Interview with Matt Hardwick

1: You are playing at the NYD Gatecrasher Classics event in Sheffield but are going to play a future set, what can we expect?

The classics nights have the best atmosphere of any night I have played in recent years but I felt, about a year and a half ago, that I couldn't really top what I had done before and decided to make way for others to come in and give their interpretation of what Gatecrasher was about way back when. I thought it would be a great idea to provide a future slant to a classics night to break it up a little and also to get another taste of such a great occasion. I will be looking to drop as many Future Classics as I can and hopefully give people a taste of what's to come in 2007.

2: You have played almost every Crasher this year in Sheffield, can you tell us what else you have been doing?

It's no secret to anyone who knows me that I am increasingly spending more time outside of the UK. I guess, I'm out of the UK two weekends a month at the moment. I won't bore you with a list of everywhere I have been this year but I think highlights would have to be my Australia/ New Zealand Tour in October and my recent gig at Lust Minute in Milan. I think Eastern Europe is becoming increasingly important and I have spent alot of time out there, particularly in the last 6 months.

3: Crasher are back in Sheffield monthly for 2007. Can you explain what really makes the Crasher nights stand out for you?

The crowd trust me and know that I am going to get where I am going, which is a great feeling to have. The crowd is knowledgeable and unforgiving which means that you have to be on your game and I like to think that this brings out the best in me as a DJ. It's still the best club night in the world for so many different reasons.

4: Your album with John Askew was recorded 100% live, how did you feel about doing this?
I hated every minute of it because every mistake would be scrutinised. I spent the week before asking myself why I had agreed to it but it went perfectly on the night and I am really proud of the final mix....the atmosphere was amazing!

5: What are Matt Hardwick's plans for 2007?
Business as usual on the DJ front. I will be recording a second "Live As" album at Lush in Northern Ireland with Askew again. I am currently working on three tracks with Mark Pledger (of Smith & Pledger) which marks my return to the Anjuna Beats stable. These should be out early 2007 and I believe are the best productions I have done to date (I'm quite excited about them!!)

Thanks for taking the time to speak to us, we are all eagerly looking forward to seeing you on Boxing Day and New Years Day to a sell out Crasher crowd!