Having toured Australia once before, with his full band in tow on the Big Day Out in 2006, Brighton born and bred producer Cagedbaby is excited to be heading back down under this December and January to spend his NYE on antipodean shores. Of course he’s looking forward to the parties he’s set to play, including Breakfest in Perth and the Pyramid Rock Festival in Victoria, but it seems he’s just as excited at the thought of sampling our local delicacies, with barramundi in particular being a favourite. Signed to Fatboy Slim’s Southern Fried label, he has a new album coming mid-year in 2008, so ITM played the Q&A game with him recently to find out what’s been happening of late.

You’re a summer festival veteran these days, what was your highlight for 2007?

Wow, 2007 was a busy year, [I had] 106 gigs this year all over the world. I got to go to a lot of new territories, and I’d say touring China was a highlight, but two little summer festivals in the UK did it for me too; Bloom and Bestival. They’re great boutique eclectic festivals and we even had sunshine for a change.

What sounds inspire your music?

I love Soulwax Nite Versions and LCD Soundsystem live, as well as early INXS, Talking Heads and Trevor Horn, even early Italo disco!

How do you assess the current state of electronic music?

It’s exciting times, the people that are moving with the digital age are getting with it, and the level of production is so good now. But, as everyone can make music now, which is a good thing, 99% of it sounds the same. People have got to think out of the box, get an old piece of analogue gear to spice up their tunes, put their stamp on it.

You’re a Brighton boy and you’re signed to Norman Cook’s Southern Fried label. How has he influenced your sound, if at all, and are there any future plans to collaborate with him?

I toured with Norman a lot and we got involved in writing a musical with David Byrne on the life of Imelda Marcos. I have also written a track with him for his new album. He taught me a pop sensibility in my style, but we are pretty different in the way that we work. But, it’s always great getting masterclasses!

As you also play as a live band does all the creative stimuli come from yourself, or do the band members have input as well?

Well the band are kinda under my unruly guidance, but they do have some input. My drummer is pretty special and he puts his stamp and groove on the swing of the tracks, the bass player gels to him, and we start to evolve as a band from there

When you DJ do you use a digital system?

I DJ on Ableton Live, I play a lot of my own stuff, re-edits and productions, and I like to get up to 5 tracks going at once using multi-layering and effects. There’s no way could you do that on decks!

Pete Tong was a big promoter of your talent. Do you think you can be successful in the UK without his support?

Haha I hope so! Hopefully he’ll like the second album and will be as supportive as he was for the first.

You’ve played at Glastonbury, is it really the greatest festival ever?

Glastonbury is the greatest festival ever in the sunshine, but it the rain it’s the worst. Also, some would say it’s too big now! Fuji Rock festival in Japan is pretty amazing, and Benicassim in Spain also floats my boat. I want to go to Burning Man in Nevada, that’s supposed to be the big daddy.

What’s in the pipeline for 2008?

The new album is finished with a new band ready to go for the New Year. We will be touring from March, with the first single released and new album out in June.

Why Cagedbaby?

Babes in cages! Total Recall Venus bar style…

What is the best dance song ever made?

It’s got to be Giorgio Moroder and Donna Summer ‘I Feel Love’, or Fern Kinney ‘Groove Me’ for the more discerning crowd.

Finally, as your dad ran a fishmongers, what’s your favourite type of fish and chips? You can’t choose skate!

Ooh, grouper is the emperor of the sea. I’m looking forward to some barramundi when I arrive in Australia though!

Cagedbaby tours Australia over the New Year period:

26th Dec – Breaksfest, Perth
31st Dec – Pyramid Rock Festival, Victoria
1st Dec – The Espy, Melbourne
1st Dec – The Argyle, Sydney