To that say Glen Rogers has been a busy boy would be an understatement.  Since winning the Nescafe Big Break (dance music section) in 2000 and Nokia Connecting Beats Competition in 2005 his career under the moniker “Blueprint” has gone from strength to strength.

Between gigs with the likes of Plump DJs, Mixmaster Mike and Pepe Deluxe, Glen has been invited to help inthemix blow out the candles on their 6th birthday cake with a performance alongside UK’s DJ Hyper and a massive local line up.

We caught up with Glen to find out exactly what he is bringing to the party.

What sounds first sparked your interest in breaks?

Around 2000 I remember getting into Hybrid, BT and then Plump DJ’s, they all had brilliant production value and the sound was accessible. You could dance to it, or you could kick back at home and put on their album.  I have good memories of pestering Ides at Out of Order to play the Plumps remix of Orbital’s Funny Break. I knew it was the sound I wanted to produce.

Your career really took off when you won the Nescafe Big Break (dance music section) in 2000.  How did this come about?

I managed to write a very convincing report!  I hadn’t produced a lot at that stage, but the guys liked my demo and awarded me the prize.  It gave me a bit of confidence and was a great opportunity to purchase some much needed studio gear, up until then I was mixing down on a very dodgy pair of home stereo speakers.

You had the privilege of playing alongside artists such as Pepe Deluxe and Mixmaster Mike at Nokia Terminal 9 after winning the Nokia Connecting Beats Competition.  I am sure this was highlight for you.  How did your performance go?

The whole Connecting Beats ride was a highlight, great memories, from rocking to Mixmaster Mike in Brisbane, to playing a gig in Brighton with the Drummatic Twins and meeting the Fingerlickin’ boys in London.  They filmed it all for an upcoming doco to launch the 2006 comp, so looking forward to reliving it all again soon.

Do you currently hold any residencies in Melbourne?

I play regularly with the Fractured parties and 33 1/3.  I’ve finally created a website that I know how to update at www.blueprintmusic,com.au so I can list all my upcoming gigs.

The breaks scene in Melbourne seems to have taken a step back over the last couple of years with the popularity of nights decreasing.  Would you agree with this? And do you believe the break beats will make
a comeback this city?

I think Melbourne kills it for breaks talent, and one of the most dedicated and passionate crews out there.  I think breaks itself just went in a few directions over the past couple of years, and for me lost what got me into it in the first place – funky, well produced, original tunes.  A lot of production became formulaic and producers that once put breaks on the map, were churning out the same beats 5 years later.  Late last year I was talking to a well known breaks producer who said he’s been using the same kick and snare combos for his tracks for the past 2 years, it made me think this can’t be good for the progression of breaks.  So in a weird way I think we need to go back to what made breaks good, to go forward.

Melbourne is quite spoilt when it comes to break beat talents.  Do you have any favourites?

There’s a whole stack of talent across Melbourne, big fan of EK, Andy Page, Thayer, Lynt and Lucas Chan’s production. 

You have a few releases under your belt already. What is in store for 2006 and where can inthemix readers access your music?

The 12” of What Kind of Friend was released late last year on Sound not Scene.  I also recently completed a remix for the Drummatic Twins track The Flunk, which should hopefully see the light of day soon and would like to follow that up with another 12 in the second half of the year.

Inthemix is turning six and you have been invited to play at their birthday party.  Do you remember what you got for your 6th birthday?

Not sure, although that does bring back fond memories of popballs, what ever happened to them?  

If you were required to bring along a present what would you give inthemix?

A popball, I’m going to bring them back.

Tickets for the INTHEMIX IS SIX Tour is on Fri May 5th in Melbourne at Brown Alley.  Tickets are available on ITM.  (BUY TICKETS)