The 5th Annual Hard Dance Awards will be presented on Friday Feb 29th at The Plug in Sheffield and CyberKitten is proud to be an official partner. Ahead of the festivities we take five to catch up with CK residents Steve Gillen & Brad Duke who share their thoughts on hard house in 2008, last year's best memories and tunes, and give us a special mix for you to enjoy!

Dj Name: Steve Gillen

Why do you love hard house in 2008?

The hard house sound has developed and evolved a lot over the last couple of years. I have to say though; I think this year will see the scene peak. Hard House represents everything I enjoy about clubbing.

What is your favourite memory of CyberKitten last year?

So many to choose from it is impossible to give just one. Nearly every party manages to out do the previous one. The home shows are always a blast. For me the Cyberkitten tour in Ibiza was the icing on the cake for 2007. Playing main room @ Es Paradis along side the Tidy Boys was surreal to say the least.

What tune defined 2007 for you?

Base Graffiti – "Domdevit". To me this is such a stand out track. The perfect blend of the older style Hard House mixed up with a modern NRG vibe. Perfect dance floor damage.

What labels have stood out for you this past year and why?

Flashpoint, Spinball, Pure NRG. All the usual suspects. Some great new labels popping up to. Frank Farrell’s new one Igloo Wax has had some good releases.

2007 also saw the launch of my own label Delete The Weak. This has been a long standing ambition of mine and I still cannot believe it finally came together! With the third release out any day now and several other top notch tracks lined up things are looking bright for the label. For more details check out our group.

As a thank you to CK clubbers you have put together a free mix to download. What tunes are can we look forward to?

CK past & future classics. Some of the tracks that have taken a hammering in the last 12 months.

1. Much More – HiFreak1c Vs Amp Attack – Toolbox
2. All I Need – HiFreak1c & Amp Attack - CDR
3. No Wings – Steve Gillen & Amp Attack - CDR
4. You Love – Scott Fo Shaw – Toolbox
5. Rock It Don’t Drop It – Scott Fo Shaw & Chris Carden – CDR
6. Get Over You – Steve Gillen & Amp Attack – Delete The Weak
7. Get This Bitch – Gazz Hunt – Presence Funk
8. Vigilante – Lucy Fur & Tom Parr – Volatile
9. Wonder – Steve Gillen & Amp Attack – Delete The Weak
10. You Like That – Kauz & Dave Owens – Xtension
11. What Would You Like To Hear (Ian M Trade mix) – Dyewitness – Tidy
12. Power Kicks – Lo Pan – Delete The Weak
13. Intruder Alert – Lucy Fur & Riggsy – Twisted Filth

I’ll be voting CyberKitten “best small club” at the HDA because…You only have to go to CK once and you will see what all the fuss is about. With an amazing roster of DJ’s, and dedicated team, crazy up for it clubbers, music that is second to none and such hard working promoters like Yojo and Colin, you can see why the night stands out from the crowd.

Other categories I will be voting in include…

Best Resident: Lucy Fur
Best Tune: Fighting Talk – Nasty Neil E, Steve Gillen Vs Tom Parr (Delete The Weak).
Best Label: Delete The Weak
Best Dj: Karim

Dj Name: Brad Duke

Why do you love hard house in 2008?

Because it isn’t just hard house anymore! Hard Dance is such a wide genre now that DJs and Producers can draw ideas and influences from all over the place and put them into some mind-blowing tunes and sets.

What is your favourite memory of CyberKitten last year?

CKs Tour to Heaven in April for Tidy Vs Extreme Euphoria; It was the same day as my Nan’s funeral, so it was great to be with friends in such an amazing atmosphere… Kinda' makes you realise what it’s all about - Thanks for the support guys!

What tune defined 2007 for you?

BK Vs Vinylgroover – Microwave and Simon Patterson - Bulldozer

What label(s) have stood out for you this past year and why?

Impact, Addicition Digital and Tranzlation have put out some proper quality Hard Trance Releases over the last year. Reset Records, Midway and Tekelec have pretty much blown me away too! Good work guys!

As a thank you to CK clubbers you've have put together a free mix to download. What tunes can we look forward to?

Download here!

1. Billy Daniel Bunter & Roosta – The Spirit
2. David Forbes and Mallorca Lee – Quadra
3. Matt Williams and Phil Reynolds – War on Drugs
4. Ali Wilson and Matt Smallwood – I’ll Take You There
5. Billy Daniel Bunter & Jon Doe – Aint it Funky
6. Yoshi & Chia – Turn to Dust (Roosta Mix)
7. Sharkboy – Hard Opinion
8. The Freek – The Bells
9. X1 – 10 in 1
10. Billy Daniel Bunter & Roosta – Damaging Everything
11. Colin Barratt – It’s all Hip Hop.

I’ll be voting CyberKitten “best small club” at the HDA because… It’s feckin’ awesome and always gives 100% - It’d be silly not to vote CK!

Other categories I will be voting in include…

Best Resident: Lucy Fur
Best Tune: Simon Patterson – Bulldozer - ResetRecords
Best Label: Tekelec
Best Dj: Barry Connell

Quote for 2008: If everything seems under control, you’re not going fast enough!

Don’t forget to make your vote count at the HDA and & if your heart says YES please vote CyberKitten “Best Small Club”.

Thanks to Bosh.fm - an internet radio site dedicated to underground dance music culture - for hosting our mixes.