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Features
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Convergence sized up with Andy T from Friday morning’s best friend — Addiction
Reported by benz
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Submitted 01-07-05 01:42
A good 50% of the people who frequent this website can probably blame this man for at least one stinking Friday morning hangover. The man in question is one Andy T, half of the team that have been bringing us the superlative free Thursday night hard dance knees up Addiction in recent times. What started out as an innocent bit of weekend warm-up action soon grew to become a massively popular, regular fixture in the discerning hard dance clubber's schedule.
Addiction has certainly left its mark on the scene this year, and has been one of the key instigators in the resurgance of events in recent times at that debauched little watering-hole we all know and love in Central London, the Southside Bar. Its popularity has spread further afield and seems to keep growing all the time. In the grand scheme of things Andy has not been DJing out that long but has acomplished much in a short time, truly a good example of what can be accomplished with a good game plan, determination, and hard work.
I caught up with Andy just before he jetted off to Ibiza, to find out how Addiction got to where it is today, and to find out about his forthcoming appearence at a very promising clash between to London hard dance titans — Blast and Convergence! Here’s what happened...
Please introduce yourself Andy…
My name is Andy Taylor, I’m 24 years old and from Maidenhead (Berkshire), just outside of London. I’ve been absolutely addicted to trance and hard dance ever since I first went to Freedom @ Bagleys 8 years ago at the age of 16. Ever since then clubbing and dance music have both been fundamental parts of my life. In 2001 I bought my first set of decks and played my first set two years later in December 2003. Since then I have had the pleasure to have played for some of my favourite promotions, including HeatUK, Twisted & Innovate and at venues I never ever thought I would get to play at, like The Fridge & Brixton Academy, not to mention playing in Ibiza this summer. In September last year I also started my own promotion called Addiction with my friend Mike Harris, which has proven to be loads of fun even though it can be a full time job in itself.
You are the co-promoter of the insanely popular mid-week free hard dance night Addiction in London as you mentioned… could you tell us how the whole venture started? What was the first party like?
We started back in September 2004 for many reasons. Mike & I had been both playing at and going to mid-week free parties for almost a year. They were great fun and a great way to socialise whilst listening to dance music. However Mike & I wanted to take Thursdays to a new level. We wanted to throw a midweek party with more production than some weekend parties whilst still maintaining that intimate and friendly atmosphere that is essential for any weeknight event. We also wanted the music to progress throughout the night, instead of just playing hard house from start to finish.
The first party was fantastic and I knew we could make a real success of the night from then on. Although we only had approx 60 people the atmosphere was brilliant, and everyone commented on what a good time they had. The next party we more than doubled our numbers and things have just sky rocketed since then.
What’s the format behind the party exactly?
Our Thursday parties have now finished for the summer however Addiction has been, since the beginning of 2005 the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month at Central London’s Southside Bar. We would run from 6pm until 11pm and the parties were always free. One thing we always wanted to achieve with our parties was to give something back to clubbers. Musical progression is also something that both Mike and I firmly believe in. You will never walk into an Addiction event at the beginning of the night and hear banging hard house. We start off the Addiction Room with progressive or uplifting trance, and we programme the djs especially so that the pace gradually picks up throughout the night ending with driving, uplifting hard dance.
So how do you choose which djs should play at your parties?
Deciding on line-ups is something that we both love and hate. We also have other residents, and have always given up and coming djs the chance to shine, as well as bringing in more mainstream djs that you would normally have to pay to see on the weekends. Our music policy is also firmly focused on uplifting trance and hard dance, and keeping things both constantly fresh and also appealing can sometimes be a challenge. We have booked almost 100 djs to play at 22 parties, so I don’t think we did too badly providing a good variety and offering something different at each event.
How has the party grown since you first started at the Southside Bar?
More than we ever thought possible in such a short space in time! Tomorrow we’re flying out to Ibiza to join HeatUK on their Ibizan Heat trip, where we will be providing a pre-party to Cream @ Amnesia for the 500 clubbers going with them. We also held our first ever all night event in May at SE1’s Deep Blue rooms, which was a great success and we have a forthcoming coming boat party aboard The Sundance, on Saturday 9th of July, which is the Official Convergence Vs Blast pre-party. Plans are also firmly underway for our 1st Birthday Party this September on Friday 2nd, and we are also hosting two rooms this year...The Fridge’s Ice Box in September for Innovate, and FunkAddiction will be hosting a room in conjunction with One and UP^^ at Frantic’s Hard House Academy in October. All in all it’s been a very successful year for us, and we are extremely happy with the way we have developed the party.
What style of music do you play yourself? And what styles do you not currently play but are very passionate about nonetheless?
I play uplifting UK trance/hard trance, and UK hard dance. I’ll happily play anywhere between 138 bpm going up into the 150s and my tunes are always uplifting. I do have access to lots of material that other DJs don’t so my sets usually consist mainly of other mainstream artist’s upfront material, blended with some good old classics that bring back floods of memories on the dance floor. I also love dirty, electro funky house, however I have no intention to start marketing myself as a house DJ.
Which DJs do you really rate?
There are so many, but I tend not to be so marvelled at the international DJs and have much more respect for the London DJs. I always have and always will look up to Steve Blake — his technical skills are top class and he has produced some of my favourite anthems. I also carry a great deal of respect for Marc French and Trevor McLachlan, who are both superb DJs and both really down to earth, friendly guys. Up and coming-wise Olly Perris who was made Addiction resident in May is an extremely talented DJ, and also M.D.A & Spherical are just as good behind the decks as they are in the studio.
July 9th sees you play the warm-up at the mighty Blast vs Convergence at The Fridge in London — for a night of such tough music, how do you plan to kick off the proceedings?[b]
I’m playing from 9pm til 10pm so it all depends how many people are there, and most importantly who plays after me, but I wouldn’t imagine I’ll go past 140 bpm. I’ll be playing trance and hard trance but opting for tunes with more groovy baselines, and heavy kick drums. If the dance floor fills, and the person after me wants to play a bit tougher then who knows...
[b]Do you have any past memories of Convergence?
To be honest no, it’s been a while since I’ve been to a Convergence event, but I’m very much looking forward to playing at my first, and hopefully not my last.
The Fridge is an absolutely legendary venue…what are your best memories of the place?
Without a doubt it has to be playing in that main room. I have played there three times before and the 1st ever time I played there was for Twisted in November 2004. I had the most amazing bunch of friends come to support me on the night, and the dance floor filled up so quickly. I was really nervous but soon relaxed and its still one of my all time favourite sets. Playing at The Fridge is an experience I will never forget and always look forward to re-visiting.
Where would you be and what would you be doing in 5 years time in an ideal world?
I’ve only ever tried to take each day as it comes, but obviously we want to see Addiction go all the way, and progress to holding events at much bigger venues, and as any aspiring DJ, I’d also like to see myself getting more high profile sets.
And finally, what is your hottest tune of the moment? And what is your hottest CD of the moment?
I couldn’t possibly choose one tune. Ben Bennett & Greg Brookman’s ‘The Butterfly Effect’ is probably one of the most original and best produced tracks I have ever had the pleasure to own, and Greg’s recent collaboration with Tim Coe, ‘Anybody Everybody’ is also amazing. There’s also a brilliant hard trance track called ‘Look Ahead’ produced by a friend of mine Nick Jenkins with Matt Williams that I have been playing for months and everything that M.D.A & Spherical are producing at the moment is awesome too.
With thanks to Andy and Chris Cee for the photos
Blast vs. COnvergence
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On:
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Saturday 9th July 2005
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At:
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The Fridge [map]
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From:
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21:00 - 06:00
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Cost:
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Early Bird Tickets £12 + BF
Saver Tickets £14 + BF
Standard Tickets £16 + BF
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Ticket Info:
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Tickets & Info:
Early Bird Tickets £12 + BF
Saver Tickets £14 + BF
Standard Tickets £16 + BF
Ticketweb - 08700 600 100 / www.ticketweb.co.uk
Clubtickets - 0870 246 2050 / www.clubtickets.co.uk (1 free ticket for every 5)
Frantic HQ - 07949 618 035/ amanda@franticuk.com
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Blast vs. Convergence
Saturday 9th July
21:00 – 06:00
The Fridge, Brixton
BORED OF THE SAME OLD SATURDAY NIGHTS?
TIRED OF THE SAME OLD DJS?
WANT TO SEE SOMETHING DIFFERENT?
Well have we got a treat in store for you?! Of course we have! The legendary hard house party machine, Frantic, are back in South London! We are brining our infamous sister club, Convergence, to party like there is no tomorrow with the ever essential Blast!
For 2 whole years Convergence rocked the Fridge to its foundations with its futuristic and completely bonkers crowd! Now it’s back with the greatest line up at the Fridge so far in 2005 and a really fresh and innovative transformation of the whole venue, so it looks more like a 21st Century Place of Dance then your standard Saturday night!
WARNING: This is not your run of the mill Saturday Night!
WARNING: This is a cutting edge Hard House Soundtrack!
WARNING: The DJs playing actually care about clubbers!
WARNING: You could seriously enjoy yourself at Convergence and Blast!
Convergence and Blast putting the extra back into an extraordinary night out!!
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Flyer:
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The Addiction Back To Back Boat Party
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On:
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Saturday 9th July 2005
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At:
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The Sundance Boat
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From:
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1pm - 7pm
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Cost:
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Very limited Early Bird Tickets @ £16 // Ticket Price £18 Thereafter
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Website:
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www.addictionclubbing.com
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Ticket Info:
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EARLY BIRD TICKETS NOW SOLD OUT !!!!
The ticket price has now risen to the full price of £18. Get your tickets here NOW !! and remember with our website theres NO Booking fee you just need a Pay Pal account.
Exclusive FREE CD with every ticket bought from www.addictionclubbing.com
£19 Tickets are also available from www.clubtickets.co.uk - 0870 246 2050
£18 Tickets are now also available from these vendors...
The Southside Bar (125 Cleveland St.) - 0207 637 5352 - (NO b/f)
Mad Records (Soho) - 0207 439 0707 - (+ b/f)
Never Enough Ticket Agency - 07813 684 399 - (+ b/f)
Kinetic Records (Little Portland St.) - 0207 323 5303 - (+ b/f)
Cyberdog (Camden) - 0207 482 2842 - (+ b/f)
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Buy Online:
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Click here to buy tickets
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More:
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On Saturday the 9th of July we’re taking you out on the Thames for a day on the river you won’t forget. We’ve secured a 285 capacity boat that’s brand new to her fleet and currently undergoing a complete refurbishment. With a full length Sun Deck, and two inside rooms we’re able to have the usual room of Trance & Hard Dance and a FunkAddiction room onboard playing the finest selection of dirty, electro funky house.
Boat parties are undoubtedly the way to see the city and all its sight's in style. We'll be bringing in our own Sound System to make sure that the sound quality is 2nd to none all day, and we have been assured alcohol will be sold at Pub Prices.
The Addiction Deck will feature Hard Dance Heavyweight's Steve Blake and Marc French, and also Addiction favorites Trevor McLachlan, Shaf De Bass & K.A.R.L. alongside the Addiction Residents.
The FunkAddiction Deck will host the mighty Tom Real B2B with Richard Launch, a quality combination tried and tested @ Bar Riot, and the infamous Cheshire Catz playing for 2 hrs. Not to mention our very own FunkyFranky & Ilana Belsky with their filthy Electro Beats.
We’ve also teamed up with Frantic’s Convergence & Blast to bring you the perfect after party @ The Fridge. All Boat Party ticket holders will be able to enter the Fridge at the reduced price of £10 and buses will be waiting at the riverside to transport you straight from The Boat to The Fridge for ONLY £2, where it will open at approx 7.30. FunkyFranky, Olly Perris & Ilana Belsky will all be playing an exclusive B2B in the Ice Box until 9pm and then Andy T will be opening the main room.
***IMPORTANT INFO PLS READ***
The Boat will depart form Temple Pier (Opposite The Walkabout), nearest Tubes are Temple, or Embankment.
The Boat will leave at 1pm exactly !! Please arrive NO later than 12.30PM to make sure boarding is swift and no one gets left behind.
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Flyer:
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Other Features By benz:
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Coburn bring their live show to UP^^
The return of The Colosseum
Modernism, Politburo and Sedition: Matthew Duffield’s manifesto
The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
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Comments:
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From: K.A.R.L. on 1st Jul 2005 13:17.43
Good interview Andy, but isn't it us who you are hosting the room with at HHH.....
From: benz on 1st Jul 2005 14:33.47
amended, he wrote One UP and i didnt know what he meant!
From: K.A.R.L. on 1st Jul 2005 14:46.50
Cool....
From: bennett on 1st Jul 2005 15:40.21
nice interview! top bloke!
cheers for the the m,ention on the track andy
From: GJB on 1st Jul 2005 20:31.40
Dianne from Pizza Hut sends you her best wishes Andy!
From: FrankyB on 2nd Jul 2005 15:49.08
Wicked write up So proud of what Andy has achieved through his djing and Addiction, so happy to be a part of it I can´t wait to play on the Boat party and then the fridge after 
From: EssQue on 2nd Jul 2005 17:33.13
Nice one. See you on the 9th.
From: James Terry on 2nd Jul 2005 19:32.19
what a quality interview, this guy puts his heart and soul into Addiction and its paid of if youve been down southside bar on a thursday you would know what i mean.Plus a quality mate
From: Olly Perris on 2nd Jul 2005 20:08.38
a true legend and someone who has done so much for me over this past year!! totally well deserved, andy mate u deserve every success!!!! 
From: Mike Harris on 2nd Jul 2005 21:59.56
Great interview mate, ive been mates with andy for longer than i can remember, i saw his first ever set and have probably only missed about 2 of his sets in the last 2 years, its great to see him getting the more high profile sets i think he deserves!
He´s made me very proud!!
From: Mat Lock on 3rd Jul 2005 22:49.28
Wicked interview and a top bloke is Andy T. I have massive respect for him and Mike and hope the success continues
From: luke warner on 4th Jul 2005 14:53.21
Nice work Andy, you are a very talented dj. Cant wait for the boat party and to hear you play at the fridge. Top man
From: Andy T on 4th Jul 2005 16:55.48
Thanks for all your kind words guys I wouldn't have got anywhere without all your support, and apologies to K.A.R.L. & Conrad you guys were most definately mentioned 
From: Andy T on 5th Jul 2005 08:56.46
F.A.O. GJB - Dill Weed & Marajouama are all I have to say to you me old mucker Remember the gold old days 
From: Ian Edwards on 5th Jul 2005 20:06.09
Hi mate. Just to say it's been a pleasure playing for you and mike over the past year, and i wish you and mike lots of luck in your djing career and otherwise. Well deserved dude..
From: Spherical on 8th Jul 2005 02:44.00
Quality Interview.
THIS GUY WILL GO FAR. End of.
From: Darz on 10th Jul 2005 13:25.51
well in dude, top bloke when i met him and his lovely lady last summer
From: Karl Alexander on 12th Jul 2005 11:21.19
From: Baltazar on 12th Jul 2005 17:21.24
Top stuff Andy. All the best
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