Andrewboy has started his DJ career in his age of 14. After 10 years he’swon the DJ contest of the Hungarian RTL television channel and Pepsi – among 3000 participants he was chosen as the best disc jockey of Hungary. But it was only the beginning.
2 years after he ended up as 2nd on DMC – the most prestigious international DJ contest, in the DJ Mixing Championship category. In the last 12 years he is continuously nominated in the “Best DJ of the year” by Ballantines, he also won the gold medal in 2015. He has released 6 official author’s albums, 2 of them turned gold. Also 2 of them were nominated for Fonogram Awards (the “Hungarian Grammy’s”) and in 2010 he’s been the winner.
While he is working day and night on his career and playing an average 150 parties in a year, he is meticulously preparing for his international breakthrough. He is working with the most valued labels. His music is frequently featured on Beatport Top Chart 100 and being played by many star DJs in the best venues all over the world. In only one year he has jumped forward by 900 rankings on Beatport Best Artist in the Progressive House DJ caregory. He’s now the 59th but his goal is to make it to the 15th place in another year. And it’s not just a dream: he is improving himself on a daily basis as a songwriter and marketing specialist.
Andrewboy is one of the most successful DJs of Hungary for decades. He is really fond of melodies so they are heavily present in his sets, that are ranging from melodic house through progressive house to melodic techno. He chooses what to play according to the culture and moods of the country he’s in. But wherever he is – on a pool party, club or festival – Andrewboy can adapt to the atmosphere to bring out the maximum from the night and himself. After his 10,000th successful gig he thinks it is the perfect time to set a new goal and concentrate on his dream: an international career.
His latest Fire EP is out now on UV Noir and we are glad to present you an interview with him to get to know him better.
1-Dimitris: It would be nice to start by telling us your 3 most important achievements or goals fulfilled in your career so far that you very are proud of.
Andrewboy: Perhaps the one that I am most proud of is the Fonogram Award. In my country this is the most prestigious music DJ award a musician or a producer can receive. It's the Grammy Award of my country, Hungary. That's why I'm very proud of it, because it's a huge and positive recognition that I'm good at what I do. I have been nominated 12 (twelve) times for DJ of the Year and I have got the DJ of the Year award. I have also won some of the most prestigious DJ competitions in the country. Those are the first 3 things that came to mind.
2-Dimitris: Why and under which circumstances did you took the decision to start DJing or producing electronic dance music?
Andrewboy: When I was 10 years old I was listening to the radio and tried to record the best music because I wanted to play it at school events. Over time, I met well-known DJ-s who helped me get new music. When I was only 13, I was playing for nearly 600 people. What memories!
3-Dimitris: Can you note down the top 3 producers that have influenced your decision to get involved in the electronic dance music scene and you admire and respect them very much?
Andrewboy: Sasha, John Digweed, Hernan Cattaneo
4-Dimitris: Can you tell us the top 3 tracks from the past that have influenced your sound the most and why?
Andrewboy: I know countless music, but the Deep Dish Moscow album comes to mind first. One by one all the music really worked for me and, this way, gave me a lot of inspiration.
5-Dimitris: It would be fantastic to talk about your Fire EP on UV Noir. Please tell us how these tracks came about and what was the idea behind them.
Andrewboy: To tell you the truth, I never plan a single piece of music. I sit down in the studio or at home in front of my computer and start writing music. I often close my eyes and imagine the people who will dance to it at a big party. It always motivates me a lot. I want to generate positive feelings in people with my music. That's why I try to write as beautiful melodies as possible.
That's why I started taking piano lessons, to get even better at it, because the audience is very important to me. Nothing is more important. Because without them, I would be nothing and nobody. Honestly. That's why I feel it's my duty to improve myself every day, because I know I still have room for improvement, and I really want to give the best to my fans and audience.
6-Dimitris: How long it took you to produce them and can u describe the production process in simple steps?
Andrewboy: It all depends on where I start making the song in question. If I feel like writing music at home, I take it to my studio the next day to shape, refine and improve it. If I start it in the studio, sometimes I finish it that day, but sometimes I finish it a few days later. I have a few favourite plugins that I really like to use: stuff like Diva, Serum, Arturia, but I also have Moog.
7-Dimitris: Did you had any particular difficulties accomplishing that particular EP or any specific technical challenges or obstacles that you had to overcome during its production.
Andrewboy: I have a good, well-equipped studio, but there is even a better one, so before I finish the music completely, I spend an hour working on it with a sound engineer friend of mine, so that the song will be 100% complete this way, if I can say that.
8-Dimitris: If you would have the opportunity to change something in your track and maybe to do a new remix what elements are you unhappy with and you are going to change? Is there any artist that you feel would be fantastic to remix this track and why?
Andrewboy: Now that's a very good question. People listen to my music in nearly 130 countries, my songs are played at a lot of big festivals. It feels really good. Great. That's why I feel that I am not “allowed to” sit back but to improve myself every single day. I work about 10-12 hours a day. And this way, this is the only way to be more exact, I can improve myself. I wouldn't change what's already out there, but I would delete a lot of music from my life because I don't think it is quality anymore and it's bad to listen to it again. True, these songs are at least 10-15 years old. Back then the music trend was different, especially in my country, Hungary. I wrote tech-house, techno, and Hungarian radio hits to make my home career work. Unfortunately, in Hungary it is almost impossible to stay successful in one style of music for decades, so I had to write music in different styles every few years. But it will never happen again! I stay true to myself and now I only write melodic music.
It's a dream to have an Afterlife release, that's why I try to experiment to keep my sound but also bring that level, that quality. So, I am working towards that goal until, hopefully, one day that dream comes true. But until then, step by step I am approaching my goal.
9- Dimitris: Which music composition software or hardware you prefer and why? What is your opinion of the latest movement to produce music with more analogue equipment and with less or without any digital software?
Andrewboy: I love Moog, Diva, Serum, Arturia. I think you can produce very good quality songs with these things. Of course, there are many others available on the market, but they are my favourite ones. I watch a lot of tutorials for self-improvement and to stay up-to-date, and in these videos these plugins are also in the foreground. So that's what I like.
10-Dimitris: Do you prefer vocal or instrumental tracks? If there are vocals on the track we discuss about tell us about the singer you work with?
Andrewboy: I always ask myself that question. Is the melody strong enough to grab people, or do you need any vocal to go with it? I never sit down to write music as a vocal or an instrumental piece. That's decided in the middle of the music’s composition. Maybe if I find a good vocal in a sample pack, it might spark my imagination and I'll write a song to it, but it's more like the first example, that is it will be determined at the very point of the music's stand-out. However, I decided to use as few samples as possible, because I don't want to hear the same vocal in another song. I have a good singer with whom we can write great lyrics together, so I'm going to go in that direction. I want to have unique songs, and for that it's important to have a good singer. Luckily, I have two of them.
11-Dimitris: Are there any vocalists/singers on electronic dance music you aspire to work with?
Andrewboy: There are several ones, but no names come to mind right now. I have got them on my bucket list at home. Sorry but I'm not at home at the moment. It would have been a nice promo. But I'm very happy to work with good singers. So, if you are then never hesitate to contact me :)
12-Dimitris: Please choose the most powerful lyrics ever included in a dance track and why these lyrics have touched you so deeply and have a special meaning for you?
Andrewboy: This song is very close to me because it has something really important thing to tell us. I strongly believe that together we can achieve anything, and I also believe that we should build up things, not destroy anything. That is why this song has been written. If just one human being starts thinking differently because of this song, I have already done something useful.
Here come the lyrics:
Mother Earth Hear the cry of seagulls in the sky Breathing all the poison See the pain of turtles in the sea Dying one by one Hear the echo of the fallen trees The memory of the jungle See the colours of the burning sky As all the mountains crumble Time to save our Mother Earth... Time to save Mother Earth There's no time She gave us birth
13-Dimitris: Do you believe that artwork on your latest track is good and do you believe that artwork can attract listeners or record buyers? Can you mention the best artwork of a track ever released?
Andrewboy: Yes, I believe that. I work a lot to make the new tracks better and better. And I trust that this audience thinks so too. Perhaps my two most successful songs are Spiritual life and melodic hammer
14-Dimitris: Can you pick your favorite top 3 record labels including the one released the track that we discuss in this interview and give us a short comment about why these labels are important to you and the music scene too?
Andrewboy: I am extremely grateful to Paul Thomas for releasing the Fire ep, at Uv noir, which includes 3 tracks. I think, it is in the right place. Paul's label has always been known for quality music, which is why I'm very happy that I have been able to release my music with him. It used to be a bucket list label, now it is a reality. Also, it's a super feeling that only one day after the release, all the songs are already in the Beatport Top 100 Hype, and there's a good chance that we won't stop there. Also, I think it's important to mention Miss Monique and also her label Siona. The uncountable number of releases, and Miss Monique's streaming mixes, have helped a lot in getting my music loved almost all over the world. It helped me a lot to be known abroad. It means a lot to me. Really it does. No question.
But I cannot forget that in the beginning it was Area Verde that got me into the Beatport top 100 for the first time. I'm now at the point where 60% of the labels on my bucket list have already been achieved. I have 5 more labels in focus and I'm working on implementing them and I want to continue working with the labels I already have a good relationship with.
15-Dimitris: Do you have your own record label? if yes tell us when did you set it up, the reasons behind this decision and your top 3 releases on the label so far plus 2 or 3 releases that we should look after from your label.
Andrewboy: Yes, I do. I have my own label, but right now, I think, it is more important to get my music out on major labels so that more people can get my music. Also, I have a better name in mind, so when the time comes, I will work on this project more.
16-Dimitris: Are you planning to complete an album or mix compilation soon? if yes please give us all the details about regarding tracks and how will look and sound like?
Andrewboy: I am also making a compilation album this year, which will be my 6th one. It's just really hard to finish in the summer because I travel a lot and I have 12-15 parties a month. I hope to have an album of 15 original songs by September.
17-Dimitris: Can you pick up your all time favorite album and tell us why you adore it so much?
Andrewboy: I had 6 officially released albums, but all of them grew close to my heart. Many memories are associated with these compilations. So I can't single out one right now, because I love them all equally
18-Dimitris:How much time do you spend promoting yourself in your social media and you see this as essential tool for self promotion and getting bookings too? Which social media is the one that seems to work better for you?
Andrewboy: I hope there won't be a new social media platform for a while now :) It's taking a lot of time out of my life that could be better spent :) But you have to be present, and you have to take it seriously, because these are the platforms where we can reach people, fans. To be better at promotion, I have also studied marketing, and I am learning it every day. I have read many books, I have taken many online courses on this subject, because it is essential to build a successful career. I am currently working on getting as many listeners and fans as possible on Spotify, because I consider it the most important music platform. But, of course, you should not forget the other pages, like: Youtube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, SoundCloud, and many others...
19-Dimitris: Do you have your own radio show/podcast/twitch stream or Vlog(video blog)? If yes please give us a comment about it and how long it take you to prepare for it and if you are always excited to produce it?
Andrewboy: Not yet, I'm just making mixes for my Andrewboy YouTube channel, but I'm working on that too. Maybe later.
20-Do you post videos on tiktok? If yes please reference for us your favourite? What is your opinion about the power of tiktok to promote music releases?Is there any tiktok video created by fans of you with your music worth mentioning?
Andrewboy: Tik Tok rules the world. It is very trendy right now. That's why you should be present there, too! On this platform you can grow very fast, so daily videos are very important. I'm trying too, but I like to post quality content, which takes me a lot of time to produce. So, I'm still building and developing in that. By the way, my most successful party video was viewed by 500,000 people and got 26 likes. But I haven't been able to repeat that since.
21-Dimitris: Do you have any gigs/festival performances confirmed so far for 2023 in which ones are you most excited to perform and why?
Andrewboy: I have nearly 140-150 gigs lined up for this year. Perhaps one of the most memorable of these was Costa Rica. The way the fans love me there is something fabulous. It's like I'm some huge star. I get a lot of love from this country.
22-Dimitris: Please share your most funny and most serious incident that happen to you during your DJ or LIVE PA performance?
Andrewboy: It's funny because I've done over 10,000 successful parties, but I can't think of any. Sorry :)
23-Dimitris: Are you happy about the quality of the tracks released in your preferred music genres? Please justify your answer with your opinion about it!
Andrewboy: There are some very good releases, the problem is that when a new sound comes in, the producers start copy and multiply it, so it gets boring very quickly. I follow producers and labels who produce or release really quality music, so I only focus on those, so I'm personally happy with the releases.
24-Your current Top 3 tracks with short comment:
Andrewboy: This is going to be a tough one. There are so many of them 🙂 So I'd rather mention a few producers.
I love Yotto's music, all of them, no exception, but Innellea, Binaryh, 8Kays can be found in my D.J. set a lot here. And last year Kevin De Vries' Dance with me was top for me. Everywhere I played the dancefloor exploded.
25-Dimitris: If you expect to have a steady income from your music productions are you satisfied with the way that royalties system works particularly regarding streaming revenue? Do you believe that artists get what they deserve from streaming providers/DJs playing your tracks in gigs/radio and selling music in physical formats like CDs/Vinyl or digitally.
Andrewboy: The answer is a big YES! The system is finally working well. Now you can really earn well if you have a lot of streaming! My first priority is to be in as many mixes and playlists as possible. There is big money in it now.
26-Dimitris: Please note for all the new talents that read this interview to get some inspiration from you any technical tips in relation to your DJing or music productions. Also any piece of personal or music business' advice that has helped you to progress even further and is worth telling to the new upcoming talents.
Andrewboy: Just the other day I watched the Arnold Schwarzenegger documentary on Netflix. I would watch it with all students! There is a lot to learn from it. You can exclusively achieve anything in life if you believe in it. Most importantly, you need to wake up every single day that you are going to perform above-average today, and with a burning desire to take one step further towards your goals.
Watch a tutorial, go to a producer's school, sit down at the computer and work 8-10 hours a day, you have to want to be the best! But to do that you need a lot of hours of hard work. Fun can wait. Success comes at a price, a high price, and if you push yourself, you can achieve anything! Don't lose faith for a minute that you can't do it.
JUST DO IT!
27-Dimitris: Many producers and DJs offer online masterclasses or teach to music production & DJing courses. Do you believe is essential to take part in any of these courses to develop your skills? Are you are offering any of these services? or other related services like ghost-producing or mastering? please tell us about these activities
Andrewboy: I also watch a lot of tutorials for self-improvement. There are some very good ones online. There are also master classes, which can teach you a lot and even make you a good producer. I know a lot of producers who have learned to write music that way, so I'm very supportive of that. Just as it used to be that you could write music for Madonna or Michael Jackson, nowadays I have no problem with someone ghosting. Not at all.
But my advice to everyone is that if you have someone else write the music for you in the beginning then try to learn to write music yourself later on, because you will miss a lot of good things. In addition, he or she will be able to earn a serious income in a few years' time by writing music for other people, so it's worth putting the effort into it. Into creation, composition.
I've had a couple of letters in the last month asking me to ghost, and I said yes, as I love writing music and the success of others makes me happy too. I have been helping talented people all my life because I felt it was my duty. I have launched the careers of many producers and DJ-s, which, frankly speaking, is a fantastic feeling.
Getting back to ghost, I'm working on setting up a team with some serious producers to compose more Melodic Techno, Progressive House, Tech House, Techno, and so on, for our clients. Luckily in my home country there are very good producers and most of them are my friends, so we are in a good position 🙂
28-Dimitris: Is there a club classic that you would like to remix or rework in 2023? Do you attempt often to do your own bootlegs of classics?
Andrewboy: I have quite a few ideas and will have several remixes in the future. However, I don't want to tell you in case someone beats me to it.
29-Dimitris: Please choose the best and worst remix of club classic and tell us why you like or dislike them.
Andrewboy: I can't pick any bad ones, because luckily, I follow good sites, so there are no such tracks there. However, I really liked this remix.
Sied Van Riel - Rush (Miss Monique remix)
I used to play the original a lot. When I heard Miss Monique's version, I had a lot of memories. This remix is nicely put together.
30-Dimitris: How much do you care if your fans or followers like your productions? Do you struggle with the audience reception of your tracks and is this thought adds extra pressure on you and discourage you too?
Andrewboy: That's a great question! Believe it or not, I can't play my own music in my home country at my gigs. I don't want to tell you the reasons why, but let's just say that outside the capital and a few major promoters' parties, it's hard to sell quality music in rural cities. That's why I'm working hard to push up my international career into a higher gear and finally play what I feel passionately about, and I know it builds up the music culture in the world at large.
31-Dimitris: Can you describe your music as certain music genre such as trance, house, techno or your music exempts these categorizations? What is your opinion about hybrid styles and artists who are attempting to mix influences from various genres in their tracks?
Andrewboy: I try to write Melodic Techno music, but my music always falls into the Progressive House genre. 🙂Sales are better here. I got it 🙂
I like strong grooves spiced up with melodies. They work well at parties during peak time. Nowadays, it's very difficult to delineate musical styles because what used to be called Techno is nowadays sold as Techno, but it's not Techno anymore. But it's the same in other styles of music. It's not a simple situation, at all
I'm more of the opinion that we should write the music that comes from the heart and then the label decides where to categorise it. The most important thing is that the audience likes the song. Only it matters! Nothing else. That’s for sure.
32-Dimitris: Is your music business your full time occupation and are you able to make a leaving out of your music business (DJ/producer/label owner/teaching or mastering tracks)? If not what other jobs are you doing in order to support your income?
Andrewboy: I make my living from making music. I started a one-year long private DJ/producer course 6 months ago, where I try to help my students. I mean, I am the teacher. It was one of the best decisions of my life, no question. It's a fantastic feeling to see my students develop and achieve success. A couple of students already have made their own music, (I did help them out a little 🙂) and many of them have regular gigs. Also, as I mentioned, ghosting is starting. My life is music, so I live it from morning till late night.
33-Dimitris: Do you believe that audience should be banned from constantly taking photos or videos during DJ sets or are you happy with these activities?
Andrewboy: Many times we don't live the moment because we reach for the phone. On the other hand, if the audience didn't take videos of their favourite DJ-s, we DJ-s would miss a lot of good videos that they make of us. So, I'm not against that. That is: no limitation is necessary. No way.
34-Dimitris: Do you prefer small clubs or huge festivals to perform? in which festivals or clubs you aspire to play in the future?
Andrewboy: Both have their charms, so I like to play everywhere. Smaller places bring the fans closer, and festivals are great opportunities to see the thousands of fans in one place. It doesn't matter where I play, as long as I can be myself musically and people love what I play.
35-Finally summer is around the corner choose for us your favourite holiday destination and share with us your most unforgettable holiday experience(good/bad)
Andrewboy: I just got back from Costa Rica, where I spent a few days relaxing by the sea after playing music. I loved it. I have a lot of gigs booked for the year, so I try to take short holidays or stay where I play and relax there for a few days. I'm planning to go to Cyprus, Egypt, Ibiza. I love holidays, so any day where I'm by the sea or at sunset I'm very grateful for it. I only have good experiences but as I have so many, again I can't think of good or bad. However, I loved swimming with sharks in Jamaica or taking an ocean liner in the Caribbean. Now memories are coming back, for example, that I won in a casino in Las Vegas, but if I keep going this way, I am never going to get to the end of this interview 🙂
Dimitris: Your message & wishes for Flux Bpm Online readers.
Andrewboy: Thank you very much for reading the interview. Never forget that it is you who can be successful but only if if you believe in yourself and stick to your goals. No matter, what field you are in. You must be talented at something! Find it, work above average, improve yourself and most importantly, don't give up!
Believe in yourself!
And, if it's not too much to ask, follow me on Instagram and Spotify.
Flux Bpm, thank you for this interview, and I wish you success, an uncountable number of readers and followers!
Thanks so much to Andrewboy for the interview.
Thanks so much to Paul Thomas at UV for arranging this nice interview.
Find his Fire EP here: https://uv.streamlink.to/fireep
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