Steve “Porterhouse” Porter’s star is certainly on the ascent these days. With the release of his inaugural studio album, “Homegrown,” this Boston native has certainly cemented his place among the top producers in the land. Additionally, he is in-demand when it comes to his DJ bookings, which put him here, there, and everywhere!

“Homegrown” is a monster of an album. And so is it’s Cro-magnon creator!

I know a lot of artists who's production work always sounds quite similar. Was it hard to come up with a variety of different music for your album?

I think this album was more about expanding my brain than anything else. To step out of the same old shoes and begin writing new formulas for music and venting my ideas on a broader scale. I've always felt that I have my own way of art, but Homegrown was a true challenge because I was trying to create as much contrast between tracks as I could. I wanted each tune to have its own personality and sounds-cape. If anything, I've learned quite a lot about the direction I want to take my next album.

Your album, and many of the tracks included on it, are available for download iTunes, EDM digital, etc. What is your take on internet downloading of tracks? Do you feel it has helped you personally?

Internet sales are current events now and the wave of the future indeed. The advent of internet commerce has allowed my music to travel to countries with no physical record stores, it's a beautiful thing. There will always be theft in the music world but the crack down on piracy has only just started. It's a live by the sword, die by the sword type deal. Except technology is the sword.

DJs are starting to incorporate more elements in their sets these days through the use of Ableton, efx units, various other computer software, etc. Is it still acceptable for someone just to mix two records together without introducing more?

As long as the music remains interesting there shouldn't be a problem. People are simple and at a certain point excess is waste. I've learned this by filling up a 64 track session in pro tools and coming out with a mediocre track. Personally speaking, the best music I've made uses very few elements, the worst music I've made uses too many elements. I think the problem with effects and ableton is that it's easy to get caught up in the loop, in the effects, and easily forget that people have come to dance their butt off.

There seems to be a sort of mentoring system among the top-flight DJs and some of the newer breed, in that they take them on tour, talk them up in interviews, etc. I know that Sasha and Chris Fortier have helped you along some in the past. How important is having someone show you the ropes to breaking out as a DJ?

Whatever your profession, it's always huge to have mentors and influential peers. Chris, Sasha, and Sander have all taught me so much purely by example alone. They all have extremely clear visions as artists, and they've given me confidence to carry forward with my own concepts. When you show your dedication to music and respect for your peers, your peers will look out for you. It's like having a bunch of big brothers....... which is nice I may add since I have 3 older sisters.

I read recently that some of your best gigs happened during your Australian tour. Do you have any plans to head back down under in order to support “Homegrown?”

No question about it, plans are in the works and I plan on being down under towards the summer, winter there I suppose. Can't wait! The cd is available in Australia at Sanity & Stomp and it will released rest-of-the-word at the beginning of June, it's out now in the states on Itunes and various other sites.

You are currently on a rather extensive North American tour in support of this release. How are the dates going and are the album’s tunes getting received well?

Its been great to go back to places I'm familiar with and hit up some new locations I haven't been to before. It's heartwarming to see the excitement in people as I've been traveling around and the reception for the album has super-ceded any of our expectations. I just got back from Chicago where I played at Soundbar, a rocking venue. Last week was 1015 in San Francisco, it was a legendary gig for me.

What inspired you to make an artist album, and what inspires you when in the studio?

I was inspired by the challenge of showcasing my production just as I would showcase a dj mix. I wanted my first commercial album to feel personal, not like something that had been done before. Regarding the creation of music, influence from friends and everyday life is huge for me. If I don't get out enough, or if I don't really feel a lot of the music that I hear, then I won't have the drive to produce. It's a beautiful yet painful cycle, an over-flowing creative well that runs dry from time to time. Thank goodness for the rain.

Do you feel as if there will come a time that you will help support someone your junior?

Most certainly, once I can grow a full beard it may be time. I actually look forward to it, as I said before, music is very much a family to me. It's a nice feeling to leave a good impression on people, it's a nice feeling to help a brother or sister out.

How do you always have so many girls around you when you’re out?

Because they're afraid I might steal their boyfriends from them, or maybe it's my enlarged cro-magnon man brow, or my huge biceps! Maybe dorky guys are in style, who knows!

Boston or Manhattan clam chowder?

Boston Clam Chowdah

What is your take on the current state of dance music?

It's a baby. Has a long way to go. Growing fast.

How long will the electro fad last?

Bell-bottom jeans came and went and came again. I suppose we'll exhaust this 80's electro bug and start exhausting the early 90's c'n c music factory bug. Every fad leaves fragments though, in this case little bitty electro fragments.

The 2005 WMC is rapidly approaching. What are you looking forward to most this year?

The Resident Advisor pool party of course! Can't wait for that, I’m also playing at the Playboy Magazine party on Thursday night after the RA party. The Porterhouse party is shaping up to be a huge night, it's a free party for all you guys who want to boogie down without the door hassle. I'd love to treat Miami a bit more like a vacation if I can this year, maybe just maybe, hit up the beach for a bit.

Free with RSVP www.porterhousemiami.com

Now that the album is finally over, what is next?

I'm in remix mode right now, just finished off a new one for Fade and one for Wally Lopez. I've started work on my next album and hope to have it done by the end of the summer, and maybe a dj mixed compilation by the end of the year...... there's a few things cookin', we'll see what comes first. Big ups to Resident Advisor!

Check out Steve at WMC!

Thursday 3/24 RA Pool Party @ Wyndham Miami Beach Resort
Thursday 3/24 Playboy Magazine Party
Friday 3/25 Porterhouse @ State South Beach