Matt Hardwick, as many of you know, held the title of resident DJ of Gatecrasher for almost a decade.  Since his days as resident Matt has traveled around the world gaining loyal fans and global recognition.

With Matt having such a busy schedule these days, I was grateful for the chance to catch up with a good friend and interview him exclusively for DanceNode.

What was it that got you into dance music?
I think that it was a bit of an accident. I agreed to go to a club in Sheffield called “Occassions” with a mate of mine. I was about 16 and it just blew me away. The atmosphere was something that I had never experienced before. I was hooked from day one.

Do you remember what your very first vinyl purchase was, and where you bought it?
I’m not sure, I think it may have been “Singing the Blues” by Status Quo. I can’t believe that I have just admitted to that.

What was it like being the resident of Gatecrasher for over a decade? What was your most memorable experience?
I think playing the Millennium gig at the Don Valley stadium. The sense of occasion was amazing. I remember playing with Sasha sat on his record box next to me, the Chemical Brothers dancing on the other side of me and 28,000 people below just going crazy.

What do you miss most about being the resident at Gatecrasher?
I think that I miss the familiarity.  I used to know everyone there and they knew me.  Artistically, this meant I could be very experimental and get away with murder.....that was fun!

At the beginning of February 2008, you released your new track “Falling Tides” with Mark Pledger on the Anjuna Beats Label.  How are you expecting it to fair on the charts and what have the responses been when you play it out in the clubs?
I have had a great response so far and all the big DJs are supporting the track. I am told that Oakie was calling the Anjuna Beats office asking for a copy. Over the years, he has been a good judge of what works in the clubs, so I see that as an endorsement in itself.

Its well known that you have worked with Mark Pledger several times now.  What is it like when you are in the studio together?  How is the chemistry between two artists?
Mark is a cool guy and we get along well, that’s half the battle. He is an amazing producer and is starting to come into his own. I think I give him that club perspective that can only be had from playing volume of gigs I do world-wide. It’s a good balance.

With all of the technological advances within the dance music industry over the past few years, we have seen a huge shift from vinyl to CD’s and MP3’s.  With these changes have come an increase in illegal file sharing and a decrease in overall music sales.  What are your thoughts on this and how the digital age has been an impact on your career overall?
The internet, and the access it gives to music, is what has made the scene so vibrant internationally. As an artist, you cannot be everywhere all of the time. The internet makes you accessible and I think that this is illustrated by the popularity of those DJs who have regular internet radio show. It used to be that I would arrive at a venue, say in Cambodia, and those who came to the event wouldn’t have a clue and did not know the music. The internet has made everything accessible. Those days are now long gone.

Where do you see the dance music industry 5-10 years from now?  What roll do you think you will be playing?
Because the scene is so big globally, I don’t see it changing too much. However, I expect to see more DJs develop from the emerging markets of S. America and SE Asia to perform on the world stage. In terms of me personally, if I think I can still rock a club and turn in a great performance, ill still be there with the best of them.

What advice would you give to someone who is just starting out in the industry?
Get in the studio and produce. It won’t make you an amazing DJ but it will get you gigs. You can pick up the DJ skills along the way. That seems to be the story of the scene at the moment.

What should we expect to see from you in the near future?
I have just finished my first solo single. I am so pleased with the way it is sounding and can’t wait to test it out in the clubs. I am undecided as to what to call it as yet. The DJing is going through the roof at the moment and I am currently busier than ever….I need a holiday. I’m looking forward to the festivals this summer and, of course Ibiza!! A highlight this year will be headlining the F1Party in Kuala Lumpur where I will be DJing on the heli-pad at the Petronas Towers.

Who do you feel is the next up and coming DJ everyone should keep their eye out for?
Simon Paterson is amazing!

What is it about Simon Patterson that makes him stand out from the rest in your eyes?
He is a great DJ who really knows how to structure a set and has an excellent taste in music.  He is also very humble and friendly.  It’s amazing how much that counts when you are breaking through the ranks.

After a while Matt wanted to take the interview to a lighter side and have a bit of fun.  So we decided to switch gears talk a little more about Matt’s personal side.

I know early on in life you were big into football/soccer.  What was it that made you decide not to pursue it professionally?
I was actually professional for two years and played for the Sheffield Wednesday first team.

What was it that made you retire after playing professionally for 2 years?
The second year of my professional contract was heavily disrupted by illness.   I missed a vital period in my development and never really got back into the swing of things.  I had to make a snap decision to either take a big break and pursue my options as a pro footballer or pursue the safe option and go back to university and allow my DJing to prosper....that is how I ended up here J

What’s the worst experience you’ve had at an airport?
Losing all of my records in Detroit an hour before going on stage (playing alongside Destiny’s Child).   Also, I was held by immigration police in Beirut for 5 hours.

What do you do to relax at the end of the day?
Sopranos box set and red wine.

If you were stuck on a desert island, what 3 things would you want to bring with you?
Satellite TV, Lipsil (everyone stranded on desert islands always seem to have chapped lips) and my mobile phone to call for a rescue when I get bored.

What’s your favourite thing to do when you aren’t DJing or producing?
Down the pub in Camden with mates….boring answer but bliss for me.

Matt, on behalf of the entire DanceNode Team, thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to meet with me.