Finishing off this month's interviews is Delete The Weak's very own Steve Gillen. Steve has releases on such labels as Twisted Traxx, Hard Sounds and of course Delete The Weak. Steve is a resident for the infamous Midlands based hard dance promotion Cyberkitten, while he also has played at events like Frantic, Heat, Helter Skelter, Wildchild, Sundissential, Storm, Poly-Sexual just to name a few.

Thanks Steve for joining us for an interview and mix. We will start with why hard house? What made you get into it over other genres?

I like a range of music to be honest but Hard House has that something special about it the makes it stand out from other genres. I think the sound at the moment is at an all time high. With a new generation of producers all stamping their mark on the scene it can only keep getting better. I listen to all sorts of music both dance related and bands. I think it’s good to take influence from a broad spectrum of sounds.

Do you remember your first hard house event that you attended?

Yes I think it was TidyVison tour at Ultra Vegas many years back. However, the most influential night I attended was a couple of months after that, when I saw Karim play at a night called Progress @ The Gate House in Derby and I discovered NRG for the first time. He played so much harder than everyone else on the line up and stood out a mile.

What came first for you, djing or producing?

For me it was DJ’ing first. After doing this for about three years I wanted to start making tracks that fit in with the sounds I was playing at the particular time. It all started from there!

What was your very first record you bought?

It was Tiny Tot ‘Discoland’. Was into Happy Hardcore at the time I started DJ’ing. I played that tune to death! Good times

How many records do you own now?

Far too many. Got to be two thousand plus. They take up so much room.

Do you create all your tunes by yourself, or do you use an engineer?

I use an engineer most of the time. I can put a track together myself but it takes quite a while.

Which producers would you like to work with in the future?

There are quite a few I have not yet worked with but would like to. Paul Maddox, Dynamic Intervention. Paul Janes, Paul King, Marc Johnson. Equinox, Captain Tinrib. Narc, Grady G are just a few.

Who or what have been an influence to you over the years?

Karim and Ian M have been the biggest DJ/producers that have impressed me in the early years. I have certainly tried to take influence some the style and sounds they pioneered. More recently the tracks Munjack have done. Top notch.

Your latest release was a more warm up style compared to your past releases like Turning Up Da Boom for instance, is that a style people can expect more of, from you in the future?

I have always been a believer in experimenting with styles and sounds. The warm up E.P was a way of trying something a bit different to previous tracks. I found working with Amp Attack to be particularly easy and am more than pleased with how they turned out. I have a few other projects with him in the pipeline. That said, I am still looking to push the harder sound for my label so don’t expect a stop to that! I’ve got some hard as nails stuff coming up.

What can we expect from Delete the Weak in the rest of 2008?

I have not got anything else signed ahead of the next release. I try not to get too far ahead of myself so I’m not sitting on tracks for a long time. That way I’m in a position to snap up good tracks when I see them and put them straight out. I am also looking to get more artists working with the label and push the new breed. If you have any tracks you think are suitable for Delete The Weak, get in contact.

Do you have any tunes in the pipeline and when can people expect the next Steve Gillen release?

I have just finished a new track called ‘The Accused’ which Frank Farrell engineered. This will be the A side of the next release along with Lo Pan ‘Power Kicks’ a track I signed a while back that has been getting some decent air play by some of the bigger names including Justin Bourne. I have also done a remix of ‘Power Kicks’ with Riggsy which will also feature as the third track on the release. This should be going off to press in the next fortnight. I have also just done collaboration with Nasty Neil E called ‘Talk to Me’ and out now on Nasty Recordings. A track called ‘No Wings’ with Amp Attack is also due for release on Toolbox in the summer. In terms of upcoming tracks, I have dates coming up with Amp Attack, Hilz’E., Nik Denton and Dave Owens in the next few months. Can’t wait! You can hear clips of the latest tracks at http://www.myspace.com/djstevegillen .

Which producers have really stood out for you in 2007?

DNG, Superfast Oz, James Nardi, Karl Davis, Frank Farrell, Adam M, Dom Sweeton, Dave Owens, Nik Denton. Scott Fo Shaw. Kauz. Nasty Neil E.

Who do you think will make a big impact this year?

Scott Fo Shaw, Amp Attack, Kauz, Nasty Neil E.

What Djs have really stood out for you in 2007.

Nik Denton is an outstanding DJ. Justin Bourne has been on fine form over the last 12 months and is such a shame he is hanging up his head phones. Andy Farley has impressed me more recently too.

What DJs do you think will make a big impact in 2008?

There are a number of the new skool DJ’s starting to make their mark. Karl Davis, Andy Rise, Rodi Style, Adam M.

Any last words?

Muskehounds are always ready!

Click here for Steve's Exclusive Mix
Click here for tracklisting.

Past Interviews