Chia Kougianos chats to the UK star about working with Calvin Harris, his hop-hop influences, and what we can look forward to seeing next…

You have performed in summer festivals across the UK including Glastonbury and Wireless, which has been your best gig so far?

My favourite was Bestival because we went on early in the day but had one of the biggest crowds of the entire weekend.

What has the experience been like having supported two of the UK’s biggest artists with the likes of Lily Allen and Tinchy Stryder?

Yeah I’ve been lucky over the last few years to have supported some of the biggest acts in the UK. I learn a lot about myself getting to perform to such huge crowds that are not always there to see me. It keeps you on your toes.

You have worked with multi-talented producers such as Calvin Harris and MJ Cole. How did that come about?

Mostly I meet people at gigs, clubs, and festivals and just ask them politely if they’d like to collaborate. Sometimes you meet people on twitter or MySpace back in the day.

What is a typical day in studio like?

If I’m feeling inspired I can write a song in an hour and record in an hour. If I’m not in the right frame of mind I might just write one chorus and then go home with a busy mind. I can’t relax sometimes. I think it depends on the rapport between me and the producer/co-writer sometimes or even the vibe of the room we’re in.

What can we look forward to seeing on your ‘Won’t Go Quietly’ LP?

Lots of banging electro pop and rave tunes inspired by rap, house, grunge, Dubstep. There’s something for everyone but my voice ties it all together

Inspiration behind your newly released single Two Lives?

It’s about living two lives. One as Example and one as Elliot and trying to balance the two differing lifestyles. I think anyone who has a demanding job and a relationship can relate to it.

With over 35 million hits for your videos on You Tube it ensures a huge fan base, any crazy experiences with fans or shall we say stalkers?

I once needed some new underwear so I requested some on twitter and 15mins later some fans turned up with fresh pants for me to wear. The power of twitter! Fans offer all sorts of stuff. Good and bad. One girl tried to entice me to stay at her house by offering me an omelette in the morning!!

What does your personal music collection consist of?

All sorts. Mainly 60’s rock and roll, 90’s rap, a lot of UK Garage from the late 90’s and some Motown.

If you could annihilate the lyrics of any song it would have to be…

Any song by Flo Rida

Who would you love to work with one day?

Phil Spector. Sadly he’s locked up for the rest of his life.

When you’re not in studio or performing where will we find you?

I’ll either be working out at the gym or at the cinema.