In the world of dance music, Dave Seaman needs no introduction. Former Mixmag editor, half of legendary remixer duo Brothers in Rhythm, Stress Records/Therapy Records boss … oh, and least we forget, fifteen years DJing in top clubs and festival fields in over seventy countries and over twenty-five mix compilation albums including for the likes of Renaissance, Back To Mine, Radio 1 Essential Mix and Global Underground. We were privileged to catch up with him amidst his busy schedule.

WSI: OK let’s start at the beginning, how did you get into music in the first place and what was the dance music scene like growing up?
DS: Leeds was pretty much a goth city during the 80s. The dance scene really didn't explode there until the early 90s. There were small pockets of things happening. The Warehouse was always buzzing and then towards the end of the 80s places like Back To Basics & Ricky's took off but by then I'd already left for London. I got a job at DMC working at Mixmag and my career really took off from there.

WSI: We saw you at one of the opening parties in Pacha this year, playing a very different set to what some might expect from you. How has your style developed / changed in the past few years and is this reflected in the music you are making at the moment?
DS: I'm probably playing a bit ‘housier’ these days than I have over recent years but I'm always inclined to mix it up a bit within the duration of a set. People used to tag me with the "progressive" thing before progressive mutated into the cheesy Euro Dance it's now become but you have to remember the progressive scene of the 90s took in everything from the house of Tenaglia, through the breaks of Timo Maas to the techno of Slam. It was all about the journey of the night. Progressive was more of an ethos/spirit than a genre really.

WSI: You have been a mainstay in the dance music scene for many years now, what big changes have you seen and is it better now or 'back in the day'?
DS: It's changed beyond all recognition. As has life in general. And you can't really say one era was better than another. It's like comparing football teams of today against those of a bygone age. They were of their time. And for every amazing memory of back in the day I have, there’s plenty of dodgy ones too. We just tend to sweep them under the carpet. I love what I do just as much today as I did back then.

WSI: Are you still influenced / inspired by dance music, and if so by whom?
DS: Every day I get new music that gets me excited to DJ at the weekend. That's probably why I'm still here doing what i do. There's loads of amazing producers out the right now. Maceo Plex, Dixon, Scuba, Booka Shade, KiNK, Deetron, Hot Since 82... I could go on and on.

WSI: You have recently been very successful on (crowd-funding platform) Kickstarter, tell us about the project and is this the way you see future independent releases working?
DS: I think it's a very exciting development in the way artists and their audiences interact yes. The digital age has made it possible now to cut out the middle man of a record company and allowed fans and artists to make projects happen together through crowd-funding. That's a hell of an evolutionary step. It was all a bit scary in the beginning as most things are when you step out of your comfort zone into the unknown. But I'm so happy we achieved what we set out to do by making the first ever crowd-funded compilation album and I'm certain I will do it again sometime.

WSI: You've collaborated with John OO Fleming on your latest release 'Unexpected Item in the Packing Area' What did you think of the overall package/mixes and will you be collaborating with anyone else in the near future?
DS: I'm very happy with the package yes. Both Hernan Cattaneo & Martin Garcia and Dubspeeka both turned in fantastic remixes and I'm personally really proud of the original versions John and I produced so and really looking forward to getting it all out there into the big wide world. And yes, there are more collaborations on the way. I've already finished new tracks with Funkagenda and Guy Mantzur which will be coming out on my own Selador label and Mihalis Safras' Playmobil imprint respectively.

WSI: You have played all over the world, what are your favourite venues in the world and why?
DS: Warung Beach Club in Brazil springs to mind. Such an amazing venue in beautiful surroundings with a very cool educated crowd. But there's loads of others too. Zouk Singapore. Avalon in LA. Space and Pacha in Ibiza. Womb and Ageha in Tokyo.... Again, I could go on and on.

WSI: Do you think it is still important to support indie labels?
DS: Of course, indie labels are more relevant and important than ever. The major label business model is outdated and constantly playing catch up. Music is more DIY now than any time in the last century.

WSI: Finally in three words describe yourself???
DS: Bald, Taurean, DJ