By James Broadhurst.

Being a DJ isn’t always easy. Just ask Christopher Lawrence.

Ahead of his appearance at the Summadayze festivals Christopher Lawrence, founder of Pharmacy Music, took time out from his hectic touring schedule to chat about his recent move to Australia, life as a DJ, family man and what it is like being one of Americas most prominent DJs.

It has been almost a year since Lawrence graced an Australian sound system with his blend of techy dancefloor treats and he says he is looking forward to playing in Australia at one of his, and his wife’s, favourite events to escape the American weather.

“I like festivals and Summadayze is among the best. There is always a good line up and great production. Also, it is winter in the US so getting to play outdoor summer parties when everyone back in the States is freezing is a big plus.”

Lawrence is no stranger to Australian shores as he now resides in Melbourne with his wife and two kids and he says being a professional DJ and family man is understandably difficult for those close to him.

“It is not easy to be a DJ and have a family. It is hard on everyone as it is not a normal situation. I am gone anywhere from three days to a few weeks at a time.”

Spending quality time with his family is not always easy, although he does occasionally combine business with pleasure and Lawrence says taking his kids on tour has revealed a potential superstar in the making.

“I have taken my son, Damian, on the road a few times and he loves it. At age five, he is a born rock star. But my daughter, Lola, is a shocker. She is the baby that screams the whole flight.”

You would think that being screamed at by girls would be a familiar thing for one of Americas highly regarded DJs and despite being recognised internationally as one of the best DJs in the world his home crowd have seemed harder to win over.

“It is always great to be appreciated, especially in your homeland, as it always seems that it is hardest to impress the people that are familiar with you. I have been lucky to have the support of the press and media over the years. I think that support is one of the reasons for my continued success.”

Of course this success hasn’t come without a hic-up or two along the way. An over zealous marketing strategist has caused Lawrence more than his fair share of problems and Lawrence was bed ridden for six weeks earlier this year as he recovered from major spinal surgery, which has altered his world view a little.

“I knew something was wrong for a while but ignored it. You know the old saying ‘The show must go on.’ Well, I kept going until I was on tour in the Middle East and Russia when something went really wrong. I made it home and the next day I couldn’t walk. I had surgery a week later and was in recovery for six weeks. Everything is much better now. I am grateful every day and much more cautious. I also appreciate that I no longer have to drag around a ton of records and can just bring a CD case on tour.”

The digital revolution has done more than just lighten Lawrence’s heavy lifting duties.

It has made music from all over the globe accessible to more and more people quicker than ever, but Lawrence says the digital revolution has made it easier for people to get their hands on music illegally.

Making it harder and harder for producers to do their thing in a profitable environment.

“As soon as a producer finishes a track, it is immediately available. Someone can finish a track in London, I can download it in the airport in Hong Kong and play it in Kuala Lumpur that night! I think that is incredible. Online digital download stores have also helped to both democratize and revitalize the dance music scene. I just wish more people understood that it is important to pay for the tracks that you like because if the people making the music don’t get paid they won’t be able to afford to continue making music. The producers are the backbone of the scene.”

Despite recently moving to Melbourne to raise his young family Lawrence won’t get a chance to kick back and relax until after the Summadayze festivals as he will be playing in Kuala Lumpur before spending New Years Eve in San Francisco and Las Vegas then jumping straight back into a DJing booth on the Gold Coast the day he returns.

Lawrence’s list of achievements is comprehensive to say the least, with his studio offerings appearing in anything and everything from best-selling compilations through to video games.

For the moment Lawrence has put his studio endeavors on hold to focus on touring abroad, but he has recently completed a few tracks you can expect to hear when he steps up to the decks for Summadayze dates in the Gold Coast and Perth.

Many DJs take it upon themselves to educate the masses on what they believe to be decent music and Lawrence isn’t one of them.

He sees the dancefloor as a place for people to get down and dirty to beats of all persuasions with friends in a kind of modern day escapism.

“To me the dance floor is not a school where people are to be ‘educated,’ but a place to have fun. The dance floor is an escape and a chance to hear good music and party with your friends.”

Steering well clear of any puns about going back to school, what does the future hold for Lawrence?

A few releases on his own label as well as some quality studio time are definitely on this man’s to do list, but the one thing on Lawrence’s mind for the moment is his next party because that is what this man is all about.

“I have a couple of new releases coming out on my label, Pharmacy Music, and I am looking forward to bringing the Continental concept that was developed for Dance Valley last year on the road. But, as always, I am most excited to play my next party. For me that is what it is all about, the party.”

Catch Christopher Lawrence at Summadayze 2008 - Sunday 6 Jan @ Supreme Court Gardens. Click here for more info.