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For the benefit of the ignorant, what do you do for a living?
Currently co-running deep promotions as well as djing various venues around the South.
And how did you get into tribal/tech house?
I began Djing when i was about 15, playing early breakbeat hardcore and U.S style House, over the years i progressed more into techno and now have settled quite happily upon playing more tribal and percussive house music with some funky breakz thrown in for good measure.
What does your music mean to you?
I hate questions like this, I guess my music means alot to me its something that has changed alot over the years and has been created from different experiences and influences and is changing all the time. I like to think I have a style now that is recognisable and people associate with me. I'd hate to be one of those dj's who sounds like the next guy.
What made you decide to dj rather than any other part of the scene?
Well initially I wanted to be a dj simply for the buzz of playing to a crowd, I used to play in a band a few years back and love to perform, now I'm concentrating more on other areas of the scene such as promoting and producing, djing can become a bit mundane if its all you do, its nice to have a break.
What makes a good DJ? Lots of things, not always how well you play or what you play but a knowlage of how things work, knowing how to warm up a crowd, knowing how to construct a set, not being an arsehole!
What type of records to you enjoy hearing? What are your influences?
Blimey! I like loads of stuff at the moment, from real chilled stuff such as Royksopp to real quality techy stuff such as Terry Francis right up to more harder stuff. I really rate a guy called Fred Van Eck aka Fred Numf at the minute.
Where do you think tech house in general is heading?
Its just getting better and better in my mind, its one of the only styles of music that is spoilt by its super stars, its still breakable by fresh new talent. Its just sounding wicked too, these clubs are fitting these massive state of the art systems that are just pumping it out, the only way to listern to those basslines is on a fat sound system.
Who are your heroes in the scene, and in general, and why?
Sasha for his early epic sets and probably Terry Francis again as he used to play quite frequently on the Isle of Wight where I live and used to really admire his sound and where he's at now.
How has the scene changed since you started out?
Its changed loads, its now this multi- million pound industry that blows me away, the whole DJ thing is mental. Kids all now have a set of decks in there bedroooms right along side their Playstations. It's mad!
Do you think the New Breed, represented by the deep crew will only breakthrough once the veterans step down?
Producing's the key nowdays, if you not getting stuff down in a studio your gonna struggle, djing alone just doesn't get you there, everyone and their auntie's a dj now.
What has been the best night of your DJing career so far and why?
Probably when I played at 'Naughty but Nice' in Hereford. It was the furthest from home, i've ever played and the first time i'd plyed to a completely unknown crowd it was pretty daunting but a great night
What is your favourite club to play in and why?
Golden Hill Fort, on the Isle of Wight, nice and dark and dingy with a wicked vibe.
What is your favourite club to go to and why?
Probably Fabric, London.
Who is your favourite DJ to hear, (yourself excepted) and why?
Tough one, I've been really impressed with Craig Richards, Plump DJ's. Probably Craig Richards coz he's always been up there but never really shone and now i really think he's getting the respect he deserves.
How did u get involved with Deep, and what was your best joint effort with another DJ?
Deep was formed by a guy called Kev Barton and myself, we were both studying design in Southampton and shared similar ideas about music and stuff. I was at a point where i was a bit pissed off with whole club scene having been generally been fucked about by various clubs owners, promoters etc so we put our heads together to create deep in an effort to do what we wanted to do and showcase some of the talent of poeple around us.
Finally, what are we going to see from B.Cyde in 2003?
2003 is already shaping up well, the diaries getting full, we're already planning our involvement with the Whiteair extreme sports festival 2003 that was a big success in 2002. 2003's event is set to be even bigger and better. As well as that, I'm taking up two new residencies at the Loft on the Isle of Wight and at the Sobar in Southampton.
