The first thing i should ask is why you decided to move
from England to America?  

Trace: I moved because living in the States has always been a
childhood fantasy of mine.  

How differently are ravers/raves in England from the
States nowadays?   

Trace: Very different- I find that US ravers travel deeper into the
center of the vibe. They party hard.   

How do you feel about techno music going
"mainstream"? Would you like to see it happen?   

Trace: I have always been against underground music becoming
mainstream, but as soon as corporate money is involved, hat can
you do? This process always brings the next wave of underground-
a good thing from a bad thing perhaps?  

OK, this jungle thing is starting to sweep across every
scene, do you feel you had a big part in that?   

Trace: I hope so; only the ravers could decide that.   

A lot of promoters are throwing jungle-only parties. Do
you feel as if jungle is just thriving in its newness and
will eventually be mentioned in the same breath as house
and trance, or do you see it splitting off to make another
subculture of its own? What would you LIKE to see
happen?   

Trace: I think the quality of the music being produced in the drum
and bass scene is of such high standard  that no matter what your
preferences are you just have to accept good music. Everything will
combine under one house eventually.  
            
Some people say that jungle and happy hardcore have a
lot of similarities (although I'm not one of them). What
do you think?    

Trace: The music that I produce and spin (Tech-step) is very
different from the above. I hate Happy Hardcore, I also refrain from
saying "Jungle"- the word does not describe what I spin, whereas
Tech-step is perfect.  
            
Describe your musical tastes and influences throughout
the course of your life, and which of those still inspire
you today?   

Trace: Transmat Records, Plus 8, Kevin Saunderson, Ron Trent,
Miles Davis, Chick Corea, Frank De Wulf, CJ Bolland, Todd
Terry- all flavours. I could list for hours!!  
            
Jungle is not one of my favorite types of music, but I
have a tape of yours from about 3 years ago that I
absolutely love! Don't you think that's the greatest
compliment a Dj/Producer can get- when someone who
isn't into your style of music gives you that sort of
feedback?  

Trace: Yes, I'm flattered!  
            
That tape had a Phillies Blunt logo on the cover. Was
that an omen of your future move to Philadelphia?   

Trace: Absolutely a major part of the evolution of my destiny.  
            
I'm a BIG trancehead, and the music on that tape
seemed to have an emotional element similar to that
found in trance. Was that by design?  

 Trace: Yes. My inspiration combind with my emotions delivers a
feeling of trance when I spin, especially with my current set.  
            
You're sitting at a busstop next to an old lady (ala
Forrest Gump). She wants to know what you do for a
living. What do you tell her?  

Trace: That I spin Tech-step Drum and Bass and that I was born in
the year 2010.  
            
What do your parents think about your career? Were
they always supportive/non-supportive?  

Trace: Always supportive.  
            
OK, you are going to be stuck on a deserted island for
the rest of your life, and you're only allowed to bring 3
records (whether you actually have them or not). What
would they be?  

Trace: "Plez Can't Stop" on Loaded, "Music Remix" by LTJ
Bukem, "The Mutant Revisited" by me.  
            
Same situation--- you're allowed to bring 3 pieces of
musical gear. What would they be?  

Trace: EMU 64, Power Mac with Pro-Tools, and a Mackie 24.  
            
Same situation--- you're allowed to bring one Dj/live act.
Who would it be?
 
Trace: Doc Scott from Metalheadz.  
            
This is a forwarded question--- why is it that no matter
how many "Chicklets" you eat, it never adds up to a
whole piece of gum?  

Trace: What are "Chicklets" anyway!!!  
            
Besides being an internationally known Dj and Producer,
what else do you do? You know- hobbies?  

Trace: I like to read, I like to draw- anything that requires creative
input.  
            
Any good books/movies lately?  

Trace: Yes, "Behold a Pale Horse" by William Cooper is a life
changing experience and "Trainspotting" is a good movie.  
            
You've been interviewed a zillion times already, I'm
sure, so you have to tell us something about yourself
that we may not know.  

Trace: No one knows until now that I am a left-handed Aquarian.  
            
What will we expect to see from Trace in the future?
Any goals or new ideas you're working on?  

Trace: A new label is in the pipeline, and to continue my mission in
life to make people dance and come together in Unity.  
 

interview by bliss  

Activated Online.