Responsible for a dizzying catalogue of releases over the years, it’s little surprise to find DJ Vadim feeling “super inspired”. After a horror 2008 that saw him overcome cancer, the Russian beatmaker resurfaced triumphantly with last year’s U Can’t Lurn Imaginashun album on BBE, and it’s been full speed ahead since then. In Australia to stir his musical melting pot this month, Vadim fields some questions from inthemix.

Thanks for chatting with inthemix. How are things, how’s life treating you at the moment?
Everything is good, thank you. I feel super inspired. I can’t wait to DJ and can’t wait to get in the studio. I’m just buzzing with so much music.

You started off on your own label Jazz Fuzz, how do you feel your style evolved from those early recordings until now, especially with all the new technology now available?
Well of course I developed; production developed. I know and understand more music. I do a lot of live stuff and of course confidence has grown. Also, as you say, gear has become so much more powerful and affordable. What I paid for my original set up in 1992 was cutting edge and very desirable, but it’s now as powerful as a calculator in comparison. It was so good then! But then again having technology didn’t mean necessarily you were gonna make better music. You just have more options. You need to have the ideas first, and no gear or amazing studio will give you that.

And how did things change when you were signed to Ninja Tune?
Well of course they have a huge PR and international presence. Because of them I came out to Australia for the first time back in ‘95.

You obviously enjoy collaboration, having worked with a number of different artists and also work with a band called The Electric. What can you tell us about this project?
Well, I am actually typing this email in the Red Bull Studio in Auckland where I’m jamming with musicians from Fat Freddy’s, Kora, Trinity Roots, Ladi 6, Julien Dyne, Dangerspiel. It’s great. I love jamming and seeing what works.

As for The Electric, that’s me on the beats and keys, Pugs from Chicago as MC and Sabira Jade on vocals. The debut single comes out 6 December and the album in February. It’s a mix of electronica, hip hop and soul. I love it!

And what artists impress you at the moment?
Anything from New Zealand. So much good shit out here. I hope it rubs off on Oz too…

One of your most well-known songs, Your Revolution, was very controversial in the US. How did this song come about, and how did it change things for you?
Well it’s just one that the federal censors in the USA banned and fined us. We took them to court and it was overturned. Fuck censorship. I feel freedom of speech and expression is so under attack right now ‘cause of all this bullshit terrorism stuff. It’s like a fake cloud so the government can control the people.

You do both live shows as well as your DJ sets – which do you prefer?
I love it all. Being a producer and DJ and asking which I like is a bit like me asking you which hand you prefer. Or which eye, or which knee. You love both, but they are both needed.

You’re known for you hectic tour and production schedule. How do you balance your life and work? Do you ever get a chance to sit back and relax?
Well, I am the king of multi-tasking! I am jamming and typing this email and mic-ing up drums all at the same time as doing Facebook…

You have an enormous following in Australia. What kind of show will you be bringing down?
Well, it’s a semi live show with drum machines and DJing. It’s intertwined, kind of. I’m playing so much new stuff. I think like 60 or 70 percent is my new stuff including remixes and collabs I have done with the likes of Prince and Stevie Wonder, Fat Freddy’s Drop and so on. So much new stuff that might surprise people – like the house music I made!