Andy Caldwell is not only a DJ and producer but is also a classically trained musician who runs his own record label called Uno Recordings. His astounding 15+ year career has taken him all around the world, playing packed gigs ranging from small clubs to giant raves. He has essentially dabbled in every style of house music that one can imagine, and still continues to push his sound in new directions. On his newest release, Obsession, Caldwell has once again re-defined his already sophisticated songwriting and production skills by exploring new realms of music.
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Resonant Vibes had the pleasure of catching up with Andy Caldwell to ask him a couple of questions. We hope you enjoy this exclusive interview.
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Q: You’ve produced various styles of house over the past fifteen years. Can you describe your current sound and tell me where you see that sound heading in the future?
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A: My current sound, hmm, that’s tough!  I suppose I would call it big room house with an electronic edge.  I’m still playing lots of vocals though, I don’t think I’ll ever fully get away with playing an instrumental set.
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Q: Can you describe the creative process you went through to produce your new album “Obsession”?
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A:  I spent about a year working on the record in total.  I had a few starts and stops the previous year and ended up starting from scratch on “Obsession.”  I just got in the studio with a couple of writers and singers and we knocked out the album.  I’d arrange the basic tracks and then collaborate with the vocalists.  It was a bit of a challenge as I wanted to finish the album and not have it drag on and on for years!  My last album took several years to finish:)
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Q: You’ve been running your own record label, Uno Recordings, for a couple of years now. Has that been a positive experience? How do you strike the right balance between being a DJ, producer, and entrepreneur/businessman?
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A:  It’s been a great learning experience.  I’m barely breaking even on it though but I’m allowed total creative freedom.  I’ve got a great distribution deal with Tommy Boy and they are really on top of everything.   It’s tough to balance out the label work with the creative however.  When I need to do remixes or get in the studio to write new material, I’ll put everything else on the back burner.
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Q: How have your formal musical training and education influenced your DJ-ing and production?
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A: Well, everything I do is based in a classical music framework so without that foundation it would be very difficult for me to create the melody and harmony.  Knowing scales and chord progressions make the composition process much easier.  There’s essentially no trial and error, unless of course you wanna experiment and go outside the box a little.
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Q: Vocals often play a central role in your productions. What is your approach to writing and recording good vocal lines? What are you usually trying to accomplish when you include them?
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A: Practice, Practice, Practice!  Song writing is kind of like poetic math, you have to work with words in a rhyme scheme while you create melody that contributes to the content and elevates it.  The trick, for me at least, is to be able to write when inspiration hits!  I’ve written plenty of songs that are very deliberate but my favorites are the ones I wrote in a fit of inspiration!  I wrote “Warrior” in 10 minutes for example!
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Q: What changes and shifts have you witnessed in the dance music scene over the past few years? What are the new trends?
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A: It’s an exciting time for the dance music genre, we’re finally getting some respect from the mainstream!  Unfortunately the good stuff is still for the most part, underground.  I’m hearing house and electro seep into everything from Lady Gaga to Little Jon and Shakira.  2010 will be the year that house music breaks back into the mainstream, it’s going to be good for everyone including those of us who don’t get any radio play.
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Q: Have you found any new pieces of equipment that you enjoy using in the studio or on the road?
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A: I’m still in love with Ableton Live.  I’ve gone back to using ProTools a bit though as it’s got some great new plug ins for version 8.  As for outboard equipment, I love my Disstressor with Brit Mode – wicked compressor!!
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John “The Grizz” Grisanti

Tags: Andy Caldwell, Andy Caldwell Interview, DJs, House, Obsession, Uno Recordings