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Freeland
What have we rudely disturbed you from in order to do this interview?
It's 3.55am and my manager just called me to tell me I had to have this in NOW! So a good night’s sleep!

You’re just about to release your new artist album ‘Cope’, your first in six years. What can we expect from the album?
It’s a mash of my influences from shoegaze indie rock to badass electronic dancefloorness. A shoegaze dance party, if you will.

Why has it taken six years to release your new album? Was this a harder/longer album to produce? Or have you been busy with other projects in the meantime?
Just been crazy busy being a touring artist really. Got married, got unmarried, had a few hiccups along the way, wrote the album twice. Ya know, the usual artist story. Feature continues

What’s your favourite tune off the album?
It varies a lot. 'Mancry', perhaps.

Tell us about the live set-up?
It's Kurt Baumann our front man on vocals and bass guitar, Hayden Scott on drums (who hits so hard it’s been said he’s like John Bonham reincarnated) and me doing keyboards, FX, computer stuff and some vocals.

How did you first get into Djing? How old were you when you started out?
I was 18 and I’d just moved to London to be a student. We were clubbing every night and my flatmate had decks and I just got hooked on it.

What did you DJ back then? Who were your early influences? And now?
I played a mixture of deep US house to hip house and electro (what was then electro/real electro).

Your remix of Sarah Vaughan’s ‘Fever’ was nominated for a Grammy and your personally requested mix of The Doors ‘Hello, I Love You’ has received critical acclaim. What’s been your proudest achievement to date?
I just did a remix for Queen which I'm pretty stoked about. But I think this album 'Cope' is by far my most accomplished work.

You run your own record label, Marine Parade. How’s it all going?
Good, we have a stronger release schedule than we have ever had. Our boy Alex Metric is really blowing up, the Evil Nine album has been well received and they’ve been busy touring with the live band and there’s a great buzz around this dubstep/electronica act we just signed from California called 'Panty Raid'. They are sick!

Was it tricky when everything went ‘digital’?
Yeah, it's tricky trying to make it work on a business level now that most people don’t want to pay for music. We sell pretty well on Beatport and iTunes etc but I have expensive tastes and always spend a lot on artwork etc. So it’s not easy.

How do you decide which tunes you’ll sign up to the label?
I just have to love it. I don't like disposable music which I find a lot of electronic music is. There's too much pollution in the world, I want to contribute ART! So I’m always trying to sign acts who have long term vision and produce quality music that works beyond just the dancefloor and will stand the test of time. Really tight production is very important to me too.

Are you/the label still based in Brighton?
I live between Los Angeles and Brighton. But the label is run out of Bristol as that’s where my management team are.

Are you a supporter of the mighty Brighton & Hove Albion like a certain Mr Fatboy Slim?
To be honest . I'm one of the few Brits who really couldn't give a fuck about supporting a football team. I love the game but just don’t buy into the hysteria.

Do you constantly juggle between label boss, DJ, producer, remixer on a day-to-day basis, or do you think: Right I’ll do a bit of label stuff for a few weeks, then go a tour with the band for a month and so on? How do you find the time to do it all?
It’s a 24/7 juggle! Blackberry’s and laptops help but I don't know if I do find time to do it all. I have good (patient!) people around me who help a lot.

You’ve remixed so many songs over the years, are there any tunes around at the moment you’d like to remix?
There a few tracks on the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' record that I've been meaning to remix.

And is there anyone in particular who you’d like to do a collaboration with?
I’d love to work with Bat for Lashes, Josh Homme, Kevin Shields. And more stuff with Nick Cave. I did one mix for him ('No Pussy Blues'), but met him the other day and just itching to do more stuff with him.

You’ve got a pretty hectic schedule over the summer playing at various festivals including our very own Get Loaded in the Park. What do you most enjoy about playing at a UK festival?
I think the UK audience is very knowledgeable about music and always up for getting a bit crazy.

Are you looking forward to getting loaded with us?
Very much. Loved it last time. Excited to unleash our new live band there.

Which do you prefer, playing on an open-air stage or in a dark sweaty tent?
Dark sweaty tents!

Favourite festival drink and snack?
A hipflask of fine quality Tequila and a good wholesome pie.