I am no stranger to his music. Everyone who listens to house music knows who Andy Caldwell is. I hope this introduction to those who aren’t familiar with his stuff yet will now have something to dance to this Saturday night.
Biography
Whether he’s writing songs, remixing, producing, or performing, Andy Caldwell has one goal—to make you move.With a consistency that’s hard to match, the accomplished California electronic music impresario time and time again concocts dance floor anthems that emanate undeniable, invigorating energy. His intoxicating DJ sets have won over fans everywhere from Australia and Berlin to San Francisco and Las Vegas. He’s built a reliable brand with Uno Recordings and his much lauded mix CDs. If one thing is for certain, Caldwell is known for setting off clubs on stage as a DJ as well as an artist.Caldwell continues to blaze new trails with a distinct versatility and virtuosity . His most recent work brandishes a House music spark, while emphasizing his classical training and immersion in club culture. Legends of the genre, such as Tiësto, regularly spin Caldwell’s tracks and remixes in their live sets and podcasts. And his forthcoming music will further solidify his position as an innovator within the scene. Recent collaborations include Caldwell lending his talents to remixes and original productions with Morgan Page and EC Twins, remixes for Beyonce, J-Lo, and Seal, and he’s also concocted kinetic cuts such as the forthcoming track, ‘Where Did You Go?” with Jonathan Mendehlson.
The syncopated synths of buzz-worthy single “Superfunkidiculous” officially announced Caldwell’s arrival in 1994. Then, embracing the chilled-out, high-class vibe of San Francisco electro, Caldwell went from that introductory track to forming the down-tempo chill trendsetter band Soulstice. Soulstice made major waves across the scene in the US and beyond. However, one project wasn’t enough for the producer.
His 2005 mix CD Late Night With Andy Caldwell became a fan favorite, while his full-length studio debut, 2006’s Universal Truth, yielded gems such as “Warrior”, “Don’t You Love Me”, and “I Can’t Wait”. In between prolifically pumping out his own music, Caldwell became a much sought after writer and remixer. Simultaneously, he founded and oversaw Uno Recordings, continually producing unique electronic music since 2005 with the label.
Along the way, his productions garnered two Grammy nominations. His work with Kaskade on the single “Sorry” snagged a nomination for Best Remixed Recording in 2008, as did his original track “Funk Nasty” featuring Gramma Funk whose Wolfgang Gartner Remix received a Best Remixed Recording nod in 2011.
These days Caldwell is fusing the undulating energy of his live performances with his studio savvy to crank out propulsive House cuts that’ll ignite dancing everywhere from Ibiza to Miami. About his artistic goals, Caldwell says, “I’m always trying to create a timeless record. I want to make something that will sound good today and twenty years from now. I pay attention to trends, but I emphasize big hooks and a solid foundation. In the studio, I’m emulating my live sets. I want to take people on a journey with my songs and shows. By the time you get to the end, you’ve been on a ride.”
That ride is fueled by constant experimentation and a consciousness of the national and global scenes. With a distinctive House music bounce and classy Electro fire, the artist’s new songs stand destined to become dance classics. “I’m focusing on pure groove and melody,” reveals Caldwell. “With my new music, I’m honing in on what makes people want to dance.”
Caldwell remains connected to his home state on a deep level. Growing up in Santa Cruz, establishing his professional persona in San Francisco, and now residing in Los Angeles, he’s embedded himself in every facet of the California lifestyle. Right now, L.A.’s fast-paced hot nightlife continues to inspire his current creations.“I’m one-hundred percent a product of California,” he declares. “I’m a Cali kid, and it’s a big part of my music. Once I started traveling a lot and seeing the world, sharing the music with an international audience became a more important goal. My travel and friends all over the world influenced my music a great deal.”
Andy’s travels have seen him entrance crowds everywhere from Australia to the Berlin Love Parade to Electric Daisy Carnival. He describes the live experience best. “My show is pretty intimate. I play a lot of my own music and current tunes that I’m feeling as well as some classics. It’s a diverse set. I try to pull from those experiences that I’ve had as a fan of dance music and incorporate those into the show.”
Ultimately, versatility and adaptability propel Caldwell at light speed alongside the genre’s luminaries.
“You have to evolve,” he concludes. “Change is the only real constant in life so you have to embrace that and ride the wave. You can’t fight it. As an artist, I want to be inspired every day. The only way to do that is to listen to new material. To me, it’s about exploring. I want fans to hit ‘repeat.’ That’s the goal. When I work on a song, I’m in love with it; I will play it over and over again. I would like people to share that experience.”
They’ll undoubtedly be dancing endlessly along to Andy Caldwell’s music for a long time to come.
— Rick Florino, May 2011
The 2005 Late Night With Andy Caldwell has always been one of my favorite albums and I still remember the last gig i went to at Indigo’s in Hawaii where Andy did a set. This man is definately one of my all time favorite DJs.