Scott Attrill is one of dance music's most talented participants and contributers. As Producer, DJ and Label Manager (amongst other things) and happily doing as such for the last two decades or the best part thereof - Scott could probably tell you a few things about dance music in all it's shapes and forms. From the early days of Sterns, Fusion, Fantazia, Dreamscape, Helter Skelter and everything that was happy hardcore in it's heydey, to the international allure of present day deep, throbbing, hard dance belters in all their glory and every aspect of a busy scene that accompanies them; Scott has evolved creativley from strength to strength to strength.

His artist albums and the releases within them are a thing of outstanding excellence and you only have to look at his gig list over the last two decades to realise it reads like a great history of underground dance music.

Here Nick The Kid catches up with Scott to discuss his established history ahead of his appearence at Hindsight's epic tenth birthday on Friday 6th November at Bohemia in Torquay alongside many other talented and widely appreciated deck technicans of a similar calibre.

So where did it all start for you? What were your early experiences of underground dance music and raving! What inspired you to start DJ'ing?

It started for me in the early 90’s, big raves like Fantazia and Raindance, I loved it, all the old hardcore from the Prodigy, Altern 8, SL 2 and the like, it was so fresh at the time and I was hooked. I then went to the under 18’s raves at Stern’s in Worthing where I got a set and have never looked back

Where and when was your first big break and how did it come about?

That would be from playing the under 18’s at Sterns, the promoter heard me play and booked me for an over 18’s night which was amazing. From there I got a job at Fusion Records in Portsmouth so became their resident. The major turning point was playing my first Dreamscape event, when I did that things just went crazy.

Being an established DJ, Producer and Label Manager, what is the most enjoyable aspect of the scene for you and why? Which do you prefer?

I love it all, running a label is hard work but enjoyable, but to make a track then to be able to go and play it in a club and watch the crowd go nuts is amazing, the best feeling ever.

Back in the day you established yourself firmly as one of the biggest hardcore DJ's in the UK, (I still have a lot of your old vinyl and tapes from Fusion, Adrenalin, etc). What prompted the shift over to hard dance and do you ever have any regrets for doing so?

No regrets at all, I loved my time in that scene and made many good friends, the crowds were always fantastic too, but I wanted to move on. Hard dance and trance reminded me of why I love music as it was fresher and more exciting at the time – I still love it!

More recently you have started to fade out on the Vinylgroover tag and adopt your real name of Scott Attrill on your projects, is there any particular reason for this change in stage name?

Yes I wanted to reinvent again, the Vinylgroover name had been with me from School so I wanted to change now, that phase has gone for me and I’m just looking to the future now.

What are your 5 favorite tracks of all time?

In no particular order

Unfinished Sympathy – Massive Attack
The Smurf – Tyrone Brunson
Café Del Mar – Energy 52
Firestarter – The Prodigy
Robots – Kraftwerk

Earlier this year, you became the first hard dance DJ to ever play in Milan? Can you tell us more about this?

It was crazy, I got the call from the agency to play and couldn’t believe it, the Italian crowd was great, I got out of the car and people were over the moon I was there, I cant wait to go back.

If you had to pick one career highlight. what would it be? Have there been any intense, defining moments for you over the years?

Playing Wembley arena was fantastic and the biggest outdoor event in America, I did the last set and the sun was rising with just a sea of heads in front of me. Hitting the top 20 was surreal too.

Your latest artist album 'MEGA' was released recently and is gaining massive support with many including Judge Jules even giving you tried & tested status for the track 'Sledgehammer' (my personal favourite). What's next in the pipeline for you on the production side of things? Are there any collaborations / compilations / remixes that we should look out for?

I have just remixed ‘Freefalling’ for Tidy which is getting great support, I’m working hard in the studio every week for a project I’m going to put together next year – watch this space!

Riot really seem to be throwing some amazing events in London of late, first at The End, then Ministry Of Sound and now at the almighty Matter (O2 Arena). What is in store for Riot events in 2010 and what are your thoughts on the hard dance scene in general for next year?

We are going to take Riot! to even greater heights, again I cant say too much except the gigs are going to get bigger and the tours will be starting too.

How do you like to relax when you are away from the studio and the punishing gig schedule?

I'm a movie fanatic and love art, anything that’s creative I enjoy. I also spend time with my Nieces & Nephews as much as I can.

You've been a relatively new addition to our lineup's at Hindsight, what were your first impressions and how does it compare to other hard dance events across the UK that you play at?

Hindsight is fantastic, a good crowd that know their music and a good venue too, I look forward to playing there.

You will be playing an exclusive first ever back to back with tech-trance legend Vandall at Hindsight's 10th Birthday, what have you got in store for the baying Hindsight crowd and on the night will you be trying to keep up with Vandall at the bar also?

Ha, I will drink Vandal out of the bar if I’m on form! It’s going to be interesting but I think our sounds will work well together, I have plenty of new tracks to play including a few sneaky bootlegs.

What has been your favorite Hindsight memory from the last 10 years?

For me doing the Mega album launch at Hindsight was special as I had so many people say how much they were loving the tracks and music I'm doing at the moment.

Finally any shouts?

To everyone involved in the scene and coming to support the music week in week out – big up! See you all at Hindsight guys!

Intro: Jon-Brown
Interview: Nick-The-Kid