Aaron Ross isn’t your average DJ, in fact he doesn’t have enough fingers to put in all the pies he’s serving up. Having already made the move from playing at house parties and pirate radio to scale the great heights of the dance music industry, whether he’s signing a future anthem or working the crowds into a sweat, he’s doing it well. 

After a successful run of A&R and promotion work with Virgin before heading up the team at Soul Heaven Records, Aaron’s more recently been awarded the role of A&R Manager at Defected and Strictly Rhythm. Aaron has been be praying he doesn’t have to re-write his CV anytime soon with his long list of job titles that include being a world renowned DJ, record label owner and production honcho.

“Giles Peterson is someone who I really aspire to, when I worked at Virgin part of me always wanted to work for Talkin Loud, Giles’ label.  Phil Asher is my mentor though. He inspired me to start making music, I used to hang out at his studio, make tea and roll joints.”

Since mastering the studio credentials, using the alias Fanatix, Aaron and production partner Neil Peace have notched up a batch of releases under their collective belt. Their single ‘Love Connection’ featuring Alex Mills, proved to be quite a dance floor thriller, which has made way for the Fanatix LP. Dropping in February 08 on BBE guest appearances come from the likes of Shaun Escoffery and Sara Devine. Aaron Has also delivered remixes and productions for Major label acts such as Jamiroquai, Mr. Hudson, Estelle & Terri Walker.

Not satisfied with keeping the job centre out of work, he’s ready to embark on his next challenge, presenting the Defected in the House show on Galaxy.

In the meantime, Aaron can still be found propping up the mixer at an event near you. Despite no longer working as an A&R for Soul Heaven, he continues to hold the residency spot at the club night.  His other residencies are: There It Is, with Fanatix and BBE at Herbal; now a monthly occurrence, and the global Defected presents Strictly Rhythm In The House event. You can also catch Aaron twice a year at Deep in LA. Then there are the annual trips to Brazil and tours of Asia!

It’s also his passion for the dark that helped secure his job as A&R Manager at Defected. “DJing is an essential part of A&R, it’s where I road test a lot of tunes. I was quite instrumental in the Todd Terry Allstars ‘Get Down’ record and have signed some bits for Strictly Rhythm, on more of an old skool tip. I definitely aspire to people like Simon Dunmore or Pete Tong, they’re still hungry for music, even though they’re in their 40s. It’s really important to have that and not just do it for the moment.”