A breakfast date with Andy Farley (and a free mix!)
Reported by Gordon Darley
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Submitted 10-03-10 22:12
There are certain things that we all look forward to, Christmas, the Eastenders Omnibus, your dream holiday, puberty and indeed the next instalment of London’s premier league multi-genre event, Party Proactive! And this one people, is an extra special celebration as it’s the 6th birthday, so what better way to celebrate than presents, parties and Andy Farley?!
The faithful followers of the most lovingly put together line-ups in the capital can’t sleep at night because of the anticipation and there are some good reasons why…
Area, the events home is a simply dazzling amalgamation of top of the range lighting and sound coupled with beautiful furnishings and one of the most comfortable outside smoking areas in London. More importantly though, is the stellar line up featuring the crème de la crème of DJs from every corner of the dance music spectrum with Xerox and Illumination, Chris Liberator, Pete Wardman, Ed Real, Tim Healy and Jo Jo Defreq all gracing the decks. For lovers of the harder end of the harder beats though, Party Proactive Resident, Andy Farley is the numero uno reason to attend. On Sunday 4th April, the hard house legend goes back to back with the equally legendary Ian M.
Hello Andy, how the devil are you today?
Hi Gordon I’m very well thanks. Just having my breakfast then getting things together to drive up to Prestatyn for the Atomik weekender.
It’s Party Proactive’s sixth birthday on Easter Sunday (that’s April 4th for those who don’t read their calendar), and yet again Paul and the gang have gone all out on putting together a mixed bag of world class acts. Is there anybody on the line-up that you’re particularly excited about?
Yes would like to see Xerox & Illumination and also Chris Liberator as I haven’t seen him for ages.
During the last six years, the party has evolved into the multi-genre, hedonistic bundle of fun it is today. That’s a mean feat which many parties have failed to achieve, why do you think Proactive’s formula works so well?
The key to Proactive is the musical variety and progression. On the main floor you’ll hear everything from tech house, techno, psy trance to full on hard house and NRG, so you’re just not listening to one sound all night and the progression means that the music is not 150bpm+ when you walk through the door. This also brings in a varied crowd, which makes it work even better.
Taking the offer of a residency is no small decision for an established DJ like yourself; what was it that made you say yes to PP and when was it you actually got involved as resident?
I liked the ethos behind the music policy, in that it gives you pretty much free reign as a DJ to play whatever you want in fitting with the time of night that you are on. Coupled with the electric atmosphere and friendly up for it crowd how could I refuse?!
How has the event changed since that time? Have you noticed any big differences musically?
Music is always evolving and different sounds come and go, but PP always has a strong musical base and isn’t afraid to mix things up. Playing psy trance alongside techno and hard house is quite unique for a club. The club has certainly grown tenfold over the last few years as well, taking in some of London’s best venues and I do think their new home at Area rocks big time!
I think many of the regulars at the event have certain memories that spring to mind, be it DAVE the Drummer and Chris Liberator going all karaoke with a live rendition of ‘One Night in Hackney’ or Eskimo smashing the main room of Turnmills to pieces, what’s your favourite moment at the event?
It would be one of the last ones I did at Turnmills. I’d driven all the way to London, to play last set from my previous gig in Hereford and was on my last legs by the time I got there. I was fine once I was on the decks and pulled out probably one of my best sets ever. That was thanks to the crowd there who just went with every tune I played. Who needs Red Bull?!
You’re pretty good at this hard house malarkey and you seem to hold your own at a number of very different parties. What would you say goes into one of your Party Proactive sets that makes them work alongside the techno and the psy-trance?
One of the things I like about PP is that it’s very underground musically and this is reflected in my sets. It gives me an opportunity to try new tunes out on the crowd and not have to play a few obvious tunes to keep the floor. I’m also comfortable following on from any other DJ musically and happy to change the musical direction without it sounding odd.
I’ve lost count of how many venues the promotion has been held at, which has always kept it fresh. What is it about Area do you think that makes Paul Jack take his party back?
I was blown away at the first Proactive in there. I’d played in there previously but not since the refit. Being in a railway arch gives the club a great, ravey feel, and the lights and sound system are mind blowing, perfect for PP!
You’re playing back to back with Ian ’he looks like your dad but he bangs it out’ M. Most DJs will tell you it’s easier and more fun to play these tag team sets when you know the other. How well do you know Ian and what can we expect?
I first met Ian way back in 1993 and then got to know him more through playing before or after him at Sundissential. We have a similar background musically so you can expect some top quality tunes!! Ian always pulls out some surprises as well which always devastate the dance floor so I am really looking forward to it.
You’ve just recorded a mix in conjunction with the event, what can we expect from that? Any new tracks on there that we keep our ear open for?
This is my latest Red mix which is made up of my new material and other upfront tunes. It’s been getting great feedback from those who have heard it already so hope you like it. There’s the next three tunes on my Cubed label on there, Shake Your Baracas, Captain Quirk and Travelator as well as new collaborations with Dave Owens and Ben Stevens, and lots of other new material.
Finally, what would you like to see happening with Proactive in the next couple of years?
Hopefully they will stay at Area and continue the quality line-ups that we’ve come to expect from them. Perhaps introduce a bit of Flamenco and Salsa to shake things up a little, ha ha ha.
Photos courtesy of the HarderFaster archive and Party Proactive. Not to be reproduced without permission.
Advance tickets
£8 VERY LIMTED Early Bird on sale till 21st Feb on a First come first serviced basis!
Standard tickets £12 / more on the door..
Www.ticketweb.co.uk / 08444 77 1000
www.clubtickets.com / 08455191909
www.accessallareas.org / +44 (0)20-7267 8320
www.moreonthedoor.com
PARTY PROACTIVE: THE SIXTH BIRTHDAY PARTY
EASTER BANK HOLIDAY SUNDAY – 4TH APRIL
AREA, 67 Albert Embankment, London, SE1
10PM TO 7AM
Party Proactive a hip shaking, knee jerking genre bending spectacular of light, dance and only the best music rolls back into London for its 6th Birthday. Crikey has it really been that long?? We have looked high and low to provide the best at every party, to make every party unique and special and this event is no exception. In the main room a hand picked selection of very best purveyors of the hard groves headlined by special guest XEROX (Xerox & Illumination) from psy super label HOMmega, along side the hard house masters, techno legend Chris liberator and much more! In room 2 it is our great honour to welcome one of the Bugged Out residents JO JO DEFREQ alongside mash up wonder boy TIM HEALEY. Room 3 plays hosts to our guests, Sketch Records and US & Them.
Flyer:
-
Region:
London
Music:
Trance. Acid Trance. Hard Trance. Tech Trance. Psy Trance. Deep House. Funky House. Hard House. Tribal House. Electro House. Acid Techno. Deep Techno. Funky Techno. Minimal Techno. Techno. Breaks. Electro.
ROOM 2: HOUSE / TECHNO / TRIBAL
JO JO DEFREQ
TIM HEALEY
DJ BANGA
2PHUNKEDUP
KROOKED DJS
YIANNIS BALKAIZAS
BEN 70
OLLY HOLMES
ROOM 3 HOSTED BY: SKETCH RECORDS AND US & THEM
Electro House/Fidget House/Tech/Trance
Uber DJ's /Sketchy J b2b Dirty Barry /Chase + Kingy / Mark da' Ground
Alan Banks / Mike Harris / Pete Goodwn / Dave King / John Funnel
From: NatNaton 10th Mar 2010 22:35.26 Great interview!Gutted to be missing my first Proactive in years though
From: Danny Gilliganon 11th Mar 2010 09:36.59 this is going to go BOOM! looking forward to the b2b boys...
From: Jennie Bon 11th Mar 2010 09:56.03 Legend!
His 8 hour trade mixes are AMAZINGGGGGGGGGGGG something I will listen to for years to come and still sound so fresh!
I ANDY FARLEY!b
From: ravechickon 11th Mar 2010 10:36.33 great interview gord !!
gooooooooooooo Mr Farley
From: Kamoraon 11th Mar 2010 12:17.30 Legend indeed, roll on the 4th, this set will be special!
From: Mizz_behavinon 11th Mar 2010 21:10.00 Im definitely feeling the flamenco and salsa idea...
But I think disco would be better... and I know you have lots of it
From: John Nutteron 14th Mar 2010 21:49.41 Great mix from awesome DJ still at the top of his game. All hail the King
From: Dickon Lawson 26th Mar 2010 21:20.13 Still going strong. Still the King. Nice one Andy. It'll be my first time in a club for 3 years - cant wait!
From: ~deleted12163on 27th Mar 2010 20:09.11 Nice one.
Try & get a new mix out of Wardman next!
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