Andy Whittaker: The ‘Monday Is Okay’ Mix
Experience is everything and there are few who can claim to rival the knowledge of Andy Whittaker.
As the man behind R&S Records UK office he has been involved in some of the most culturally relevant and groundbreaking releases in recent times. The label continues to remain as consistent as it first was back in the late eighties/ early nineties as it continues to break new musicians: James Blake, Lone, Nonkeen and Aphex Twin are amongst several names to release on the label in the last twenty years. As a selector his tastes have evolved with age, not conforming to trends he simply digs good music, a sometimes forgotten rule. We caught up with Andy for a chat as he delivers us a mix recorded in homage to Obonjan earlier this year. Listen and read the interview below…
Please introduce yourself…
Andy Whittaker. Label manager R&S Records.
Who are you, where are you and what are you?
I run the UK office of R&S Records and the associated labels – Apollo, Meda Fury, Magicwire and Chewy Motto.
Who got you hooked on electronic music?
It wasn’t really a who. I’ve bought records as long as I can remember and my local record shop in Burnley had an industrial section which was pretty exotic for a teenage indie kid. I bought a couple of Wax Trax records and that started me down a rabbit hole of electronic music.
What does your music sound like? Can you draw what you think it sounds like for us (an image from the old internet is acceptable)?
This particular mix looks like the island of Obonjan.
How would you describe your Monday mix?
This mix was inspired by a visit to Obonjan Island this summer where I did a handful of DJ sets during the day. I came back and wanted to try and re-create a mix of the music I was playing over there but also inspired by some of the music I heard at the forest stage at night as well. So the mix is pretty gentle sunshine daytime vibes but veers a bit into moodier areas at the end. It’s not trying to be on trend or showcasing a bunch of expensive or unreleased music, some of the tracks are pretty obvious but it’s all music I either played or heard on Obonjan.
Am I excited to dive into the challenges that i have lined up for the week?
Yes, absolutely. This Monday is seems like a good one for some reason.
Do I feel energised, rested, and confident?
I can’t claim to say this every Monday but this week it’s a definite yes.
If you could travel in time…where in time would you go? Why?
I’d probably go back to 1945 and sterilise Fred Trump.
What are you obsessed with at the moment?
The usuals. Records, trainers and Les Dawson.
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