At the end of 2010, inthemix asked a panel of local tastemakers to nominate their picks for dance music’s next-big-things. “In a short space of time, Space Dimension Controller has become a favourite of disco, house and techno aficionados the world over,” enthused one of those aficionados Claire Morgan in the feature. “This guy is the master of juxtaposing nostalgia with modernity, contemplation with extroversion, the high-brow with the downright naff. It’s impossible to describe his sound in a few sentences; I’ll just call it a joyful melting pot of the past, present and future.”

It’d be hard to improve on that description of what Jack Hamill has been doing these past few years. The Irishman’s prodigious talents weren’t lost on enduring techno label R&S either, who signed him up for a string of releases – including a forthcoming album in 2012. A Space Dimension Controller record is anything but run-of-the-mill. We caught up with Hamill after he landed in Australia to hear all about his intergalactic mission.

How was the tour of Japan? Are the crowds there very tuned-in to what you do?
It wasn’t really a tour. I just played in Tokyo, but it was really fun. There were people there who were really into my own music, which I’m not usually made aware of in such a way. There was one guy who kept requesting my own tracks, so I had to play them because he was quite insistent. I never usually do, though…I don’t think they make people dance.

In the past, I’ve heard you talk about your music being at odds with the scene in Belfast – has that shifted at all?
Yeah, it’s changed quite a bit. Maybe not in my own productions, but in my DJ sets. Either I’ve become a better DJ, or the type of music is trendy with the local scenesters. Though there is still a lot of very clean, boring, stale house and techno being played there. They get really excited about it too. I see them linking tracks up on Facebook and everyone loves them. I can’t understand it.

Your Basic Rhythm label is relatively new – what’s your plan for the imprint in 2012?
I won’t be releasing too often on it, maybe two or three times a year. Mainly because I’m so busy myself. The next release is from a guy from Northern Ireland called Ken & Ryu. It’s really good, chilled-out funky electronica sort of stuff. Then I’ll be releasing a 7” of a track I made with AD Bourke and B. Bravo at RBMA. There will be a remix by Boxcutter on the B side.

What can you tell us about your upcoming album? Can we still hope to hear it this year?
Yes, that’s the plan. I’m working hard on it, though this Japan/Australia thing has kind of upset the process a bit! I think I’ll be extra inspired once I get back home though. It will be a return to the more funky side of things. There will be a lot more vocals from me than ever before.