Returning in June with Tiga and friends to play the Planet Turbo Arena at We Love Sounds and Winter Sound System, Russia’s secret weapon Proxy chats the inthemix about the festival, visa problems and his debut album.

How are you feeling about playing alongside fellow label act Tiga as well as Felix da Housecat, Zombie nation and Seth Troxler?
I think it’s going to be really nice. What I feel is that it will turn out big, like a really big party. Actually, playing and being around Tiga and Zombie and guys like that is a great time in itself. We take care of each other and we always bring the noise!

Tiga is quite the personality in the media. What is he like as a friend?
You know, I have to thank Tiga for lots of things. He has this personality that just makes you excited about life. He’s interesting, he likes really good music and it’s so exciting to see where he takes his sound. Basically Tiga is a good guy – he understands, you know, the music, business, everything. Every day he helps me get better at doing the job I do.

Australian fans have been very excited to hear that you will bring your live show this time, what does this entail?
So I am bringing out some new stuff, some really good tracks from my debut album, which will be released later this year. Basically I don’t want to give too much away. I think you will just have to wait, and then come and see. But it will be big, and when you hear it, you will know it. Sorry, but I can’t say any more…

Can you describe your sound in three words?
Just like…well…it’s difficult. I just woke up! ‘I have power’. Yes, go with ‘I have power’. That’s what I feel my music does: give you power.

You were signed to Tiga’s record label Turbo Recordings in 2006, what was that experience like and do you feel your sound has changed since the collaboration?
You know, it was a really interesting moment in my life. I just put two tracks on MySpace and then sent it to Boys Noize Records and found Tiga as one of their top friends. I copied the message and sent it to Tiga as well and the next moment I received an offer to work with him. It was so cool, you know!

It was like, “woooooo!” You have this expression in English? Just like “woooooo!” This crazy feeling. I really wanted to make something with my music, a big change, because for me it must be like discovering something new. I really like new ideas, new music and all different styles, so through Tiga, it was a good way for me to do this.

On this Australian tour you are only playing festival shows. Is there something you enjoy about the atmosphere that comes with a festival?
I think it depends. Sometimes, you know, in festivals, it’s a big complicated situation because you stand alone and you see really big crowds and sometimes you don’t feel like you have that connection. However, in clubs you can see the people, it’s more personable and that can be a massive difference. The atmosphere of any event depends on what is it, where is it, how is it. Though for me I think it’s better to play in clubs, it’s more about the audience. It’s more welcoming. Playing festivals can be lonely sometimes, because not everyone likes you!

Are you currently working on any other exciting collaborations?
Well, I got some really nice requests. Actually I was planning with Tiga to work on a project together in April. But Tiga is from Canada and, you know, sometimes I have problem visiting Canada because I am Russian. It’s shit like that. They wouldn’t let me in!

Your debut album is set to drop sometime in 2010 – could you tell us what to expect or perhaps provide us with a clue as to when it will be released?
Okay, what I want to tell you is this: it’s properly finished now and we are just working on some technical shit. I’m putting the final touches on it and making it sound strong. You can expect that it will have really good power tracks and all I can say is you will see it and hear it when I come to Australia!

Proxy plays the Planet Turbo Arena at We Love Sounds and Winter Sound System this June.