If you live in London then you'll have heard him pumping out the tunes on Kiss 100's Saturday Floorfillers show, a slot long-time held by house veteran Tall Paul. We caught up with Steve to talk about music, stunt kites and the happening club scene in Russia.

By Rachael Hannan

You are only 28 but have been DJing since you were 15. Has it been a hard slog to get where you are now?

I guess so. When I look back at what I've done so far, it shocks me; more so how quickly everything has happened. My first gig was round a friend's birthday party in about 1990 and I put two sound-systems together because no one had proper decks at the time! I was mixing hip hop with this new house stuff and everyone loved it! My mates mum then persuaded me to buy a mobile disco and do young peoples parties, and I've never looked back!

Was the industry as hard to break into as you thought it would be?

I was doing these small parties around the east coast and caught the attention of a local group of people setting up a trial radio station. Then later, the station was granted a license. I was so happy to be offered the official dance show! I beat off much more older experienced club DJ’s who I thought would get it, so I guess it came at the right time for my first big break.

You are a trained musician. What instrument do you play and how long have you played it?

Piano/Keyboards and Drums, started playing keys at around 9 years old. I learnt Piano before I got into playing drums, but I actually sold my Pearl Export Drum kit for my first set of Technics in 1991!

Do you come from a musical family?

Kind of, but only music fans though! I was brought up listening to lots of guitar based sixties music and then electronic stuff like Jean Michel Jarre and Kraftwerk.

Describe your average week?

Well Monday to Friday, most of my mid-week days are spent in a radio studio for HMV looking after the in store radio for the UK which I’ve been doing for 5 years now. Out of that I am either in the studio with Nick Woolfson, my production other half, or in Kiss 100 doing work for my weekend floorfillers show. I also play out on Thursday and Friday nights.

Saturdays I am usually listening to every record I've been sent in the week and have a fry–up at my local greasyspoon! Then going to White Hart Lane to watch my team Spurs, (I am a season ticket holder) straight after final whistle (after we’ve won!) I head on to the west-end to be on air on Kiss for 6pm! Then usually DJing out after that! Sundays, I just chill!

And how do you chill?

I love flying my stunt kite! Usually on the beach if I can get back home to Lowestoft for a day it is a perfect way to chill out, but musically I listen to a lot of Ulrich Schnauss who is a German producer that could well be the next William Orbit…well worth checking out!

You are resident on London's Kiss FM in a prime Saturday slot. Tell us how you secured this residency?

At Kiss 100, I think I have worked my apprenticeship to get where I am. I was so happy to be offered to do Floorfillers for Kiss. It is such a good fun show to do. It takes a lot of hard work and all I can say is don’t try to do the same as others, be yourself and you will get there, in anything.

Tell us what makes Ibiza for you?

Mainly the beaches and the whole feeling of excitement everyday! Having the knowledge that every night you are there, you'll find a world class DJ performing somewhere!

I’ve been there twice this year and it has been quieter than normal but I think it has filtered the men from the boys!

Apart from the White Island, which other countries / continents are really happening right now, in your opinion?

I believe mainland Spain has become much bigger this year, Turkey is also a great place to play now and I feel that the UK has got better this year, but I have to say my fave place to play, is Russia. I’ve played a lot of places in Russia and everyone is so nice and welcoming, where ever you go.

Name the first record you ever bought?

Blimey, if you are talking LP wise it was in 1988 and by Public Enemy's album called It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back. This album changed my life. I remember standing in school listening to it on my walkman whilst everyone else was into eighties stadium rock music! Being from Lowestoft on the east coast, it was hard to get hold of hip hop/house stuff on vinyl but somehow I managed! I still keep it in my record bag for certain gigs!

Tell us three things we don’t know about Steve Smart?

I once had under 16’s England Roller Hockey Trials. I was captain for Great Yarmouth team and did not get through, but I scored the winning goal after the trials in the friendly, Great Yarmouth vs England. The national squad were gutted!

I adore animals, especially dogs, and if it all went wrong in my music career, I would probably be working with the RSPCA!

My downfall is Pizza and Vodka!

What can we expect in the future. Any plans over next 12 months?

Radio wise, Floorfillers is going really well and I look forward to continue getting the nation ready to party on a Saturday Night.

Production wise, we have a big house track coming probably for Miami 2005 but I can't say too much at this stage.

Djing wise, I am looking forward to getting into some of the bigger clubs and just making sure each gig I do I am putting one hundred and fifty percent in, and keeping the dancefloor rocking in my own way.