Did you ever hear the one about the fan who asked Christopher Lawrence to sign a burnt copy of Lawrence’s new album that hadn’t even been released yet? When you’re one of the most popular DJs on the international circuit you build quite a collection of anecdotes. And when you’ve recently been voted the #7 DJ in the World in DJ Magazine’s Top 100 DJ poll, #5 in BPM Magazine’s ‘America’s Favorite DJ’ poll and ‘Best DJ’ at the Dancestar Awards you can afford to have a sense of humour about that kind of stuff. “I think there is a generation of young people that have grown up not viewing music in the same way we do,” says a philosophical Lawrence. “They just see it as being accessible and if you can download it, it’s yours. They’ve grown up having free access to music on the web, and to tell them to pay for it is inconceivable. They don’t understand that there’s some poor guy in his studio and home making the music, and if he doesn’t get paid he’s going to stop making music.”

Lawrence can best be described as a cautious optimist. His positive attitude is evident at all times, yet he is intelligent enough to be realistic about the music industry, political climate and world in general. Perhaps this attitude helped create the title of his first artist album, ‘All Or Nothing’. It could also refer to his ‘take no prisoners’ attitude when it comes to creating tunes, the majority of his album as dance-orientated as one of his sets. “I come from a background of playing in front people as a DJ and my productions stem from that viewpoint,” explains Lawrence. “So for better or worse, when I go to the studio that’s what I’m thinking about. Even the down-tempo tracks I create still come from the background of a DJ playing in clubs. Down the track I wouldn’t be opposed to doing an album that is more experimental. But at the moment my heart still lies with the dancefloor. And also my audience has grown up with me in the club setting. If I was to do something completely different to that it would alienate a lot of people.”

While ‘All Or Nothing’ has received resoundingly positive reviews in the likes of Rolling Stone, Remix and DJ Magazine, it seems that he did not go far enough in making it club-friendly for some fans which leads into another anecdote. “Despite the tracks being similar to what I play as a DJ, there were people who came up to me at shows and complained because the album was not mixed,” says an incredulous Lawrence. “I’ve done seven or eight mixed compilations which I regard as a souvenir of a night out or a snapshot of a time period. Whereas an artist album is there for each song to be listened to in its entirety and should be able to stand alone. I got hate mail because it was not mixed or somehow people thought that it was mixed but mixed badly. There was even a review on an internet site where the reviewer said ‘for being one of the greatest DJs in the world this guy can’t mix to save his life’.”

‘All or Nothing’ was followed a few months later by, 'Un:Hooked', a retrospective of his releases on Hook Recordings. Unlike ‘All or Nothing’, the tracks form one continuous mix. When asked if this was a response to some of the criticism he received on ‘All or Nothing’ his answer is an emphatic, “Yes. It was a direct response and a major influence in my decision to mix ‘Un:Hooked’. Also, all of the tracks on ‘Un:Hooked’ are of a similar tempo so it lent itself really well to being mixed. It’s limiting in a way, but my audience are the ones who have put me where I am now so I owe something to them.”

Lawrence last visited Melbourne for Two Tribes in 2004 and he rates it as one of the best events he’s played at. “I loved playing Two Tribes last year and especially the Melbourne gig which was the best night of the tour,” he enthusiastically reveals. “I have an amazing time whenever I play in Melbourne. There are not a lot of places in the world where you can play an event which is made up of a number of huge stadiums. Melbourne is one of them as is Los Angeles, Toronto and London. There are some huge festivals in Holland as well. I’ve played a couple of festivals there this year and what really stands out is the older, more sophisticated crowd that comes to these events. I asked the promoter how it is possible that almost every weekend there are events like this going on. His answer was that they sell tickets to these events at the post office. So everyone, even in remote areas, has access to tickets and the government sanctions it. Imagine being in a country where you can buy some stamps, mail a letter, and while you’re at it buy two tickets to the rave this weekend?”

Lawrence’s amazement is partially due to the contrast it presents when compared to the current state of events in the USA. “I did everything I could,” exclaims a disenchanted Lawrence. “I wore my ‘I Hate Bush’ shirt every time I played out. I was part of a campaign called ‘ReDefeat Bush’. And I honestly thought that Bush didn’t have a chance. But there are a lot of people in this country that are just zombies. It’s really pathetic. And since Bush has been re-elected it’s like he’s been empowered or something and can do no wrong. You don’t want to be here right now. I hate to say it but in terms of a lot of things including dance music the United States is really backward and getting worse.”

On a more positive note, 2005 looks to have continued on from where last year left off as Lawrence prepares for the launch of his own label in February, the first release to be a double LP of tracks from ‘All or Nothing’. He also has a collaboration coming out with John 00 Fleming called 'Attention' on Fleming’s label Joof at the end of January. And of course there is Lawrence’s budding acting career with a part in 'Midsumernight's Rave'. “I don’t speak in the movie,” Lawrence promises with a laugh. “I’m the cameo appearance by a DJ. It’s obviously based on the Shakespeare play ‘A Midsummer Nights Dream’ using the backdrop of a rave. Everything takes place in one night.” So is it similar to Digweed’s acting role in the movie ‘Groove’? “Very much so except I don’t have to talk. I don’t even get to give ‘the nod’,” Lawrence reminds me. This is fortunate as due to his busy interview schedule and his amicable and outgoing reputation, I imagine Lawrence would talk enough as it is. Not to mention the four documentaries he featured in last year. “I speak in the documentaries but it’s fine because I was just sitting in a studio talking to the interviewers. No acting needed,” Lawrence quips before adding tongue in cheek, “although I could have used a little makeup.”

‘All Or Nothing’ is out soon through Stomp/EQ in Australia.