Reality bites, as they say and while it's a little disconcerting to hear these words spoken by one of clubland's elite, in many ways the admission is also a reflection of the man himself.

More than a decade has passed since John Digweed first captivated audiences as a DJ at Renaissance in the early nineties. Since then he has become synonymous with world-renowned dance music names like Global Underground, Renaissance, Northern Exposure, Bedrock, Twilo and Kiss100. However these days he is admired as much for his DJing and music as he is for his business acumen; Bedrock's recent fiftieth release both a landmark for the label and an example of how Digweed has succeeded in realising his vision of a music and corporate entity encompassing a production outfit, label, club night and compilation series

Words like 'invest', 'outlay' and 'risk' crop up as Digweed continues his defence, adding, "I have been Jonathan Lisle's biggest supporter since he first gave me that tape but from a business aspect I think he still needs to grow a little bit." That said, it's still a love for the music and not money which is the ultimate driving force behind the new talent he chooses to nurture. "I do think Jon has a good future ahead of him. He loves his music as much as I do."

It's Digweed's own love for the music - and especially new music - which keeps clubbers turning up to sold-out, packed venues across the globe and trainspotters at a loss for words or rather, track IDs. "When people come and hear me play they expect to hear new music," he says. And that doesn't necessarily mean just playing a load of crap music either so that no one knows it. "I think DJing is also about being a champion in new music," explains Digweed. "I try to play the best music but also the stuff that people haven't heard and hopefully, what people are going to be playing in a month or two".

A task, no doubt, made easier (or perhaps harder) by the vast quantity of unsigned demos he receives for the Bedrock label, which has new tracks from Luke Fair and Moonface and albums from Pole Folder and Brancaccio & Aisher already slated for 2004 in addition to releases on the newer Bedrock Breaks imprint from Jiva and KVK. With much of Digweed and Nick Muir's studio time in 2003 taken up with the music for the MTV Spiderman series, 2004 will also finally see the Bedrock duo release the follow up single to 'Emerald' which Digweed has been road testing as of late

Diggers

The label will also be looking to expand its musical direction already evident on last year's 'Everybody' release by Brancaccio & Aisher, which Digweed acknowledges, surprised a lot of the label's long-time supporters. "What I wanted to do with the label was diversify us a little so we're not pigeon-holed with one sound. The stuff on the Brancaccio&Aisher album is really cool but is probably not the sound that people would associate with Bedrock so the challenge is going to be getting it across to people." Despite the hard work put into building the 'Bedrock' name over the years, Digweed still asks record-buyers to, "Listen to it cos it's a piece of music and it's good, not just cos it's on the (Bedrock) label".

Clearly proud of the Bedrock label reaching fifty releases ("It's quite a landmark for us. I never thought we would get to fifty," says Digweed) he also acknowledges that it hasn't been all plain-sailing - take the ill-fated Black label, which suffered a rather sudden 'black death', so to speak. "It was a shame because the time we launched the label was the time when the backlash against the whole 'dark, deep' sound started. I think quite a few labels got caught with their pants down for want of a better word." With the label's focus now firmly on the breaks offshoot as well as the main label, Digweed has taken steps to ensure the same thing doesn't happen again. "We learnt our lesson and now we're really cautious. We've got a shorter time from signing stuff and we just choose the records and when they're in, just get them out".

Likewise the label has also taken measures to ensure it doesn't become another victim of the Internet as it prepares to launch its digital download service; something Digweed hopes will defeat the file-sharing situation. "We're just trying to bridge that gap where we are going to make things affordable for travelling DJs who can't access the music (on vinyl) but also ensure that the artists who make the music are going to get paid".

Given the huge international success of the label on par with others like Renaissance and Ministry of Sound, can we expect to see Bedrock following in their footsteps and expanding its Bedrock night abroad? Not likely, says Digweed. "It's not just a question of shipping the name across the world and sending off a load of DJs that don't even have an association with the club. The most important thing is the individual night and making sure that people come and have a good time".

And having a good time is what John Digweed is all about; at least in the sense of providing one, that is. Even top jock Hernan Cattaneo described Digweed as ‘one of those big DJs that never disappoints' following a gig in South America with him late last year. While everyone seems to agree that Digweed is still pushing boundaries behind the decks and in the studio, on the other hand his rather non-plussed 'Do Not Disturb' approach in the booth continues to perplex even the most die-hard of his fans.

"When a band is on stage you don't see people talking to the guitarist, do you?" quips Digweed. So then, can we expect to see him inheriting more rock star qualities in the future like former Bedrock warm-up DJ, Danny Howells? "I'm a very sort of shy person so it takes a lot for me to break into a smile in the DJ booth let alone start turning up with make-up and frilly shirts!!!" he says before rattling off an infectious giggle.

It's encouraging to see that Digweed can still have a good laugh after all these years in an industry which often takes itself far too seriously. But are there moments when he loses faith in the dance music scene? "I get my inspiration from the music and the producers that are making it. So if everything that comes out for 2 or 3 weeks doesn't seem to be moving forward that's when I get disillusioned".

Diggers

What about his thoughts on last year's trance-dominated DJ magazine poll, which had many voters disillusioned with the poll itself? Cheeky comments about day-glo outfits aside, Digweed suggests there is something to be gained from sticking to what you love, regardless of public opinion. "The fact that you've got a choice is what has always made dance music what it is. It's fantastic that loads of people like trance or loads of people like breakbeat, techno, this, that or the other. Three years ago people wouldn't touch trance with a 3-foot barge pole – it was a dirty word – but Paul Van Dyk and all that lot stuck to their gut and now it has come good again".

For someone like Digweed, who has remained at the top of public opinion for so long and was crowned No.1 in the poll in 2001, it's fair to say he still has more than a passing interest in its results. At the end of the day, however, he says, "You go in and out of fashion. People who like good music will follow the good music and the good DJs. It's not about the reviews or the polls. It's about whether you go into a club and deliver and people have a good time".

One thing Digweed says he won't be delivering anytime soon in partnership with friend and occasional DJ partner Sasha, is a third installment of the pair's "Northern Exposure" compilation series. About to hit the road again on the second Delta Heavy Tour in the States in spring 2004 (with a probable Australia tour by himself in late 2004), fans will have to make do with his more ambient selection of Bedrock tunes on February's "Layered Sounds" compilation release. The closest thing we can expect to a mix CD anytime soon is a ‘5 hour boxed CD set' from one his recent marathon sets in Asia, says Digweed jokingly.

So then what does the future hold for John Digweed? Digweed admits, there is no kind of game plan. "You can be driven to the point where you don't have a life outside of that. Just getting the balance right between doing things you want to achieve and having a life outside of that as well because if you're happy inside then that shows when you DJ".

The only thing he thinks may lie in his future is a possible move to the shores of Australia, joining Dave Seaman as another dance music luminary who has dreams of settling in the land of the antipodes. "Australia is definitely one of my favourite places. I've been there many times and I think I could definitely see myself living there in a few years time. So you might have me as a neighbour - even though we beat you in the Rugby!!!" says a cheeky Digweed. Hence if all goes to plan, there's definitely one DJ RA will be having over at its next Rugby World Cup barbie!

Tune into John Digweed's radio show every week at www.kiss100.com (12:00–2:00AM GMT).

Jiva’s ‘Strange Dimensions’ is released on Bedrock Breaks on February 2nd, 2004.

‘Layered Sounds' is also released on Bedrock on February 2nd, 2004.