Interview - Andy C
One of the most successful, well known, and respected names in the drum’n’bass scene, both today and over the past decade, is Andy C. From his position founding RAM Records, to his solo and group production work with the RAM Trilogy and Origin Unknown - not to mention his often explosive and sometimes unbeatable DJ sets, Andy C has been riding the high roads of d’n’b for some time. Reaping the rewards of his talents and, by all accounts, loving every minute of it, Andy C is a man both happy with his place in life, and passionately optimistic about the music that he loves.
“There’s a hell of a lot of DJs out there, in drum’n’bass especially, getting out there and smashing up the clubs and such, there’s a lot of us out there representing,” he explains, noting the profusion of artists spreading the broken beat gospel. “On a personal level I just like to enjoy myself behind the decks, and traveling, so why not try to enjoy myself as much as possible? When I’m up there DJing it’s not work, I’m having fun and doing what I love doing. I grew up as a kid dreaming of being in clubs, and some of the clubs that I get to play in are just phenomenal - the crowd response is electric, it just fires me up and I just go in all, guns blazing – that’s just my vibe.”
Having come to DJing from a very early age, Andy C has seen many twists and shifts in the d’n’b world, yet for all the years he is still able to convey the impression that everything is still bright and fresh, as if he has stepped up to the decks before a crowded room for the very first time.
“The music has advanced year on year out,” he acknowledges, reminiscing over years past. “I mean, my ethos for playing out is still the same, I just have a party good times and I like to represent the whole spectrum of drum’n’bass and play all the different styles. I mean, its 2009 now, and I’ve probably got the same attitude [as back then] - all the weekends blur into one,” he laughs. “I feel like I’ve been in one long weekend for about sixteen years now, so I probably have the same mindset - I tell you, the hangover is going to be a killer.”
Hangover or not, there is absolutely no turning away from the fact that Andy C has played a major part in the evolution of d’n’b. His pride in the way that so many others have been able to take the music further and further into its evolution is obvious, as is his pride in the talent and quality of those who inject their heart and soul into the genre in order to bring new listeners to its fold, often by utilizing the remarkable ability of d’n’b to blend techniques and ideas from other genres.
“I think we’ve got to the stage where drum’n’bass producers have reached such a high level, that to me, its more album based,” he expounds, attempting to convey his opinion on the direction of the genre. “The whole scene needs to concentrate on promoting its artists to do those albums so that they can express themselves, and then they might try out a few different genres on the albums and bring in new audiences, because the different genres on the albums will make people outside drum’n’bass buy it. Then, hopefully, they will hear the drum’n’bass on the albums and go and see them live, and be really into what they are doing - thus expanding our scene.”
With such a hectic timetable, being able to implement his ideas for album production often proves to be a more difficult task for Andy than he would wish. With so much touring and constantly being on the go around the world, his movements often leave little time for being able to sit down in the studio and get his teeth stuck into producing an album.
“I’d love to do that, but in what decade it happens I don’t know!” he replies, laughing infectiously. “That’s what I dream about when I’m on the airplanes. Fingers crossed, it’s just down to self discipline, and when I’m going to take a few months out. The music that’s coming out lately is quality, the guys that are making the top stuff and the good albums, they’re not just going in there on a whim, spending a few hours knocking out tunes. These guys are dedicated producers and the level of ingenuity and effort that’s going into the music nowadays is huge, so it really takes a concerted effort to slot some time aside and make a go of it. Hopefully if I have the willpower and self discipline then I can do it.”
When it comes to touring Australia, however, Andy pulls no punches with his enthusiasm, always finding ample time in his schedule to maintain a strong presence with his Australian fan base, both for his fans as well as for himself.
“For me, it’s the highlight of the year,” he honestly states. “For some reason or another it’s always come at the start of the year, that’s just the way it’s kind of tuned itself. Me and GQ come out there and we always go home thinking ‘Ahh man how are we going to top that?!’ We have to wait another twelve months because the vibe is always so intense, but at the same time it kicks ass, stokes my fires and gets me vibing for the year. I’m looking forward to it, I’ve had a really long break and I’m getting that itchy feeling and I know its coming - last year was really good, so if we can get the same vibe as that going, then things are running well.”
Tags: Andy C, drum'n'bass, MC GQ, Origin Unknown, RAM records, RAM Trilogy