Guys welcome to iBeats, James you’re making you’re debut here which is excellent and it’s second time round for you Nic! It’s been almost a year since we first caught up with you, obviously a lot has happened, can you give us a brief synopsis of your past 12 months?

Nic: In the last 12 months James and I decided to get together and put the compilation one+one out, we spent the last 6 months getting ideas for the compilation and also writing two new singles for it which we called No Pressure and Rover, we had a lot of fun making it and have since started the one+one tour a few weeks ago and we are both really looking forward to the rest of it.

Right so One+One, you guys have a history of bumping into each other and playing B2B blinders from time to time. Was the formation of One+One the next step for you guys?

Nic: We hooked up when we were doing separate Renaissance tours that was a couple of years ago and we ended up playing b2b a couple of times, then we bumped into each other on NYE last year in Newcastle and we did a b2b there. We decided last year to do a couple of b2b sets at Space in Ibiza which was awesome. It was from doing this that the whole concept of one+one came together. We normally like to play at least 4-5 hours in our set, so usually play an hour each and then the rest of it we do b2b. The set up that we use is our Laptops, Pioneer Cdj1000, Pioneer EFX 1000, Pioneer DJM800 and DJ DualQ2.

If anything, how much has the history of other headliners hooking up to form a double act influenced you both? In particular have Sasha & Digweed been an inspiration?

Nic: I definitely had a heavy dose of Sasha and Digweed when I was younger, but that wasn’t the idea for us hooking up, we have both been touring for about 4-5 years and we thought it would be a good laugh to do a compilation and tour together, and get inspired from each other.

James: I grew up listening to Sasha and John. Northern Exposure and Northern Exposure 2 has been a massive influence for me. I have always wanted to try it – it is different to working on your own, there is compromise and always things you have to take into consideration its been a challenge and a lot of fun. I am enjoying it very much. Other double acts such as Lee Burridge and Craig Richards have been a massive influence and if Nic and I can do something half as good I’m happy.

You made your One+One tour debut in Miami at this year’s Winter Music Conference, it must have been a cracker as people are saying that it was the best party, how was it for you?!

Nic: James and I were both very nervous before the gig, because it was our launch night and we hadn’t played that Venue before, there were also so many other big parties on that night. When we got there they had the Fire Marshall’s there, which was mad and they weren’t letting any more people into the venue and this was at midnight! When we walked in the atmosphere was amazing. It was defiantly one of the best gigs I have done, I am sure James would say its up there on his list to.

James: It was great, The Fifth was amazing – we could not have asked for anything more, an amazing amount of people turned up, a lot of our friends were there and a lot of people who have supported us were there too, mark Broadbent from We Love, Dave Dean from Giant in LA. Both of whom are obviously heavy hitters of the industry it was nice they showed up. Seb Fontaine and Demi were there too. It was quite over whelming… I’ve got some great videos on camera phone to remind me of the madness!

The tour is also exposure for the new ‘Q2 Dual DJ’ (equipment) which from what we gather allows you both to independently cue different sources and it will also allow you to hear what the other is doing on the decks resulting ultimately in better programmed sets, removing the need of shared headphones. This sounds mighty impressive, I presume it improves the whole back-to-back experience no end but how have you found the technology?

Nic: This piece of equipment has made the tour. When you play b2b with someone and you are jumping in and off the decks , you can lose the flow of what’s going on and sets can sometimes go all over the shop, but with this it means we can both listen to what each other are going to que in next without interfering with each other cds or anything like that, it just brings it all a step forward in the b2b of djing.

James: Its been brilliant, perfect – but the build quality needs a bit of work either that or Nic’s shampoo has spilt in it as the buttons are sticking a bit! it has really helped us program our sets. The flow is much better.

You’re not only well respected DJ’s, you’re both esteemed producers. We’ve noticed that the One+One album features several ‘One+One Versions’ and with the release of No Pressure / Rover. Can we expect to see you both in the studio producing more original work together?

Nic: It was great doing the singles with James, we both have our different approaches to the studio, and what I’m happy about is that when you listen to them, they both represent our sounds. We played No pressure in Miami for the 1st time and it got a very good response, I am sure we will hook up again and make a few more records, we are going to be on the road together for 3 months!

James: I think it is something we should do every now and again. To do it too much would take away from the magic but Nic and I certainly want to do something together.

Are either of you lined up for the Exit Festival in Serbia this year? We know you were there last year James, in the awesome sunrise slot, but just how much did you enjoy it?

James: I am not doing it is year they have a policy not to book the same artists twice in a row and to be honest last year was so amazing I am scared to play there again! I’d have to pull something special out of the bag!

Which festivals are you guys playing this year? Will it be together as One+One or individual sets?

Nic: The festival that we will be doing is the Global Gathering festival, we are doing a one+one set there, at the moment that is the only festival we will be doing together. In my opinion its the best festival for dance music in the UK.

James: Global gathering as one+one and the tdk festival on my own. Both of which i am really looking forward to.

Do you have anything else exciting planned for the summer this year?

James: One+one residency at space of course, Global Gathering, the boat party in August in Southampton, Nic’s stag do will be good well! For that I’m going straight from La Mania in Romania – I’m looking forward to doing it this year, I’ve done it every year apart from last year and its a really amazing party. And I can’t wait for South America – looking forward to going to Buenos Aires in particular. Asia and Australia in June will be great but I’m not sure if they count as its their winter at that time??

We realise everything must be pretty exciting and enjoyable, but all the work must get very tiring?

James: Yeah it does – loads!! It’s a small price to pay and going to work 9-5 tires you out too. Anyone who is in a full time job or travelling around gets tired. But I’m doing it for something that I love so its all worth it and as soon as I get to the club the tiredness goes.

Guys we appreciate the time you’ve taken out of your busy schedule to do this for us and we wish you all the best for the remainder of the tour, summer and year!

The One+One album is available now via Ministry of Sound. Singles ‘No Pressure/Rover’ are also available now.