Dean Zone - My Year In Hard Dance

What's been your biggest achievement of the year?

My biggest achievement has probably been getting my productions up to a standard where I can send them to labels without looking like a complete newbie. I recently had 3 tracks signed to one of my favourite labels, Joyride, with quite a few more to come over the following months. It's nice to know that all the hard work over the last 18 months sitting at home and being a bit of a recluse is finally starting to pay dividends, and nothing beats the feeling of your peers praising your work, even if you know that you can improve.

What moments will you never forget?

I'll never forget throwing my own boat party this year to celebrate the 2nd birthday of my party, Magnetix. I was playing back to back with my good friend Matt Thomas (one half of SHOCK:FORCE), it was nice and dark by then and the bright lights of London gave the best backdrop you could ever have when playing to a crowd; far more inspiring and captivating that any club could hope to be. The fact that it was my own boat party, one which I had worked my arse off for the last 6 months for made it all the more sweet.

Who's been your favourite newcomer of the year?

There has been loads of new talent come to my attention in 2009. The main ones for me are Busho, Geck-O, Nomad and Hardforze but the main one has to be SHOCK:FORCE. They've been very busy putting out lots of tracks which are have all been pretty awesome. They've not let me down yet!

Who's been the artist of the year for you?

My favourite artist for 2009 has been The Sixth Sense. Watch out for Illuminate out on Awsum Black later this year, it's not left my CD wallet since I got!

What's been your favourite label of the year?

Easy, Joyride Music and all the other sub labels associtated with it. There's something for everyone!!!

What do you think has been the best track of the year?

Nomad - Ignited, very closely followed by the Geck-O Remix of Busho vs. Joe E - This Is Not Techno

What's been your favourite event of the year?

It's got to be the biggest event in the London Hard Dance calendar: Hard House Academy. I just wish I could remember more of it!

What's the funniest thing that's happened to you?

I was playing 11 - 12 at the Frantic NYE party, the room was jam packed and I mixed perfectly out of the other DJs last tune. Someone tapped me on the shoulder so I turned around to see who it was, and as I did this my sleeve caught the crossfader and it all went a bit silent. A second or two of panic later I realised what had happend and corrected it. You gotta laugh, dont you?

What do you have planned for the next year?

I'll be keeping up the production now I have my studio running, looking at getting as much material out as possible and getting my own label up and running too. Magnetix is set to continue and is getting bigger and bigger with every party, and as i'm such a glutten for punishment I will also be starting a new party at a 800 capacity venue in London in May. The line up is sorted and needless to say I think we're going to ruffle a few feathers and hopefully smash the granny out of it. I'm also looking at getting more gigs outside of London. 2009 has taken me to lots of places that I havent been to before and it's given me a hunger to do it more, only now I plan to actively chase gigs rather than wait for them to fall into my lap, so promoters beware and bring on the road trip madness!

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