If there’s still any misconception that dance music is strictly the domain of young ‘uns in their late teens and early 20s, then the towering presence of a figure like John Digweed will well and truly put them to bed. Now in his early 40s, he’s situated just as much on the bleeding edge of dance culture as he ever was, leaving the rest still scrambling to catch up. With electronic music evolving at the speed of light he could be easily forgiven for falling behind, but if ‘07 demonstrated anything, it’s that he’s still a force to be reckoned with. Nobody understands house like John Digweed.

Two things stuck out in the minds of fans last year: first was the release of his masterfully compiled Transitions vol. 3 mix, as well as the epic live recording of his Warehouse Project performance that took place in Sheffield. Both of them demonstrate how far ahead of the game he really is: whether it’s electro, tech house or minimal, Digweed has his finger on the pulse and meanwhile, is busy staying abreast of the next big wave or development in dance. It’s an understanding of house that could only come from years and years of practicing the craft, and his approach to his sound truly can be defined as ‘progressive.’

With the Future Music Festival is fast approaching, John Digweed will soon be back for a highly-anticipated series of headline performances. ITM caught up with one of the true legends in dance ahead of his tour to find out what he’s be up to.

You’re coming over here for the Future Music Festival in a couple of weeks, what sort of set can we expect from you this time around?

I haven’t really figured out what I’m going to play. Normally when I come out I am playing the club scene and I get 3 or 4 hours to play with. This time around it’s a festival tour so I’ve only got 1.5 to 2 hours at most of the gigs, so I’m most probably going to pick it up in the set sooner than I normally would. The tempo is going to be up a bit more than when I normally start a set as it’s such a big crowd. The tunes will be from the bigger end of my box, if there’s such a thing.

Your record label Bedrock: what does it mean to you in the grander scheme of things?

It’s a platform for new talent that I might pick up on the road etc. It’s an avenue to let new artists shine. We had a track from Guy-J late last year which did really well, and we’ve got a new track from him coming out in the next month or so. I am definitely touting him as one to look out for in 2008 as he is very talented in the production side of things. He has been making some great music and his remixes are pretty on point as well. From that aspect, you look for talent and you want to showcase it and that’s what the label has been about. I like to give people a bit of a leg up.

You are from the South Coast of the UK, Hastings to be exact. There has been an extraordinary wealth of talent that has emanated from that area. Is there something in the water down there to explain this talent pool?

I don’t know what happened. It was just an explosion. I think a lot of it was all those DJs that came from there and started to do well was based on that they were all coming to the Bedrock parties that I was putting on. That really did shine the light on it a bit. People were saying that “this is a really interesting scene I want to be involved in”. Danny Howells is a classic example of someone who used to play for me on a regular basis and has now gone on to be a massive DJ around the world. I think it’s great that people have been inspired by the nights I put on and go on to do so well with their own careers.

What inspires you to still be playing after all these years, to continually push the boundaries?

I just love it, it’s as simple as that. I am very fortunate to do something that I enjoy. It’s very hard to find a job that’s your hobby. Most people who have a job have a hobby at the weekend. My hobby at the weekend is also my job and I get paid to do it. I have kind of got the best of both worlds. What keeps me motivated is the fact that if you enjoy something you usually excel at it. You usually try that bit harder because it’s your passion. I am very fortunate to live the life I lead.

In relation to that then what has been one of your most memorable moments in your career so far?

Every year seems to get better and better. Obviously being voted #1 DJ was a great accolade. I never kind of expected it but I worked really hard for those couple of years leading up to it and it was nice to get it. There is also playing Twilo with Sasha in New York. There have just been so many parties around the world that have been so special that there are too many to mention. I live a very privileged lifestyle and I never forget that fact. I work hard and give a 110 per cent every time because I know that people who come to see me and other DJs pay a lot of money and you’ve got to respect that by putting on a stellar show each time.

Is there anyone or any style that is influencing you at the moment or are you continuing to forge your own way through the musical landscape?

I mean for me, I’m just kind of whizzing through really to pick one particular style. I get so many tracks every week. I have just finished putting together Transmissions vol. 4 and the amount of music that was coming through was just phenomenal. Every day you would get 30 or 40 tracks to listen to. That’s not to say they were all good, but to listen to it takes a lot of time and that’s what you’ve got to do figure out the cream of the crop.

Do you think that with the advent of the digital and everyone having the ability to make music, we are losing some of the really good tunes because they are being drowned out by the mediocre?

Well I think there has always been that danger. You have to learn to respect your ears. There have been times when I have listened to a bunch of music and I haven’t liked it, and then I’ve gone back the following day and I have heard something different. It’s also dependant on what mood you’re in and what concentration you’re in. If you’re not really focused on it you can miss things.

Following on from that, dance music is what you’re about, but what do you listen to when you are relaxing?

I listen to silence. Listening to music all day long you have to give your ears a break. Otherwise you get fatigued with it.

You’ve always remained true to your roots and yourself, how difficult has that been? Have you felt pressured to be a little more commercial?

I would much rather play a record that people don’t know than play a record that I know they are going to go crazy to. It’s an easy option to just play the biggest record. I’d rather work the crowd, play music they don’t know and get the same reaction. That’s far more rewarding than playing an obvious record that someone already knows. People expect me to play new music, that’s what I’m known for. I think the majority of my fan base wouldn’t like it because they expect me to play new music.

Considering all the international talent we have at the Future Music Festival this year, is there a ‘must see’ act for you?

Obviously The Chemical Brothers. I have played a few shows with them. One was in Buenos Aires late last year and time wise my sets kept clashing with theirs. So I’m really looking forward to catching up with them. Also Sven Vath. I haven’t seen him play for years. I’m really interested to see what he’s playing as I am a big fan of his production and his label.

It’s a whistlestop tour, are you planning to extend your stay?

Literally, I finish the tour and I’m off to South Africa which I haven’t been to in 10 years. Then I’m there for the weekend then back to London for Easter Bedrock which is always huge. Then off to Miami for the Winter Music Conference and then on tour with Sasha around America for a month. So I’ve got a good 2 ½ months on the road really.

How do you cope with the travelling and the celebrity?

It can be hard. Last time I came out the jetlag killed me. No matter what I did I couldn’t get it right. Some tours you can hardly get it and others you can have it for a week because it feels like you haven’t slept for a week which you haven’t. You just feel completely battered but its just one of those things that goes with territory. I am there to play the gigs though not to sleep.

Well thank you for talking to us John, just a throw away question before we say good-bye. What is one of your favourite dance records of all time?

Leftfield never fails to work on the dancefloor, I really like their stuff.

You can catch the mighty John Digweed at the Future Music Festival. Blink and you’ll miss him, but see and hear him and you’ll never forget him…

Mar 1 – Future Music Festival, Brisbane
Mar 2 – Future Music Festival, Perth
Mar 8 – Future Music Festival, Sydney
Mar 9 – Future Music Festival, Melbourne
Mar 10 – Future Music Festival, Adelaide

And check out this clip from John Digweed’s legendary Warehouse Project set in Sheffield last year…