Published: Monday, 7th December, 2009 4:13pm

Cass is Move-in on up

HE began collecting records by some of the biggest producers on the planet while still at school, including Justin Robertson, Andrew Weatherall, and Slam.

And, when he left along with good friend Justin Wilson, he began booking them to play alongside him at his club nights, No Strings Attached - which have been recognised by some of the leading music magazines including Mixmag and DJ Mag.

It has been a positive education for Steve Cass, who runs Move Music Venue in Galashiels.

Last year, he reached new heights when he won the chance to DJ at Rockness - one of the country's biggest dance festivals - following a national music competition.

And to celebrate 2009 he is performing a five hour set on Friday (December 11).

Looking back on his rise through the ranks, Steve said: "One memory that stands out for me was our debut at The Venue in Edinburgh in 2001 with Manchester's Justin Robertson. We sold out the middle floor and the place was jumping! Over 100 followers travelled up from Galashiels that night and looking across the dancefloor seeing all my friends having a great time was awesome!

"Sitting having Chinese with Andrew Weatherall was surreal, also taking a sneaky wee look into Marshall Jefferson's record box while he checked into his hotel was another memorable moment finding tracks by Diana Ross and Joe Smooth. Four hours later 400 people had their hands in the air to Joe Smooth - Promised Land.

"I was influenced by producers such as Andrew Weatherall, Slam, Paul Oakenfold and Justin Robertson and started collecting records in 1990.

"And, this week, my selection of tracks on the night will be from a wide range of genres - everything from Fleetwood Mac to Richie Hawtin. It's what I played at Rockness and everyone seemed to enjoy it."

Tickets for the gig, priced £5, are available on the doors which open at 10pm.