Carl Cox made his way onto our sound systems under his 1988 pseudonym Three Deck Wizard. His lethal mix of acid house and hardcore techno line ups earned him a now deceased residency at the Zap Club in Brighton, as well as a brief appearance on Top of the Pops and much critical acclaim.

His 1995 classic remix CD, FACT, sold just over 250,000 copies while his 2005 album, The Second Sign, reflected his global status. Now residing in Australia, where the club scene is booming, he talks to View about bricklaying, spirits, mixers and his favourite haunts.

What inspired you to start DJing?
I wouldn’t say that I was inspired. I started [DJing] at an early age, and I knew from the first time I touched the turntables that I wanted to become a DJ. I just loved providing people with good music and enjoyed the reaction I got from it. It’s a good feeling – knowing that someone is having the time of his or her life because of what you’re doing.

Do you find the superstar DJ tag a bonus or a burden?
It’s definitely not a burden – but I’m not too sure about it. Obviously, it’s a great title to have, but whether it’s true or not is up to the fans to decide.

Yeah, but you’re not an amateur though are you?
[He laughs] Definitely not!

Does DJing still have the same thrill decades on?
Oh yeah, definitely. Especially with all these new genres peaking through! The feeling of breaking an act, and watching people dance to your music selection is amazing – I will never get bored of it. I also get a lot of bookings in different places, so I get to meet new and exciting crowds.

What’s the best party you’ve ever played at anywhere in the world?
Now that’s hard. I played at Twilo, which was amazing. The crowd had this energy about them, and everyone was just up for having fun and dancing. The turn out was immense, and I remember all the clubbers jumping to the music. I think that was probably one of the best places I’ve ever DJ'd.

You’ve even appeared on Top of the Pops. How did that go down with your mates?
For them, it was a huge shock. I mean, when you watch Top of the Pops, you expect to see huge bands like Dead or Alive on there, not people who you sat next to in school. I think that is what made it all the more shocking. The fact that they know someone on the telly gets them all excited, and it makes me excited as well.

What’s your choice of drink on a night out?
I love the good old vodka and cranberry. It’s a really great drink – very neutral.

Doubles or singles?
Singles! If I am DJing, I would need to keep myself on my feet.

Loads of London clubbing institutions have closed recently. How do you feel about The Cross, The Key, Canvas and now Turnmills shutting up shop?
It’s a shame really – Turnmills in particular. But you’ve got to remember that some of these clubs have been going on for years, and sooner or later, they have to close. Nothing can last forever. But it’s not the end. These venues have a long history and will be remembered as legends. I for one will miss them.

What are your thoughts on iPod DJs and should they even be called DJs?
No! They’re not real DJs. I don’t see why they should be. At the end of the day, anyone can put an iPod on shuffle and just leave it. A real DJ needs to play from the heart. You need to be able to hear the mix and scratches. It takes time to perfect the art of DJing, and those who just press the play button can’t really be labelled as DJs now can they?

If you could only ever play one more gig in a London venue which would you choose and why?
That’s a very difficult question to answer. I remember this club that I used to go to many, many years ago called the Pyramid Club. It was a really great place and the crowd was amazing. It was the place to go to every Friday night to chill with your mates and dance to good music. If anything, I’d like to play there.

You’ve released three albums so far, is there another on its way or does the general trend in declining CD sales mean that you will be focusing more on MP3 and online releases?
I do want to release another album – a physical album. It is very hard to shift numbers as illegal downloads are at an all time high now, but I still want to do it – whether they sell or not. True fans and people who really like your music will buy your album if it’s good enough.

What are you most proud of in your career so far?
Being able to look back at what I have achieved. If I weren’t doing this, I would have probably been a bricklayer, so it’s a huge thing for me. I’m also living in Australia three months a year, and that’s pretty amazing. I love the [club] scene over here.

London festivals are becoming increasingly popular. What’s your favourite and can they ever compete with the Notting Hill Carnival?
Nothing can compete with Notting Hill just because of the fact that it is open to everyone and anyone can enjoy it. I think the best carnivals are outside of London.

And finally, what’s next for Carl Cox?
You’ll just have to wait and see!