The 5-minute Interview: James Lavelle, DJ

'Songs need to have the right sentiment'

James Lavelle, 34, created the Mo'Wax record label as a teenager and co-founded the trip-hop group UNKLE. A resident DJ at Fabric, he is headlining London's SoCo Social Mardi Gras on 13 February at Cargo. For free tickets visit www.socosocial.co.uk

If I weren't talking to you right now I'd be...

Finishing a song in the studio. I'm actually touring at the moment as I'm doing the Big Day Out festival in Australia.

A word or phrase I use far too often is...

"Sentiment". I always use that word when I'm in the studio to help try to find the right feeling for a song. Songs always need to have the right sentiment.

I wish people would take more notice of...

The music we make, rather than the other stuff that goes on around it.

The most surprising thing that happened to me was...

Experiencing the things I have, and being able to do my hobby for a living. I've been able to live my dream.

A common misperception of me is...

People find me moody. I don't think I'm that moody. If you asked my wife though, she'd probably say differently.

I'm good at...

Bringing people together. I'm most happy with how I managed to bring my new band together, and I'm really proud of how it's going.

I'm very bad at...

Routine. Just generally.

The ideal night out is...

Spending time with my family is the best thing, because I don't get to see them very much.

In moments of weakness I...

Turn to my friends.

You know me as a DJ but in another life I'd have been...

I think I'd have been involved in some kind of painting or design work.

The best age to be is...

When you really know yourself. I haven't reached that age yet.

In a nutshell, my philosophy is...

Follow your dreams.

Richard Morgan