in?

> There is so many great clubs out there it’s ridiculous! I’ve had so many great experiences in many countries. But I would have to say my favourite country to play in is Brazil. The amount of great clubs in that country is amazing and the people just love dance music like nowhere else (except maybe in Bulgaria, Romania, U.S.A, Russia, Denmark, UK, … ?)

These days, loads of artists have switched to software tools such as Ableton Live and Serato. What do you prefer: CD, Vinyl or software?

> When I DJ in a club I use CDs as I love the whole live mixing thing. It keeps things exciting for me. I prefer to use 3 CD-decks so that I can get my freak on with loops and the use of acapellas on the fly. I use Ableton Live for my radio mixes and mix compilations because it enables me to finish the mixes properly the way I want it.

What can expect from you this year in terms of music?

> There will be a new mix compilation titled Defected Clubland Adventures this or next month. I just released my new single Together, which made its way to the number one spot two weeks ago in the British Coolcuts charts two weeks ago. My next single is scheduled for a July release. I've also spent some time in the studio with Mark Knight for the first time in four years and the result is almost finished. Next to that I will be DJing a lot this summer and there are also some new remixes in the pipeline. In other words, there's plenty for me on the horizon!

What would be your ultimate goal as a musician?

> To be able to make music I love as long as possible.

If you could work with any artist/DJ who would you choose and why?

> Trentemoller, because he’s a f***ing Genius!!

Finally, is there anything you’d like to say to the members of Don’t Stay In?

> Come and visit me sometime on Myspace or Facebook to check what I’m up to, please!! Hahaha. Also my new website is about to go live! If you register we’ll have some free music and DJ mixes by myself for you! And you’ll be kept up to date with all my wrongdoings. Keep house music alive!

Martijn ten Velden is in London this Saturday night (25th April 09) to play alongside Michael Gray and Rob Roar at ‘We Are Phonetic “Dead Famous”’. Held at London’s newest venue, Ghost EC1, doors from 10pm.