For those of you who have never come across Andy Baxter before, you're in for a treat. Resident at the Ibiza super-club Pacha for the past nine years, Andy has been playing with the biggest hitters in the electronic music scene and wowing crowds the island over with his dance floor-driving blend of styles and rhythms. Known as being a bit of a musical chameleon, Andy is totally comfortable across a number of different genres, having been the only DJ to have held residencies in all of Pacha's different dance floors, and holding coveted guest residencies for We Love… Sundays at Space and the Defected Records night. His reputation as a DJ that delivers is long-standing, making the Pacha New Year's Experience one of the must-get-to parties of the summer! We caught up with Andy to discuss a few elements of his music, ask him about Ibiza and to find out what he has in store for us come 31 December…
1. Easy one, first up… what's the first LP you ever bought, and why?
It's not that easy actually - I can't remember buying my first one! My older brother used to pass his records on to me and my obsession started there…
2. You're a UK lad originally. What made you choose to go to Ibiza when there are huge house brands like Cream and Gatecrasher at home?
I wanted to hone in on the Mecca of dance and electronic music. Here in Ibiza, it's all happening in one small place… with A LOT more sunshine!
3. You've been playing since the vinyl era: what piece of equipment has most changed how you approach deejaying now, in the digital age?
I guess it's been the computer, for storage, labeling and easy access… but I've actually at this point, just gone full circle and started playing a lot of vinyl again. So many DJs have turned to digital, and it just seems to be watering down the talent. With vinyl, the sound is ultimately better and you can showcase your skills as a DJ, plus your own personal collection is always different to everyone else's. I don't mind playing and using new technology, but the bottom line is, it's always about how good the music is that you're playing…
4. Ibiza is known as an island of hedonism… you must have a good story or two?
Sorry - what happens in Ibiza stays in Ibiza!
5. You've travelled to pretty much every continent except Antarctica: where have the most memorable gigs been, and what makes gigs stick in your mind?
I loved touring all over Brazil - the people come to the parties with such a positive attitude, and absolutely no pretentiousness. And of course nothing compares to Ibiza - there's no place like home.
6. You write and produce your own music, as well as playing other people's efforts. What revs you more: hearing the crowd respond to one of your tunes or knowing you have put the right song on in the perfect spot?
I do prefer watching the movement of people on the dance floor, adapting to the build up and then smashing the right song at the right time.
7. Describe Ibiza to a newcomer…
Game changing! Ibiza really is a musical playground for some of the world's most eclectic and amazing producers and DJs, and it attracts the most fun, beautiful and cool people from all over the world. You can dance all night to amazing music - and it's totally acceptable - and then spend your days lazing around on gorgeous Mediterranean beaches, eating incredible food in world class restaurants; the whole time meeting like-minded people… there's nowhere else like it.
8. Has the maelstrom of top international artists through Ibiza influenced your music style at all? Who has left marks?
Yes, many… Jamie Jones for his ability to adapt styles and be a constant game changer; Luciano for finding the middle ground between the underground and accessible party music; Henrik Schwarz for his constant flexibility to cross spectrums and REALLY entertain and The Wolf + Lamb crew for opening the doors to a whole new scene of music, DJs and attitude.
9. You've been a resident at Pacha forever. What is it about the brand that has kept you so loyal?
I class Pacha more as a family than a brand. I still enjoy it as much today as I did in the first year - I like the culture of it, the fact it's been around for such a long time. I like working with the old faces, who have literally been there since day one, and yet I love that the club evolves each and every year (and even every night in the summer!).
10. You must be tempted by the yearly changes in style... how do you keep your own music to a signature style?
The thing is, 'signature sounds' evolve as music evolves and dance music is changing constantly! Every year new styles emerge, but those I like seem to merge well with my sound. It's a process of adaptation.
11. You're known as a bit of a DJ's DJ… what makes a house legend like Danny Tenaglia ask for you, and what drives your love of music?
I think it's a case of musical nerdiness really - I enjoy complementing the sound of the DJs playing after me, without stealing the show. In the case of Danny Tenaglia, we'd met in Ibiza, got to talking about music, he recognised my passion and it all happened from there.
12, You're an A&R agent for Simon Dunmore's Defected Label… what's bubbling out there below the surface? Who's going to be making waves going into 2012?
Maya Jane Coles was already one to watch this year, but I think there is so much more to come from her in the new year; Subb-An will be big as his music just gets better and better; Maceo Plex seems to be taking deep house in a much more musical direction, almost symphony-like; PBR Streetgang always do what they do with fun and dancing in mind and finally, The Martinez Brothers are two young boys from the States, who are driven by that old school NY house scene, and it really shows when they produce and DJ. The old school house sound is really big at the moment, so DJs are digging deep again.
13. Where is the future for you? Across genres, and reading the floor, or delving into a genre more intensely? Are you happy in the space you're in right now?
I've never been happier - I'm playing a lot of deep, grooving house, which is really working on the dance floor right now, but I'm always open to new styles. We'll see what happens as the New Year unfolds…
14. Finally, what can South Africans expect from an Andy Baxter set?
I'll definitely be playing some of my standout tracks from this year, plus a few classic surprises here and there - but above all, expect a party, expect good times, expect happy vibes and the true Balearic spirit!
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Want to know what you can expect?
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