I caught up with Neil Ashman of Gravity and Sin:ergy to find out how he tends to shake up the Manchester hard dance scene.

So Neil, where did running your own night begin for you and what were the driving factors behind it all?

Well, Gravity started because of my brother, he had always told me to put on my own event on so I did. He died 4 years ago and I always wanted to do something he would be proud of, he always pushed me to do it so I did it in his memory.

You have recently become promotions manager for long running Manchester brand Sin:ergy, what do think you can bring to it?

Fun fun and more fun, I want people from all over the country to come to Gravity and Sin:ergy nights and say what an awesome night they had. I also want to bring the very best DJs and also give the up and coming DJs and chance to play alongside already established names. When I put my first event on i was bricking it, it was free to the clubbers and it was a tribute to my brother. 300 people came i couldn't believe it, but them nerves are the best because it keep you on your toes.

Whats the best event you've been to or played at?

Well it sounds cliched, but Sin:ergy. I've always wanted to play there since going as a clubber in the early days and with it being co-hosted by my brand Gravity at the time made it all that more special, and getting all them cyber kids out in full force showed me that there is something there that can be made better.

What was the first record you ever bought and big is you vinyl collection?

The first record i ever bought was from the Spin Inn when Alex Kidd worked there and it was Heart of Gold by Neil Young, but I didn't even have decks then, the first dance record I bought was Hits 93, god I remember that it had the Shamen on it, old school back in the day ha ha. My vinyl collection is very big but I couldn't say off the top of my head, a lot of Cd's are creeping in there but you still cant beat the feel of 1210's and vinyls in my eyes and I think most DJs would agree.

What was your best moment on a dance floor? The point when you knew that this was the best thing in life ever?

Hearing Digital Blonde's Legato at Gatecrasher NEC when clubbing was recorded for the first time on Rapture( they should bring that back!)the feeling I got that night could not be explained, it really was like I could touch God, I couldn't have got any higher.

I feel the club-scene has lost a lot of that because they are thinking too much on the DJ when they should be creating an atmosphere around them. Don't get me wrong they play an important part but a lot of nights seem to be competing to put on the biggest name DJ rather than putting on a party for everyone. Some of that is history, I'm glad I was part of it now I'm going to be part of its future.

How do feel the Manchester hard dance scene is at the moment?

That's a hard one, especially with the credit crunch, nights seem to be coming and going while others seem to be making their mark with out doing anything different. I think promoters need to start mixing up headline DJs with the local upcoming talent and give them a chance. There seems to be a lot of bitchiness and politics in the scene when there shouldn't be, we are all in it together so lets take the scene forward. You sometimes have to ask for advice even if you don't want to, it could make all the difference.

Whats been your most surreal adventure our clubbing? We have all had those obscure experiences.

Ha ha, my mate Dave driving at 10 mph on the motorway on the way back from Crasher. He kept saying that there was sheep and tractors on the motorway, there wasn't. By the time we got there it was as if we had been travelling to Woodstock or something.

Which other DJs would you say made you take your chosen path and who do you think we should be keeping our eyes on for the future?

I can't really answer that one, there are so many who have made an impact on me over the years, Alex Kidd, Rob Tissera, Paul Glazby, Tiesto, Paul Van Dyk, Sander Van Doorn, Scot Bond, Matt Hardwick, the list is endless I've been clubbing for 14 years you know! the up and coming who I'd keep my out for are Em Extreme, Mini Minx, Jo Jo, Sonny Darko, Dave Graham, Macka & Keeno, Burg, there's loads you just have to get in to the smaller clubs and see who gets the crowd going.

What are you most looking forward to over the last half of this year?

Bringing other brands to Manchester Frantic is the start and what a party that will be! I feel proud to be working alongside some of these well established brands. Not enough of the big brands seem to be interested in Manchester I aim to change all that and show them we mean business. After that its Tidy! I think Santa will be working over time that night bringing all the clubbers special treats ha ha!

And the new year?

Well my plans are to get Sin:ergy playing at the big summer festival and hopefully get a room at the next Tidy Weekender at Prestatyn. Then I'm hoping to take Sin:ergy on tour around the country and over to Ibiza.

Any last shout outs?

I'd just like to thank all the clubbers and DJs who have supported us and made us what we are today, Cheers guys. Be the future!