You wouldn't get too far into a conversation about drum and bass and not hear about London Elektricity or Hospital Recordings. As the solo front man for LE and head-honcho of his record label, Tony Coleman is heading back to our fair shores this May to remind Perth what it's all about. Angela King chews the fat with Tony, exploring gift giving, to jazz or not to jazz and all things Elektric.

You last played in Perth as part of "Good Vibrations" festival few years back, this time round it’s with DJ Marky and MC Wrec for Loaded Dice "Heavyweight Soundz". Tell us what Perth audiences can expect from you?
Hopefully you know what to expect: drum and bass and other music I love played using 2 technics, real records and dubplates. I can’t wait to bash it up in Perth again!

You are renown for handing out random gifts to punters at your shows, can you say if there will be any give-aways at Metro City this May?
Haha it all depends what’s not nailed down in the dressing room

How would you describe the style of music you play and produce?
Drum and bass of course, and within that – well beauty (or ugliness) is in the eye of the beholder so I’m really not the person to ask!

Syncopated City, released late last year, is a jazzy fusion of soulful drum and bass; can you give us an insight on the inspiration you had for the album, and your thoughts on the final product?
I’ve spent my whole life fighting the description jazzy but it keeps coming back so maybe you’re right, although I don’t ever listen to (or sample) jazz records. Maybe the music I listen to is influenced by jazz. I don’t know. The inspiration for me is beautiful music, a lot of what I love is classical or soundtrack music, and rock.
I’m very happy with this album – I could listen back to it after I’d finished it, and that’s a first for me. With previous albums it took about a year before I could bear to listen to them.

How much of an advantage is it to be a producer and have your own label to release music on?
It’s swings and roundabouts – good points are that I know my tunes will get released and promoted! Bad points – I have to juggle making music with running the label!

Do you see yourself more as a DJ or Producer? Why?
Producing is the horse and DJing is the cart!

How do you balance your music with other obligations - family, Hospital Records?
It’s a dark art and one that I’m far from perfecting. I do my best and it seems to work ok – but if anyone has a magic formula please tell me!

What is next for London Elektricity?
I’m still in the middle of writer’s block so I’m turning down remixes left right and centre. Just as well cos my house is being renovated and we don’t even have a kitchen. No kitchen = no tea. No tea = no beats. Been doing a mental amount of A+R at Hospital, we have the debut album from BOP and the SICK MUSIC comp coming before the summer is out. My next music? I really don’t know how it’s going to sound!

Catch London Elektricity at Heavyweight Soundz on Friday 29th May - presented by Loaded Dice.