Darren Tate is an international producer and DJ born in London, England. As a classically trained musician, Darren has earned his reputation as one of Europe's leading producers, having worked with a wide range of international artists and writers. He is also one of the worlds most successful dance producers, having had huge international hits with the likes of Jurgen Vries, Angelic, Orion, Citizen Caned and most recently DT8 Project. He has also worked with a huge array of top international artists and writers and has enjoyed much success in the areas of television, film and musical theatre.

What was your first big breakthrough as a DJ or a producer?

Certainly as a producer with ‘Angelic – It’s My Turn’. The record smashed it at no.11 and featured vocals from Amanda (Judge Jules’ wife).

How did you get into producing trance music and what do you feel is the best
work you have produced so far?

I was lured into dance music in the early 90’s by a university friend. When trance happened it was a revelation being that I’m a lover of emotional music and modern production. I believe my best work can found on the forthcoming DT8 Project album ‘Perfect World’ - there’s a variety of ‘uplifting’ genres and powerful songs which are all intertwined. In terms of previous big records it would be between Orion – Eternity, Let The Light Shine In and Destination (as DT8).

With all the media that is involved in the industry now, do you think image has become as important as the music a DJ plays?

I think that ‘branding’ is the key word – I have often found myself under whelmed by various key names however they got lucky being in the right place making the right sound at the right time. There’s an unhealthy obsession with mediocrity but on the other hand there are some great talents also doing well (much the same as all the media industries).

From you’re pretty impressive discography I see you’ve worked with a variety of unusual artists one of them being Charlotte Church, what was it like working with Charlotte and how did this happen?

I think only when I’m dead will people stop asking me this question :). She was fat and crap. Not really – she was a laugh and we did the job effectively well which is all that need be said.

Vinyl sales have been dropping steadily over the last few years due to the increasing number of DJ's who are using CDJ's and Digital Mixing Software, what are your thoughts on digital downloads and has this effected your Trance label (Mondo Records)?

Digital downloads aren’t a bad thing providing they’re acquired legally. Mondo has embraced the technology and offers a direct web shop facility as well as working with other key suppliers. The problem is that many people don’t acquire their music legally and we’re all losing huge amounts of necessary income because most don’t want to fork out £1 a shot. It’s terrible really as the only people that will survive are big labels or huge artists that can afford such as loss.

When is the new DT8 Project album (Perfect World) going to be released and how long has it taken to make?

Perfect World really first came about with the release of ‘Destination’ back in 2002 (when the act was just ‘DT8’). Politics got in the way of the album and I shelved the concept to work on other things – however I loved some of the songs and in late 2003 got cracking again determined to get it finished. The release date will be after the follow up to “Hold Me Till The End” in the latter part of this summer.

Where do you see the trance industry in 5 years time?

I see it as being the new hip hop. God forbid.

What can we expect from Darren Tate in 2007?

Mega success. I own 2007. Well of course I would like to believe this however. There are some great things coming. The DT8 project album is really really good (honest) - people that have heard it have said it’s right up there with the best if not better so fingers crossed others will think the same. I’m also working on some more chilled stuff, a house project and a band, plus I’m doing a major DJ tour starting in March covering Australia, New Zealand, USA, Singapore and Malaysia which should be fun. Oh and there’s further Darren Tate singles due out on promo soon.

Darren Tate's new Single DT8 Project “Hold Me Till The End” will be released on Sony BMG in March this year – you can also listen to some of Darrens previous singles by visiting his my space page by clicking the link below

www.myspace.com/dt8project

Visit www.darrentate.com for more info on releases and tours.