DJ Andy Burr - Interview 2006

Q. Where were you born?
A. I was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Q. What music were you into when you were ‘young’ and what were your influences?
A. When I was young I was heavily influenced by Soul, New Wave and Electro. Then when the Acid House scene arrived I was into all forms of it, from New Beat to Chicago House – I love every bit of it!

Q. How old were you when you first started DJ’ing and how did you get into it?
A. I started to DJ at the tender age of twenty by default I suppose (laughing). I have always been a record collector since way back when I was always doing unmixed tapes for friends for the cars and stereos, etc.

Q. What was your first break?
A. One of my closest friends brother-in-law heard one of my tapes in his car and asked who did it, then asked me whether I’d like to have a crack at DJ’ing? His name was Greg Holbrough and he was one of the ‘Mangled’ promoters who were responsible for nights at the Barn in Braintree and Totoos in Frating. My first ever time behind a set of 1210’s was two days before my debut at Totoos round at mate DJ Worzal’s! (laughing). It was safe to say I was bricking it. Thanks must go to Greg and Jon Martin for giving me a crack at it.

Q. Which clubs and events did you reside at back in the day?
A. Thanks to Greg, Mark, Jon, Dave Banks, Lee and Christian, Josh, Jeff, Steve and others I’ve enjoyed residencies at Totoos, Oscars, Club UK (Ipswich), Heaven, Bagleys, Valentinos and more. I have also guested all over the place including Eclipse, Turnmills, The Fridge, Soundshaft, Club UK (London) and more.

Q. Have you done any studio work, record releases and labels, etc?
A. I ran and then owned a record store for a number of years in Colchester. Then set up a recording studio and label where I was engineer until last year when I decided to call it a day and got back to basics. I also had numerous releases as an engineer for other artists as well, as I decided money was the same without the crap if I kept in the background! I also had a successful label called ‘Mission Traxx’ with a mate named Darren Shambhala (a well known Trance DJ), which did relatively well and played live at numerous venues.

Q. Have you DJ’ed anywhere abroad?
A. I have played in both Holland and Majorca.

Q. Where do you DJ today?
A. I have taken a step back from the music game after selling off the studio and my record store.

Q. Do you have any plans for the future?
A. Plans for the future…? To spend some time and relax with my family.

Q. And finally, do you recall any particular DJ stories from the old days?
A. My memories are fuzzy but warm. I can’t really pick out anything in particular apart from I had a very, very, VERY good time!! (Laughs).