SmartShanghai | Interview: DJ Andy Smith

Interview: DJ Andy Smith

By Morgan Short, Mar 3rd, 2010 | In Nightlife

One of the UK's most knowledgeable DJs on everything, Andy Smith plays ska, rocksteady, breaks, Northern Soul, boogaloo, funk (classic and modern), classic hip hop, rap, reggae, roots, dub, dancehall, and more. His 1998 mix "The Document" was the first multi-genre mix released by a major. It sold over 100,000 copies and has since spawned sought-after sequels released to critical acclaim. Working with Scott Hendy, under the name "Dynamo Productions", he released Analogue which was rated five out of five in Mojo magazine. What else... residencies in London, Bristol, and Leeds, a radio show, and a bunch of other great releases and mixes and remixes to numerous to detail.

Have a look right here on Andy Smith's page to check out his stuff. In particular, check out "Andy Smith’s Northern Soul" -- it's a mix of classic Northern Soul 45's. Nice.

Andy Smith is playing The Shelter this Friday with the Lab crew, bringing the classics and funk. Check out some of his free downloads here.

SmartShanghai talked to Andy Smith basically only about Northern Soul though...

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SmSh: Sorry about this: Andy Smith -- "The Portishead DJ". How do you feel about that moniker? Can you talk about your involvement with Portishead? How did that all come about?

Andy Smith: The whole "Portishead DJ" thing is a double edged sword really. I'm glad that it happened so that I am still able to do the job I do today, but I haven't worked with them since 1998. And we have both gone off on such different tangents now. I am against having "Portsihead DJ" all over the DJ flyers, as I feel it's cheating the crowd -- this is one of the reasons I don't DJ much out of the UK anymore because I can tell a promoter, "don't put Portishead all over the flyer", and nine times out of ten they will anyways. I realize why but it's sometimes frustrating!

Anyways, I worked with them supplying samples for two albums, and being the "warm up" DJ on two world tours.

SmSh: One of the genres you've done a lot of work in is Northern Soul. Even though, you might not play a lot of Northern Soul Friday at The Shelter, I still wanted to asked you a few things:

What's your take on Northern Soul's new-found relevance to contemporary audiences? Why has it enjoyed a resurgence of popularity?

Andy Smith: Northern Soul will always be popular with those that "get it", as it's timeless music. Most recordings in the "dance" market become worthless within a year. Northern Soul records are up there with works of art and gold, in that they increase in value over time (fact).

This music is timeless music. I also think there is a backlash starting against "computer-made" music, as it is too exact. Some people want the looseness back.

SmSh: Maybe you could offer up a Northern Soul primer for people to get into it. Who are the first bands people should check out -- the key musicians in the genre, and where do people go from there?

Andy Smith: There are a couple of artists that have made a huge impact on the "Northern Soul" scene -- Edwin Starr, Gene Chandler, Major Lance. But most artists just cut one or two tunes and never did anything more.

Little or no promotion, coupled with maybe 500 copies cut meant no big hit, and that was the end of the line. Although, this meant that the 500 copies would be sought after by English DJs for the next 40 years (or more).

SmSh: What's some of the more obscure Northern Soul that's been overlook that people should search out?

Andy Smith: About 95% of it has been overlooked by the mass media. Even in the heyday of Northern Soul in the UK in the 1970's, the BBC would not let a Northern Soul record into the pop charts and virtually all sales were done in the North of England.

SmSh: What are your personal favorite Top 5 Northern Soul records?

Andy Smith:
1) "You've Been Away" – Rubin (Kapp)
2) "Nobody But Me" – The Wooden Nickels (Vault)
3) "Send Him Back" – The Pointer Sisters (Atlantic)
4) "That's The Way" – The Q (Hound)
5) "Love Just Begun" – Calvin Grayson (In)

SmSh: Can you talk about putting together "Andy Smith's Northern Soul". What were your initial motivations and what were the criteria for selecting tracks? What were you trying to accomplish?

Andy Smith: I wanted to let people know about how great this music was, so I thought it a good idea to do a mix -- younger people would understand that -- but instead of modern records, using Soul records...

SmSh: When your playing for a hip hop crowd, and you want to speed it up into Northern Soul, what tracks do you throw on to bridge the gap? How going back and forth?

Andy Smith: I usually use a microphone if I have one. If not, then I'd guess I'd take it to old school faster hip hop or funky breaks.

SmSh: Soft Cell's "Tainted Love" or Gloria Jones'?

Andy Smith: Gloria Jones’.

SmSh: Looking at your discography, you're on Vol. 4 of the "Let Boogaloo" series. What got you listening to Boogaloo? What stuff in the Boogaloo genre is essential and what are your personal recommendations?

Andy Smith: I'm not all that knowledgeable in the Boogaloo area -- I have some tunes that are considered Boogaloo but I don't necessarily go out looking for Boogaloo. Now, '5os Jump Blues... that's something I know a bit about...

SmSh: Hows London these days? What sorts of stuff are you playing out these days?

Andy Smith: I do "Lost & Found" at Madame Jo-Jo's every Saturday with Keb Darge. We do '50s Jump Blues, Northern Soul, and Rockabilly -- the best night I have ever done in my DJ career!

"Andy Smith's Jam Up Twist" is in Bristol and Leeds -- as is "Lost & Found", but adding ska and rocksteady.

"Reach Up!" is disco, boogie, and early rap.

SmSh: In your press package, it describes your crowd as a "cult following". What makes it a cult?

Andy Smith: The people that enjoy my shows are people that enjoy good music from any area and don't just want to hear chart/MTV music all night long. I ain't going to play Lady Gaga for nobody and the right people know that!

SmSh: Do you ever feel your obsession with records is taking a turn for the unhealthy?

Andy Smith: Yes, but only when I can't find a record!

SmSh: When you're lugging a record crate around an airport, does this thought ever flash into your mind: "Fuck it. Next time it's on the laptop."

UK gigs = vinyl
Gigs Abroad = Serato

And that's another reason why I don't do many gigs abroad!

SmSh: Tell us about your radio show. What sorts of stuff are you looking at on that?

Andy Smith: It's just stuff from my collection that I genuinely want to hear. I don't play much new stuff as I'm not really feeling a lot of new stuff and nobody (that I know of) plays the range that I do -- '50s, '60s, '70s, '80s.

I kind of miss out on the '90s because I don't need to revisit that era just yet. I play new tunes if they're any good...

SmSh: What are you currently working on?

Andy Smith: A solo LP – this has been in the making for some time and I keep going back to the drawing board on it. But hopefully it will all come together soon.

I'm also doing another compilation CD for Ace Records, showcasing the '50s and '60s stuff that I play at "Lost & Found".

And a remix for the Record Kicks label, with a good friend of mine, Keith Lawrence – we did the Fania remix together.

And lastly a Tom Jones remix, and a Pharcyde remix (with Lack of Afro) – should be out soon (limited vinyl only).

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Quality Control. pres. DJ Andy Smith this Friday at The Shelter. Cover: 60rmb.

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