Danny Howells is one of the few DJs on the scene today that truly has a style of his own – which includes his collection of loud shirts. With his passion for music and infectious personality, Danny has created a unique, eclectic sound that has established him as one of the top DJ’s in the world. With over 12 years experience and a hectic touring schedule regularly takes him all over Europe, North and South America, Asia and Australia, he has become truly international. As he just released a new ‘choice’ compilation for azuli records, we thought it was time to get to know him a little better.

Hello Danny Howells, give us a brief introduction to yourself.

I’m a 24!!! year old male who lives near the sea on the south coast of England who wears horrible shirts and is a bit of a tequila drinker.

What have you been up to of late?

I have been busy compiling and mixing the Choice album. It is a selection of the tracks that influenced me during my first few years as a DJ, as well as some of the music that inspired me long before I ever had a pair of decks. Disc one has got legends like Morales, DJ Pierre, Todd Terry etc, it is quite a housey mix which goes quite acidy towards the end. Disc two is the one I’m most proud of – it’s a bit more eclectic and a lot heavier. The Choice mix is literally a list of my all time favourite tracks! It was one of the most enjoyable compilations to make.

What is your first memory of music?

The records that my mum would play. Things on Motown and stuff by James Brown and so on. I had my first record player when I was about 3 years old.

And what do you have planned for the coming months?

Well I’ll be promoting my Choice CD as well as focussing on my Dig Deeper night. You’ll have to check my website www.dannyhowells.com or www.imd-info.com for my dates as my brain doesn’t remember anything!

What else do you like doing apart from DJing?

I love catching up with my friends and family, watching crap television and driving around in my Mini Cooper! I don’t have any hobbies outside of music, there isn’t enough time for anything else!

Loud shirts…discuss

Well I own way too many! I get them from any charity shops, vintage stores, sometimes even ebay! They’re stashed away in drawers and cupboards and trunks etc, so I can’t even make a guess how many I actually have! I’m going to have a clear out soon though and give some to the charity shops though. Promise!

Your Dig Deeper nights is you playing all night long, how do you go for up to 10 hours a time!?

I play long sets wherever possible – I love it! And I have to prepare beforehand by making sure I have music of all styles in my box so I can vary the sound throughout the night and hopefully prevent it from getting stale! I like all sorts from deep jazzy house and disco, to techno, tech house etc. I don’t really enjoy playing one style all night long. Also, trying to stay sober is very important, at least during the first 8 hours!

What destination’s always makes great gigs?

Tokyo! Absolutely one of the best and most up for it crowds in the world! I’ve never met anyone who doesn’t enjoy playing there. There are so many great places, parts of Canada and America are amazing too.

Is there anywhere in the world where you would love to play and still haven’t?

I don’t play in Italy or Germany much, and I’d like to do more there. I’m still keen to play in Portugal too!

Finally What is the best advice you have to beginners who would like to get into producing and DJing?

The best advice is being able to take advice! When we first produced "Crash" on Jackpot, we thought it was wicked. John Digweed listened to it though and said it was great but the breakdown was rubbish. We didn’t really agree then but we went and changed it completely, and when I hear the original version now, I realise how completely right he was!