Andy C On Chase & Status And...Stray Rave Goats...?

A monolith of the Drum & Bass community, Andy C this week released his first major label single Heartbeat Loud Ft. Fiora. With over two decades in the business, Andy has nurtured the talents of Chase & Status, Sub Focus, Wilkinson and more on his label RAM Records, earned himself the   respect of his peers and made him the must-see act at any festival or club night he appears at.

MTV News were lucky enough to fire some questions to the don about hitting the daytime airwaves, hearing Chase & Status for the first time and the many (many!) odd things he's seen on the road...

MTV UK: Heartbeat Loud is now on A-list rotation on the radio, did you ever think you'd have an original song being played as people drive their kids to work?!

Andy: Haha! Not quite but it's a beautiful thing to think that so many people are hearing a tune that you made…from festivals to the school run! 

MTV UK: How did the major signing come about? Were you being 'hounded' for a long time by the majors or did you think one day you wanted to reach a bigger audience?

Andy: I’ve had a great relationship with the guys at Atlantic / Warners for a few years now and I totally respect their outlook and approach to artist development. They really get the music.

MTV UK: For your hardcore fans, what can they expect from the debut album? Typical Andy C or a brand new side?

Andy: My musical tastes vary massively and I intend to put my heart and soul and these influences into the project. I always have fun creating the music for the genre I love and hope people will enjoy it when they get to listen to it.

MTV UK: Any collaborations you can tell us about?

Andy: I’m working with a few people at the moment but nothing is final 'til it’s released. I enjoy trying to get the best out of a song and the collaboration process is an interesting experience. It's not always the big name features that bring the best out of each other. 

MTV UK: You're known for mastering the double drop. How hard is it to TRIPLE drop?

Andy: Haha! Any new challenge is something to enjoy…many, many hours of fun in the studio mixing…DJ’ing is my life. I’m always looking for new ways to enhance a set.

MTV UK: Describe the first time you heard a Chase & Status track. What was it? How soon after were you on the phone to sign them? What was their reaction?

Andy: They made a few tracks before we signed them to Ram, but one that has stood the test of time for me from before them signing to Ram was In Love with Jenna G. Absolute anthem that set them apart. We had a great meeting with them and realised straight way that they we’re incredibly talented, focused individuals. The dreams and aspirations set out at that meeting have all manifested and become reality for the guys and we couldn't be prouder. 

MTV UK: What¹s been your proudest RAM signing?

Andy: There’s loads but what we set out to achieve with Chase & Status - and then did it - made us look at our scene and the music industry as a whole in a different way. I’m very proud of what (co-founder) Ant Miles and I did as Origin Unknown, and with Shimon as Ram Trilogy, and also very proud of Sub Focus and, more recently, Wilkinson’s achievements.

MTV UK: Who else have you signed/got your eyes on that you think has the potential to blow up massively?

Andy: Everyone on Ram! Every facet of DnB is covered within the label and I’m excited to be working and help develop all of their careers.

MTV UK: What's it like seeing DnB acts like Sigma getting No.1 recognition in the commercial charts? 

Andy: It’s great. Those guys have been grinding away for years so am very happy for them that their hard work is coming to fruition for them. It was the same with DJ Fresh who went to Number 1 a few years back… I think he had the first No.1 DnB track and Dan is a good friend of mine. 

MTV UK: You're constantly rated at the top of DnB DJ lists - how do you keep yourself at the top of your game?

Andy: There is no better feeling in the world than playing music you love and seeing people go crazy! I go out and do what I’m passionate about. I love DJ’ing, it’s was my hobby that turned into a career. I practice all the time just for the fun of it and always get excited when people send me new music. I love the buzz of playing new tracks out and I guess that passion shines through in some way when I DJ.

MTV UK: With over 20 years in the business you must have seen a thing or two. What's the funniest thing that's happened at one of your gigs?

Andy: Too many to mention! Riots with drummers, crowds moving out the way when people do stage dives etc. One thing that was mad this year was when I was playing at Exit Festival and I had a crowd of thousands in front of me and then all of a sudden a giant tour truck decided to navigate it’s way through the packed crowd… It got a bit heated at one point when everyone started rocking this lorry back and forth! It turns out Pet Shop Boys had to get on the road to Latvia straight after their set so decided to drive through middle of the crowd!

MTV UK: What's the weirdest after party you've ever been to? What happened?

Andy: Errr….Vegas is always pretty epic…you see the maddest stuff backstage…monkeys riding segways, stray rave goats with day glow wraps, backstage poolparties…it gets hectic ;) Actually on a positive note, I signed one of our great artists Culture Shock to Ram after hearing his tunes at an after-party!

MTV UK: What tune can you not stop listening to at the moment and why?

Andy: To be honest out of necessity its probably latest tune I’m working on! I’ve got a deadline and I’m literally in the studio 24/7!

After the incredible success of the sold out Andy C All Night Brixton Academy event, Andy C will be back on the road next Spring 2015 for an All Night UK tour hitting venues in Nottingham, Brighton, Hull, Biringham, Cambridge, Norwich, Manchester and Glasgow. More more info head to his website here.