Trance
Andy Moor: "I've Always Wanted To Put On A Party In A Protected Historical Building!"
You’re one of the busiest men in trance at the moment, with new productions flying out and DJing all over the world! How have you found 2007 to date, and what has been your personal highlight?
2007 has been extremely hectic so far, I’ve played some amazing gigs and been to some amazing places. Most of my gigs have been over the other side of the world so its been hard to squeeze in as much studio time as I would have wanted. My personal highlight is having this above photo taken with Pete from Trackitdown a few weeks ago, I have it framed above the fire and his smooth head always reminds me to shine my shoes.
Do you prefer playing abroad to playing in the UK? What do you think is the major difference between audiences in different countries in your experience?
Every country is different and going through varying stages of its musical evolution. Different genres in different countries are going through differing stages of popularity at different times (I think I used the word ‘different’ too many different times). Also some countries are changing so fast that it changes everytime I go back, take China for example – people are getting more and more crazy every visit, now they are among the most eager and responsive crowds compared to probably the opposite a few years ago.
I seem to play abroad disproportionately more than the UK - Maybe my agent thinks its funny sending me as far away as possible so he can have a lie in on Monday mornings!
You’ve made a name writing a unique blend of trance which draws influences from progressive, euphoric and electro sounds. What do you make of the current dissection of the trance sound, and what is your preferred sound at the moment?
I have always liked progressive music, the groove, the emphasis on good drum programming etc (How you decide what ‘progressive’ is comes down to the individual). I have always loved to listen to trance, but in the past it has sometimes been a bit too blinkered and didn’t really have the elements to move anybody other than trance fans in the past. Now that the melodies and other trance elements have become part of so many other styles it has been so exciting, allowing a wide range of people to enjoy it, making it exciting to play out and to listen to.
Its difficult to describe my preferred sound, something in the region of dynamic melodic progressive trance (if you have to put words on it).
2007 is said to have been the year that trance went electro. What do you make of the new influences and do you think the sound of ‘electro trance’ can last?
Any sound can last as long as it progresses. I love the electro influences as long as they are tastefully done and the track has a direction. The ‘drop down to just a kick and bassline’ is getting a bit tiresome now but as long as people find ways of being creative then I’m sure it will keep peoples interest.
You’re the man behind the AVA imprint, a label which is going from strength to strength with every release. What are your criteria for the label with regards to what you sign? What do you look for in AVA releases?
Firstly production. If a tune is tilting heavily towards the progressive boundaries, or is more full on trance….if the production is good it gets considered for the label. It makes a track sound 50% better than if it was badly mixed down with dodgy obvious sounds being used. Then the whole feel of the track is important, sometimes we will sign a tunes that is more of a DJ ‘tool’ which are overlooked these days in sets, but we also like to sign bigger tunes too. I am also a sucker for basslines and melodies. If it has all of these then it would be a perfect release inside the AVA sound we are trying to push.
What are your plans for the label in 2007 and what in particular are you looking forward to releasing?
I’m looking forward to all the releases (otherwise we wouldn’t sign them). If we don’t get a good tune for 6 months then we will have a 6 month gap in our releases as I don’t want to go down the route of sticking to a schedule and compromising the label.
You are one part of the legendary trance outfit Tilt alongside Parks & Wilson, responsible for some massive anthems including ‘Invisible’ and ‘The World Doesn’t Know’. Do you have any plans to release new material and if so, what direction will you be taking this in?
We have just finished a new remix of the old Tilt tune – Angry Skies and decided to take a different direction with this remix having a funkier bassline and slightly stripped down. Having this space in the production has been working well when played out. Both Mick and I are both interested in different styles so this is basically an amalgamation of compatible elements of these styles.
What have you been upto in the studio as of late?
I have started my album. Progression is not fast but Im happy with the people that are currently involved and the styles being pursued. It will probably be released in 2020 at this rate! I am also in the middle of my next single, again though it seems to take me a lot longer these days as I become more picky in the studio.
Finally, you’re given one million pounds and the choice of any venue in the world to put on a party. You can book any DJs, bands or artists to play. Where would you have the event, and who would be on the line-up?
How much does Buckingham palace cost for private dance events these days? I’ve always wanted to put a party on in a protected historical building, something like a large stately home for just a few hundred people inside. There are loads of rooms in those places so you could have a large selection of DJs and the atmosphere would be pretty weird but cool at the same time. I would probably book Sander Kleinenberg, Soul Mekanik (in the red room), Above and Beyond (playing from the roof to the thousands in the garden) and Cliff Richard (to sing to people without tickets…it would save money on security)
Featured Tracks:
| Andy Moor (AVA Recordings) - August Top 10 (76:54) | |||||
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Artist: Andy Moor Label: Trackitdown Genre: Trance Release Date: 2007-08-16 
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