Starting off this month's interviews is Lock Down Recording's Andy K..Andy has been making quite the name for himself, not just with his amazing scratching, and layering of tracks, but also his awsome productions that have graced the likes of as Housewives Choice, Nu-wave, Hardphaze, Genuine Error, Operation 9 and Slaughterhouse just to name a few.

The Beat Ranch presents, Andy K.

Thanks Andy for takin the time out to do this interview and mix.

No worries

This being the first time on The Beat Ranch, we will start with the usual question, where abouts are you from?

I am from a small town in Cumbria, England called Workington. It's full of sheep, hills and annoying cars with blue neon lights. :o)

Whats the scene like out there at the moment?

The UK clubbing scene in general is booming, plenty of new events's starting with fresh new venues which is what we have needed since the good old day's of Sundissential and Slinky.

What sounds are taking over the speakers at the moment? What do you think will be the next hottest thing?

For me it's all about producers from down under.. Narc, Grady and Dramatik. Big basslines, lots of variation in sound and crisp productions. UK producers I'm diggin at the mo who deserve a mention are Firefox, Fearnie, Flymo, Weazal and Robbie Muir.

You are well known for your wicked scratching techniques, simular to Rodi Style, how long did it take you to devolop your technique, and can you give our readers some pointers?

It took me about 6 years to get to the level I am today, I don't scratch as much as I used to but I'm still always trying new things out when I do practice. As for pointers the best advice I can give is practice, practice, practice!! Listen to mixes of your favourite scratch DJ's and try to break down what they're doing. I was inspired by Hardcore DJ SY, Eddie Halliwell and lazy boy Craig Stuart who is in my opinion one of the UK's fastest Hard Dance scratch DJ's. It's getting him to do a new mix which is becoming a mission haha!

Speaking of Rodi Style, you were asked to come over here to Canada to play at his Hard House Revolution night, How did that go?

It went really well, apart from it being so cold with snow I had a wicked time. I also got to play at Y Afterhours in Edmonton which was also an experience that I won't forget. Must say hello to Jenny who made my stay there a very plesant one :o)

You are also well known for layering two tunes together, in such a way that they synch up perfectly, that has to require alot of pratice before you get it perfect, can you give our readers an insight of how you do this?

This goes back to why I say it's all about producers from down under. Narc's productions being my 1st choice of layering tracks.. His sound and style is very simple yet powerful to be used as either an extra bassline or a middle layer of sounds, acids, hoover's etc... and yes it does require ALOT of practice. To get prepared for a mix I normally spend an hour or two or three working out which tracks goes with others which may sound like pre-planning but I feel if I learn it once I can do it again. There is no skill to it really, the main thing would be to know the tracks inside out, have a little maths knowlegde and a fairly good memory.

On April 25th, you will be playing at Polysexual Vs Resistance, what do you have in store for people that night?

I don't think I've been excited about an event as much as I have about this one, and to be going b2b with Rodi Style make's it even more exciting. We are looking to be joining both our mixing and scratching styles together instead of it being an actual battle. So hopefully it will be something to remember

If you could play back to back with any producer/dj who would it be and why?

I've always wanted to do a multiple deck showcase set wether it be 4, 5, or 6 decks.. Don't really mind who with aslong as they are up for a giggle if it all goes wrong midway thru haha! No but seriously ummm.... I'd have to say Narc and/or Grady G.. To do a b2b set with either or both of them guys would be amazing.

On the production front, you have ha quite a few releases on such labels as Housewives Choice, Nu-wave, Hardphaze, Genuine Error, Operation 9 and Slaughterhouse just to name a few, what can we expect to hear from you in the coming year?

This year so far I've been mainly concentrating on DJ'ing rather than approaching labels everyday. I have recently just set up my own digital label called Lockdown with a few friends Ben Boag and Lee Mills who I also produce Hardhouse and NRG with. We have just signed a new monster track by Weazal called Bin Juice which should be out as a part of our E.P around the end of May

What is your main program for production and what VST or piece of hardware could you not live with out.

Fruityloops is mainly what I use and probably Predator and Superwave VST is something I'd say I use alot.

How long does it usually take you to make a track? Do you have set rules or just start fresh and see what happens?

I used to have set rules yeah which did make things easier for the next track but overall gave it too much of a similar sound which is why now I always start from scratch. Take's longer but the end result seem's to pay off for the better.

Your label Lockdown has see the likes of yourself along with Robbie Muir with his track "Funky Feeling", what can we expect from LockDown in the rest of 2008?

You can expect alot more stuff coming from label owner Ben Boag who is starting to build a name for himself now. Also more tracks coming from myself and Lee Mills, Weazal, Tom Parr, Narc, Dramatik, AMH and hopefully aswell Firefox.

Any last words?

Cowabunga dudes!!

Click here for Andy K's Mix
Click here for tracklisting.

Past Interviews