He has the uncanny ability to switch from genre to genre with a mere scratch, bleep or twist of a dial. Combine this with the fact he has a wireless headset and joystick allowing him to play with and manipulate sounds away from the mixing desk and you’ve got a good idea what Mr Exile’s about.

The show had an unusual seated and slightly educational format considering the last time I saw Tim play was at a ravier feeling night in Leeds. On this occasion he’d been doing some workshops with nine students in the afternoon, aptly named ‘Team Exile’, and had helped them prepare a little arty piece they would kick off the show with.

Tim said: “I’ve done a few workshops but never taken this approach. It’s always been really serious before. It’s cool because this way you don’t feel you have to constantly entertain people.”

The hardcore rave scene seems to be suffering in the recession. It’s something you used to be a part of, what do you think about it?

“I don’t know too much about that scene anymore. I’m a bit of a scene hopper. After doing all that heavy stuff I wanted to do something that was a bit more accessible. What I really wanted to do was communicate, and give people a shared experience.”

Where have you come from to be making the kind of music you are now?

“I started DJing progressive house, like Sasha and Digweed stuff, then Jungle, then Drum n Bass, did some academic arty stuff then went breakcore and now, the music I’m making. I’m getting people involved more, with crowd participation in a space, and try to make a bit more of a show.”

How did you start making music?

“An over active mind of a petulant little boy.”

Favourite music of the moment?

“It changes everyday. I’m into a band called Apparatjik. They have the bassist from Coldplay, a singer from a band called Mew and the guitarist from A-ha. I’m not sure though, I’ve only been told about this in loud clubs (imitates muffled noises).”

You have similarities with Beardyman, how would you compare yourself to him?

“It’s weird because years and years ago he was supporting me at a gig then he went on to become a real superstar with all his youtube stuff. He went that way and I went really arty and became a very serious musician but then decided to make it fun instead. We always keep in touch about the latest software, technology and crazy things.”

What’s next then?

“Another album. I’m one album into a three album contract with Warp so two more to go. I released a piece of software last year and I want to find a way of bringing my music together with the software. I’m in a unique position as a music maker and software planner, because I also work with Native Instruments I spend a lot of time on music.
I want to do more of this kind of stuff in the future because it’s more rewarding in the long-term. I wanna get together a whole new live show and tour tour tour as well.”