The rise of Tom Budden epitomises what can be achieved when a dance music obsessive channels all that dance-floor enthusiasm wisely. By patiently building a reputation and not being afraid of the graft as well as the good times, he's carved out an enviable position for himself as an in-demand DJ, producer, label owner and promoter.

1. What is your first memory to music?
The first music I remember listening to and liking would have been whatever my parents were listening to in the car in the mid eighties. The Police, Fleetwood Mac 'Rumours' and Cream.

2. What is your favorite piece of equipment you use in the studio or DJing and why?
Recently I've been had the chance to play out on the new Pioneer CDJ2000's. I love them! The way you can organize your music on the RekordBox software, do loops on the fly and not have the hassle of plugging in loads of cables or staring at a computer screen is so refreshing.

3. What is your current top 5? (artist/title/label)
1. James Dutton - Solace [ALiVE Recordings]
2. Teva - Kapoor [Roomba]
3. Shenoda - Speak Easy [Hypercolour]
5. Groove Armada - History (Tom Budden Remix)

4. Sex, Drugs or Rock 'n Roll?
Everything in moderation!

5. What music outside the electronic spectrum, do you listen to?
All sorts! I'm really into the new Foals album at the moment. Also everything from Radiohead, The Talking Heads, lots of Dub stuff, The National, quite a mixture really.

6. Do you think (dance) music is able to lie?
I'm sure it could if it wanted to, but the good stuff will always show through in the end!

7. What is the last book you have read and what did you think of it?
Lance Armstrong's 'It's Not About The Bike'. I'm a keen cyclist and it's quite incredible to see what he's done after cancer. I could do with reading more to be honest, recommend me some books!

8. Are all your friends involved in (dance) music?
Lot's of my oldest friends are not into dance music at all but I can drag them out every now and again and they seem to enjoy themselves. But then I do have a lot of good friends locally who you could say are pretty into dance music, Dave Robertson, James Talk, James Zabiela, Jon Gurd, Alan Fitpatrick, John Barber, there's a good scene down here on the South Coast.

9. What would you do with a million ping pong balls?
Either play a million games of table tennis or make a massive model of a horse or something like that to go in my garden!

10. What can we expect of you in the near future?
A few remixes, one of Simon Rogers 'EC1M' on Paolo Mojo's 'OOSH' label, James Zabiela 'Blame' on Renaissance and a finally one for Groove Armada for their next single 'History' which has vocals from Will Young. I also have an EP coming out on Fergie's new Tech House label.

365Mag would like to thank you for your time and answers.

Thank you!