DJ duo Copyright, mixers on the latest Defected in the House Miami 2007 album, explain why the Miami Music Conference puts artists in the spotlight and explain why DJ’s always get the girls!

Sam Holt and Gavin Mills are the DJ duo known as Copyright. Known for their signature funky, main room, bumpy house style, they are unique as DJ’s often playing on 4 decks and 2 mixers and each second guessing what the other is playing.

They also make sure that they are recognised for their appearance, not just their music, insisting on wearing Adidas to all their gigs. “I think it gives us an identity. Roger Sanchez wears a Kangol hat backwards and has a goatee. I mean we’re two guys from the UK and we can’t pull off that Bronx look, so I suppose this is our own kind of look,” says Gavin Mills.

And stylish fashions aside, they must be good as they have been invited to mix the latest In the House compilation series for Defected. There is no pressure though; predecessors include Masters at Work, Dimitri from Paris, Bob Sinclar and Junior Jack! We have 4 copies of Defected in the House Miami 2007 to give-away. For your chance to win, Click Here.

The Miami Winter Music Conference (WMC) is the hectic and hedonistic annual music event attended by the world’s keenest clubbers, DJ’s, producers and self appointed music industry big wigs. This is a week long party that feels more like an international carnival.

The parties run day and night and this is the ideal place where it is possible hear the most innovative electronic music from the worlds best DJ’s. It is here that all the year’s best tunes are broken. Every year since 1985 the biggest tracks are celebrated and showcased to Miami clubbers who get the chance to hear what is going to be the future sound track of the year, not just for Miami but for the world, way in advance of everyone else.

If it’s exposure you want as a producer or artist then you need to be there. The WMC unites everyone much like Ibiza but there is a much bigger focus on the music. DJ’s attend because they know they will get coverage on their productions and DJ’ing.

We know that DJ’s are not psychic so how do they know what are going to be the big tracks of the year?

Sam: You kind of get a sense on certain records. You have to look for a track that stands out, a track that is different from the rest. The artist is a big clue as well. Most people will release tunes in January and February for the summer, you know if these records build heat in Miami.

Gav: Miami’s like a giant spotlight, so even if you don’t go, you still see what comes out of it. Everyone has their eye on what tracks are big and which DJ’s to check out.

We like the mixes you’ve put together on the new Defected album. Has it been put together from Miami experience?

Sam: We’ve been going to the conference for 8 or 9 years now, so we like to think we know the daytime poolside vibe. We also go club hopping, to 5 clubs in one night. You go to one club and it’s banging techy stuff, in another it’s really soulful. It’s that real mix but all really great music, and that’s what we’ve tried to do with this compilation as well. We tried to really reflect the sound of Miami.

Miami sounds great, but is it true that DJs always get the girls?

Sam: Yes.
Gav: Not always, I remember one time we did go back to the hotel without any girls!

Lastly, do you take requests when you are gigging?

Sam: If you ask a DJ politely to play a record and if the DJ politely tells you he hasn’t got it, then politely leave.

8 things you did not know about Copyright:

1. Gavin takes a great photo......can often be found running round in the middle of the night in exotic locations with his Digital SLR trying to capture that perfect pic.

2. Sam shoots mean hoops.......trialled for leading UK team manchester Giants way back in the early 90's.

3. Gavin has a serious collection of rare vinyl toys.

4. Sam is a life long fisherman and when not flying about djing is often found gracing the banks in pursuit of that next monster.

5. Gavin 'DJ Face' was one of the early DJ's on the english rave scene. Name the party - he was there on the decks.

6. Sam was a young advertising prospect - Managing Director of Team Saatchi until 2004 when he quit the rat race for music.

7. Gavin and Sam are both adidas freaks.

8. Sam is a mad Liverpool fan....travelled back from a gig in Hong Kong directly to Istanbul, to watch the historic Champions League victory against AC Milan.