Andy Whitby - My Year In Hard Dance

What's been your biggest achievement of the year?

This year has been my most proactive in terms of gigs, production and event promotion. Going into 2009 I wanted to focus more on writing music and I believe I achieved that goal, producing for some of the biggest dance labels in the World including AATW, Ministry of Sound, 3beat, Tidy and Nukleuz. I had tracks featured on every major Hard-dance compilation and other high-selling albums such as Clubland Hardcore X-treme and Wigan Pier 2. On the AWsum Music side of things we had some huge releases by a huge range of artists pioneering a new and exciting hybrid sound of Hard-dance. I was extremely pleased to see our 9th release 'Over 4 Me' top the all-genre chart on Trackitdown.net Event-wise, AWsum went from strength to strength, seeing us take the brand all over the country putting on shows in Birmingham, Swansea, London, Middlesbrough, Bognor Regis, Newport and hosting Arenas @ Atomik Weekender and Slammin Vinyl's Westfest. With our own range of clothing, new website about to launch and huge developments with the labels I'm very exciting about next year!

What moments will you never forget?

There's been some moments through the year on and off the decks I'll remember for the rest of my life, but that's why I do it…to create moments and memories I share with whoever I'm playing in front of. Every huge moment from a set will be with me forever. There's no feeling better than when you and a dancefloor connect and you look around and think 'fucking hell….this is going off big time!!!'.

Who's been your favourite newcomer of the year?

Again, I'm going to say Klubfiller. I feel no other newcomer to the scene has achieved as much in terms of gigs, releases and fan-base.

Who's been the artist of the year for you?

Obviously my studio partner Klubfiller never fails to impress; his production style has really gone to new level this year as he was previously only known for his bouncier sounds. MDA & Spherical, Tom Parr and Technikal are also always on point. I know I'll like any track they send me even before I listen to it. Hard-dance is more exciting now than it has ever been in terms of varied styles and ideas...I think we're going to see some superb tracks released through 2010 and I can't wait to hear them!

What's been your favourite label of the year?

Other than my own AWsum imprint, there's been some huge releases this year found on Tidy, Defiance, 3phase and Technikal Recordings. Unfortunately due to everyone and their dog starting labels now we're seeing an influx of tracks by producers who wouldn't get a release any other way. I truly believe you should have a few releases on different labels before considering starting your own, this way the quality of the music stays higher and consumers don't have to search through all the low quality tracks to find the good stuff!

What do you think has been the best track of the year?

My favourite track of the entire year would have to be Audio Riot's remix of a track myself, Matt Lee and MC Whizzkid wrote called 'Rock It!'. At any show I played it, at any time of the night, the results were the same; absolute dancefloor carnage…no-where more so as seen on my video diary from Tidy Magna which can be seen on my YouTube page; www.AWsum.tv A close second would be mine & Alf's 'Hard House Slut' which I've been asked about every week since the first time I played it at a show and has gone on to inspire an army of horny hard-dance female clubbers with their AWsum-branded 'Im a Hard House Slut' clothing.

What's been your favourite event of the year?

It's a tie between 2 for me… Escape into the Park is always absolutely mind-blowing but this year there was something else, something extra special that made it one of my favourite ever gigs I've played. The crowd, the atmosphere, the time of my set…it all seemed to 'click' and to make it even better was I got it all captured on film for an AWsum video diary on my YouTube page (www.AWsum.tv). There's actually a good story behind that weekend, as I was playing in Bilbao (Spain) the night before and the promoter took me to a very dodgy burger bar. Afterwards, I had an hour nap before my set at the hotel and woke up feeling ill, before being sick 5 times and nearly missing my set. As soon as I finished the gig I had to go straight to the airport, where I was sick at least 10 times, boarded the plane (sick some more), landed in Barcelona for the connecting flight and spent the next 30 minutes literally holding onto a toilet whilst sitting on the floor coughing up what felt like every meal I've ever eaten. I just made the flight, spent the entire time in the toilet, and got picked up by Klubfiller at the airport who took me to Escape into the Park whilst I slept in the passenger seat! After Escape I had another show in Leeds, which we just about made, before driving home and having our windscreen smashed by a crazy low-flying bird…what a weekend! Tidy Magna was my other favourite event of 2009. My back 2 back with Cally Gage was the first hard-dance set in the main room of the night and the sea of clubbers before us were literally gagging for it! Again, all caught on camera and, like Escape, every time I watch it I can't help but smile…it's what DJing is all about for me, I fucking love it!

What's the funniest thing that's happened to you?

Anytime I'm in the studio funny things happen. Ste (Klubfiller) and I would get much more work done if we didn't mess about so much, especially when recording vocals which just usually ends up in some of the most ridiculous out-takes I hope no-one ever hears! *laughs* I would agree with Ste about one of the funniest things which happened, so instead of me telling it again and boring you; go read his!

What do you have planned for the next year?

In January I'll be launching 7 new labels through AWsum which will cater for all aspects of harder-edged dance music. Ive hired a team of exciting label-managers to run them alongside me and, with the existing main AWsum label, we are going to be releasing some very exciting and multi-genre music. Everything from euro to funk, bootlegs to harder-edged Hard-dance, trance to bounce...we've very excited about how much new music will be available. On the event side of things we'll be putting on new shows in new cities around the UK. We've enjoyed our events in London but its time now to take it elsewhere and spread the love! The second series of AWsum Clothing will be in stores February, with new range coming every 4 months through the year. After the success of the 'Hard House Slut' tops, Im happy to announce there will be 4 new exciting slogans to choose from when wanting to show support to your favourite tracks. I will also be starting a blog page where Ill be keeping an online diary when Im in the hotel before the club, and afterwards to let you know what rocked when dropped!

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