How did you first get into DJ-ing and producing?
One of my friends showed me this crappy DJ software called Virtual DJ. I used that for a while, then started producing in proper Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) and DJ-ing soon after that. It was always through friends.

What is the Australian electronic dance scene like at the moment?
I think it's in a pretty good place! It was pretty great in 2007 during the electro trend but went downhill quite a lot after that. It's beginning to recover now and people are starting to pay attention to new sounds in house, disco and techno. There is a bunch of great new guys and also a bunch of older guys returning to a more organic sound.

Is there something about the scene that you like or dislike?
My only qualm with Australia is the constant requests you can get at some clubs. Dubstep, Afrojack, Tiësto, David Guetta. I think a lot of Australians have a pretty cheesy taste in music. That said, most of the clubs I play at, people are really open and just keen to party as long as the music is good!

What are you currently working on?
Well, my new EP has just come out so I'm taking a short break from producing my own original stuff. I've got a few remixes in the works. I've started a new project with Shazam, and we're going under the name "Country Club." Expect to hear more about that really soon! You’ve done remixing duties for the likes of Miami Horror, Classixx and Empire of the Sun.

What is your production process like? Do you have some weird-ass ritual?
First of all I drink a bottle of whiskey, then I take off all my clothes and the rest is history. No, it’s pretty mundane; I usually start out with a musical idea or with the drums and then go from there. It usually involves a bit of dancing and fist pumping at certain stages. I'd describe the whole process as an emotional rollercoaster. I think anyone who makes music or any other kind of art would understand what I mean!

Where were some of your most memorable sets?
There have been quite a few! Opening for Calvin Harris at a festival in Australia, a Bang Gang records night we once had and a few of the gigs I just did in the US and Europe.

What’s your idea of the perfect set?
Just to have the crowd loving every song you play. If it's a headline set then to start off where the previous DJ left off (presuming they did a good warm up set) and slowly build it to a peak. Then bring it back down a little and end with a classic. Two nights ago in Milano my last track was "Miss You" by the Rolling Stones.

What can we expect from your gig here?
Mainly house and disco and lots of new stuff that you won't be able to hear anywhere else! Also some awesome new dance moves that I've been perfecting over the last few months.

Cassian will be helming the decks on Mar 25, 10pm. Zirca, #01-02/05 Blk. C The Cannery, Clarke Quay, River Valley Rd., 6333-4168. $15-28 includes two drinks.

How has your year been so far?
I've been so busy touring around the world and working in the studio with many different projects. Hopefully you'll be able to listen to them very soon.

What are you currently busy with?
I'm finishing my new single, Danny Marquez’s "Conchi" and another crazy project with a 15-year-old guy from Miami, Julian Sacheli. He is working hard making some music for clubs when he cannot enter any of those until he turns 21. It's an experience that gives me a fresh point of view.

You started DJ-ing in Barcelona, how has that shaped you as a DJ?
By the time I started playing in Barcelona, the house music culture wasn’t there yet apart from Ibiza. So I moved to Ibiza to take the influence I needed. Some years later, Barcelona became one of the most interesting places to be and play.

If you weren’t a DJ what do you think you’ll be doing now?
I studied to be a chef but I never felt this job to be my profession. I can't imagine myself not involved in club culture.

What is it about house music that appeals to you?
There are many different sides of house music that captures my attention. The fact is that each of the tracks has its perfect moment.

Where were some of your most memorable sets?
It's difficult to choose a few sets; there have been so many. Most of them took place in Ibiza. You can find a few places like Pacha, Space Ibiza, Liv Miami or Zouk, which is one of my favorite clubs in the world.

What are some of the worst things you’ve ever seen in a club?
Whatever happens in a club stays in a club.

Many DJs prefer to play long hours, what’s your preferred DJ set?
I either like to do a two-hour crazy set with lots of energy, or a very long eight hour set to take the crowd on a journey.

Name three of your favorite tracks.
Martin Solveig's "Hello"—I've been friend of Martin for many years and every time he surprises me with something amazing. Also my collaboration with djB on the Oniwaye EP. Plus "One Look" by David Tort featuring Gosha.

What can we expect from your gig at Zouk?
Expect the best from me, as I have been waiting for this moment since the last record I played here. It's going to be a great night!

Danny Marquez plays Mar 25, 10pm. Zouk, 17 Jiak Kim St., 6738-2988. $25-30 includes two drinks.

Tell us more about your release with Dragonette, "Animale." Are we going to go crazy on the dancefloor or what?
Absolutely! I had finished the instrumental version for "Animale" in the studio and sent it over to Martina, the lead singer of Dragonette. She loved it and had a primal feeling when she heard it the first time, so we came up with the "Animale" hook. When “Animale” was used for the opening choreography of this year’s So You Think You Can Dance show, the record exploded in Holland and Belgium and now it's set for a worldwide release in early April. Make sure you check out the official music video for it on Youtube as well, it will change your perspective on oranges and bananas for the rest of your life!

You’ve remixed for the likes of Chemical Brothers, Cassius, Public Enemy and even Iggy Pop. How do you normally approach your remixing work?
I always try to look at what is best for the song, not what is best for me or what would be logical. The most important thing is that a remix actually has something in there that is still recognizable from the original track. That is also why I really have to like the original if I am going to do a remix for it.

The neutrals out of the music industry may not know how challenging it is. What are the pros/cons of being in the business?
For me it has always been about the music and never about the money or the business stuff around it. Unfortunately you will just have to deal with it, even though the music industry is changing rapidly. There is more competition and it's easier for people to just grab your music from the Internet for free. The role and influence of record companies is getting less significant by the day and I actually think it's a great development that people from all over the world are downloading my music, even if it's for free and I don't get paid for it. This has allowed me to tour all across the globe these last few years, even though I have yet to release my debut artist album!

What you are working on currently?
At the moment I'm touring a lot and in between I'm trying to finish off my debut artist album which I hope to release later this year. Besides that I have a new side project coming up as well called "Why are we whispering?" This is a collaboration between myself and an amazingly talented Canadian rapper called Ish. We just shot the video for our first single "Satellites" and the sound is a big fusion between electro, pop, dubstep and drum and bass.

What gets you mad?
I'm definitely not a big fan of bad warm-up DJ's, screaming children on intercontinental flights, bad breath, cold showers, unprofessional people and sleep deprivation.

You’ll be rocking it at Zirca; what can we expect?
Lots of new music, a big mash-up of styles and a heavy dose of energy!

Soak up the party vibes with Don Diablo at Disco Vendetta feat. Inquisitive on Mar 18, 10pm. Zirca, #01-02/05 Blk. C The Cannery, Clarke Quay, River Valley Rd., 6333-4168. $15-28 includes two drinks.

My year started with… having my wisdom tooth pulled out which wasn’t fun but I had to do it; better now than in the summer!

Now I am taking sometime to… to work on new releases after a year of hectic touring. I'm back on tour at the moment and answering this interview traveling by airplane from Leeds to Skopje.

My musical style is best described as… trance in the broadest sense. I don't like boxes and feel that music can become most interesting when it's approached with an open mind.

I think technology is… shaped by our own requirements as we are becoming busier people. The future is "on demand," and it makes sense. The Internet has paved the way for delivering media instantly to your device of choice.

The most memorable gigs I played were at…Trance Energy in Netherlands, closing for Tiesto at Asta, a legendary nightclub where I was a resident at for many years, and doing my first tours in North America, Asia and Australia.

At my upcoming gig at Zouk, you can expect… energy and flow. I will be telling a story that brings together tracks that I have made with modern dance music, classics and "gems" that have an inexplicable effect on the dance floor.

My last words are… let go.

Let yourself go with Menno De Jong on Mar 19, 10pm. Zouk, 17 Jiak Kim St., 6738-2988. $23-28 includes two drinks.

My year started with… having my wisdom tooth pulled out which wasn’t fun but I had to do it; better now than in the summer!

Now I am taking sometime to… to work on new releases after a year of hectic touring. I'm back on tour at the moment and answering this interview traveling by airplane from Leeds to Skopje.

My musical style is best described as… trance in the broadest sense. I don't like boxes and feel that music can become most interesting when it's approached with an open mind.

I think technology is… shaped by our own requirements as we are becoming busier people. The future is "on demand," and it makes sense. The Internet has paved the way for delivering media instantly to your device of choice.

The most memorable gigs I played were at…Trance Energy in Netherlands, closing for Tiesto at Asta, a legendary nightclub where I was a resident at for many years, and doing my first tours in North America, Asia and Australia.

At my upcoming gig at Zouk, you can expect… energy and flow. I will be telling a story that brings together tracks that I have made with modern dance music, classics and "gems" that have an inexplicable effect on the dance floor.

My last words are… let go.

Let yourself go with Menno De Jong on Mar 19, 10pm. Zouk, 17 Jiak Kim St., 6738-2988. $23-28 includes two drinks.

A Thousand Tales/Bar Stories
This one-stop shop is a furniture store, cocktail bar and café all rolled into one. Its furniture store features bespoke mid-century Scandinavian pieces layered with a wide range of quality fabrics. Up on the second level, stop by Bar Stories and try their refreshing Mojitos or Café Fables and select from their delicious offering of sandwiches and salads. 55 Haji Lane, 6298-0838.

PS. Café
Situated in the ever bustling Paragon mall, the chic café and adjacent store are frequented by those who want to see and be seen. With stylish and cozy furnishing and a wide stock of magazines, here’s an ideal place to rest those tired feet after a day of shopping. L/3 Paragon, 290 Orchard Rd., 6735-6765.

Pluck
This style emporium is well known for its inventory of vintage apparel, accessories and even furniture, all flamboyance and wit. But it’s the ice cream parlor that we keep coming back for, with its 30 different types of deliciousness, including some wonderfully boozy concoctions like the Strawberry Champagne Sorbet. Trust us when we say your day will be made. 31/33 Haji Lane, 6396-4048.