For anyone who’s a fan of piano driven, funky, tough assed house music, Jamie’s your man & you’ll want to stand up & take notice!

At the age of 22 you’ve already achieved a great deal but what’s been your biggest achievement to date & what’s next on your list of things to do?
"I’m not sure if I could say one thing has been my greatest achievement, but there have been a few things that I’m proud of. For obvious reasons ‘Pianotight’ was a great achievement for me because it was the first song I ever completed, and it got played all around the place in clubs, bars, on the radio. Almost every week for months after it’s release I’d get a text message or a phone call from somewhere in the world saying “your tracks being played in this beach bar we’re at” or “I’ve just heard your song on Radio 1”. That was a great, great feeling for me. There’s so much I want to do in the next few months, it’s just finding the time and inspiration to do it. I’d like to carry on with the whole piano house stuff, but maybe shake things up a bit, try something a bit different and unusual with it."

You’re a big fan of piano driven house cuts & it speaks in your music but, where does your inspiration come from?
"I really don’t know, I’ve always been a massive fan of this type of music and I guess it’s a case of making what I love and listen to a lot of the time. When I started producing I just naturally adopted a more funky style rather than a ‘techy’ or minimalistic style. I guess I just relate to piano driven house more."

You’re a bit of a whizz in the studio & have been consistently knocking out club hit after club hit. What’s the secret of a successful dance track or remix?
"Yes I did a lot of stuff. I don’t think there is a recipe to do a successful dance track or remix. For me it is important that the track always has a special vibe, that all elements fit together and that the people can dance to this track. If all these points are done the track will work for me but if it will be successful is decided the people who buy the music."

Musically, who’s rocking your world right now & who intrigues you?
"Lots and lots of different people are rocking it for me at the moment. I’m a big fan of the likes of Stonebridge and Moto Blanco to name but two, as these guys have been around for the a long time, really sculpting the funky house scene in my opinion. All you have to do is pick up a remix package of some pop star’s new single and you can guarantee Moto Blanco are in there, they just make great sounding, reliable mixes. One guy I’ve been a fan of for a number of years, I actually now know on a personal level too, is Jody Wisternoff of ‘Way out West’. I’ve raved about his music ever since I first heard it, it’s really incredible. Every song has a purpose, not just a collection of sounds, it’s like a new story in each track. From start to finish it hooks you and his way of mixing all those complex sounds, hooks and ideas together just fascinates me. I heard his song “Starstrings” unmixed as he sent me the parts to remix a while back, and I was shocked. Each sound was totally different on it’s own, he really had put his magic on the final mix."

Are you working / planning on any collaborations in 2010? If you could work with any one in the industry who would it be & why?
"Funnily enough I am collaborating with someone in the New Year. I’ve got Deniz Koyu (Scream & Shout Records) flying over to work with me for a few days. We’ve got a couple of track’s we’ve been toying with together over the internet, but it’s just not the same working like that, I don’t think. There are many people I’d love to work with, but I think I could learn a lot from the likes of Moto Blanco, simply because they’ve been doing it for so many years and they have a formula that works. The same can be said about the ‘Freemasons’ for sure. "

Alongside your dance productions, you’ve produced & written music for a number of companies on a more “branding” level. How’s that going & how did you get into it?
"Yea, I’ve been writing tracks for companies and more recently even an album. It’s been a total roller-coaster ride simply because I jumped into it at the deep end. I’d never done anything like that before, never had anyone come into my house and speak to me about an end product and never been presented with a budget to work with. It was great fun and scary at the same time. I’ve managed to soldier on through the tough times though and the album’s almost finished, the customer is very happy with everything so far and more than anything I’ve learnt so much from it all. I got into this kind of work because a computer technician that I knew got chatting to a friend of his who happened to be high up in a company looking for music to suit their brand. She contacted me, came over and had a chat and the next thing I know a cheques in the post and I’ve started writing songs for them. The right place at the right time!"

Into studio mode, can you tell us about your set up, your favourite tools & what you couldn’t live without?
"Well I’m very much a studio based person, I really don’t do as well working on a laptop, and especially not when I’m traveling. So I have to have my own space with all my kit set up so that I can stretch out and relax when I’m making music. My set up is pretty simple actually, although I would love to expand it when I can afford to. I have a Mac Pro (desktop) running Logic 8, a pair of Genelec 8030 monitors, a midi keyboard and a Mackie Onyx Satellite audio interface. I use a couple bits of software with Logic, such as Ableton Live and a few plug-ins, mostly free ones. I’m a massive fan of Logic, I use all of its sounds, tools and plug-ins and rarely turn to anything else. My Genelec’s are great, the sound is superb, although they aren’t always big enough for hearing every detail, I would like to upgrade, maybe a pair of Adam P22A’s would do the trick. The audio interface isn’t the best either; I’m looking to get an Apogee Duet in the next couple of months.

I think the tool I couldn’t live without is Logic, simply because it’s a ‘one stop shop’ for all my needs. I have yet to upgrade to Logic 9, but I can’t wait to do so because it has even more fun built inside, and there won’t be any need to use Ableton to warp audio files either."

A lot of people are firm believers that new DJs are not going to make it as unless you’re a producer as well these days… What are your thoughts on this? Can a Dj break through on talent alone?
"I think today it’s a lot harder to break into the scene without being a producer. Promoters want to know they’re investing in a person who can pull a crowd, play to a crowd and understands the music they are playing. It’s a tricky one, I wouldn’t say it was impossible to break onto the scene if your not a producer, just a lot harder. I’ve had a number of DJ bookings come through over the past two years as a result of my music; I’ve not had to move an inch from my computer to get the gigs, but I’ve had no bookings like that off the back of my DJing talents alone."

Which brings us nicely on to… Where are you playing & what can we expect to hear from you?
"Recently I’ve been at home making music, my DJing has taken a back seat. But I do still play out on a weekly basis at a club in the Midlands called ‘Saint Club’ which is a great venue. I’ve got some really cool gig’s in the New Year which I can’t wait for."

Rumor has it, you’ve been snapped up by up & coming “Direction Music Management”. How did that hook up happen & are there any secret future plans you can reveal?
"I have indeed signed up to ‘Direction’ which is a great move for me. I’ve been very busy recently and having a management company to help sort everything out is brilliant. I was chatting with Carl Hanaghan, who runs ‘Direction’, and he offered me a deal, which I must be honest was a bit of a nice surprise, and that was about three months ago. He’s been doing an awesome job. I’ve got a few projects that I’m finishing off, which Carl is going to sign to his label, ‘Discopolis’, so they should hopefully be out soon(ish)."

X Factor, sorry, I have to ask. Have you been watching it & if so, were you converted to a Jedward fan? Are these talent shows actually productive?
"I do like watching the X Factor when it’s on and I have a moment to sit down, but I’m not a massive fan. I actually did some work experience at a studio in London called ‘Sphere Studios’ where all the backing track recordings and mixes are made so I got to meet most of the team there, and some of the artists (yes, I met Leona Lewis lol) and that ruin the fun for me a little. It was way more ‘produced’ that I had ever imagined. Jedward.....NO! Not cool. I get the fact that kids like a bit of entertainment and they’re only 17 , but so many great singers and performers lost out as a result of them... Lucie being one of them!"