Freeformation. Hard Beats Download. NEC. DJ. Producer. Remixer. Performer. Just a few things that you would associate with the man like Kevin Energy. For as long as we can remember Kev's been dedicating his life and career to the harder styles and we say harder styles because there's just no way to pin down his particular focus of genre. That said, this just shows his flair for creativity and his love for experimentation. From hard trance, to hard dance, hardcore to freeform - you name it, he's done it and done it well at that.

If you don't already know who he is, you've come to the right place for here - ahead of he and fellow Freeformation chum Sharkey hosting a themed room at Hindsight's epic tenth birthday party at Bohemia in Torquay this Friday, Nick The Kid chats about all things Energy.

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?

You know what – I was 13 years old listening to pirate radio at home in London. My friend from school showed it to me and I was hooked on the music. The following week he showed me his decks and I could not wipe the smile from my face, when I was 15 I was playing on a pirate radio station called Dream FM – in fact I have just uploaded some of the original recordings to my site nuenergycollective.com

I was introduced to and made aware of you by good friend Sharkey about nine years ago (and through various mix tapes obviously), where did you two meet and how did you end up working together for such a long time as a result?

We met at a ‘Tazmania’ event on Hastings Pier. I was about 16 and ‘Hardcore Fever’ (my first track) had just been released. He was there with his Mum as it goes and I was there with my Dad so it was a funny encounter. Sharkz wanted me to visit some clubs that featured a wider range of music so I could get more inspiration and that soon opened up my mind to writing the more freeform edged sounds.

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

I’m currently really enjoying writing music as that had to take a back burner last year due to having to put a lot of personal time into running the labels / store / events and the likes. This year I’m really trying to put the focus on writing and have been coming up with some really cool material. You still can’t beat the feeling of playing to a really up for it crowd though – that’s one of the most instantly rewarding feelings.

Tell us more about DREAM FM and have you any aspirations to get back into Radio (on any level)?

I loved doing that show back then. It was run from a really dirty squat flat in South London that stank but from the outside nobody knew! It sounded fresh and it had such a massive following and I do like presenting shows. We have a NEC show on Krafty Radio (kraftyradio.com) on Thursday evenings, 9pm.

I really enjoy hosting my slot as it gives you a chance to present something in a non rave atmosphere. You can get our weekly show as a podcast from nuenergycollective.com. In the long term there’s no mainstream radio that plays music as hard as I like to give it so there’s no future career there.

Not one to be pigeon-holed you have made your mark & thrived in both the UK hardcore scene and hard dance scene, what is your secret to this versatile success?

I’m not sure to be honest. I think in some ways keeping the same name for both my styles has had a hindrance really. In the hardcore scene I play hardcore music – sure it’s more underground but it’s still hardcore and I think some ravers think I only play hard dance due to picking up the award. Then in the hard dance scene some promoters feel I will be too hard for their nights as they don’t realize I play hard dance music as well. It takes a lot of education to get across the fact that I do both. I’m really happy to have achieved a status in both scenes though, I like both styles and both sets of crowds each for their own qualities. I think the fact I always play for the crowd and offer a lot of technical mixing has helped me keep the flow of gigs coming.

Over the years you have released a serious mountain of vinyl on your various hardcore & hard dance imprints (Nu Energy, Dynamix, Elevate, Relentless) is this going to continue now that the digital age is upon us?. Where do you stand on the everlasting debate of vinyl vs. digital and do you still wish it were '95 with your promos arriving on a van each week?

Ah man – I am now releasing vinyl from 3 labels only which are all hardcore. Nu Energy, Relentless Vinyl and Liquid Hardcore. Sales are very low indeed and I estimate that I won’t be able to press them up within a year. We have already embraced the digital age with our store hardbeatsdownload.com and have many digital only labels on the go. Personally, I love mixing vinyl and always will but there’s no point fighting the tide of change for the sake of it.

I’m sick of downloading tracks – bring back the vinyl van!

During your career as a DJ you have been lucky enough to have travelled to some far-flung corners of the globe and subsequently bang it out! Have you got a favourite place you like to play abroad and why is this?

Yeah sure – I love visiting Australia. It’s like a hot England with large beaches and gorgeous women - LOL! They have a good scene there but it’s not as special as the UK scene by any means.

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

Many – I have always enjoyed playing outdoor stages at festivals and the ‘Enchanted’ Festival in Adelaide, South Australia was the home to a defining moment in 2002! The Sun was coming up, the crowd were totally hanging for my set, Sharkey was on the mic rocking it and it was simply amazing.

The Nu Energy PA is by far one of the most exciting and interactive live acts I have witnessed, how did this come about and what are the future plans for the outfit?

It came about at Pendragon in 2000 when I was asked to perform one. I called upon Sharkey and K Complex for some help and we devised a way to perform. I have to admit our methods have come on a long way since then though! The PA popularity peaked in 2002 and we performed at loads of hard dance events and festivals. Currently, we have let the PA take a bit of a back seat as it was one thing too many to keep up alongside everything else. We do have something very special planned for Freeformation on December the 12th in London though – check out freeformation.co.uk for the low down!

Freeformation is fast becoming one of Londons most talked about hardcore / hard dance events, the 'Wise Up, Get Stupid' concept seems to have really struck a chord with people! What general stupidity, sillyness and crazy antics are in store for the Hindsight ravers at the 10th Birthday?

Well we have themed the room as a Zombie style zone. There will be lots of horror and terror as we try and get on the same level as the ravers and have a good old rave up! Myself and Shark are staying the night so we can sink some beers and get on one! Most of our silly moments are off the cuff but we will have a few pre-meditated plans for your 10th birthday! Be warned!

How does Mr 'Energy' like to unwind and relax away from the music? Is it Croquet, Cheese & Biscuits on a Sunday afternoon or have you got a penchant for WWE Wrestling like another 'nameless' well known DJ?

LOL – there’s enough cheese in the rave scene I think so it’s not that option. I like to cook a nice meal and sink some beers. Watch the Football – I’m a Chelsea fan! You can’t beat a good moving relax either!

You've been a regular fixture at our Hindsight events pretty much since the beginning (2001 I think), how does it compare to the other hard dance events around the country that you play at?

I really love the crowd because they appreciate so many styles. It’s one of the very few events where I can bridge euro hard trance, UK hard dance, hardstyle and gritty underground freeform all in one set! There really isn’t many places I can do that now which is a shame. Well done Hindsight!

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

You know what – the very last one I played at in Exeter. The recording is on my site nuenergycollective.com, it was immense. I was on after M Zone who smashed it and the sound system was spot on.

Kev will be joining us at Hindsight TEN - The 10th Birthday, THIS FRIDAY, Bohemia, Torquay, more details below. With thanks to Kevin Energy & Nick The Kid.