Andy C

Last updated

Andy C
Andy C live in 2011 3 (cropped).jpg
Clarke in 2011
Background information
Birth nameAndrew Michael Clarke [1]
Also known asThe Executioner
Born (1976-04-07) 7 April 1976 (age 49) [2]
Walsall, West Midlands, England
Genres Drum and bass
Occupations
Years active1991–present
Labels
Formerly of
Website www.andyc.cc

Andy C (born Andrew Michael Clarke on April 7th, 1976) is an English DJ and record producer. He co-founded RAM Records, a drum and bass label. [5]

Contents

Music career

Early years

Andy C originally found success in 1993 [6] with the track "Valley of the Shadows", [7] which was created and released by Origin Unknown, consisting of Andy C and Ant Miles. It is sometimes referred to as "31 Seconds" or "Long Dark Tunnel" due to the samples it incorporates. [8]

In 2001, he collaborated with Shimon on the single "Body Rock," [9] which reached #28 on the UK Singles Chart in January 2002. [10] The single used a swinging rhythm and distinguishable synthesizer leads. [11]

Andy C continues to release music through RAM Records, which has signed artists such as Chase & Status, Loadstar, Sub Focus, and Wilkinson. He has performed at festivals including Creamfields, Global Gathering, the Sunbeat Festival, and the Electric Daisy Carnival. [12]

2010–2014

In 2012, Andy C introduced "Andy C Alive", a live performance setup combining DJ mixing with synchronized visual effects. [13] He has performed at venues and festivals in Europe and North America, including SXSW in Texas and Brixton Academy in London. [14] [15]

On 3 November 2013, he released a promotional double A-side single, "Haunting / Workout." [16] It entered the UK Singles Chart at number 188. His next single, "Heartbeat Loud" (with Fiora), was released in November 2014 and made it to number 10 on the UK Singles Chart. [17]

2015–present

Andy C released the singles "New Era" and "What Bass" in 2016 and 2017 respectively. Throughout 2017, he performed at multiple festivals. [18]

In 2018, Andy C headlined a sold-out show at Wembley Arena, which was reported as the first headline event there by a drum and bass artist. [19] [20]

In 2019, Andy C released the singles "Till Dawn" [21] , and "Back & Forth". [22]

Awards and nominations

Andy C ranked #61 in DJ Magazine's 2010 Top 100 DJs annual poll announced 27 October 2010. [23]

Andy C won the Best DJ award, presented by Drum & Bass Arena, every year from 2009 to 2018. [24] [25] [26] [27] [28]

On 29 November 2013, Andy C won Ambassador of Bass Music in the 2013 Bass Music Awards, and his label Ram Records was nominated for Best Label. [29]

In 2019, Andy C won the "DJ Mag Top 100 DJs - Highest Drum and Bass Award", climbing 11 positions on the previous year to No. 79. [30]

Musical style and influence

Andy C is known for rapid mixing and often uses three analogue turntables during performances. [31] [32] [33] His mixing style, referred to as "The Double Drop", involves aligning two songs simultaneously. [34]

Personal life

According to several media interviews, Andy C is married and has children although the identity of his wife and children is unknown. [35] [36] He has described himself as a lifelong fan of the football club West Ham United. [37]

Discography

Extended plays

YearReleaseLabel
1992Sour Mash [38] RAM Records
1993Bass Logic [39]

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
TitleYearPeak chart positionsCertificationsAlbum
UK
[40]
UK
Dance

[41]
LAT
Air.

[42]
"Slip N' Slide" / "Bass Constructor" (Remix) [43] 1993*Non-album singles
"Sound Control" / "Feel It" [44]
(with Randall)
1994
"Cool Down" / "Roll On" [45] 1995
"Sound Control" (Remix) / "Feel It" (Remix)
(with Randall)
"Quest"
(with Shimon)
199695
"Body Rock"
(with Shimon)
2001281Ram Raiders – The Mix
"Haunting" [46] 2013Nightlife 6
"Workout"18826
"Heartbeat Loud"
(with Fiora)
20145010Non-album singles
"New Era"2016
"What Bass"2017
"Till Dawn"2019
"Back & Forth"
"Boom"
(featuring Tonn Piper)
2021
"Ghost"
(featuring DJ Rae)
"Indestructible"
(with Becky Hill)
20246697 Believe Me Now?
"Positions" [48]
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
"*" denotes the chart did not exist at that time.

Mix CDs

YearReleaseLabel
1995Pure RollersSub Base Records USA
2001RAM Raiders – The MixRAM Records
2002World Dance: XPRS YRSLFMinistry of Sound
2002NightlifeRAM Records
Andy C – Drum & Bass ArenaReact
Andy C – Drum & Bass Arena, Version 2
2004FabricLive.18 (with DJ Hype)Fabric
Nightlife 2RAM Records
2006Nightlife 3
2007Andy C – Drum & Bass Arena: BabylonMixmag
Andy C & Grooverider – Drum & Bass ArenaResist Music
2008Nightlife 4RAM Records
2010Nightlife 5
2013Nightlife 6

Remixes

YearArtistRemixAppears On
2010 Shimon Jazzfreak (Andy C Remix)
2012 Major Lazer feat. Amber Coffman Get Free (Andy C Remix)Nightlife 6
DJ Fresh feat. Dizzee Rascal The Power (Andy C Remix)The Power (Remixes)
Plan B Deepest Shame (Andy C Remix)Deepest Shame (Remixes)
Eric Prydz Every Day (Andy C Remix)Every Day (Remixes)
2013 Mat Zo & Porter Robinson Easy (Andy C Remix)Easy (Remixes)
Rudimental feat. Foxes Right Here (Andy C Remix)Nightlife 6
Chase & Status feat. Moko Count on Me (Andy C Remix)
2014 London Grammar Sights (Andy C Remix)Drum & Bass Arena: Summer Selection 2014
2015 DJ S.K.T feat. RaeTake Me Away (Andy C Remix)
2017 Pegboard Nerds Speed of Light (Andy C Remix)
2019 Tom Walker Not Giving In (Andy C Remix)
2020 The Prodigy Firestarter (Andy C Remix)

References

  1. "Performance History - Andy C - Andrew Michael Clarke". Party Rock NL. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  2. "Andy C wins DJ Mag Top 100 DJs 2017 Highest Drum & Bass Award". DJ Mag . 20 October 2017. Retrieved 8 April 2019.
  3. "RA: Andy C Biography". Resident Advisor . Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  4. "6 of the Best: Andy C Tunes". UKF . 6 January 2017. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  5. Birchmeier, Jason. "Biography: Andy C". Allmusic . Retrieved 15 April 2010.
  6. "Origin Unknown". Discogs. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  7. Origin Unknown - The Touch / Valley Of The Shadows, 1993, retrieved 9 October 2025
  8. "Rewind: Origin Unknown - Valley Of The Shadows · Single Review ⟋ RA". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  9. Jenkins, Dave (21 May 2014). "Heads up: Andy C is back in the studio and more inspired than ever!". UKF. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  10. "BODY ROCK". Official Charts. 15 September 2001. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  11. "Body Rock by Shimon and Andy C on WhoSampled". WhoSampled. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  12. "https://". https. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  13. "Metropolis presents Andy C live at Stylus, Leeds". Resident Advisor.
  14. "Andy C's Major Summer 2025 Tour Ignites DNB Buzz, Virtual Riot Hinted for Lost Lands Return". Extra Chill. 28 August 2025. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  15. "ANDY C HEADS BACK TO BRIXTON ACADEMY FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY". DJ Mag. 6 August 2015. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  16. Andy C - Haunting / Workout, 2013, retrieved 9 October 2025
  17. "Official Dance Singles Chart on 30/11/2014". Official Charts. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  18. "Andy C: "Drum'n'bass is truly universal"". redbull.com. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  19. "Andy C makes history as all-night-long event at Wembley sells out". Mixmag. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  20. "Andy C at Wembley: 13 insane photos from the drum & bass don's takeover". DJMag.com. 14 November 2018. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  21. "ANDY C - Till Dawn". YouTube . Archived from the original on 12 December 2021.
  22. "ANDY C - Back & Forth". YouTube . Archived from the original on 12 December 2021.
  23. "DJ Mag". DJ Mag. 23 September 2011. Archived from the original on 9 May 2012. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
  24. Kupka, Heather. "4 Reasons Why Andy C is the King of Drum n' Bass". Relentless Beats. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  25. Media, AEI. "DRUM&BASSARENA AWARDS 2013". DRUM&BASSARENA AWARDS 2013. Archived from the original on 24 September 2014. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  26. "Here are all the DJ Mag Best Of British Awards 2018 winners". DJ Mag. 11 December 2018. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  27. "Andy C: Artist Spotlight | Sennheiser". www.sennheiser.com. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  28. "Boundary Reveal their Final 2018 Headliner!". www.native.fm. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  29. "Everything for Your House/Flat/Garden". www.thebassmusicawards.com. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  30. "ANDY C WINS DJ MAG TOP 100 DJS 2019 HIGHEST DRUM & BASS AWARD". djmag.com. 20 October 2019. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  31. "Andy C: Pioneering D-N-B". Archived from the original on 16 November 2016. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  32. Truss, Si (6 October 2010). "Interview: Andy C on 18 years of drum 'n' bass". MusicRadar.com. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  33. "Andy C interview: Double drop". Archived from the original on 16 November 2016. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  34. "All hail the executioner: Andy C and the absolution of drum and bass". SimplyNeon. 22 January 2014. Archived from the original on 28 August 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  35. Jenkins, Dave (24 May 2019). "The story behind: Urbandawn's long-awaited Beatles cover Come Together". UKF. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  36. Heta, Gareth (30 March 2021). ""I'm having the time of my life..." : Andy C in New Zealand". UKF. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  37. "RealSport Meets... Andy C: West Ham Edition - RealSport – Real People". Archived from the original on 1 February 2016. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  38. "Andy C - Sour Mash E.P. (1992, Vinyl)". Discogs.com. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  39. "Andy C - Bass Logic E.P. (1993, Vinyl)". Discogs.com. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  40. Peak chart positions for singles in the United Kingdom:
  41. Peak chart positions for singles on the Dance Chart in the United Kingdom:
  42. "Otrajā nedēļā Latvijas dziesmu topā vislabāk veicas duetiem" [Duets do best in Latvia's song chart in second week] (in Latvian). TV Net  [ lv ]. 14 January 2025. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  43. Slip N' Slide / Bass Constructor (Media notes). Andy C. RAM Records. 1993. RAMM 006.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  44. Sound Control / Feel It (Media notes). Andy C, Randall. RAM Records. 1993. RAMM 11.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  45. Cool Down / Roll On (Media notes). Andy C. RAM Records. 1993. RAMM 12.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  46. "Haunting / Workout – Single by Andy C". iTunes Store . Apple. Archived from the original on 9 February 2016. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
  47. "British certifications – Andy C". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 2 April 2023.Type Andy C in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  48. "Andy C Releases Highly Anticipated Single 'Positions' Ahead of Drumsheds Headline". Armada Music. 4 November 2024. Retrieved 7 February 2025.