ADE Special – Andy Daniell (Defected Records)

“ADE covers all aspects of our business in one very centralized location – from recordings, live events, DJ Bookings, management, publishing & beyond.”

Interview by Dan Prince


How important is ADE on the dance music calendar for Defected Records?

It is very important. As ADE covers all aspects of our business in one very centralized location, from recordings, live events, DJ Bookings, management, publishing & beyond. Of course it’s a great excuse for a party as well.

Do you look at ADE as the biggest platform of the year to release new products?

I can only really comment on this from a recordings point of view as far as Defected is concerned. I will certainly have a look at the records I have in the pipeline in the run up to ADE to attempt to have a record in the best possible position chart/sales wise during ADE to look to maximize 3rd party opportunities, but we have a years worth of releases to give equal attention to so it is a platform but one of many for recordings.

What was your highlight of ADE 2015?

This was a slightly strange ADE for me. I actually left it a little concerned for elements of the scene’s future. This years conference was huge, incredibly busy, but it seemed like that last thing on most people’s mind was what I thought we were all there for, music!!! As an A&R my business is exactly that, but branded cars, suits, glasses, jet ski hoverboards (WTF) seemed to be more the focus. I went to parties every night & again although busy, there felt a real lack of soul or substance in a number of areas, not all, but maybe the majority. There was a lot of very soulless, unremarkable, disposable music & DJ’s playing to each other & ignoring the crowd & forgetting that this thing is meant to be fun & a party. I have every faith that it will come back around & that amazing things are around the corner, but maybe a few things need to be reset for this to happen.

And some of your memories/highlights from years gone by?

Quite a memorable night for me was our party at Air back in 2012. Frankie Knuckles headlined the main room, which was one of the last times I managed to properly see him play live in person. It was also MK’s first gig for us since starting to return to the house scene. He played in room 2 and it felt pretty special. He’s done alright for himself since then!

There is always a debate when DJ’s use gimmicks in their show to make them stand out, is it the same in business marketing at ADE…do you try to do something to wow the press or do you simply let the music prove the point?

Personally I hate the gimmicks. Maybe I’m a purist by wanting the music to speak for itself but I really do. You certainly need marketing to provide a platform so your music can be heard & to cut through the noise of the marketplace but I firmly believe that this should never be at the expense of the music.