Q: I've noticed that CDRs are a big part of the breaks scene, more so than with other genres. Do you play CDRs when you spin?
A: I have a Pioneer CD100 if a place doesn't have CD players. I always ask and if they don't have one I just bring my own. I wouldn't say it's only part of breaks though - it's a big part of everything, except drum 'n' bass. They're the only ones that seem to be hanging on to doing dubplates. It's more of an image thing for them maybe. I've had similar conversations with Dieselboy and AK1200 and those guys and I'll say, "Why do you guys spend all of this money on dubplates when you can burn to CD?" It doesn't make any sense to me. Playing CDs is a great way to try your music out if you're producing yourself. I'll get CDRs sent to me too.

Q: What made you decide to produce as well as spin?
A: I wanted to get some higher profile gigs and the next step for me was to make some music. I consider myself a DJ first and then a producer. There are people that are producers that then learn to DJ, like Rennie Pilgrem. Nowadays it seems like the only way you can get big is if you become a producer and make a name for yourself that way. It's hard to be just a DJ now.

Q: Do you think it works the other way? Do producers need to be DJs to be successful?
A: If you're a dope producer and people love your music, they're going to want to book you. You better learn how to DJ unless you've got a show. Especially with breaks. I don't know how much the UK guys make but primarily, we're going to make most of our money DJing, not from records. You know, you make a tune, you put it out, maybe you sell 1000 copies – you're just hoping to break even. You're going to have to DJ.

Q: You do everything on a laptop?
A: Yeah, I don't even have any gear. I just use ACID, Sound Forge, and WAV files. Nothing fancy here. ACID was really easy for me to learn because it's all software based. I can be the most productive with it. There's really no right way to make music, you just have to do whatever feels comfortable. I think I make music in a weird way though. For example, if I want to do a filter on a piece of my song, I'll export the loop from ACID and open it in T-Racks [mastering program] because it has really good filters. I'll filter it, save it, bring it back into ACID, and use the wave file in that part.

Q: So you actually save a chunk of the song as a WAV and export it? Wow. That's like the old days, when they'd edit with tape.
A: Yeah, that's kind of what I do. [laughs]

Q: How do you get your signature bass sound?
A: I don't know really. I find bass sounds and then go into Sound Forge and start trying things, like distortion or whatever sounds good.