Asking a penguin to catch a cricket ball would be easier than tying DJ Zane Lowe down for an interview.
"I'm not famous," he always answers. "The people on my show are."
Well consider Pingu the new England wicket keeper, because tabloid! managed to tie him down (not literally).
Extremely dedicated to new music, many of the bands or musicians featured on Lowe's BBC Radio 1 show, Fresh Meat, have gone on to much bigger things thanks to the DJ's sharp ear for the latest new sounds. The Arctic Monkeys, Bloc Party, Editors, Kasabian, The Wombats and Kaiser Chiefs are just a few.
"I guess the show is most famous for playing Arctic Monkeys first," he said. "That's something we are very proud of. It's a privileged position to be in, to not only receive and broadcast the music but also to discover new music and help those artists reach an audience who are as passionate about music as I am," he said, describing how it feels when he gets his hands on hit songs before anyone else.
"I'm just the conduit for great music to be aired. I never take it for granted."
Renowned for his enthusiastic and fast-paced DJ style, New Zealand-born Lowe played Crazy by Gnarls Barkley for the first time on radio, a move which saw it played frequently on Radio 1 and eventually reach No 1 on the UK charts on April 2, 2006.
Hot right now
"I've heard it's a great gig," he said ahead of his first performance at Soundwave, Nasimi Beach, Dubai, this weekend. "And my friend Dan Greenpeace is involved, so playing records with him is always fun"
It's not all glamour venues, though. "I recently did a UK university tour and the funniest moment was watching my tour manager trying to avoid me dragging him out on stage every night."
So who is hot right now?
"My favourite band of 2010 has to be the return of Arcade Fire," said the 37-year-old.
"It's almost impossible to answer, but one to get me dancing on New Year's Eve will be Nirvana, Smells Like Teen Spirit. You can never go wrong with it."
And for 2011? "Jessie J is getting a lot of heat right now. As well as The Vaccines."
We'll take your word for it, Zane.
Don't miss it
Zane Lowe will get you grooving at Soundwave at Nasimi Beach, Atlantis, tomorrow. Event is from 2pm-2am. Tickets cost Dh100 at the door, Virgin Megastores and at selected Enoc and Eppco stations.
Zane LoweDJ
playlist
The 10 songs Zane Lowe wants you to hear, right now:
1. Arcade Fire, Ready To Start. "It has a direct emotional urgency that moves me."
2. Bombay Bicycle Club, Leaving Blues. "It's delicate to the point of perfection."
3. Magnetic Man, Karma Crazy. "A tense and dramatic take on their unique dubstep."
4. Young Buffalo, Three Deep. "Brilliant new music from the new American pretenders."
5. The Vaccines, If You Wanna. "A new spark in British rock 'n' roll."
6. Break Feat. Die, Slow Down. "The heaviest drum and bass tune I have right now."
7. Nero, Me And You. "A crushing slice of arena-ready dubstep."
8. Noah And The Whale, Life Is Life. "The first song on their astounding new album."
9. Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, The Social Network. "An amazing soundtrack to the break-away film."
10. White Lies, Bigger Than Us. "A gigantic return for the ambitious three piece."
Right now I would play"Arcade Fire. Because as I'm typing this, I'm listening to them soundcheck here at BBC Maida Vale Studios."
one to make me cry
"Anything by composer Thomas Newman."
this one makes me move"The theme tune to Phineas And Ferb. Our kids love it."
at karaoke i would sing"Gold by Spandau Ballet."
track i'd skip right now"Too many to mention. I'm picky about the music for my mood."
The Soundwave line-up
David Craig: 2pm
Matthew Charles: 4pm
Nightmares On Wax: 5.30pm
Charl Chaka: 7pm
Dasendri: 8pm
Jonathan Ulysses: 9pm
Zane Lowe: 10.30pm
Jade: Midnight
Mark Pickup: 1am
And in the R&B lounge:
Dan Greenpeace: 6pm
BFG & Fever: 9pm
