D&B: Andy C

It pays to remember Andy C isn’t just someone who makes playing drum & bass look easy. His accomplishments as a producer have helped cement his place in the annals of D&B history. But while his DJing career got more intense it’s no secret the studio time suffered as a consequence. Remixes for the likes of Fresh, Rudimental and Major Lazer have put his name back on the production map in the last 18 months and he tells me he’s fully on making new music again. “The production buzz is back. I’m really enjoying doing some new tunes and putting down some ideas. I’m actually playing quite a few of my own new bits in my sets at the moment.” With a gig pretty much every weekend this extends numerous opportunities for him to test out his latest creations to see what is working or what isn’t before going back in on another mix down. I was curious to know one thing: as someone who runs a label and actively gives his artists feedback on their music, who does Andy C turn to for feedback on his own? “That’s a good question.” He pauses for a moment before continuing. “You’re very precious over your own tunes and I’m very aware of that, always have been. My job is to critique music I get sent by the guys on the label, point directions and give positive feedback. I’m always mindful of that. For me, I’ll ask Scott (Red One)and see what he’s thinking of it but again I’m lucky I get the chance through DJing so much to play them out and kind of get my feedback that way too. Making tunes is a precious thing and they’re like your little babies but you do have to let them go!”

His label, Ram Records, continues to be a major player within the D&B scene and majorly as well, having over seen Chase & Status and Sub Focus’ careers go beyond the genre. The roster is the largest it’s ever been, adding Chords and June Miller earlier this year to a squad that already features Loadstar, Wilkinson, Hamilton, Mind Vortex, the mighty Calyx & Teebee as well as the seemingly elusive Culture Shock, who Andy describes as “super talented.” The Ram brand continues to go from strength to strength too. Their events have gone up in number this year, with label takeovers of events and festivals, including Nozstock, one that he is highly looking forward to. “All the people at Nozstock know their stuff about D&B and are so passionate about it, so it was an obvious fit now we’re taking Ram out on the road so much.”

He even found time to start a brand new label in Program, with the help of Ray and Jim in the office. Catering more to the heads it’s an avenue to break through new artists (such as Frankee and Loko) as well as work with some already established names. “Program was something we wanted to do and was started as a way to get some of the music that we get sent, that might not be quite right for Ram yet, but we still want to get it out there.” He cites the Wickaman, Hoodlum & Mavarik track ‘One Scratch Bass’ as perfect example of what Program can do as an outlet for new music. “Wickaman sent me so many tunes and that was the one I picked and he went “Really?” I was like “That’s the one! Turn the bass up; give it more subs and it’ll be a killer.” If I hadn’t picked up on it maybe no one else would’ve put it out and that’s a part of what Program’s about. With more releases on the horizon as well as the continual musical onslaught from Ram itself including the forthcoming Wilkinson LP, it’s a massive musical juxtaposition in sound but one he loves all the same and gets to represent via his DJ sets.

For Andy C though the constant musical activity is what he thrives on and still maintains something that many can lose after two decades in the game. I mentioned it earlier: enthusiasm. As someone who’s seen him DJ more than I care to remember its evident that as soon as he steps up behind those three decks and pulls out that disgusting first blend, he’ll enjoy doing it just as much as we the crowd will enjoy watching it. “People sometimes ask me ‘How are you still so into it?’. Why wouldn’t I be!? This is the music I love; this is what I always wanted to do. Now I get to play at festivals in front of tens of thousands of people. I get a club like Fabric asking me if I can do a six hour set, which was one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life in a DJing sense. I just love this music. I love playing the tunes.”

And long may it continue.

Andy C will be playing at Nozstock: The Hidden Valley Festival this year, which runs from 26-28 July 2013. Catch him alongside Loadstar, Wilkinson, MC GQ and Visionobi, DJ Yoda, Mr Scruff, The Strypes and The Wytches in the beautiful rolling countryside of Herefordshire. See www.nozstock.com for more info.  He will also be playing South West Four in London on Sunday 25th August with Example, Knife Party, Baauer, Dillion Francis and more, tickets can be purchased below.

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