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Features
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| Mindbenderz talk ‘Lord of the Rings’ and fishing, as well as the creation of their new album ‘Celestial Gateway’! | | Iono-Music artists One Function, Eliyahu, Invisible Reality and Dual Vision talk Robert Miles, kids, dogs and vinyl, while we chat about their current releases! | | Luke&Flex talk influences, the Irish rave scene, why Flex wears a mask and Play Hard, their new EP out now on Onhcet Repbulik Xtreme! | | Lyktum expands on his new album ‘Home’ – talking about his love of storytelling, creating new harmonies and the concept behind his musical works. | | Pan talks getting caught short crossing the Sahara, acid eyeballs and tells us Trance is the Answer, plus shares his thoughts on his latest release 'Beyond the Horizon' - all from a beach in Spain! | | Miss C chats about living with the KLF, DJing in a huge cat’s mouth, training her brain and the upcoming super-duper Superfreq Grande party at LDN East this Saturday, 16th September! | | NEM3SI$ - I Live for the Night – talks superficiality, psychopaths, and bittersweet success, ahead of a plethora of evocative, emotional, and passionate upcoming melodic techno releases! | | Psy-Sisters Spring Blast Off! We talk to DJ competition winner ROEN along with other super talents on the lineup! | | Blasting towards summer festivals with Bahar Canca ahead of Psy-Sisters Spring Blast! | | Shyisma talks parties, UFO's, and Shotokan Karate ahead of his upcoming album 'Particles' on Iono-Music! | | SOME1 talks family, acid, stage fright and wolves - ahead of his upcoming album release ‘Voyager’ on Iono-Music in February 2023! | | The Transmission Crew tell all and talk about their first London event on 24th February 2023! | | NIXIRO talks body, mind and music production ahead of his release 'Planet Impulse' on Static Movement's label - Sol Music! | | Turning the world into a fairy tale with Ivy Orth ahead of Tribal Village’s 10th Birthday Anniversary Presents: The World Lounge Project | | The Psy-Sisters chat about music, achievements, aspirations and the 10-Year Anniversary Party - 18/12/22! | | A decade of dance music with Daniel Lesden | | Earth Needs a Rebirth! Discussions with Psy-Trance Artist Numayma | | Taking a Journey Through Time with Domino | | New Techno Rising Star DKLUB talks about his debut release White Rock on Onhcet Republik! | | PAN expands on many things including his new album 'Hyperbolic Oxymoron' due for release on the 14th April 2022 on PsyWorld Records! | | Psibindi talks all things music including her new collaborative EP 'Sentient Rays' on Aphid Records, her band Sentience Machine and 10 years of Psy-Sisters! | | N-Kore talks Jean-Michel Jarre, unfinished tracks and fatherhood! | | Celebrating International Women’s Day and Ten Years of Psy-Sisters with Amaluna | | A Catch Up with John Phantasm ahead of his upcoming set at the Tribal Village 4 Day Outdoor Event in Kent 6-9 May 2022! | | 'The Maestro that is Tristan talks barn owls, Shazamming and keeping it Psychedelic ahead of his upcoming performance at the Tribal Village 4 Day Event in Kent 6-9 May 2022! |
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Interview with Andy Bagguley
Reported by Shaun
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Submitted 04-06-04 16:45
Andy Bagguley is one of the nu-breed of trance DJs that are taking UK clubs by storm. As well as being resident at Midlands Super Club Passion, Andy has also played at Hotdog, Wildchild and Serious at the Cross. He is set to explode on the London scene with his forthcoming appearance at the Frantic Midsummers Nights Ball at the Scala on [date]. Andy also squeezes in a hectic label management and production career and runs Trance Revolution Recordings. I caught up with this trance wonderkid for a chat about his DJ-ing and prospects for the future...
You started your clubbing life in 1995 but then took a break and came back in 1998, what inspired you to delve back into the world of club culture after this lengthy break?
I got back into the scene thanks to one of my good friends who did some DJing in London. I took him to Passion one weekend to show him what clubbing was like in the Midlands and I got straight back into it but as a DJ..
The Midlands super club, Passion has been synonymous with your career so far- when did you start to visit the club and did these visits inspire you to start DJ-ing?
I use to go to The Emporium before it was even Passion. Then when Passion began there in 1995, it introduced me to a different world of music. I was going there every week for years! These early days of clubbing definitely shaped my taste in music to what it is now as a DJ.
Your DJ-ing really kicked off when you were asked to play the Passion pre-party at The Engineer's Arms. As you were already a regular there did this enable you to anticipate what the crowd wanted and therefore provide them with tailor made sets every week?
Pretty much yes. As I’m a local lad, I know lots of people in the area, and as a young clubber myself, I knew what we all liked! Hence this was the style of music I played.
The Passion crowd is proclaimed by many as being the best in the UK - why do you think this is? Does its remote location mean that it only attracts the most dedicated clubbers? What was it like for you to play to that crowd for the first time?
Passion’s success is really down to hard work from all the staff involved no more than the main resident - JFK. As for the location, I’m not really sure what effect this has but Passion definitely has the best atmosphere in the country on a weekly basis!! The first time I got to play in the Main Room was probably my best DJing moment to date. I was fortunate enough to play the last hour and my set went down really well. All my mates were there and it was an awesome experience!
Passion is still going week after week when a lot of the other superclubs have fallen by the wayside to some extent - what is the secret to its success in your opinion?
Hmm.. tough one to pin point. I think a big factor has been Passion’s enthusiasm to move with the times and try new stuff. This combined with the efforts of JFK and the rest has kept Passion leading the pack. The atmosphere that Passion creates just wins over people who visit the club making them always want to come back.
Your gigs so far have mainly been concentrated in the Midlands scene for clubs like Passion, Hotdog and Sensoria. How do you think the North Midlands scene stands up against the more hyped scenes of Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield and London?
I think clubs like Passion & Hotdog will always do OK due to there massive reputations. Saying this though, from what I’m seeing at the minute, London clubs really seem to be doing the biz currently. There are many great nights now week in week out so I think the Midlands definitely has to watch its back!
You have now played at various clubs in London including Serious and a recent appearance at the notorious 414. How were these gigs for you? Did you find the London crowds any less up for it than the Northern crowds you play to more regularly?
Exactly the opposite to be honest. I was shocked by how ‘up-for-it’ the crowd was at Serious. From the moment they arrived, they were dancing…and were still dancing at 5am! It is great for me to play in London as it gives me an insight into the London scene. Hopefully i’ll make an impression down here and play much more!!
You are playing for Frantic for their Midsummer Ball on June 12th. Have you ever flirted with the hard dance sound at all? Do you see the coming together of the two scenes as a positive movement?
I don’t play Hard House at all. I sometimes stray into a bit of Hard Trance but not often. Nick Lunn and I actually went back to back at Passion last year when a DJ didn’t turn up. Nick was playing pretty banging so it was hard to keep up but great fun!! I think it is a good thing that the 2 sounds work together now. A lot of people like both styles, so throughout the night, people can have a bit of variety.
The sound of trance has been criticized since the halcyon days of 1999 as being unimaginative and unoriginal. Do you think this is a fair criticism at all? What was it about trance that first captivated you - does it still hold this magic now?
People who criticize the current Trance scene are obviously not into it enough. There is so much good music around at the minute. BUT… there is also a lot of crap, so you just need to take your time to separate the 2. I have always loved Trance and yes, I still do.
What trance producers do believe are currently doing the business?
Well my business partner and production partner – Genix – is really one to watch. He has awesome ideas and has some fantastic tunes on the horizon. John O’Callaghan is another future biggie, but my current fave is Steve Helstrip aka The Thrillseekers. In my opinion, he is producing some of the best Trance on offer this year!
You own the Trance Revolution Recordings and you've already released two big trance anthems on the label from Havannah and Oracle. What is philosophy behind the label?
Genix and I started the label to push our own ‘Oracle’ productions and put out good quality Trance from other up’n’coming artists. We’ve had great success with the first releases and we are really working hard to make the label a big success. We have a fantastic release schedule for the rest of the year so things are looking very exciting!
In these days of downloading and ever popular CD Decks, do you have plans to expand into these areas or do you feel vinyl is a strong enough format to keep the label as it is?
For now we have no plans of venturing into the Digital Download world. Vinyl is our primary format. But… never say never. You have to move with the times, or get left behind.
Your first Oracle production, The One was a big hit with all the usual suspects. How important to you is it that your productions are recognized by the trance DJs at the top of their game like Paul Van Dyk, Armin, Tiesto et al?
I see now as a label owner and producer that getting the support of some of the big DJ’s is almost vital. Without support from any of the big players, tunes just fall by the wayside. It is a great shame, but that’s the way music sales are now.
With more and more DJs being producers now, do you feel that we are getting to the stage whereby it is expected of DJs to be able to produce their own stuff? Is this what ultimately now separates the wheat from the chaff?
To a degree yes. People expect that if you’re a DJ, then you must make tunes. Clubs have forced this onto the DJ’s though as we see more and more clubs booking Producers now. I think that without producing tracks, getting gigs as a DJ becomes so much more difficult.
If you only has one night clubbing left, what three DJs would be spinning the tunes for you?
Jeez… tough question.. err… (1). Matt Hardwick: Always plays an absolute blinder. One of the most under-rated DJ’s around and a really, genuinely nice guy! (2). Marc West: One of my good friends and fellow resident at Passion. Technically awesome and plays great sets whether its 9 – 10pm or 6 – 7am. (3). Eddie Halliwell: Not primarily a Trance DJ, but Eddie has the ability to destroy any dance floor with his magic touch. The first time I saw Eddie play at Passion close up, I was gob-smacked!! And another top bloke as well!
Catch Andy at the Frantic Midsummer Ball on Saturday 12th June...
The Frantic Midsummer Ball
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On:
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Saturday 12th June 2004
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At:
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The Scala [map]
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From:
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22.00 - 06.00
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Cost:
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£10 Members / £12 Guests More on the Door
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Ticket Info:
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ADVANCED TICKETS:
MEMBERS: £10 +bf
GUESTS: £12 +bf
More on the door.
(Students £10 b4 11pm with ID)
The Five ways to get your tickets:
1. Frantic Office
Credit / Debit & Cash Sales // XL Group Discount (1 free per 5)
Call 07949 618035
2. Ticketweb
Credit/Debit Card Sales // 24hr Hotline & Online Sales
Call 08700 600 100 or logon to www.ticketweb.co.uk
3. ClubConnexion
Credit/Debit Card & Cash Sales // XL Group Discount (1 Free per 5)
0870 246 2050 or logon to www.clubtickets.com
4. Cyberdog Stores (London
Camden: 0207 4822 842
Covent Garden: 0207 836 7855
5. E-listlondon.com
Online ticket purchase and advance guest list booking: 07908 809 077
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More:
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If you go to one club this summer make sure it the Frantic Midsummer Ball! This is 8 hours of the most fun you can have with your clothes on at the untouchable Scala complex! We have really pulled out all the stops to give you an unbeatable soundtrack to one hot summer!
For the first ever time in the UK’s kicking Capital we have managed to secure the services of two of the happiest people in UK clubbing: Lisa Pin-Up and Rob Tissera! World famous for their own unique brands of infectious, fun packed Hard House and Trance Ms Pin-Up and Mr Tissera have brought smiles back to the dancefloor! Universally revered for entertaining thousands of happy clubbers every single weekend these are two DJs at the peak of their game! Joining them will be the boy wonder Andy Whitby! Already regarded by many as the brightest new star in our ever growing, ever changing Global Hard Dance community this is one DJ who really, really needs to be seen to be believed! Watch and listen as he mixes up a delicious combination of unbelievably brilliant bootlegs and future classics. Prepare to be amazed!
And you though the Scala complex couldn’t get any better? Think again! To celebrate the Midsummer Ball we will be adding extra sound to the Main Stage, so if you hear your favourite tunes when you get out of Kings Cross tube, you’ll know why!
So…put June 12th in your diary now! Book the Sunday and Monday off work and kickstart your Summer Clubbing in real style! See you on the dancefloor right slapbang in front of the speaker stacks! This is going to be the biggest, baddest, Saturday night of your life!
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Other Features By Shaun:
Nastydirtysexmusic, Interview with Tim Sheridan and Smokin' Jo
The Big Three in Ibiza reviewed: We Love Sundays at Space, Subliminal Sessions at Pacha and Cream at Amnesia...
Interview with Tim Davison.
Review of SW4 - Clapham Common, 21/08/04.
Review of Cream, Amnesia opening party.
The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
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) so good luck to him.
