Andy Ward. DJ, Producer, Radio Presenter. Representing the Vocal Booth, Soul Heaven Worldwide and Soul Central.
How would you describe the music you play?
Anything from deep soulful vocals to big room mayhem.
Best dj experience or musical memory?
Several – From DJing at a MAW party in Miami with Louie Vega working the EQs with me, to playing in front of thousands at various festivals around the world.
You’re stranded on a desert island with 5 records. What are they?
Im taking the easy way out here. I am in the middle of a long journey home from Australia so my mind isnt working the best but I would try to go for an even blend of classic 80’s soul and deep soulful house.
Current music.. In a state or great?
Personally, I think it is great. There is more than enough great music out there without having to focus on any bad.
What do you see happening in 2010?
It’s a big year for myself. Lots of BIG parties lined up, several international tours, big collaborations with some of my favourite artists. Club wise, I see the older generation creating more of an underground network of smaller, stronger parties, and I predict lots more commercial acts (R&B/hip hop) releasing house influenced music.
Why are you looking forward to the Deep Cover launch party?
It’s a very strong line up and one of the first parties I will have played at in London outside of a Soul Heaven party. I know there will be strong support from all the crew and a chance for me to get loose just how I like on the decks.
Tell us something we don’t know?
Dogs can’t look up.
A Brief Biography
Andy Ward first gained success as a DJ in his home town of unprecedented 200+ people on a UK wide tour, playing at the then super clubs such as Cream and Love to Be.
In 1995 he was hailed by Mixmag as one of ten new talents to watch out for , alongside the likes of Tony de Vit, Elliot Eastwick & Gayle San.
His musical style started out as an even blend of early rave anthems, which could have been anything from a Chicago house track to an exctasy-driven hands in the air number. It was this variety in his playing that led Andy to be able to adapt his set at any given time to the crowd in front of him, and this style slowly started to gain him notoriety around the UK.
The next chapter in his career was when he was invited to join Choice FM in Birmingham, and what was fortunate timing in his appointment led him to be given three shows across the weekend on Friday, Saturday & Sunday. Once again Andy used his musical knowledge and tastes to present a diverse spectrum of music to the people of Birmingham and continued to gain more and more listeners. As Choice FM became Galaxy 102.2, Andy was given the prime time slot of a Friday evening and competed with Pete Tong for the lion’s share of the audience in the Midlands.
Various residencies in Birmingham and The Mud Club in London were accompanied by guest appearances at more and more high profile venues, and slowly but surely Andy became a regular headliner around the country at clubs like Back to Basics, Miss Moneypenny’s and his favourite venue outside of Birmingham, Garage City. It was this connection with Garage City and his faultless performances there that led Andy to be offered a residency for what he now describes as one of the best parties in the world. Since its conception Andy has played alongside the world’s most respected DJs for Soul Heaven.
Not only has he conquered the DJ booth, he also enjoyed phenomenal success as one half of chart topping duo Soul Central.
In 2005 Soul Central stormed the UK charts at an impressive debut number 6, with their worldwide smash “Strings of Life”. Once again, Andy found himself step up a notch in his career, becoming a world class producer has enabled him to cover all continents, with several worldwide tours under his belt. Continuing to release both club anthems and underground classics, Andy now enjoys a healthy solo remix and release schedule.
Now residing in Spain, Andy presents his world famous “Vocal Booth” radio show weekly on FM radio,(Thursdays 8pm GMT) as well as around the globe on www.tkofm.com. One of the busiest chat rooms in existence sees anyone from Louie Vega to Dave Lee pass through on a regular basis. Andy also provides guest mixes week in week out for internet and radio stations alike around the globe.
