London based DJ, producer and all round party animal Lee Osborne has been making waves on the trance scene lately, with a series of tech driven monsters like 'E-swing' and 'Innocent' winning support from the likes of Eddie Halliwell, Marco V and Tiesto. At Puzzle we thought it was therefore high time we got Lee down to tear up the 414 once more! Ahead of Lee's headline set on 27th March, Puzzle Project resident Ali Cantor caught up with him to get the low down on the secret of his success.

Lee old boy! MAGnificent to see you. Thanks for taking the time to answer some questions.

Hi mate, no problem good to see you too!

This isn't the first time you've been interviewed for this site, but for the uninitiated tell us a little about yourself and how you got into DJing and production.

Well, where did it all start? I first started DJ'ing when I was about 16. Like most kids at that time I was playing garage, happy hardcore and hard house and as my taste got a little more mature I moved on to trance. Now I guess you could say I play a mix of tough tech house, techno and trance. I just love a groove - that's very important to the sets I play. In terms of production I started producing when I was 20 and have never looked back. For the past 8 years I have been in the studio constantly, it's a place where I can be completely creative and just concentrate on my music.

I've been pleased to notice that things seem to have been going fantastically well for you at the moment. Could you tell the readers a bit about your recent and forthcoming productions? I heard a rumour that you've remixed a fairly legendary anthem for a fairly legendary bald man...

Yes it's been a very exciting start to the year so far already. I've just had E-Swing and Innocent released on WA-X and have releases on Mondo, CGI and Abstract coming out imminently.

Ha! I guess you're talking about Marco V - that rumour is true! I've always loved the original track 'Automanual' and one day I decided to do a bootleg with the midi file I had of the lead. I finished it in a day and sent it direct to Marco. The next evening I got an email from him saying he played it in his set in Miami and he loved it! As soon as he got back from the States he mailed me to say he wanted to sign it to his label InCharge. I couldn't believe it, I'm one of his biggest fans, it's a real privilege and I can't wait for the release.

What gear have you got in the studio?

Ben Gold is my engineer and I've been working with him for about 5 years now. At his studio he runs Logic 8 using DynoAudio monitors plus a host of audio units including Sylenth and Nexus.

How do you go about making a track? Do you have a set process you go through, and does it differ for working on remixes as opposed to original tracks?

I try to go into the studio with a clear and open mind. I think the creative process comes naturally and I try not to force it with ideas until I'm sitting in the studio and ready to go. The majority of the time we start on the groove that in my mind is the life blood of any tune - it's the thing that brings it all together! After that it's the melody, breakdowns and the final tweaks. Oh yeah and Ben and I love a few games on Fifa 2010 football on the Xbox. That and a lot of cups of tea help get you through!

Any good advice for budding producers?

I've been producing for 8 years, it's something that takes a lot of commitment and time. But if it's something you really want then just keep doing it, the more experience you have the better you'll be. It's really important to try and stay true to yourself and your own style, originality is key to any successful artists. Just try to find your sound and develop it.

You've had a long friendship and professional relationship with Ali Wilson and Matt Smallwood. Some of your collaborations with Ali (Full Moon & Lost Souls) count amongst my favorite tunes! How did you guys all meet and can we expect any joint productions any time soon?

Haha, well there is a whole other story right there! We've been friends for a very, very long time and there are a lot of interesting things I could tell you but to keep it short I'll tell you where it all started. I met Ali and Matt (or Smallsy Trotswood as we like to call him) in my 'Ard House raving days and we've been friends for about 9 years, we've been working in the studio together for about the same time also. I've just left Ali's studio actually where we've been working on some more tracks together and have 3 more to release plus Ali, Matt and I are working on a new EP for our Electrilogy guise so I'm really looking forward to that.

Gig wise you've played some sets as resident for Peach lately. Any other exciting bookings coming up?

I've got lots more international stuff than UK stuff at the moment, I think that's mainly due to the scene over here right now. Obviously I've got Puzzle coming up which I'm really excited about as I haven't played for you guys in about 3 years, the last one was brilliant (such a great crowd) so I'm looking forward to that. Then there's my London residency for Peach as you've mentioned, there's some really interesting news about that coming up. So watch this space!

What's the best gig you've ever played and why?

Oh well you've got me there! I would say one of my own Yes! Parties but I think because I was running the event it was pretty stressful so I would have to say the HEAT @ Brixton Academy afterparty Twisted where I played main room at the Fridge. I played 7.30am till 9am and I'll never forget Damo the promoter for SW4 and Heat coming up to me and telling me it's one of the best sets he has ever heard. Booooowai!

How do you unwind when you're not in the studio? What interests do you have outside dance music?

Well I absolutely love being in the kitchen and cooking, I'm never too far from a cookery book or down the supermarket. Apart from that I like going out to eat – I must sound like a right fatty!

Great stuff – looking forward to hearing you tear it up on the 27th! Could you answer a few quick fire questions to round things of?

Thing you were most scared of as a child?

Fairground rides

Dream woman?

I've got her already my beautiful girl Nicole x

All time classic?

Binary Finary - 1999 (Gouryella remix)

Top three weapons in your CD wallet at the moment?

1. Marco V - Automanual – Lee Osborne remix

2. Lee Osborne – Eight

3. Ali Wilson - Danger

Boom!

MAGpie