Sam Hardaker @ The Strongbow Rooms

VF: Did you enjoy the set?
SH: Despite the hangover it was cool. The stuff I play is a bit random and I'm the first to admit I'm not a great DJ in the technical sense. I was a bit unsure where to go, playing at such an early hour. But that's pretty much what I always do - just see where it takes me.

VF: Is that why you're always on early?!
SH: Yes probably! I did the Clapham Common thing, B-Live, where again I was first on. I'm always put on first because I think people expect me to be a chill out DJ, but I like bits of everything. Admittedly, I don't play hard stuff and wouldn't be seen playing a big arena, I prefer intimate venues, but I'm also not some ambient, noodly chill out DJ. In fact I don't even like the type of chill out that people would probably expect me to play.

VF: Does The Strongbow Rooms fit into that 'intimate' bracket?
SH: Yeah it does. It's always got a really good vibe, with people hanging out having a drink. It's a great place to drop in to in between bands. I also like the selection of DJs it puts on, perfect festival fodder. I think that's a very important part of festivals, bumping into something you don't necessarily know much about and really enjoying it.

VF: What's happening with Zero 7? We hear a new album is due soon.
SH: Me and Henry, the guy I work with in Zero 7, have just been writing and recording the third album. He's moved down to Somerset and built a studio. We've done the whole record there over the summer, which has been great. It's a bit of a change from Willesden and great to get out into the country. I've found it's been really helpful in getting things done. There are far fewer distractions and we've managed to do more production, whilst spending less time actually working.

VF: You've always had a lot of collaborators, like Sophie Barker and Sia on vocals. Is there going to be less of that?
SH: Yeah, it's mainly just me and Henry. We've had singers coming down to do sessions and there are live elements to it, but it's more electronic than the last two albums. It still sounds like us but we've just explored some new avenues and, well, you'll just have to wait and see! In the history of what we've been doing we felt like we needed a change. Things reached their conclusion and so we've evolved.

VF: When's it out?
SH: I don't think it'll come out until February or March. We've pretty much finished it but I can see us tinkering with some really small part for weeks! But we've done pretty well in getting it done as we usually have people shouting at us to finish an album, so I'm pretty relaxed about it.