People often ask me what I play, and who my favourite artists are. The short answer is: I live and breathe house music – but with a twist. My go-to style leans toward the late ’80s and ’90s, a sweet spot where synthwave sensibilities met the grit of the northern UK club scene and the soul of Chicago house. That sound, with its deep basslines, euphoric piano stabs, and hypnotic grooves, is where I feel most at home.

What I Grew Up On

While I rarely drop them in a set, my personal playlist is packed with acts that have shaped how I hear and mix music. The Prodigy, The KLF, Fatboy Slim, Utah Saints, and The Chemical Brothers brought raw, heavy energy and innovation to dancefloors worldwide. Orbital and Underworld taught me how to stretch a groove into a journey. Daft Punk, Justice, and Mr Oizo injected that perfect blend of funk and futuristic edge.

I’ve also got a soft spot for genre-bending artists; DJ Shadow’s cinematic layering, Roni Size’s drum & bass precision, DJ Fresh’s festival anthems, and Pendulum’s rock-infused energy. More recently, speed garage and dubstep / bass acts like Oppidan, Sammy Virji, Dom Dolla, and CamelPhat have kept me inspired with fresh, forward-thinking club sounds.

The Classics – Sythwave, Britpop & More

Beyond the dance tent, I’m influenced by bands like Blur, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Spandau Ballet, Duran Duran, and The Human League – artists who know how to write hooks that stay with you for life. And then there’s Confidence Man, who remind me that music is meant to be fun, fearless, and a little bit cheeky.

When I’m behind the decks, you might hear shades of all these influences – sometimes obvious, sometimes a piano-drop, sometimes hidden deep in a bassline or a sample. For me, DJing isn’t about playing one genre; it’s about blending the sounds that shaped me into something new for the crowd in front of me. I hope you enjoy sharing my journey!

MicroRave’s Mixtape Series – A Fear Of The Dark

Throwing off my usual guise of party DJ, player of funky house, upbeat tracks and the occasional cheesy banger, to do something darker and more industrial. This DJ mix is a journey through the night - walking home through the graveyard on the way back from the club....

MicroRave’s Mixtape Series – Funk | Acid | Tech | House

Driven by my love of 1980s vibe 303-acid-gurgles, funky house tracks and a chunky dose of tech, this mix meanders back and forth between 1968 and 2068 (plus or minus a year or two). As ever, I throw in some definitely-on-purpose beat wobbles for you to try and spot....

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