How did you get started in the electronic music scene?
Got started collecting records and making Mix tapes for my Surfing buddies at New Smryna Beach inlet in Florida, where I hung out at, that led to my first proper gig, as I had a huge collection of 12" singles of various genres. I set up some Pawn shop/ Garage Sale belt driven turntables and a $25 Radio SHack Mixer on a Pool Tableat a DIve Bar.

You are known as the "King of Funky Breaks", what is it about this genre that you really love?
I don't consider my self the King of Anything, I don't give a fuck about labels and all that, a magazine in 99 came up with that term and It stuck, and my first proper released mix cd was called The Funky Breaks. I do love Breaks though, very much.

How do you differentiate your sound from similar artists such as Baby Anne and Clay Davis?
I just play what I feel every week, varies, feel the vibe from the club and the dancefloor, play a bit of many different styles of breaks in my sets. I really just like to vibe with the dancefloor

You are constantly on tour. With a busy tour schedule, how much time do you get to devote to music production?
I work a set schedule when I'm home in the studio, it keeps me focused and productive and I usually end up running over and working too much in the studio and have no fuckin life outside of it.

Who do you consider to be your biggest musical influence?
Too many really, the Old Freestyle records from the late 80s that I collected had all of these crazy edits that Omar Santana and Carlos Berrios did on them as Dub Mixes, all the Miami Bass stuff that I heard and listened to religiously, as well as Industrial Dance and Kraftwerk style stuff, Reggae, etc....

Who do you think is the best up and coming DJ/music producer at the moment?
Well Deadmau5 is a shining star with his production, Jack Beats out of the UK is superb at Fusing Breaks, Bassline House and bit of fidget thrown in to create a unique and fuckin pumpin sound.

Any advice for aspiring DJs/music producers?
I get asked this a lot on my myspace music page (www.myspace.com/djicey) Everything is digital now, so promoting yourself in the Digital Medium is a must, with Mix Downloads and Tunes to give away. The quickest way to "make it" right now, is to come out with a absolute Monster track, if you make a big tune, that gets DJs the world over playing it, you are able to rise in the industry much faster, and the DJ gigs and Track sales will follow.

What do you want to say to your fans in Cleveland?
I like Cleveland, since the very first time I played there at a rave in 1997 with Charles Feelgood at a roller skating rink! I have always had a good time at the clubs in CLE, I am happy I got to play at MODA several times as well. I don't get to CLE as often as I do other large cities but I am glad to be back and like the city, I plan on going to eat at my favorite little spot in CLE, Fusion over on W. 6th Street, loved those damn fried pickles~

DJ Icey will be at Anatomy Ultralounge (1299 W9th St, Warehouse District) on Nov. 22nd. Tickets are available at wantickets.com