Andy C is a DJ legend in every sense of the word. A selecta well deserving of all recognition he receives. Well known internationally as a leader in the Drum & Bass scene and the figurehead of RAM Records. This is a true dub don who is always ahead of the game.
This Thursday Andy is bringing his thunder sound to the Sub Club for the first time ever! As you can imagine there is already a massive buzz around town for this one, and everyone here at Sub Club is equally as excited to hear him showcasing his wizardry behind the decks!
Ahead of the event, we had the pleasure of a very rare interview with Andy. We chatted over semi-legal rave barns, pirate radio stations, and 24 hour charity sets..
Your love for Drum & Bass music was fed back in the early days. What did you find in the clubs there in the small hours? Was it your first proper clubbing experience?
My first experience with dance music was when my sister snuck me into a local rave in a barn near where we live when I was 13! from that my love for the music just grew and then a couple of years later at a semi-legal rave, shall we say, I saw a DJ called Just Jones drop a tune called The Beast… hearing this was the experience that triggered my DJ career.
Tell us more about back then and how you got involved in DJ’n?
I would do whatever I could to be involved in the scene… I would give out flyers, play for free, do sets on pirate radio, sell tickets, what ever needed to happen to get me in front of people, I would just do.
https://soundcloud.com/uncledugs/andyckoolfm1996
You’ve got a reputation as one of the most significant British artists in global dance music. After all this time in the industry, are you still as keen? Do you still love going to your work?
Trust me, there’s still loads I want to achieve. I love this music and this life and I’m very lucky to be living it, especially for this long, so I make the most of every opportunity and make sure I give everything no less than 100%.
How big an influence was pirate radio for you and everyone else involved in the scene? Do you have memories about some pretty random, cool pop up style studio spaces?
It was very influential for everyone. That was where you would hear the newest tunes, know what was going on with the events, and was a great outlet to show people this new and exciting sound. It was also a great shop window for promoters to see how DJ’s could perform. Studio spaces would vary massively, from containers like you’d get in a ship-yard, to the back of a shop, a shed in a garden, to someone’s flat. Where ever you could set a set of decks up and play music 24 hours basically.
(props to MIXMAG for photo)
Guys like Goldie and Ronnie Size, are often said to be responsible for assisting the crossover from the underground in the late 90s. Was this a big turning point for the music?
Indeed. Roni Size actually made it into the Guiness World Records for most Drum & Bass / Jungle albums sold at one point. Goldie took things to a new level with his career and opened doors so people got a glimpse of what was going on. The Metal Headz show’s at Blue Note were seminal also, that was a Golden era that really helped shape the movement.
As well as your own production and remixing, how did your own Imprint Ram Records come about?
I was 16 and just left school and didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do for a job, let alone a career. I enjoyed making music and had made a couple of tunes with Ant Miles so decided to investigate how to press up records. My sister drew the original logo which I got printed up on to some labels. With a small loan from a family member I pressed up the first release, and Ram was up & running.
Are you still actively involved in A & R for the label. How did you come across the high calibre and marketable Chase and Status? Do you guys still hang out?
Yes most definitely. It’s what I do the most. I’m constantly going through all the artists tunes and giving them feedback where needed. The Chase & Status connection came about after Scott(RAM Records) and I was discussing how we wanted to look for an artist that we could really get behind and try something different with. We made the call, had a meeting, done the deal, and released some records with a clear plan of what we’d all like to achieve. Yes I still see the guys at events etc, and chat to them all time.
(Andy chatted to MTV about Chase & Status as part of his RAM family…Read more HERE.)
What are your biggest frustrations within the music industry right now?
I cant say I have too many to be honest. It’s constantly changing so keeps you on your toes and it feels as if you can do what ever you want at the moment and that’s exciting.
Andy C Alive, a whole now digital concept came to light in 2012. What was it like testing the water with this at the likes of Brixton Academy and SXSW? Where you confident all would go to plan?
As confident as I could be. It was definitely a massive learning curve for the good as I got to learn a lot about technology and also what it takes to take something like that on the road. I do sit there and think about it sometimes and what we achieved, and the new friendships that were formed from it with the guys we worked with… good times ☺
Were you always very forward thinking by embracing technology? Did you remember the transition from vinyl to CDs…
I’m vinyl through and through… I do remember everyone moving over to CD’s and there was a point where I think there was just me and maybe 1 or 2 others who still used vinyl. I moved over to Traktor a few years ago just because the sound quality between dubplates and digital files was immense and no where was geared up for DJ’s to play vinyl. Using time coded vinyl, I still get the feel of playing plates/vinyl which I’m comfortable with.
Do you ever DJ without that famous hat?
Yeah of course, not often but I do. In fact it’s only been a feature since around 2010 I think but it’s crazy the reaction I get when I don’t wear it.
The last few years has seen you playing at the main stages of EDC and Global Gathering, lauded performances at Radio 1’s Hackney weekend, playing to 85,000 people at Glastonbury. How do these stadium style gigs differ musically from a Hackney Warehouse?
I guess it’s the them smaller gig’s and what and how you play at them that helps you get on to these bigger stages. My set selection may change slightly depending on where I am or what the crowd may be in to but one thing is for sure, it’s the best feeling in the world seeing people going nuts to DnB in any size venue.
What are your expectations of returning to Glasgow? This is a Subbie debut, has it been on your radar for a while?
Yes it has but just been hard to make work. I’ve been discussing it with my agent for a few years now so am really happy to be doing it, especially as part of the All Night tour.
You’re playing for most of the night on Thursday but hypothetically speaking, do you reckon you could play straight through for 12, 18 or 24 hours?
I love DJ’ing. I will play for as long as I can. In one of my 6/7 hour sets I will go through about 300-350 or so tracks and at the last Brixton Academy show I prepared to play about 700, so I think 12 hours would be easy. To be honest it’s not the amount of tunes needed to play, it’s the amount of energy needed to do the performance… I like to jump about and get involved so not sure how I’d have the stamina for that side of it. Who know’s tho, maybe I’ll do a 24 hour charity gig some day!
Andy recorded this mix ahead of the All Night Tour which stops off in Glasgow in a few days time. Featuring the biggest cuts from across the genre, including some of the heaviest releases from RAM’s discography, it’s the perfect starter for your week. And the only way to get ready for an All Night spectacular this Thursday at Sub Club…
The last of the advance tickets are on sale HERE or from RESIDENT ADVISOR.