A much talked-about figure on London’s recently resurgent techno scene, Steve Strawberry is emerging as one of the most passionate and talented young jocks on the circuit. Promoter and resident of Tilted Disco and resident for the capital’s hottest new techno party Closer, his enthusiasm for the genre and skill behind the decks are winning him admirers far and wide. Taking his name from his former voracious appetite for strawberry blotter tabs – and indeed his enduring love of Roland 303s and their seminal acid sound – his nom de plume is as memorable as his tough, groovy sound.

After moving to London and continuing residencies for Euro Beat and Analogue City, he was introduced to Terry Mitchel of Dark House Music fame, with whom he started a night called Box – while simultaneously setting up the labour of his love – Tilted Disco. This burgeoning club night has featured big guns of the techno scene such as A Guy Called Gerald, Robert Armani, Deetron and Dave Angel plus more recent breakthrough artists like Samuel L Session, with Colin Dale as resident alongside Steve.

He was the logical choice for a resident when the promoters of Closer set up shop in London in April of this year, and as the only resident for the party he remains and important part of what they are all about. We spoke to this burgeoning talent ahead of his appearence alongside Luke Slater and Tresor's James Ruskin at Closer NYE at Halo Warehouse in King's Cross, London....

When, how and why did Tilted Disco start?

Tilted Disco was a party that started at the right time. It was kind of between a lot of events that were not doing too much at that time back in 2004; the first Tilted Discos were in Brixton and the turnouts where wicked. The idea behind it was to create a Tilted world to party in, somewhere that you could dance and just lose your bearings. I still have a long way to go with my ideas...it’s a working project and I am always looking for the right people to get involved to add to the party…but the sound system is one of my priorities and I will always spend more cash on the sound to make the music stand out.

Do you think the techno scene in London is healthier compared to when you were starting up TD?

The techno scene in London has now got slightly more interest from other scenes and clubs due to a lot of the house music getting tougher and people getting slightly bored with the minimal sound. But the truth is with techno it will always be the backbone of a lot of scenes and sounds due to its idea; it is truthful music that does not lie to anyone – it has no phoney motives and it will always be healthy and hold the same true crowds.

How tough have you found the whole promoting game? What have been your biggest challenges?

I have found promoting a funny business, it’s something I have broken my back for but I would not do it if I did not think it was worth it, its like everything is stacked up against the promoter and people just don’t realise this.

Do any guests that you’ve had play at TD stand out amongst the rest for their performance?

All the guests we have at Tilted Disco are the top of their game so they all stand out – from a live set by Scan 7 to Deetron’s mixing skills. We had Colin Dale’s brother Mark play once and he rock it as well; every one we get does their own thing in the right way

What’s the craziest shit that’s gone down at a TD party?

Someone hoovering the dance floor in mid party was a bit weird! Plus a lot of after party craziness’; for instance a guy falling through my flat roof. Making Robert Armani a tuna sandwich...stuff like that really,,.

TD recently teamed up with London techno legends Split for a secretive party in Shoreditch. How was the whole shebang?

It was a sell out party; it’s nice working with Split as we worked well with each other and it was not a chore in any sense; so it was a very smooth operation – good to work with people that are organised and up for taking things to next levels. The same goes for Closer, a good team who are trying ideas to create something which I feel is very important to the London music scene – be it techno or any form of electronic sound.

Do you ever go to squat parties in London? If so what do you admire about them?

The Squat party – that’s a funny one, I have not been to one for a long time, I used to be a big fan of a party called United Systems which through big Warehouse parties that had a lot of sound systems that joined together; me and my friend Tom used to go to get inspiration and just to dance all night to amazing music and good vibes.

The parties did start to get a bit moody and I saw people trying to mug people and other crap stuff like that, so I stopped going. I don’t really admire a Squat party anymore, there is no freedom element involved in the ones I know about. I am sure there are sound systems holding nice parties for good people and I would go to one of them!

What have you got planned for TD in 2008?

More parties, more DJing and a lot of studio and live work.

What are the 3 defining TD anthems?

At Tilted Disco we love all good techno, just house music that has purpose and meaning then it would work with our crowds – but the old R&S stuff ticks the box

And finally, if money etc were no object – what would your dream TD line-up be? And where would you hold this monumental party?

The party would be held at The Houses of Parliament and the DJ would be Carl Cox / Colin Dale and Colin Favour / DJ Ratty (for 1992 memories and a laugh) / Plastikman - Live / DJ Pierre performing Fantasy Girl Live / Metroplex Social Club / and JP from Vinyl Junkies in the other room playing all his collection of beats.

Interview by Ben Gomori for Evolution99 // ben@evolution99.co.uk

CLICK HERE FOR FULL DETAILS FOR CLOSER NYE....