For those who wonder “Who is Huw?” could you please start by describing yourself and what you do?
Hello. I’m Huw Stephens, I’m a DJ on BBC Radio 1 (Wednesdays from 9pm and Thursdays from midnight) and I’m a massive music fan. I play new music of all sorts from everywhere, and mix it all up into two big shows that bring it all together.

You were the youngest ever Radio 1 presenter, a mighty accomplishment by anyone’s standards, but what would you say has been your proudest achievement?
Working at Radio 1 is something I’m massively proud of, it’s the best station out there, in the world, and I get to play any music I want every week to a massive audience; that’s a total delight. Other things I’m proud of? Compering the main stage at Reading Festival! I love it!

I take it you knew what you wanted to do from an early age, but who or what was the inspiration behind your aspirations?
Listening to John Peel on Radio 1; growing up listening to the Evening Session and late night radio opened my ears so much. It was that really, the whole process of listening to music on the radio and thinking it was the greatest job ever.

How did it feel to take over the John Peel slot (albeit as shared duties)?
I, like everyone, was devastated when Peelie left us so soon. He was a one-off, a true broadcasting genius and a real, human music fan who cared. What I think everyone who heard him, listened to his shows and understood a bit where he was coming from tries to do, is carry that flame of shouting about new, brilliant music all the time.

You have a fair few fingers in a fair few pies - what’s your favourite bit of your job(s)?
I love the radio shows of course; I also curate and organise the Swn Festival in Cardiff (October 21st until 23rd 2010) which I really enjoy. Curating the Lake Stage at Latitude festival is a total joy too, getting to invite bands to play the stage and see them play to a massive crowd is great.

How do you fit everything in?
Just get to it and sort it out!

It seems you have an insatiable hunger for finding and sharing new music. What’s so great about it all?
Hearing music is a pleasure of course, and when you get sent loads of it, and I go searching for it too, it all makes it worthwhile when you hear the good stuff. There’s so many talented music makers out there, I just wish I could play more of them! But finding a demo from a pile of hundreds and it being BRILLIANT is a total joy - knowing I can share it with the listeners, on the podcast, see them live and all of that is very exciting.

You’re a big twitter fan. How important do you think social networking and personal interaction with fans is for bands these days?
It’s up to the band or artist I guess, some like to remain mysterious and I appreciate that, but for most it’s vital I think. It’s the new thing, but it’s important and changes the relationship between bands and fans to a degree when they’re all on the same page really.

You’ve brought various bands to Bristol - last year it was Sky Larkin and the hyperactive Pulled Apart By Horses boys on your ‘Introducing…’ tour and this January you brought Islet, Frankie & the Heartstrings and Swanton Bombs to Start The Bus as part of ‘Happy Huw Year’. What do you think of Bristol and its music scene?
Through listening to Mary Anne Hobbs’ show on Radio 1, I know the electronic scene is booming in Bristol. I saw Joker live recently and it was just incredible. I like bands like Munch Munch and Wilder a lot. Chew Magna I liked too. I love Bristol and because it’s so close to Cardiff, I used to travel there all the time to see gigs at the uni and the Fleece.

Do you have any favourite Bristol venues or events?
Venn Festival was great, I went to the last one and I loved what they did. I also like Thekla; and the Louisiana is great.

Do you have any Bristol music hot tips?
Mr. Hopkinson’s Computer! He’s been around a while and is a one off.

Any fond Bristol moments?
The Sky Larkin/Pulled Apart By Horses gig at the Louisiana was fantastic in 2009. And I saw Phoenix play the Fleece with Feist supporting; that brings back fond memories!

And finally…people talk about having a “face for radio” (the cruel bastards) but if you could have any face in the world, whose would you choose?
Scarlett Johansson’s.

Diolch, cariad!

www.myspace.com/huwstephens

Clare Joslin