Illustration of John Digweed and Sasha by Greg Caparell

Starting in the last 80s/early 90s at Club Renaissance, John Digweed and Sasha are two of the oldest and most successful names in dance music. In an age where everyone knows, or has an extended relative that is a DJ, it's great to hear the perspective of someone who's been at it, relatively speaking, from the start. It was tough to catch them, but John took some time out of touring the Americas to talk to me about gear, playing abroad, and home life.

Sorry we missed each other yesterday. Thanks for taking the time to talk with me.

It actually worked out better. I was really sick just lying around my hotel room; something lingering from Mexico City I think. I wasn't even sure I'd make it to the gig-I felt really awful.

Glad to hear you're doing better. How was Mexico City?

Great. The people there have a lot of energy and enthusiasm for their music. It was really great.

So how do you feel about the Digital DJ revolution that's going on now? Do you still use vinyl or are you using something else in your performances?

I like the feel of vinyl a lot but I'm using CDs. If I want to always have the most current music I can't use vinyl. New music comes out too quick...a friend might e-mail me a great mp3 and if I don't rip to CD, I can't use it at my gig that night, I'd have to worry about pressing it to acetate if I was still using vinyl. There's just the element of traveling as DJ and vinyl doesn't go easily with that either.

Has not using vinyl changed the role of the DJ as a performer at all?

People want to hear good, new music and I don't care if someone is just running around with an iPod playing the best stuff...it doesn't matter. Playing good music track after track is how you build a consistent fan base. It's more important that you focus on the music itself.

So where are things blowing up, globally speaking, for a DJ?

Lots of cities are great. Sasha and I have had a great time playing the US cities on this tour. I really like South America though; we've played some great nights in Brazil. People down there just have a lot of energy and passion for their music.

Does all that traveling give you time for a more normal life, you know wife and family or anything?

We're both married, Sasha's actually got a little one, but traveling is a part of the gig. I can't fly to Asia for the weekend, come home to England, and then back there the next weekend, so I'm off for months at a time. I've been gone for two months so far on this tour, but I spend the summers in England and spend time in the studio then.

What are you using for production?

Logic 8 right now.

So what do you and your wife listen to when you're home?

When I'm not in the studio I usually like to just take a break from music in general.