I have been checking out his radio show, Future Breaks, every other Sunday with Fastbinder on fnoob-underground between 10 and midnight, and you can hear why Andy is a name that I expect to see at many more breakbeat nights in the future.
Between them they flow through the many styles of breakbeat but mainly dropping progressive and psy. Andy has just released his first original production which is a collaboration with Parallax Breakz and M_Spark as featured on last week's Global Progress and this is already riding up the charts day by day. With a few remixes already under his belt I look forward to what other creations Andy sets free on our ears.
With his busy life of juggling family, work, DJing and productions, Andy was kind enough to take some time out for an interview (see below) with a free track and mix included.
For the people who don't know you, tell us about Andy Faze ...
I'm a 33 year old DJ and producer living in Derby. I have always been a massive dance music fan and DJed for many years. I used to be known as DJ Faze but decided to change it as soon as I started producing.
Tell us a bit about your background in and outside of music?
My full time job is in a casino. I'm a pit boss/manager, and lucky enough to have a beautiful wife and two children.
Always loved DJing and have spun tunes for years. I got my first set of decks when I was 16, spinning hardcore and techno. My early inspirations were DJs like Carl Cox, Top Buzz and Grooverider. Moved on to hard house from the huge inspiration of Tony De Vit (RIP) and the legendary Trade sound. For me Tony was the creator of this genre - a true legend in dance music culture. In 2002 I had a big break from the scene due to the birth of my children. Came back on the scene in 2005/06 spinning house and then eventually breaks. I had always dabbled with samples and music production software in the past and decided to take it more seriously in the last two years.
You have been a DJ for some time now, and have dipped into various genres. What made you
end up in the world of breakbeat?
It happened overnight really. I was spinning house at the time and one night I listened to a Plump DJs CD.
I enjoyed it so much that I went on Beatport and bought loads of breaks tunes. The rest is history.
Your production style I would describe as blend of trippy psy, progressive and melodic breaks. What made you want to start producing this kind of music?
I have always been a huge fan of psy trance and I soon discovered artists like Far Too Loud, Neurodriver, Hedflux and LuQas. As soon as I heard these psy elements with a broken beat, I was totally inspired. I'm a big fan of progressive breaks too, and I just think all these styles kinda roll into one when I'm making a tune.
So far you have released one original and a couple of remixes on Breaks.sk Records and one on Rune Recordings. What other remixes can we expect from you over the next year and will you be releasing any other original material soon?
I have quite a few releases coming out this year including a six- track EP for Rune Recordings, with three of my originals.
I'm also doing another remix for Rune. A few tracks coming out on VIM Breaks, which includes a collaboration with
Parallax Breakz and M_Spark for VIM 100 and another one on Breaks.sk - so quite a bit really - keeping busy.
What is your music studio set up and what is your weapon of choice?
I have owned quite a bit off stuff over the years but am really happy with my setup now. I have - PC, Traktor S4 Pro,
Ableton Live, Reason, NI Massive, NI Battery, Technics 1200 turntables, Microkorg, M-Audio midi interface,
Samson studio monitors and loads of other plug-ins. My main weapon of choice is Ableton, but I do use Reason quite a bit. I really love the Thor synth. Rob Papen synths have a really nice sound too and Native instruments have some cool stuff. I use my microkorg for some bits too, but in general it's a whole mix of stuff.
Three big breakbeat tunes that are blowing your head off right now?
1) Fletric - Plasma Funk (Blazer Remix) [Ego Shot]
2) Halobeatz - A Journey (Helbot Remix) [VIM Breaks]
3) Parallax Breakz, M_Spark & Andy Faze - Fast Forward [VIM Breaks]
Who inside the breakbeat world and outside would you love to collaborate with?
I am lucky enough to have already done a collaboration with one of my favourite artists, Parallax Breakz and also
M Spark, Me and Alex will be doing one more, but of course would love to work with other people. I really respect artists like - Hedflux, LuQas, Triple Agent and Bad Tango so who knows in the future? Anyone else outside breaks I'm not sure. I enjoy loads of great music and I would love to see how some artists work.
Final words to the people who are reading this?
Just a massive thanks to all the people that supported me so far - giving me advice and helping me out. The people that listen to my music or even buy it. Labels, artists, music lovers - big love!
Free tune
Jeroen Van Aken - Switch The Flip (Andy Faze Remix) FREE DOWNLOAD! by Andy Faze
Free DJ Mix
Andy Faze - Breaks.sk Podcast April 2011 by Andy Faze
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