TRAVELLING the world, working with some of the biggest names in showbiz, and seeing his creations on the UK Singles Chart. It is easy to see why Seamus Haji feels like he has never worked a day in his life.

As a DJ he has held down residencies at Ministry of Sound and Pacha in London and Ibiza and has toured for the likes of Defected, Hed Kandi and MOS across the globe.

He is also much in demand for radio mixes and compilations and highlights include two Radio 1 Essential Mixes and two exclusive releases for MOS.

"I have done some amazing stuff, I never anticipated this and never thought I would be in a position where I could do this for a living," he said.

"My ethos has always been if I do what I love, I will not have to work for a living. It was never my goal to do this.

"I was happy to DJ in London but to DJ in Ibiza and with Ministry of Sound - I’ve done stuff in my life I never thought I’d do."

Seamus, who started out at the age of 16 playing hip-hop and soul for London Sound Systems, describes himself first and foremost a DJ – everything else he has achieved has followed.

"It all started in the mid 1980s – I was really interested in the art of mixing and mixing music.

"I worked in record shops, with magazines, and in production. I went straight from school to the record shop.

"I was going to do a graphic design degree but I lost interest in education in college - it became about the music."

Seamus will be playing at the Voodoo Cafe in Darlington on Sunday, May 5 for what is described as ‘a night of soulful house and disco’ to raise money for local charity Muscles For Mitchell.

The charity was established by the family of eight-year-old Mitchell Tinkler, from Darlington, who suffers from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and the initiative raises awareness and funds to support treatment and research into the debilitating muscle wasting condition.

"The chance to remix music direct is what I really love. When you get great feedback from artists, that makes you realise you love what you do.

"Sometimes you might go to far, but in the hundreds that I have done, there have only been a very small number that have not been approved by the artist.

"But it is important to do what you believe in. If it is a big vocal, the vocal comes first and foremost, I'm not going to make it into Dubstep."

Seamus is best-known known for his hit remake of Last Night A DJ Saved My Life which reached the top 15 in the UK national chart and his remix of Booty Luv’s Boogie 2Nite.

"If you do it, you have to be committed. It is not the sort of thing you can do for a couple of years and move on.

"It is about funding something niche that you love and believe in. It is a very competitive environment now and you have to do so much more than just be a DJ.

"You have to be good at social media, and in the past you didn’t have to worry about that. You have to engage with the audience at the gig. When I started, it was just about being a DJ."

He will be supported at the event in the Voodoo Cafe by guest DJs Mike Stead (Sunday Social), Aidan Davis (Vibe & Cream) and Scott Wetherill and James Watson (Double Entendre).

"I will be doing the old tracks that people know and as well, there will be some new things and up to date versions, so there will be some exclusives and tracks people haven't heard before.

"It will be a really great disco night. I’ve heard good things about the crowds in Darlington, I’m looking forward to it."

For more information, call 01325 467555, or visit www.voodoocafe.co.uk.