ArtistInfo

Andy Hughes

Dance
A.k.a. AGH

From sending US astronauts into outer space to sending his fans into outer orbit, Andy Hughes is a man on a mission. Since leaving his post as a highly awarded and promoted electrical engineer for the Kennedy Space Center (yep - that one!), Andy fast became known as a consistent DJ who would throw down a thumping yet varied set suited to the moment and to the crowd’s needs. A member of the prestigious Balance Record Pool, Andy’s signature sets of Progressive House filled with energetic and funky twists has earned devotees across America and beyond - from both coasts to the UK and Ibiza - where he has received accolades from the press, promoters and punters alike. Surrounding himself with music for all of his years, Andy’s launching pad was treating the neighborhood kids to the latest in pop music both at home and at school before he was 10 years old (he bought his first record when he was 4 years old!!). Coming from a musical background coupled with his eagerness to spread the musical word, Andy easily slid into becoming the junior high’s DJ at only thirteen. Moving on to college in ‘84, Andy made spare cash by becoming a mobile jock. Throwing a huge set of speakers, turntables and an amp in the back of his hatchback, he hit the road around Florida playing all kinds of crazy “New Wave” parties. Eventually, Andy was asked to join the University’s radio station WFIT as an on-air DJ. Always wanting to be on the radio, Andy found his niche and went on to become the station’s Program Director and moved into the prestigious Saturday afternoon slot. Andy remained there until 1992. During that time, WFIT consistently placed in the CMJ top 5 for all independent stations in the country. By 1985 the station sponsored various alternative/New Wave concerts and Andy was chosen to be the main DJ during and after the show, which garnered him enough of a following to start spinning a weekly in a local club. Every Tuesday and Saturday, Andy managed to stuff over 700 fans into a space capable of holding just 250. Finally he was spinning the music that he loved to a diverse crowd, and getting paid! Remaining at this first residency for over 2 years, Andy then joined the staff of Brassy’s Take II, a brand new, multi-million club in Cocoa Beach, and started the first house music night AND first late night in central Florida at the time. Andy held these Friday night parties for 5 years, lasting until ‘92 when the club was sold & demolished. In the following years, Andy was a resident DJ at some of Florida’s premier (and infamous) night clubs. Playing to packed houses all over the state at The Club At Firestone, Marz, The Egde, Simon’s in Gainesville just to name a few. At the same time he started conquering the US, becoming a regular in cities like Atlanta, Los Angeles, Washington DC, Charlotte, Portland, Seattle, Philadelphia, Ottawa, Toronto, New York, Indianapolis and more. The progression to making his own music was made and in ‘95 Andy wrote and produced his first track "Yummy" alongside friends Chris Marchese and Chris Hand. In Jan ‘96 the track was picked up by Knight Life Records and then licensed on to Big Time International (Belgium) and re-released with new mixes on Skyway UK where it topped the UK charts. Then a producers dream came true for Andy - it was bootlegged. Yeah! Andy now owns his own studio and has taken the old adage "if you want it done right, do it yourself" to heart by starting up his own label, MAFDDAP (Mothers Against Fat Drunk DJs and Producers). Shooting for the stars over the last 6 years that MAFDDAP has been going, Andy has received compliment after compliment from record buyers, other DJs and press for both his A&R capabilities as well as his own proficiency in the studio. Every track made and released has been licensed to artist compilations. In ‘97 Andy released his first (official) mix CD on Mafddap Recordings which was quickly followed another compilation for Plastik Records called "Audiophile". In 2000, Andy was commissioned by Bliss Recordings to do their first mix CD release “Altered States” which sold over 20,000 copies. Andy’s success stories continue to pile up and this year will be no different. Andy has just signed a 3 CD deal with Neurodisc Records out of Fort Lauderdale. Andy’s first CD with Neurodisc “Andy Hughes – Progressive Elements Vol. 1” will be the first Neurodisc CD to be distributed by Capitol Records throughout the US. Also, Andy’s 2001 track “Gotham City” was recently featured on MTV’s Real World (Chicago series, episode XI). MTV has since then picked up 13 more of his tracks for the show. More recently, Andy has teamed up with adult film star Victoria Andrews to produce music for her upcoming HBO series and interactive X-rated DVD. Other ventures Andy has planned this year are the release of his latest original track “Thirty Thirty” with remixes. Collaborations with Los Angeles DJ Thee-O, as well as Orlando DJ Martin Boss and long time studio partner John Sexton are also in the works. Plus, more original material from Andy as there are always crazy loops running through his head. For a good source to keep yourself up to the minute with the latest information on Andy, please check out his new web site www.andyhughes.com. The latest news, tracks, charts and demos are available there. Looking at Andy Hughes’s past one can only see the reflection of what is to come. Ground control, I believe we have a successful lift-off.........!!!

Plays With