Five minutes with... DJ Fresh

Well Dan, you’ve had quite a career. But where did it all start? Where did you get the name DJ Fresh from, and what was it that made you want to become a DJ?
Well I never really wanted to be a DJ, but I’ve always made music since I was a kid. When I first started making drum and bass I got asked to DJ and at this time was in a band called Bad Company. When I left I changed my name to DJ Fresh because I also wanted people to know that I was also a DJ, which by that point I was, but I might even change it (the name) at some point because I don’t really see myself as being a DJ, it’s just one of those funny things.

If you don’t see yourself as being a DJ, what do you see yourself as?
I see myself as more of a musician and a producer cause that’s really my passion; making music. Being a DJ is fun and it’s great to be able to try out your tracks but for me it’s not as interesting as making something from scratch and having control of every element that goes into making a track. I dunno, it’s just not as interesting (being a DJ) and from doing the live shows as well, that’s what I’ve always wanted to do, so now I’m trying to focus more on playing live and being in the studio.

Obviously you are very passionate about music, but what is it that inspires your tracks?
It just depends really, I'm definitely not one of these people that have a collection of what’s called ‘beats’, which is like a store of ideas. But the way that I work is I write my own music and I tend to have a specific idea of what I want and somebody will come round and I’ll be like, 'this is the track that I wanted you to sing' but I make sure they like it. But in the same way when I write music it has to feel natural. Like the last thing I wrote, I wrote on a plane a couple of weeks ago. I don’t like to sit in a studio and make music for the sake of it; I like to have something that’s inspired naturally.

Your new album is out, Nextlevelism. Why do you think people should go out and buy it?
If you're into ‘Louder’ and ‘Hot Right Now’ singles, I have a couple of cool tracks on the album that are also great, and I don’t really think there is any ‘fillers’ on the album - they’re all potential singles that I’m really proud of. Apart from the people that just don’t like that style of music, everyone that’s got it and I’ve spoken to has really loved it, so I’m pretty sure that it’s good.

It’s recently been announced that you have been shortlisted to headline MTV’s show 'MTV Brand New 2013'. What does this opportunity mean to you?
Oh it’s great, I love working with MTV they’re really cool bunch of people. They're kind of a young, with it, company so they are a great company to work with. Every time I go to MTV everyone gets involved and they know a lot about music so they are just a great company to work with. It’s just a great opportunity as it will be broadcast across Europe so will get a lot of European airplay.

You have had a very successful career to date -  is there any advice you can give to other musicians based on your own experience?
I’d just say, stick to your guns and make the most of all the opportunities there are. Use the internet to promote their music for free and take every opportunity and make the most of it.

‘Nextlevelism’ is out now so get your copy while you can.

Interview: Cassie Cain

See upcoming DJ Fresh events

Catch DJ Fresh at Preston's 53 Degrees on November 23rd. Tickets are available below.

Tickets are no longer available for this event