Andy McAllister - Episode 022

For this our twenty second episode, we're pleased to welcome label boss at Ground Level Records, Andy McAllister, to The Armory Podcast. Press play. Get Down. Starting off in the music industry as a drummer in his teens, Andy was playing regularly in his native Scotland, when he got interested in electronic dance music and production. After a few years of crude production, he widened his skills to encompass DJing, coming of age just as the Big Beat explosion was hitting down, and began playing regularly in his adopted home of Derby. As the years went on and Big Beat became Nu Skool Breaks, Andy kept his finger on the pulse running nights in and around Derby and regularly getting guest DJs from around the country to play at his ‘Ground Level’ nights. At the end of 2006, the steady flow of tracks being given to him by guest DJs gave him an idea, to provide an outlet for this music, and so Ground Level Records was born. Not knowing anything about running a record label, everything was a process of trial and error, the only motto was that no corners where cut, the vinyl records would be cut by the best guys, the remixes by the hottest talent and the artwork accompanying the release would be fresh and innovative, making sure a product came out that oozed quality. This seemed to do the trick, and by January 2008, 10 releases in, Ground Level was nominated as best Breakthrough label at the International Breakbeat Awards, Breakspoll. Now with over 70 releases in the catalogue Ground Level is preparing to celebrate it's 7th Birthday this July.  Artists on the label include DJ Hero, Fisso & Spark, Beatsmack and Rebel Sketchy and the label's music has attracted listens and spins from DJs outside of the breaks scene from Laurent Garnier to MJ Cole!  The music policy of Ground Level is music with a broken beat and an underground feel, and this manifesto has carved the label a following that far exceeds the niche of breakbeat. Andy hosts the monthly Ground Level Podcast on iTunes, as well as playing at Ground Level nights up and down the country, and has played with many of the big players in the breaks and bass music scenes including Plump DJs, Stanton Warriors, Drumattic Twins, Foamo, Jack Beats and Calvertron. For more information on Andy and Ground Level Records visit: www.facebook.com/groundlevel soundcloud.com/groundlevel www.beatport.com/label/ground-level-records/7361 Artwork by www.jempanufnik.com