Paul Oakenfold has long been one of the most important - if not the most important - name in modern club culture. People who don't know that much about DJ culture or the music itself are familiar with Oakenfold's name and what he represents. Of course, many people who think they're unfamiliar with Oakenfold's music actually may have heard it often, thanks to appearances globally on the radio and in TV commercials.

Matt Darey: Among other accolades, 'Bunkka' was the recipient of the Best Album award at the USA Dancestar Awards in 2003. The first track from your album 'Faster Kill' has gone straight in at number one in the Cool Cuts and DMC Buzz Chart. Is that kind of success important to you or is it all about artistic integrity?
Paul Oakenfold: It's always nice when something you've worked on sees a lot of success but what's always been most important for me is that I’m proud of the material and I feel that I've done the best job that I can with it. That's what you get to take home with you because after that it's really not in your control how people will respond to it.

MD: Back in the day you did A&R for London's Champion Records, signing among others Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince and Salt n' Pepa. When you hear someone who's going to be huge, can you tell?
PO: I don't know if I can necessarily tell that an artist is going to be huge but there are certain characteristics that give me a good sense of whether they have the potential to be huge such as their drive, determination, the way people respond to them and of course, if they really have the talent to make it to the top.

MD: It's said that you, Danny Rampling, Nicky Holloway and Ian St Paul were responsible for the birth of the modern club scene, by founding the "Balearic house" sound in this country following spending summers in Ibiza. Are you proud of that? Have there been any other revolutions in contemporary music of that size? Do you think there ever will be again?
PO: I’m honoured that people feel I've contributed to such a great era for dance music. I don't know if I would consider it to be a revolution but rather the right time to give the scene something new. I think it's essential that music re-invents itself over time. When you find yourself opening new doors as an artist, there's a strong sense of gratification that goes along with that.

MD: What was Ibiza like back when it all started? Do you miss those days? What are your fondest memories from those times?
PO: I think the island has become more commercial over the years but that's not a bad thing in my eyes. It shows that people are hearing good things about it and they want to travel there and discover it for themselves. It still has a great vibe, exciting clubs and amazing sunsets and that will never get old.

MD: Along with studio partner Steve Osbourne you produced and remixed major artists including U2, Simply Red, Happy Mondays, New Order, the Cure, Massive Attack, The Rolling Stones, Stone Roses and Snoop Doggy Dogg. That's some list. Which was the best buzz?
PO: They were all great for very different reasons. I love the experience of learning from other artists and seeing how they work. For me, working with U2 is always special because I have such a strong liking for their music. I find it very inspirational.

MD: You're allegedly the highest paid DJ in the world. Can you tell us the most you ever got paid for one gig?
PO: A cool million dollars for a two hour set - I'm thinking about raising my fee this year... know of any offers... it'’s all gone a bit quiet. Do you believe me?

MD: How do you spoil yourself with all that cash?
PO: Aston Martins, private jets, hotel parties, the whole package.

MD: What's the best thing about DJing besides the love of music?
PO: Getting to see the world through a box of records. All the great places that you get to see and the different groups of people and friends that you meet along the way.

MD: What's the worst thing about being a DJ?
PO: It's funny because the best thing is also the worst thing and that's the travelling. As much as I enjoy it, after a while it gets really hard. Your body just gets tired and you really have to push yourself to keep as much balance in your schedule as possible.

MD: You've worked on the scores for 'The Pink Panther', 'Shrek 2', 'Swordfish', 'Golden Eye', 'Planet of the Apes', 'Austin Powers', and 'Matrix:Reloaded', among others. Again, that's a very impressive list. You made a conscious decision to move towards scoring films and away from DJing. What attracts you to scoring films?
PO: It wasn't a desire to move away from DJing as much as it was the pursuit of a desire to become more involved with the film world. I've always enjoyed film and scoring was a great way to make the transition. I find it very challenging but also very exciting to put a piece of music over a scene because it dictates so much of what the audience feels when they watch it. It can be a tedious process but when you see the finished cut of the film it’s amazing to see all the elements come together.

MD: You featured in the US TV series 'The Club', following the story of a nightclub as it undergoes a makeover to compete with the gaming hotels on the Vegas Strip. Did you have fun making it and what’s being on TV like?
PO: I did enjoy working on the show because the whole situation was new to me. I don't particularly enjoy being in front of the camera but the process was very interesting and I took a lot from it.

MD: How do you find life in LA? Will you ever live in the UK again and what do you miss about Blighty?
PO: LA is a great city if you're here with a goal and you stick by it. It's very driven by the entertainment industry which is a very cut-throat world. If you have a plan and you believe in yourself, it can be the most exciting city to find yourself. I don't know if I will move back to the UK down the line but it will always be home and there are times when I miss it tremendously.

MD: You've kept your British accent. What have you embraced about American life?
PO: The LA sunshine. I didn't think there could be this many sunny days in a year.

THE SINGLE 'FASTER KILL PUSSYCAT' FEATURING BRITTANY MURPHY IS RELEASED ON MAY 29TH WITH THE ALBUM 'A LIVELY MIND' TO FOLLOW ON JUNE 5TH.

Words: Matt Darey and Josie Harral