STREAMING AUDIO INTERVIEW

Bitch and moan all you like, there’s no denying Deadmau5 – aka Joel Zimmerman – has changed the face of dance music in the few short years he’s been on the scene. His tracks have spawned a movement worldwide, signaling a return to melodic house music that goes somewhere. We’re hesitant to use the term ‘progressive’... but it’s never been quite so apt.

Oft criticised for making tracks that “sound too similar”, regardless of your point of view on his skills or creativity as a producer you can’t argue with the facts. He’s deified as the god of the Beatport generation, with his singles Not Exactly and Faxing Berlin having sold more than 30,000 copies through the online store – an all-time record. He was voted Best Electro House Best Progressive House at Beatport’s inaugural awards earlier this year, as well as being tagged with the lofty title of Most Influential Person. It’s no mean feat for a guy who has sought to distance himself from the DJ culture that’s so wildly embraced him in recent years.

Despite having toured Australia only once before, his influence here saw him voted by the ITM audience as the #6 most popular international DJ on this year’s inthemix50. “Number six? Now this is news to me!” Joel remarked when we informed him of his win down under. “I’m very surprised to hear that! I’m surprised to be even nominated in some of these DJ polls, just for sake of not being a DJ…”

Tune in to hear our interview with Deadmau5, where he talks about his acclaimed debut LP Random Album Title, out now through Ministry of Sound UK/Stomp. Don’t forget you can catch the Mau5 in all his live glory as part of the Good Vibrations Festival in February 2009. Head to inthemix’s festival page for interviews, news updates, DJ mixes, videos and more:

Sat Feb 14 – Sydney, Centennial Park
Sun Feb 15 – Melbourne, The Nursery – Flemington Racecourse
Sat Feb 21 – Gold Coast, Parklands Showgrounds
Sun Feb 22 – Perth, Heirisson Island

Can’t get enough Deadmau5? Check out more about the mau5 on inthemix:

[ inthemix podcast session 69 | Making of the Mau5head photo gallery | Essential Promo Mix ]