60 secs with...Eric Prydz

You're most famous for commercial tracks like 'Call On Me' and now 'Proper Education'. But you also have the respect of the underground via your Pryda and Cirez D output. Is this a difficult balance to achieve?

"Not really, it's not something I think about, I make music all the time and never think about genre or commerciality.

"For example, 'Proper Education' was just a DJ tool I made for myself at the beginning of this year.

"I had no big plans for the record as Pink Floyd had never previously cleared a sample.

"I think pure momentum from a few DJs playing an MP3 made this record happen. I think people respect Pryda and Mouseville because they are run with true underground roots, which is very important to me and will never change."

So do you prefer making Eric Prydz or Pryda music?

"It's all Eric Prydz music. Some tracks appeal to millions and some to hundreds, but I love everything I produce and I make music to please myself and my closest friends, and if other people like it then great.

"When people come up to me and say that my music has really touched them, that's the pay off."

You and John Digweed seem to have developed a working relationship, how did this come about?

"I met John at Space, in Ibiza, in 2005, when I played on DJmag's stage.

"The relationship started from there and he has been very supportive of both Pryda and Mouseville, which is fantastic as I respect him very much."

What plans do you have for Pryda in 2007?

"Just to keep releasing quality music on both Pryda and Pryda Friends.

"This is again the plan for Mouseville, which has probably been my most successful label to date."

Presumably you've got a fancy studio?

"Everyone imagines that I would have a million pound studio, which is really funny as my set-up is very basic.

"You don't make good music with fancy gear, you make it with your ears and your ideas."

Can you remember the moment you first realised electronic music was what you wanted to do with your life?

"During the breakdance wave in 1983 in Stockholm I fell in love with raw electronic sounds and have been into it ever since.

"However, it was only in the mid-'90s that I knew that I wanted to do this and nothing else."