The 5-minute Interview: Alec Empire, Musician

'People have shouted the most hateful things at me'

Alec Empire, 35, is a German musician, producer and DJ, credited with creating digital hardcore music. His new album, 'The Golden Foretaste Of Heaven' is released in Britain on 24 March

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

Trying to get up. I had a show in Warsaw yesterday and then a long drive to Vienna.

A phrase I use far too often...

When I was in England, it was "excuse me" but that's not what we do in Berlin. I'm very laid back – people have shouted the most hateful things in my face and I just let it go.

I wish people would take more notice of...

Taking control of their own lives. I'm really bored with people complaining and blaming destiny. There's no big conspiracy – they just have to improve things for themselves.

The most surprising thing that happened to me...

Getting our first record deal in the UK. We couldn't work out why the people at Phonogram believed in this noise when everybody in Germany hated it.

A common misperception of me is...

That I'm always angry. I mean, I've made a lot of angry records but I've done a lot of other stuff.

I'm not a politician but...

I'd share out the profits of the corporations so things like food, phone calls and transport could be free. I hate having to pay when I get on a bus.

I'm good at...

Computers.

I'm bad at...

Getting up in the morning.

The ideal night out is...

One that goes on and on. Berlin has the best clubs.

In moments of weakness...

I play my guitar – it puts things in perspective.

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

Something creative. I'd hate to be in an office.

The best age to be is...

Any. I enjoyed every year for different reasons.

In a nutshell my philosophy is...

Don't compromise. That's where digital hardcore came from.

Rob Alderson