2010 has been another relentless year for UK vet Darren Emerson. Never a producer to settle in one place too long, Emerson has set out with his new label Detone, delivering the dancefloor-charged Decisions. His 2011 is looking even busier, but first we’ll hear him in DJ mode this New Years Eve. Ahead of the tour, inthemix bailed him up for a quick chat to accompany his latest mix of steadily-building house and techno.

Earlier this year there were reports you’re working with Nick Littlemore on an album project. What’s the latest on that?
Nick and I have written an album. I’m going to be remixing one of the singles soon and it’ll be coming out early 2011. I’m concentrating on the new label and some club singles I’m collaborating with a few of my favourite artists over the next few weeks and will have a pretty busy release schedule for 2011.

Decisions is one of those tracks that immediately conjures the feeling of a dancefloor in full swing. Do the dynamics of a club play in your mind when you’re in the studio?
I’m pleased you think that. When I’m writing club music I write something I imagine myself playing. I want it to work in my sets and on the dancefloor, so to that extent I guess the dynamics are always subconsciously there.

Given your long affiliation with Global Underground, I wanted to hear your thoughts on where mix-CDs are at. Do you feel it there’s still life left in the format?
Some people still love to buy physical product, yes. It’s been a diminishing market for some time but there are still ways to create an amazing package that make people want to own it.

If you do a mix-CD, you can’t just treat it like a podcast. There’s more substance to it – although all the mixes I have done genuinely take a long time, finding the right tracks getting exclusives and so on. It’s a reflection of you as an artist, so you want it to be a special podcast or CD.

You have an enduring connection with Japan. What are some of your standout memories of touring there?
I love Japan – the food, the people, the clubs. I’ve had some amazing moments. Off the top of my head I guess Planet Yellow back in the early days, Rainbow 2000, Fuji Rock, Metamophose, Suma beach party…I just played the Warehouse with Sneak and that was off the hook.

Your last visit here was for club shows. This time it’s more festival-focused – does that mean packing a different set of tunes?
It always depends on the crowd – their size, the venue and its size, and the buzz. I’ll think about it my tunes before I go on stage but yeah, clubs and festivals have totally different vibes.

At your Sydney show in April, you aired Born Slippy as a big peak moment. Do you enjoy those occasional throwbacks?
I used to but not so much now. It’s always good to drop something that gets the crowd going, but it just has to be the right moment…

Mix tracklisting

1. Marlow – So Mellow (Luna City Express remix)
2. Steve Bug – My Sweet Vital Angel
3. Makam – You Lose (Kerri Chandler)
4. Phil Weeks – All Day Every Day
5. Silicone Soul – Right On (Darren Emerson remix)
6. Steve Bug – As It Is
7. Cats N Dogs – I’m Free
8. Slam – Metro Noir
9. Luna City Express – Fresh (Martinez)
10. Ramon Tapia – You Go To (Jet Project)
11. Johhanies Hell – Freedom Of Heart
12. Psychatron – She Is Music
13. Sasse – Ples