Originator
Probably one of the most adaptable DJs around. A passion and obsession with various types of music has seen a very rich musical history unfold during the long and varied career of Andy Carroll. He started DJ’ing in Liverpool at Brady’s a punk and new-wave club where he got to play with many up-coming bands of the day including Pigbag, The Slits, Mo-dettes, Icicle Works, Swell maps, Gang of Four, Teardrop Explodes and Crass et al. Whilst the trendy Londoners were coining the term ‘balearic’ Andy had been playing eclectic sets for years before the term was even dreamed of and was simply doing what he does best – playing good music. In the summer of ‘86 his DJ partner returned from a trip to New York armed with the latest ‘House’ music vinyl which now entered the evening’s soundtracks. A continuing thirst developed to experience one of House Music’s places of creation at first hand, and so, in the summer of ‘88 Andy went to New York and sampled house music from Chicago, garage from New York and the proto-techno sound of Detriot. It was a hot bed of sounds and creativity where now legendary club nights were over-flowing with the ‘house’ soundtrack. When he returned, Liverpool was ripe for a whole night of acid house. Andy continued his promotional activities and brought over the little known French dance maestro Laurent Garnier to join as a guest. He also played at numerous ‘news headline’ Orbital parties and avoided arrest for crimes of playing acid-house on numerous occassions by a mixture of pure fluke and an ability to run across a field swiftly. As the house bug stepped up, Andy among the first to bring NYC legend Tony Humphries and Sasha for the first time to Liverpool. A successful record label ,production and remix company, major label A&R consultancy and the formation of a few more club legends followed, whilst Andy continued pursuing his first love of DJ-ing as he does to this day.
Andy has been part of the We Love… family from the get-go and has played across the club in Space Ibiza, showcasing his many styles and varied taste in all the music that we love…
Is there one book that you have read that has been life-changing for you?
Several for different reasons, one of them that I read many years ago recently inspired me to try having a totally random weekend adventure that came from reading The Dice Man by Luke Rhineheart. Thankfully that turned out really well. A lifestyle improving book is ‘Water & Salt, The Elixir of Life ‘ by Peter Ferreira and Dr Barbara Hendel . The title gives the content away and yes my health and overall well being has improved rapidly!
Did your parents encourage you to work in music?
Never.
How did you begin to work professionally in music?
A mixture of pure passion, sheer determination and a bit of the right time right place. Oh, and a good ear.
How do you apply your past experiences to what you do today?
We constantly evolve if we allow ourselves. We are never to old to learn, so I respect the past and look to the future.
Where is your current studio and what is it like?
No studio, but I do have likely one of the largest, most diverse music collections around.
How much have you had to consider marketing issues since embarking on your career and how has that affected your creativity?
I could do with someone to sort it for me.
Carroll singing
How would you describe your work?
A very fortunate joy.
Who were your teachers?
I had a very rounded musical education ranging from my Dad and his mix of Jazz and Irish Rebel songs through to a whole spectrum of amazing music from various family members and their mates.
Your home is burgled but fortunately the culprits are caught and your possessions returned to you. What would you deem a suitable punishment for the burglars?
That someone would break into their place, do the same to them and see how they feel. Hopefully they may think twice before ever doing this again.
You have to make one species of animal extinct. Excluding insects, which species would you make extinct?
Komodo Dragons.
If you could spend one week in any period of history, which period would you choose?
A week on a sesh with Mozart .
Tags: Acid House, Andy Carroll, Liverpool, New York, New-Wave, Punk
Discovered Andy Carroll in the red box last Seprember, he is an absolute musical genius. My friends and I were in awe.