HAVING been producing and DJing for 15 years and having spent many of those years on the Top 100 list, Andy Moor could be forgiven for becoming complacent. But on the contrary, 2012 has seen the classically-trained musician-turned-DJ working harder than ever, tirelessly trawling the global circuit and releasing his debut album.
“It has been an amazing year, an exciting one for myself and the music in general,” says the AVA Recordings label boss. “I have shared some amazing experiences at some unbelievable events. The release of my solo album, ‘Zero Point One’, was a
Style: “Melodic Electronic Dance Music.” Best known for: “DJing, producing.” Tune of 2012: “Omnia & IRA, ‘The Fusion’.” Breakthrough DJ/producer of 2012: “Tom Fall.”
big highlight. After so many years in the making, it was amazing to get it out there. The touring has been fantastic and seeing the evolution of the EDM scene unfold in front of my eyes every weekend has been a privilege to be part of.” The unrelenting schedule did get the better of Andy once, however. “Falling asleep at Hong Kong airport and waking up a day after my flight had left was quite a confusing situation,” he laughs, proving that he is human after all. IAN ROULLIER
If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be? “If I can wear my un- derpants over my trousers then any of those.” Should you play to the crowd or for yourself? “When I play to the crowd I am playing to myself, as I generally like the exact same music.” What does EDM mean to you? “It is a part of my life, one that I am lucky enough to share with so many others.” Should celebrities be DJs? “If they have the passion and the talent, then yes.” Have you ever been thrown off the decks? “Yes, due to the fact the stage was falling down in a storm.” Are you a DJ if you don’t beat match? “Whether you do or don’t, it would be quite worrying if you couldn’t.” Where’s the next dance music capital? “The earth is a small place for travelling EDM fans.”
Style: “Hard.” Best known for: “A combination of raw and uplifting hardstyle.” Tune of 2012: “Headhunterz & Wildstylez feat Noisecontrollers ‘Tonight (Alpha2 Remix)’.” Breakthrough DJ/producer of 2012: “Code Black.”
HARDSTYLE DJ/producer and lyrical supremo Ran D makes his entry into the Top 100 for the first time this year, and he’s sounding pleased with what he’s been able to achieve. “As with so many guys, I started out with nothing more than a passion for hardstyle, and a dream to play at big events,” he says. “Since that moment I’ve played at so many great events, and experienced so many great things. I feel blessed to be able to make producing and DJing my full-time job.”
Ran D has talked in the past about having a “…deeper understanding of what hardstyle truly is about”, and it’s a subject that he talks about passionately. “Since the first moment I heard a hardstyle track, I was hooked. I love the energy, and the raw sounds. Hardstyle is true party music, it’s about that moment where the beat drops, and the whole room explodes.”
It’s a scene notorious for its dedicated crowds, who all come together at spectacular events like Qlimax and the Defqon.1 Festival. “Hardstyle has the most dedicated crowd you can imagine. A large part of the crowd knows all the tracks, they live for music and for the party experience. This creates a great atmosphere and feeling of unity at these big events.”
His trademarks have been his own lyrics and vocals, which Ran D says were borne out of experimentation. “I didn’t know how people would react to the vocals, and I never considered myself as a talented vocalist.” With anthems like ‘Living For The Moment’ resulting, the approach has stuck. “Lucky enough, the people seemed to like it.” ANGUS PATERSON
If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be? “Soundwaves that could destroy entire cities.” Should you play to the crowd or for your- self? “A bit of both, though I think the crowd is the most important.” What does EDM mean to you? “It’s my passion.” Should celebrities be DJs? “As long as they have skills, motivation and true love for the music, why not?” Have you ever been thrown off the decks? “Not that I remember.”