20 Years of Ram Records hitting London this summer
The undisputed number one king of the dubplates, drum & bass’ multi award winning selector and Ram Records boss, Andy C can still be found smashing raves around the world with the same unrelenting enthusiasm and unquestionable skill as ever. Much more than just a DJ, Andy C is a true figurehead for the drum & bass movement, within which he has been an instrumental player since its very beginnings; his DJ sets and own seminal productions helping to evolve the genre through the many stages of its evolution. This summer he returns again to SW4 however with him comes the spectacular Alive show that he has been fronting in recent months, having already wowed crowds in the caverns of the Warehouse Project in Manchester and the Grandiose setting of Electric in Brixton. Andy is now bringing his audio visual arc outdoors for what is set to be one almighty rave. The stage is set for the ‘Executioner’ to go to work on Clapham Common. Ahead of his hugely anticipated performance we sat down with Andy to discuss 20 years of RAM Records and why he chose SW4 to celebrate this landmark occasion.
So Andy, 20 years of RAM records, how does it feel? You must be very proud?
“It feels mental man, although it seems like one big weekend when you’re out on the road so much. I’m incredibly proud, there’s al lot of hard work that’s gone into the artists that are involved. As a label we are just as excited as we’ve ever been. Twenty years, I don’t think allot of independent labels make it to that, so we’re really proud.”
If you had to outline some seminal moments in RAM’s history what would those be?
“Well, one for sure would be working with Ant Miles and making ‘Valley of Shadows’. That’s when we started to get more confidence and more doors opened to us. Obviously hooking up with Shimon and doing RAM trilogy and then Moving Fusion coming on board and putting out Turbulence and then since 2000 signing Sub Focus & Chase & Status, and watching those guys grow as well as watching the label grow with them from an independent label that puts out 12” singles every few months to a place that takes artists to album artists.”
The label and yourself have seen achievement after achievement, but was there ever a point in RAM’s history where you thought the dream was all over?
“Not really. I mean when we started more than anything because jungle didn’t exist, drum and bass didn’t exist so it’s in those days that you wonder about that, because it was an experiment. The first release was 135bpm then 150 and so on, but we found the sound and it worked. But I’m lucky enough to be out playing every week so I get to see every level of the scene, from grass roots level with a handful of people in a club, up to festivals with tens of thousands. So for me there was never a low point where I thought the scene was stale, it was always a driving force to just keep the artists and to keep the tunes coming.”
Pete Tong recently made a speech about not selling dance music short, is this a sentiment you share for drum & bass?
“Well drum & bass has always had that philosophy, and drum & bass, RAM and the whole scene has really stuck together and is still going strong. Being twenty years later is a testament to the fact that we never have had to really sell it. The tempo also makes us very unique and it’s never really been possible for something to assimilate us and the underground and the core is still as alive as it ever was.”
‘Alive’ has also taken off to a supersonic start! Was it an easy idea to make happen or has its success been a testament to its complexity?
“The later to be honest. It took about a year to get off the ground and building it was never easy you know, coming from turntables, then changing to digital it was quite a challenge. But you know there’s none of that sync stuff it really is Alive and the visuals and the music constantly change so that’s what I think sets us apart.”
Will you be bringing anything new ‘Alive’ wise to SW4 in summer?
“Definitely. It’s constantly changing and ever evolving so we can always bring new things in as we want and that’s what so special about it. So absolutely expect new stuff at SW4.”
I’m sure everyone is keen to know, other than drum & bass what sort of music do you listen to at home?
“It’s funny because I was actually talking to someone about this the other day. Radiohead is what’s been playing recently at home and we went to see them live recently which was good. Also Sunday when the weather turned nice, we had Stevie Wonder on the stereo. I know he’s playing a festival in the UK at the end of summer so that would be great to see.”
What is it about our humble festival that made you want to bring RAM to celebrate its 20th Anniversary?
“I’ve played SW4 for the last couple of years and the vibe was incredible. Loads of people getting involved, vibing off the music and going wild. SW4 just seemed the right place to bring the RAM family down for the day to celebrate such a special occasion.”
And finally, who else are you looking to seeing at SW4 this summer?
“Well I played a festival in the south of France with Public Enemy and those guys were great so you may see me wander out of the RAM arena for half an hour to catch those guys!”
Andy C: Alive headlines the RAM XX Arena on Sunday 26th August.
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