DanceNode recently had the opportunity to interview Mark Pledger on topics such as what he's been up to lately, his upcoming releases and the state of today's dance music scene. He was also kind enough to put together a great guest mix for our weekly radio show that aired this week which will be available in the podcast archive on Sunday night.

Interview by Phoebe Escott-Kenny, Jamie Madden and Sam Regan

First off Mark, thanks for taking the time to talk to DanceNode. How have you been? I’m sure these last few of years have been a whirlwind!

"Very well thank you."

"You know I cant believe that I have been releasing and remixing since 2000. It only feels like yesterday that I had my first tunes played by Judge Jules on his Saturday night show on BBC Radio 1. Well they say time flies when you’re having fun."

What can we expect from Mr. Pledger this year?

"Well I have been very busy this year so far. I have been to Finland for a week to do collaboration with Super 8 called 'Worldwide'. The idea was to create an Anthem to coincide with our award winning mix compilation 'Anjunabeats Worldwide 001'. It received many accolades such as Mixmag compilation of the month and is Anjunabeats top selling comp to date."

"I am in the studio at the moment doing a collaboration with Gatecrashers Matt Hardwick. It will be the third project I have done with him after our all conquering five star tracks 'Day One' and ‘Connected’. 'Fallen Tides' our next installment has already been put through its paces demoing at Gatecrasher in Sheffield and large events around the globe. Its received huge reactions in the testing phases so is set to be a great follow up and big vocal trancer for the summer."

"I have also been doing the follow to √¢¬Ä¬òUltraviolet√¢¬Ä¬ô my harder project with Mike Koglin, its called 'All The Way'. We named it this because unlike most techy hard tracks that just go back to beats after a massive breakdown this one goes 'All The Way' into its harder yet rippling beautiful melodies.√¢¬Ä�

What has been your favorite gig? When and where was it?

"Well there have been many that are to close to call. Once last year I was playing Godskitchen 12 till 2 prime time slot. It was one of the most special gigs for me as I had all my core supporters behind me, some traveling from all over the UK and in some cases further. Once at an Anjunabeats night at Canvas, London we had people from Japan come for the gig now that’s nuts! But respect for that."

"Also recently a gig that completely blew me away was at Queens club Paris. It was the first time I headlined in Paris and I was unsure what to expect considering Judge Jules only had 150 out of 1000 people the week before so I was told. I got to the club and it was packed, I thought | must be my lucky night until people started singing along to my own productions. It was then that the hugest smile appeared on my face, as I knew that they were there to see me, as they were my tunes. I will certainly be playing there for many years to come as the night was a huge success."

Last year was such a success for you; did you have any one moment, which sticks out, in your mind?

"Again mixing the hugely successful Anjunabeats Worldwide compilation and releasing my first solo record 'On The Edge'. After working as Smith & Pledger for so many years it was good to be solely be in the driving seat for change.√¢¬Ä�

Tell me a little bit about how you first got into trance... and why?

"Well I began going clubbing around the time that Gatecrasher started is accent into the huge super brand it is today so around 1996. I was listening to all the tracks you would regard as trance classics today as they were being promoed for the first time by DJ’s such as PVD, Tiesto and of course Judge Jules. I think it was just simply that it was a new movement with great tracks fueling it that made me fall in love with trance. It was an exciting time traveling to these super clubs you really felt you were apart of something big. I look back at these early clubbing days like gatecrasher’s motto ‘It will always be with you’."

Anjunabeats was named "The worlds greatest trance label". Tell us a little bit about your involvement with them and the radio show?

"Well I have been with Anjunabeats since 2003 and have released and remixed many big hits with them alongside Above & Beyond & Super 8 and co. We have all had a massive contribution to the success of the label. Also the Anjunabeats team have kept trying to expand rather than just keeping afloat. Its this relentless attitude that has made Anjuna a record label, club night and radio series including 'Trance Around The World' with Above & Beyond and my Anjunabeats Worldwide Radio show on XM radio and DI.FM. Check out www.myspace.com/mpledger for further details about my show if you’re interested"

Can you tell us anything about the Anjunabeats World Wide tour?

"Anjunabeats World wide tours is a mixture of ongoing events here in the UK as well as single events and tours around the globe. The Last one I did was in Helsinki Finland headlining with Super 8 & Tab. This made a great opportunity to get into he studio and craft our single 'Worldwide'."

Within Australia the trance scene seems to be in a constant state of flux making it hard to predict the success of a particular event or tour, is this something prevalent around the world?

"Well I think there are areas in the world where trance can come and go. But in Europe and many part of the globe it’s been pretty consistent. Although in the UK after 2001 it got too big for its boots and got a bit commercial and cheesy so there was a little dip. Anjunabeats came from this lull offering a new breed of trance. Many people who would never listen to trance found them selves getting into our brand. Anjuna offered good quality trance that’s commercial only in that they are popular rather than cheesy. Also it’s the tough A&R spearheaded by Above and Beyond that has given the label such a consistent quality. Once when I was flying home from a gig in Poland with the trance reviewer Tim Stark from DJ Mag, he said he cant wait for the day he can slag Anjunabeats off cause every track has 4 or 5 stars stamped all over it. It amazes him as not even Armin's label Armada is capable of that."

It seems that in recent years to get a name for themselves a DJ must also produce, do you think this a fair statement? Were you always planning on becoming a DJ or was it just a natural progression after the success of your productions?

"Well to be honest I have all ways been writing music since the early age of 11. I always wanted to make my own after hearing inspiring new tracks whether it be rock indie or dance. When I was 11 I was recording on an Atari with Roland keyboards etc. So I definitely would say writing and producing music came first."

"It was when my interests turned to listening and producing trance that I wanted to DJ. I felt it was the natural step and really wanted to see the reactions of my tracks for myself as I have witnessed so many DJ's play my tracks in clubs or on the radio. In a way to begin with it was great to be anonymous dancing to your tracks when everyone around you doesn't even no that they are standing next to the person who wrote it."

"Its due to so many producers being fed up of other DJ's getting all the fun from their records that we have so many DJ / Producers today. Now many of the best DJ agencies wont touch new talent if they don't release records. It’s the extra marketing and exposure plus people love hearing DJ's play big tracks that they have written."

"Also with the MP3 explosion a lot of producers need to DJ so they can make a good living still as the illegal download scene has had a devastating impact on the whole music industry not just dance.√¢¬Ä�

Along with Oliver Smith your alias 'White Water' received a lot of praise for 'The Unknown', what is the reasoning behind the alias and do you have any other productions planned for this alias?

"Well its one off really it was just too different and commercial to our Smith & Pledger sound that we felt that it needed to be a alternative act. We also did this with Aspect - Highjack that was championed by Tiesto and included on latest 'Search For Sunrise 5'. I guess again very different and just to proggy for S & P. I think its good to have alias as it keeps it interesting for us producers. Also it gives us a chance to try our hands at other things with out upsetting our core fans from my main sound"

There has been a dramatic change in new trance productions since the turn of the century, how long do you think this current trend will stick around and where do you see it heading?

"Well I think like the rest of the music industry it will cross over a lot more. A lot of the tracks I play out are a mix of house electro progressive trance and techno. But the music always has a melodic riff and an overall sound of trance. I think its hard to say where the music go other than I believe that we are experiencing quick cycles as to what's cool and what's not. It’s like a cycle moving upwards and onwards so I guess just like a spiral. That’s a nicer and simpler way of saying it."

What are some of your favorite tracks of 2007 so far?

"Well there are a lot of good tracks coming out this year as I have definitely seen an upsurge of trance productions. Two of these tracks that have stuck out in my mind are Planisphere - 'Simplified' and Hydroid - 'Space Quest' which I mentioned as my 'Dance Floor Destroyer' in the last copy of DJ Mag."

What do you think about and how do you feel when you are producing a new track?

"Well that all depends on the mood and vibe of the record I am doing. I like to get out emotions from my everyday experiences and writing music is how I do that. If you’re happy or sad it all helps you to create tracks that come from within rather than just copying other tracks. Emotions are a very important and personal thing so I think adding this ingredient makes my tracks individual and perhaps is why other people can relate their feelings to my tracks also."

What tools do you use in your productions?

"Mainly drills and a garden spade. Oh and my trusty tool box (Giving away no secrets here)"

Do you know of any upcoming DJ's that are showing promise?

"Well I think as a producer and DJ, Hydroid is one to keep your eye on he has been championed recently by Armin as well as my feature in DJ Mag which I mentioned earlier. Having support from big DJ's can really help your career as Armin Van Buuren’s quote ''Amongst the best Trance Producers and excellent DJ's' certainly helped. But remember you still have to come up with the goods to get these sorts of quotes for which I slaved night and day for."

Finally any plans to tour Australia soon?

"Anjunabeats are looking into setting up some dates in Australia later in the year but you never know who will book you next so hopefully sooner."

Thank you very much for your time, we wish you the best in the future. Is there anything else you would like to add?

"Well you ask the questions but I would like to tell people never to be afraid to follow your dreams. If you don't they will never happen and that’s guaranteed."

"Best wishes to you all"

More Information:

Official website: http://www.markpledger.com/
Official MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/mpledger