Interview with Andy Rise!!

This article is about Frantic & MOTD Present HDS @ Hidden in London (UK), Fri 06 Mar

We have taken a few minute's to speak to the Highly talented mr Andy Rise,one half of Pick up & Rise who will be headlining the filth room in a B2B 2hr special with one of Red management's quality dj's miss Lucy Fur.

Where did it all begin for you and how did you end up in the crazy world of hard house?

It all began at Victoria Hospital in Blackpool on the 16th August 1984. After 9 months in a tranquil surrounding I was left kicking and screaming and naked, wondering what the hell was going on! 16 years later and still wondering what was going on (but sporting clothes this time) I heard a couple of cds my friend had borrowed off his sister that changed my life. The music was so cheeky, lots of hard fast beats and silly quirky noises, ive been hooked ever since.

What are your personal highlights from 2008?

Last year couldn’t have gone any better; each month that came along brought its own new highlight and memory. Making my Tidy Weekender debut and being signed to UDJs in the space of a week was rather special. Mixing the end of the Frantic 11 album was a major achievement and was something I thought I would never get chance to do. There were also a couple of sets that stand out in my mind, Frantic’s Birthday at Koko, The Bulldog Bash and mine and matt’s extended set at Puzzle Project were 3 of the most enjoyable sets ive ever played.

Which artists are you influenced by?

I was influenced by Eddie Halliwell & Fergie many moons ago, both of their rises to fame were extraordinary, both bringing something fresh and exciting to the scene. It’s just a shame they both moved away from Hard House and onto other pastures. Im influenced by Andy Farley and Rob Tissera’s passion for the scene, they are both such hard working artists and fully dedicated to the industry. Away from Hard House id say Kurt Cobain as he changed rock music with what he did with Nirvana at the start of the 90s.

Which producers do you feel are defining the hard house scene right now?

Dom Sweeton couldn’t be any more on form at the moment! Dave Owens has been belting out some right beasts, both on his own and engineering for various different other artists, Adam M & Leon Allen especially. Last but not least, my favourite producer for many years now Riggsy. Since moving his studio and being set up in elsewhere the overall sound in Riggsy’s music is even better than before and that’s saying something! I can’t wait to get back in the studio with him in the near future.

You definitely have a trademark sound, how would you describe it?

A few words I would describe my sound are would be Fun, Fast & Ferocious. I try to keep a happy blend of well known vocals and samples mixed with energetic upbeat Hard House. Proper Hard House, none of this inbred Hard Dance that’s lost its identity to the music that got our scene started in the first place.

Is there anyone in the hard house scene that you predict big things for this year? A few artists we should keep an eye out for?

Dave Curtis is one hard working guy, and he’s producing the goods both behind the decks and in the studio. Im sure we will be seeing a lot more of him in the near future, cant wait for his set at Hds. I can see Adam M going from strength to strength since joining the gang at Red Management.

Best and worst moments when DJing?

The adrenaline rush whilst playing and hearing the crowd cheer on a good bassline changeover are two amazing feelings whilst playing out. The travelling is probably the only downfall to DJ’ing but its well worth it.

With clubs closing all over the place, what’s your favourite venue and why?

Koko & Brixton Academy are 2 of my favourite venues, they both look amazing and ive had some of my best nights out there. I also love Hidden; it’s like my 2nd home ha-ha. Each room has its own uniqueness. The main rooms a dirty little sweatbox when it really gets going in there, the bar is very intimate and the red room generates so much energy. I love playing in all 3 rooms for so many different reasons. Roll on Friday!

What’s the best bit of advice you have ever been given?

‘’If you don’t want to know how deep or mucky the puddle is, don’t put your stick in it.’’

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HDS is all about the nu-breed and up & coming talent, what advice would u give to help newcomers on the scene?

Stick at it! Every part of the music scene is fickle and awkward to get into. It can be disheartening sending out demos and not hearing things back, or having a couple of gigs then waiting a few months before your next set out but if you want it bad enough and work hard something is bound to come. Perseverance will always get you there.

This b2b will defo be something special but if you could have a hard dance showdown with anyone else who would it be?

A b2b with Andy Farley would be out of this world! I would also like to do a b2b with Andy K as I think both our energetic styles of mixing with plenty of scratching and chopping would work a treat.

Cheers Andy...

Your B2B with the amazing Lucy Fur is definitely going to be one of the highlights of the night