Over the past five years Hardefaster.net has teamed up with some of the countries biggest, brightest and best promotions to put on some legendary Xmas parties across the capital. This year, as the past few, we’re teaming up much loved residents with the cream of up and coming DJing expertise for some back to back mayhem to provide the clubbing community with an amazing Christmas cracker of a party but for this year we’ve pulled out the stops to ensure this party goes that one step further!

We bring you 48 DJs and three rooms of the best dance music around featuring resident DJs from your favourite promotions going head to head with the cream of HF DJs, from house to trance to hard dance, you can be guaranteed to enjoy a festive feast of music! Of course with headliners like Phil Reynolds, Andy Farley, Marc Vedo and The Real Tony Montana, who would think otherwise? I took some time to speak to Phil ahead of the mayhem!

Hi Phil, Thanks for taking the time to do this interview ahead of Harderfaster’s Xmas party @ Hidden. You’ve been a firm fixture in the scene for a number of years now, where did your love affair with music begin and did you always want to be a DJ?

I’ve always loved music. Never played an instrument! I got into clubbing at uni and loved it and the music. It was my passion for the music that made me buy some decks, which was about 14 years ago. I never, even at that point, wanted to be a DJ, I just wanted to listen to music I liked and have a bit of a play. I was terrible when I first got them. I never imagined achieving what I’ve achieved through Djing. It’s always a bit of a spinout when I think about the places I’ve been to and the things I’ve experienced through Djing.

You’ve been producing for a long time as well, collaborating with the likes of Nick Sentience, Matt Williams and James Lawson on some of the scenes best loved anthems (“War on Drugs” was one of my first purchases when I started djing!). What software/hardware do you use and what are your favourite plugins/VSTs?

I use Logic 7 on a Mac. I don’t have any hardware. I just use plugins on the computer. I use a lot of logic plugins like EX24, ES1 and ES2. My other favourites are Nexus, Camel Phat and Camel Space and V-Station.

You’re first artist album “Digital Revolution” was due for release earlier this year on your new label Digital Creation. Tell me a bit more about the label and the album.

Well it’s not actually been released yet (it’s 4 months late!!). It will be available to buy in CD format very shortly from: www.myspace.com/djphilreynolds.

I created the label to showcase the album and my own music. I’ve already released two singles from the album which have done really well so far. The album features collaborations with Nick Rowland, Technikal, MDA & Spherical, Greg Brookman and Matt Williams.

You worked with some of the scenes most promising talent in the form of Technikal, MDA & Spherical, Trevor McLachlan and Greg Brookman along with some of the old guard (Matt Williams, Nick Rowland and Nick Sentience). Do you have a favourite track on the album?

I’d say ‘Open your mind’ with Technikal is my favourite. We wanted to do something a little different with a slightly different production style. It worked really well for both of us and I’ve had loads of good comments about it from people all over the world on the track, which is great.

I read you had planned to be a bit more musically diverse with the album (including some of your breaks tunes) but decided to stick to what you are best known for which is of course hard trance. What other genres are you dabbling in production wise and can we expect any releases or is it purely for fun?

I have written nearly a full album of trancey breakz stuff. A bit like Way Out West. But I thought if I released an album of that sort of stuff I’d lose my fan base so I decided to stick to what I know best for now. Now that the album is done I’ll be doing a bit more house/electro stuff and finish off some of the breakz stuff. I’ll still be doing the hard stuff as well.

Back in the day you were a Frantic resident and a big part of the huge hard dance scene that came out of London via events like Frantic and Fevah. You've soon got a new track out on the recently relaunched Fevah Records label, but rumour has it this may well be a house track..how did you hook up with the Fevah guys again and can you tell us a bit about the track in question?

Ha ha, nope it’s not a house track, it’s actually a re-mix of one of my old tracks on Fevah, 'Back To Abs'. I’m still good friends with all the guys from Fevah. Eammon rang me up saying that the label was being re-launched and did I want to re-mix any of the tracks. In the end they asked me to do 'Back to Abs'. I’ve basically done an up to date version of it. I think it sounds much better than the original and I’m really pleased with it.

I’ve also spotted you out in recent years on the line up in house rooms to often rave reviews. Have you always been into house music as well and could you ever see yourself moving away from the harder stuff to play it as your main passion at any point?

I’ve been into house every since going to Ibiza years ago. I don’t get to play much but I really enjoy it when I do. I enjoy doing both but my real passion is for trance. I don’t think that will ever change.

What about speeding things up? In a recent interview young Mr Bamford said: “I really can’t wait for Extreme Euphoria, it’s going to be great. I’m going to get Phil Reynolds loving the hardcore, just you wait!” – Technikal. How’s his mission going then, do you like the Technikore?

Failed badly. I didn’t once go near the hardcore room. Sorry it’s not my cup of tea.

You are famed for your legendary closing sets at Camden Palace (now Koko) and earlier this year you held the launch of your album there joined by Kevin Energy, Ian Betts, Technikal, Andy Farley and Steve Blake for a set of b2bs and a Live PA from yourself. Was there a b2b you enjoyed most that night and how much did you have to plan beforehand?

Other than the PA there was no planning on the B2Bs. I enjoyed all of the sets although I was feeling really tired towards the end, which made it hard to concentrate properly, which made it more difficult. It was a great night though!

What’s your personal secret for a good B2B?

Pairing up people who play similar music. If you don’t then it will never work. I’m not such a big fan of B2Bs as I don’t think they work as well as a Djing playing themselves. The direction can change between DJs which sometimes means the music is all over the place.

As mentioned you are now performing a live PA. What equipment are you using and what prompted the move to want to do this? Do you see djing evolving this way totally in the future?

I wanted to start showcasing the Album and my old music. I’ve wanted to do a live show for a while now. I’m using Ableton live to do the PA along with 2 midi keyboard controllers and a trigger finger midi controller. You have to concentrate quite hard to make sure you don’t make any mistakes. I get pretty nervous doing it as there is a lot that can go wrong.

Tune wise what’s in your top 5 at the moment?

Phil Reynolds & Tecknikal – Open your mind
Adrenaline Dept. – U got to be there 2007
Phil Reynolds & Nick Rowland – Unnamed
Phil Reynolds & Jason Cortez – Unnamed
SQ – See into Me (Andy T Mix)

You once said “remixes are the most difficult things to get right”. What’s your favourite remix or bootleg?

My favourite re-mix is mine and Steve Blakes Remix of Pants and Corset’s - ‘Malice in Wonderland’. I think it’s the best thing that me and Steve did. Was a massive tune for us and we 'done to it what needed to be done'.

You are off to New Zealand for New Years Eve and will be fitting in five gigs during your stay. For any kiwi fans reading give us the low-down on where you will be playing whilst you are out there?

I’m playing at Base in Christchurch on Christmas Eve, I’m doing an electro/house set. At New Years I’m playing at the Canaan Downs Festival in Takaka. On the 5th of Jan I’m playing Decadance with K90 at Sandwiches in Wellington. Then on the 11th I’m playing in Auckland at the Global summer dance music festival in association with Slinky and Octane productions at the Ellerslie convention centre. And finally on the 12th I’m doing a live PA for Slinky at the Civic in Christchurch.

You are no stranger to international Djing, where is the most exciting place spinning tunes has taken you?

Japan is one of my fav places. Such an awesome place to visit and Argentina is another place that I love going to.

A few quick fire questions to get us in the festive mood.

Favourite Christmas song? (I heard my first one in the shops today. Grrrr.)

EEErmmmm dunno.

Mince Pies or Christmas Pud?

Mince pies. I’ve never been a Christmas pud fan.

What do you want Santa bringing you this year (and have you been a good boy!)?

Ha ha, I’d love some Mackie monitors, but I don’t think I’ve been anywhere near good enough to get them!!!

Finally what do you have in store with your B2B partner in crime, a young lady called April who is fast making a name for herself, at the Harderfaster Xmas Party?

I’m not telling ya, you’ll just have to come to the party to find out!!!!!

Thanks Phil!! Looking forward to seeing you and April rock Hidden on the 8th.