BEM Talked to Andy Whitby ahead of BIG: Heroes and Villains.

whitbyHow has 2009 been for you?

It’s been my busiest year yet. My brand AWsum has gone from strength to strength touring the UK and releasing music through our label every 3 weeks which was a goal of mine at the start of the year. I wanted to put across a message about the style and sound we supported and now closing out 2009 we’ve really made our mark within hard-dance and have some huge developments coming in January.

For my DJing it’s been non-stop as always, at least 2 shows a week, ever week….it’s been like that for about 6 years now and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I feel was born to play and write music and feel very fortunate to do it as a job.

What do you think of the clubbing scene in 2009 has it got better or worse through the recent recession?

It’s a doubled-edged sword; there are fewer nights as less people are going out each week, but at the same time it’s made promoters up their game and realise they need to put on exciting and original line-ups to bring the crowds in.

Who has been your producer of 2009?

Klubfiller. No producer within our scene has written a wider range of peak-time material I can play in any set in any club all over the World and get an instant dance-floor reaction. At only 22 his talent really excites me and I’m looking forward to seeing him develop and grow as a producer and artist.

Anything exciting planned for 2010 yet?

2010 looks to be even better than 2009, based purely on the fact I try to take things a step further each year. Lots of AWsum events, tours, releases and, going back to what I mentioned earlier, in January we’re launching several new exciting projects which I’m is going to shake thinks up a little! I wish I could say more but all will be announced very soon.

Which DJs/Producers do you rate to make it big next year?

Klubfiller (see reasons above), MDA & Spherical, Scott Fo Shaw, Shock:Force, Midi Distortion and Tom Parr.

You have played at a fair few BIG parties before, when you think of BIG, what do you think of?

When I think of Big I think of a very successful party brand that has stood the test of time and continues to put on exciting and interesting events! It’s great to be part of their final event for 2009 and I’m looking forward to returning for more in ’10.

What’s the best, Facebook, Twitter or DSI?

All three are hugely different and all have great uses; Facebook is a social networking tool for connecting with current and past friends, family, work colleagues and partners, whilst sharing photos and videos. Twitter is a status update site made mainly for use on mobile phones to inform the World of your every-day going-on’s and DSI is a clubbing website where people discuss events, music, buy tickets and post photos from their weekends gone. Facebook’s growth and functions of the other 2 plus much more make it the most popular and for many; the best!

If you could be any, which hero or villain would you be?

I’d be a hero, as villains never win in the end! They have a good run but it always ends in tears! I think someone like Mr.Incredible from ‘The Incredibles’ as he was a great super hero, plus it’s a great chat-up line in a bar to tell a woman your real name is ‘Mr.Incredible’ – it’ll either impress or make them laugh in your face!

If you could choose, which super power would you like to have?

The same one everyone would….I’d be invisible!

Are you coming in fancy dress, if so who are you coming as?

I am not, although I did recently wear a Santa outfit for a photo-shoot to promote the upcoming AWsum Xmas Bash, which certainly got a few chins wagging! Full info of that event can be found at www.awsumbirthday.com.

What can we expect from you at the next BIG

BIG tracks, BIG dance floor moments and a BIG performance for a BIG crowd!

Thanks for your time Andy!

No problem dude, see you in Newmarket! Can’t wait!

www.andywhitby.com
www.awsum.co.uk

BIG – Heroes & Villains

// The Last BIG of 2009!
// Saturday 21 November 22:00 – 03.30
// Innocence Entertainment Venue, 109 High Street, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 8JH
// Six DJs – Anne Savage, Andy Whitby, Lee Haslam, Big Ben, Paul Wilkerson, Harry Dyer
// Five and a half hours of quality music from 22:00 to 03:30
// Heroes and Villains Fancy Dress Theme
// Full on ‘BIG’ Club Production
// Live Video Jockey Entertainment Shows
// Extra State of the Art Digital Sound & Light
// No Under 18s (ID may be required) R.O.A.R
// Tickets and info from www.bigdjs.co.uk or info@bigdjs.co.uk

//// Interview by Vince Pettit of BlackEagleMedia.co.uk for Ace Events