Hi Dave, welcome to iBeats. In a successful career spanning over a decade and with too many highlights to list on two hands; including mix outings on GU, broadcasts such as Pete Tong’s Essential Mix and production hits as Brothers In Rhythm with Steve Anderson; you have written tracks for the likes of Kylie and The Pet Shop Boys, also remixing for David Bowie among other household names. What could possibly be the highlight of your time in music?

DS: ‘Confide In Me’ is the song I’m most proud of. To write, produce and remix the track that made Kylie cool and see it go on to become an international hit was easily the most fulfilling work I’ve been involved with. The pressure was on to deliver a big single to launch her new career with deconstruction and I tike to think we pulled it off.

What and where do you feel has been your best gig?

DS: That’s a difficult one. So many great gigs in so many places over the last 20 years. It’s almost impossible to pick one.

Is there anywhere you still want to play?

DS: India and Hawaii. I think I’ve been everywhere else.

You were once the editor of the hugely successful Mixmag magazine, was that the job that got you into the whole scene, or did the ability to play the music come first?

DS: I started Djing when I was twelve at the school disco and continued doing people’s birthday parties and weddings and such right through my teenage years. But getting the job at Mixmag in 1987 was when my career in music really took off. They were such exciting times. The very beginning of the scene we know and love today.

Not content with being behind the very first mixmag cd (with Carl Cox), You’ve since gone on to release numerous compilation cd’s which brings us nicely to the latest Audio Therapy comp (Therapy Sessions 3) which has just been released, this time with relatively local talents of Lexicon Avenue. So why the Lexicon Avenue boys?!

DS: The concept behind Therapy Sessions was always for me to do one disc and the other to be done by one of the artists on our roster. Either on the agency or the label. Lexicon Avenue have been with us on the agency for a few years now, so it just felt like the right time to give them a platform to show off their considerable talents.

What sort of opportunities have the mix albums given for you? Do you see it as an outlet for your own creativity as a DJ or as source of great music from promising new artists? Would you say both?

DS: First and foremost it’s about my own creativity as a DJ but that does undoubtedly open up other avenues and possibilities. DJing, remixing and producing and running a label have always gone hand in hand for me. They all feed each other.

With Holland recently out in the shops, You are known for pushing fresh talent, the Across Borders series is a great concept that provides a lot of encouragement to new producers. How did the idea come about? And what will be the next destination that Audio Therapy will stop at?

DS: It all started due to the sheer amount of great music I was getting every time I visited Greece. Originally we were going to do an EP but then realized we easily had enough material to do an entire album. It quickly developed into the idea of a series when we looked at how much music I receive from so many different countries each time I DJ. As for the next one, you’ll have to wait and see.

We ask a lot of DJ’s what their favourite new technologies are both in the studio and also DJ tools, are you a DJ that still champions the old 1′s and 2′s or are there any future technologies you like to use during you sets?

DS: I never thought I’d say it, but I gave up on vinyl a couple of years ago now. When the Pioneer CDJ 1000

arrived it really revolutionised (no pun intended) the world of the DJ.. So it’s CDs all the way for me these days. I still don’t trust computers especially in a nightclub environment so I’m wary of Ableton and such like even though I think it’s an amazing programme and do all my mix CDs on it.

Being a Don of the family of dance and with lorry load of wisdom accrued over the years, what would be your advice for the next generation of DJ’s?

DS: I think social skills are probably the most important part of getting on in the

industry these days. If you develop relationships well, you’re much more likely to progress further even with limited talent. Sad but true.

Lastly… What does Dave Seaman listen too in the car or when relaxing at home or possibly does Dave Seaman not relax? Is he a machine and drinks oil and gorges on used cars in his spare time?

DS: No, believe it or not, I am a real human being and do listen to lot’s of other kinds of music at home or in the car. Recently, I’ve been listening to the latest albums from Nelly Furtado, Snow Patrol, Justin Timberlake, The Killers, The Kooks, Hot Chip, Razorlight, Lily Allen, Bugz in the Attic, Kelis, Nerina Pallot and The Feeling to name but a few off the top of my head.

Thanks for joining us today Dave, it’s been a pleasure to speak with you.

All the best, iBeats.