Although the weekly nights are relegated to dance music history, Cream’s presence in the city is still felt when they roll out the big name DJs for their events at Nation. With the first one of 2011 taking place this coming weekend, we had a look at the line up and in between the trance superstars and electro heavyweights, spotted DJ D.O.D. The 22 year old local lad (well he’s from Lancaster but we’re all friends up North right?) won last year’s Mixmag and Blackberry Resident competition, with his inventive blend of ‘Jump-Up Electro with the Unexpected’.

Gigs followed in Ibiza at Reclaim the Dancefloor, Ibiza Rocks and Bora Bora.

He’s also had a mix featured on Radio One, as well as djing round the country and running his own night in Preston. Tipped as one of the up and coming talents to watch, we had a quick chat with him about how he’s feeling about tackling the hallowed decks at Cream…

Congratulations on winning the Mixmag and Blackberry Resident competition. It must have been a whirlwind six months since, any highlights in particular?

Winning the Mixmag competition was a huge opportunity for me. I was always trying my hardest to get noticed and the competition gave me the platform to do so. After the gigs over in Ibiza, Mixmag also decided to give me a double page spread in the October issue which was a dream come true! I’m now signed to a well respected artist agency and spend all my free time making music, so a massive thank you for Mixmag for changing my life.

One of the best moments in the last six months had to be selling out my own club night FWAP! with Annie Mac to 1600 people in Preston just over a week ago, saying that my best moments are changing by the hour. I’ve so many exciting things going on at the minute, it’s insane!

Cream is one of the most successful dance music brands, how do you feel about playing there?

Cream has been one of my dream clubs to play at ever since I heard a Cream compilation CD when I was 10. To have the opportunity to play at such a prestigious club night is just amazing!

I’m first on in the main room so I will definitely have to hold back in some respect. I’m going to go down the jacking house route to get them warmed up nicely for the rest of the evening. Warm up sets are something that I have to think really carefully about as I am used to peak time electro madness but I love the challenge of doing something different.

After your set is finished, who will you be heading to see on Saturday night?

Laidback Luke, the man is a machine. Always a pleasure to see him DJ, you know that you’re bound to hear three or four exclusive new bootlegs in his DJ sets - something which excites me to say the least!

What’s your top three big tracks at the minute?

1. D.O.D - The Start (Original Mix) CDR
2. Riva Starr Vs Major Lazer - Jump (Martin Brothers Remix)
3. Chromeo - Hot Mess ft. Elly Jackson (Djedjotronic Remix 1)

And finally, a topical pop culture question… Day V Lately on the Yellow Pages adverts; tapping into the zeitgeist or clichéd attempt at trying to be “down with the kids”?

I would have said ‘Tapping into the zeitgeist’ as the man made some serious tunes back in the day. But the advert goes a bit cheesy towards the end so I would have to retract the first statement and go with trying to be “down with the kids”.

You can catch DJ D.O.D on Saturday 5th March
Cream, Nation.