DJ Andy Smith

DJ Andy Smith is a legend. Releasing his influential and much loved mix tape The Document back in '98 spawned a music making career that lasts right up 'til present day. Known best perhaps as the DJ for Portishead, he supplied them with all their samples, and has gone on to DJ residencies all over the world as well as releasing diverse and interesting albums of his own, most recently a Lovers Rock mix album. He's playing at a special Hot Damn! night at The Talk in November so we caught up with him to find out more about the man behind the mixer.

How did you first start DJing?

The very beginnings of dj-ing for me was with 2 hi-fi systems sat next to each other with the speakers from each system positioned side by side…No mixer. I had to use volume controls on each hi-fi! This was my sister’s 16th birthday in the front room of our house. I would have been 14.

What were the first records that inspired you and made you want to create your own music?

The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash on the Wheels of Steel was a pivotal track for me. It was the first time that the dj was listed as an artist in their own right.

You released your first album The Document back in ’98. Did you expect it to be as important and influential as it turned out to be?

No, not really. It was just what I was doing as a dj (playing lots of different genres in one set). It was what was exciting me as a dj at the time.

When you got together with Portishead to find samples for their music, how did that relationship work? Did they send you the track for you to find samples for?

I would go round to Geoff's house (also in Portishead) with crates of old soul/funk/breaks & soundtracks and play him stuff. He wasn't really a record collector like me so wouldn't have known what artists/labels/producers to check out necessarily.

Your subsequent albums have been incredibly eclectic, from New Orleans funk to Northern Soul. How do you go about choosing and researching these less-known genres ahead of making the records?

They are genres that I am pretty up on anyway. Since hip hop gave me a thirst for old recordings I have never stopped going back! I do a lot of nights playing tunes from the 50's these days.

Which one record would you save if your house was on fire? (God forbid!)

Probably my signed copy of All Mod Cons by The Jam. I have dj'd with Mr Weller a few times; I primed him up to sign it the first time and he did it the second time. It was actually my birthday that night, and he was singing happy birthday to me on the sound system as I walked in the club. I mean, wow!

What’s your favourite record store?

Jerry's in Pittsburgh (and I will be there in about three weeks time!).

What equipment do you favour, and what do you think of Serato?

I prefer vinyl. I used Serato for a while but didn't really like it; my quality control on what went onto the hard-drive was not high enough and it got jammed up with stuff I didn't want. I now have a finite amount of selections to choose from (as planned pre gig) and I prefer that. I cut a lot of my own 45's so quality control is now high. If it’s that good it will cost me £10 to cut on a 7"!

You’ve released all your albums on quite a variety of different labels. How come?

If the offer is the right one I'll do it. It’s always a shame when its not a vinyl release though (like the Greensleeves Document and the recent Lovers Rock Mix). Still, you cant have it all!

Is your job easier these days due to Shazam and the Internet in terms of discovering new and old sounds?

Well, its different I must admit. I find most new (old) tunes from dj-ing with other dj's. I will ask them what a track is instead of pretending I know it already as some seem to do! The thing is nothing requires any effort anymore (though in general most people don’t want anything very deep). It doesn't make sense to me but I’m still making a career out of it.

Can you tell me a little bit about your Jam Up Twist nights?

I’ve been doing the Jam Up Twist nights for a fair few years now as well as the Lost and Found nights at Madame Jo Jo’s in London every Saturday. It just allows me to go deeper into ‘50's RnB , northern soul, ska & rockabilly which is what I love these days. I actually had to stop playing hip hop about seven years ago as new hip hop was doing nothing for me, and I felt the culture had died. I’m happy with pulling out the old school pieces again now though.

DJ Andy Smith will be playing a 2 hour set alongside Voodoo Boogie, Hot Damn!, Soul Shake and The Impellers at The Talk on Friday 14th November. Early bird tickets £6, on the door £8 available from ueaticketbookings.co.uk.