2008 was a great year for House Rules. BUT, we don't like to rest on our laurels so 2009 is all about smashing last years performance and what better way to start than having a headliner renown for producing the unexpected... JON CARTER makes his debut on Saturday Feb 7th. We caught up with him for a quick chat ahead of Februarys show…

What have you been up to?
I've been in the studio making more reggae dancehall influenced club tracks a lot recently. There's a few bits out there (check my podcast site joncarter.podbean.com ) and are working with some vocalists at the moment. I made a tune with Horace Andy and Ashley Beedle, and have been out onthe road djing loads.

What were you top five gigs of last year and why?
There was a great gig in Sopot Poland where the crowd just goes absolutely doolally. Another with Norman Cook on the beach in Brighton - what a gorgeous day that was. I had a night at the Lock Tavern called Block at the Lock with a pretty stellar line up just playing old school classics, and a perfect party crowd. There's another one on feb 1st this year. The last night at Turnmills was pretty emotional, and there was a fantastic trip to Brazil - the women! The music! The football!

How did you get into DJing?
I used to play at old acid house do's, and put some nights on, running a sound system. Then I'd blag my way onto the decks at the Heavenly Social afterparties, and it took off from there once I'd released some music - that really kicked it off, and I became resident at the Heavenly Social ewith The Chemical Brothers and Richard Fearless

What's your favourite room / club to DJ in and why?
We've lost a lot of great clubs this year, but The End is a great room, and that goes this week. Fabric has a great set up. Maybe the Annexe at Nation for Bugged out!

What do you like to do to get away from DJing?I hardly have any spare time at all, but I'm a bit of a film buff

How's the London club scene changed over the past 5 – 10 yrs?
It's gone from pure dance through the indie thing and all gone much more live. And it's not at all based solely on dedicated clubs now. A party can erupt anywhere!

Who would you pay to see DJ and why?
Weatherall, Diplo...... so many. On any given day, I'd say completely diferent names, depending on what I'd been listening to or what mood I was in. You pay to see someone if they're good, and worth it.

What tips would you give to any aspiring DJs?
Find a sound. Try to be unique. Know your tunes, and enjoy yourself

What can the House Rules crowd expect from you?
It depends on the House Rules crowd. I've found some amazing dirty fat bass sound system jacking cut up mayhem tunes, some ragga influenced bits and pieces, and always have a killer selection of techno, house and acid. Mixing it all together is what it's about for me.

Quick fire questions:
Favourite football team? Spurs
Favourite London tube line? Victoria
London lite or London paper? Paper
Favourite London restaurant? St. John
Club or festival? Both
Person you'd most like to be stuck in a lift with? Bush (No cctv. His word against mine)
What's your favourite gadget? Lazerpen (endless fun to drive cats mental)
True or false, you hold a fork lift truck driving license? True