Q
So Matt, you've worked your way up from esteemed Gatecrasher resident to international stardom. How would you describe this experience?

A
It's been a long process really. It seems that production is the key to instant recognition as a DJ these days but I did it the hard way. It's taken years of touring and putting the hard work in on the road. I suppose that the route I have taken is far more gratifying.

Q
You ranked number 48 in the DJ top 100 last year, and you're looking set to do even better this year. What do you think people love about your sets?

A
I just play the music I love. I have built up a big following over the years and I think that my love of what I do is one of the key things that draws people to come and see me play.

Q

With consistent, first-rate productions throughout 2008, what have you got in store for us next year?

A
My first single, Supernal, has just been released on my own label which is called Kill the Lights. It's going great guns and is getting support from the likes of Armin Van Buuren and Above and Beyond. I am currently working on a follow up which will be out on Kill the Lights early 2009. I will also be on remix duties for the third release on the label, which is an amazing track by David Newsum. I am very busy on the production front at the moment.

Q
As we all know, you are currently staging the 'Kill the Lights' tour. What can you tell us about this?
A
It's a series of date's designed to raise the profile of the new label. It will be an ongoing process where both myself and other artist's on the label go on the road and showcase the material to be released. The concept is quite loose at the moment but will be developed over the next 6 to 12 months. We are currently looking at the festival's for summer 2009.

Q
With trance music going more underground, what do you think smaller, more intimate nights like Elusive bring to the scene?
A
There is less commercial pressure on the scene and with this comes an ability to experiment which can only be good for creativity and the development of the scene generally. There are some exciting developments taking place on the scene at the moment and the emergence of night's like Elusive and Digital Society in Leeds are at the forefront of such developments.

Q
You have played at many clubs in the UK, which are your top three?

A
I wouldn't like to say. I have played at every top club and my opinion as to which are the best changes year on year. Digital Society is going great at the moment.

Q
Which other artists (DJ's or otherwise) do you admire?
A
Again, the list is a moving target. I do admire the likes of John Askew for his pure adoration of the music he plays. That sort of dedication is not often replicated.

Q
If you could pick any DJ to go back to back with for a one off special, who would it be?
A
It would be Derrick Carter and it would take place in 1997 when he was flying. That would be fun but I would have to dig out all of my house music.

Q
What would you say to bedroom DJ's trying to break into the scene?
A
Just get into the studio, production is the key to breaking the scene these days.

Q
You're renowned for your uplifting hard trance sets, any tips on what you will play at Elusive in November?
A
I have so much new material. You will get my usual sound and hopefully I will get to break some of the new Kill the Lights tracks as a world exclusive.

Q
You have played a few times at Digital Society including a six-hour solo set last month, what are your impressions of Rav Takhar (resident at DS), also playing at Elusive in November?
A
He is a great DJ and someone I will be looking for in the next 12 months to break into the circuit. He is also a very humble and likable guy which is very important.

Q
Rav is to meet Elusive resident Jim Round for an exclusive b2b session on the night you are playing in November. Both have reasonably sized followings. What do you think this will bring to the night?
A
Back 2 back sessions are always fun and can really whip the crowd up. I will make a point to try and catch this, should be great.