Wow! I never really know how to answer this question, I don't think we really fit into any ready made box. What we do is always evolving, but our influence is based mainly in mid 80's Disco and Funk, and some more modern forms of dance music.
I think we have quite an authentic sound, but its not really intentional, it's because we use a load of old kit that's about 25 years old!

Was there a defining moment in your life when you knew music was the way you wanted to go?

When I realised I wasn't very good at anything else! Apart from cooking. But no in honesty its just been a very natural progression for us, no defining moments to note!

Why the name Shake Aletti?

Its taken from 'Vince Aletti' who was (and still is) a big influence on the Disco scene in NY as it first began to emerge. He actually coined the term 'Disco'.
Shake however is just, well.... 'Shake'!

Sheffield is of course home to some of the UK's most successful artists, what do you think it is about our Steel City that inspires so much creativity?

I'd like to come up with a new reason, but it really is down to the industrial nature of the city. Industrial cities have always been at the front of music really, Detroit or Berlin for example have always produced great artists, and even entire genres.

How would you describe the current Sheffield music scene and is there anyone else breaking the mould that we should listen out for?

It's healthy as ever right now. There's so much, in all the genres. I wouldn't know where to start....
Mable Love and Dead Sons are doing great stuff at the moment, Wet Nuns and Hey Sholay are great to watch live too. There's young Checan and Square Head who are both wicked producers, you should check them out! Too many to mention!

You're known for your collaborations, who currently would you most like to work with?

I love collaborating, its a big thing for us. We've worked on the next single from Toddla T 'Watch Me Dance' which is out July and also features Roots Manuva. Its nice to be on this album as well as the last!
Also we're doing a track for the '2 Bears' album (Raff, and Joe Goddard from Hot Chip) which is going to be a lot of fun, and a track for Darkstarr which is a new project from the legendary Ashley Beedle and Cosmo. A dream collab for us would be like Cameo or something…or Justin Bieber.

After the success of your debut single 'Dancefloor' you're about to release the next single 'Inside Out', how important are chart positions to you?

Yes 'Inside Out' will be released in June and we're really happy with it. The whole package from remixes to video and artwork is something we're very proud of.
Charts are clearly important in terms of sales, but its quite difficult to chart unless your Adel or… Justin Bieber.

Originality in your sound and stage presence is obvious, there must be a lot of pressure to remain unique? What inspires your own creativity?

I think its just something that has to come naturally to be honest. If you think to hard about it, you'll end up wearing suits made of meat. Or making films called Believe.

You must have some guilty music pleasures?

Nah not really. Having said that I think a lot of people would class some of the music I love as guilty pleasures I reckon.

Radio One DJ's Annie Mac, Judge Jules, Huw Stephens and Nick Grimshaw are among your fans, have you discovered any unlikely Shake Aletti groupies?

Well, Vince Aletti (who I mentioned earlier) got in touch saying he was a fan and we are named after him! We even got the chance to meet him when he invited us to an exhibition he was curating in London. Deep.

How do you find touring? Is there a country you'd especially like to break?

America has to be the one! You can chart at like 1000 over there and be getting PAID! Over here to make any money every single person in the country would have to buy your record. Twice.
Touring is odd though. When your on the road you just want to get home, but as soon as you are you miss being on the road. You get used to it though, and it is a whole lot of fun.

The last few months have been an amazing journey for you guys, how do you plan to spend the summer? And what can fans expect to see next from Shake Aletti?

Yeah, its been great. This summer we're doing a few festivals, Isle Of Wight and V are gonna be fun, Tramlines of course will be a highlight, then we have lots of club shows around the country. After the summer we'll continue work on the album and there'll be another single before that is released.
Sheffielders should keep an eye out for our "Pajama Parties' too. We gonna start them after the summer, and they're basically about bringing some of the people we've had the pleasure of meeting or working with to Sheffield to play and have a rave! The idea is big names, big parties, big fun!

How was tramlines this year for yourself?

It was REDONKULAS! So much fun. Its always the best weekend of the year in Sheffield!

Was tramlines better this year than last?

Yeah I think so. Its getting bigger and better every year. Hats off to the whole team and everyone involved for this years festival.

Best tramlines moment?

I think performing this year at the Harley has been my top moment from any of the Tramlines festivals. It was just such a great vibe. Can't really explain how good it felt! Massive thanks to all who came down and endured the heat and cramped conditions! And appoligies to anyone who couldn't get in!

what happened to shake aletti not being on the main stage? we were all waiting for a repeat performance from last year!

This year for us was all about getting back to where we started, in small low lit sweaty venues. The atmosphere is like nothing else. We do plenty of big stages outdoors, and we love them, but we wanted to do what we do best this year so we specifically requested the Harley and were lucky enough to be offered a headline slot!