What makes A Lively Mind different from your trance albums?
It's based on songs, it's based on cutting-edge sound; it's a lot more dance floor-friendly and a lot more minimal, sound-wise. My last album, I sold a million albums worldwide so I felt I needed the challenge. I find it hard writing songs, I really do. It takes me time. ... I'm a rhythm-based person, and obviously as a DJ you focus and concentrate on rhythm but there's no point in me doing an artist album that's similar to my DJ album.
Is using more songs a trend?
Oh absolutely. If you want to get out of the same old genre, you need to branch out. You need to embrace new technology and try new things. I think all the big DJs, when it comes to doing their own records, are certainly trying to do songs. ... It's very hard to be taken seriously when you just do an instrumental. I'm not putting songs on my album to get a wider audience. I'm putting songs on my record 'cause I like them.
You've scored Swordfish, Collateral and The Matrix Reloaded. What's the appeal?
I like the idea of being dictated by picture rather than sitting there with a blank piece of canvas and coming up with your own ideas. I also like the idea of being part of a big team. I like the idea of working with a director, getting his thoughts, ideas and direction.
This is your second time in just a few months at Empire Ballroom. What do you like about the place so much?
I think it's a special club. I like it that it's off the Strip. I like it that it's underground. It's a real club because it doesn't get going until 3 or 4 in the morning. It touches on the dark and exciting side of what I always feel Vegas is about, rather than the commercial, cheesy side. It's like the dark and interesting character that you fall upon in the night that comes.