Andy Garvey is someone who needs little by way of an introduction, having carved out a fierce reputation as one of Australia’s most in demand DJs, producers and label heads over the last few years.
An individual with many strings to her bow, Andy is as known for her radio broadcasts on FBi and triple j as she is for her talents as a producer and club DJ. She’s released music on renowned labels like Lobster Theremin, and X-Kalay as well as Aussie imprint Body Promise, co-founded events agency NECTAR, introduced Sydney to an array of local and international music on her much-loved Pure Space show and even made time to start her own label—the latter of which has been delivering intriguing mutations of dance music’s familiar forms since 2019 with releases from the likes of Jennifer Loveless, Rings Around Saturn and iota.
When Andy started the Pure Space label, her intention was “to focus on Australian music both for home listening and that's made for the club”. That goal was probably encapsulated best by last year’s charity compilation. From the expansive IDM rhythms on Lara K’s ‘All It Takes’ and nebulous drum and bass of PMA’s ‘Ceiling’ to jobfit’s clever interpretation of club music in a clubless environment, PROXIMITY comfortably traverses sounds from across the electronic spectrum, thanks in large part to Andy’s skills as a curator.
But while last year’s releases are also good for home listening, Andy is a club music specialist first and foremost—it’s what we know her best for. A Lounge Sounds then, seemed like the perfect opportunity to see what else the Sydney DJ likes to listen to at home. We caught up with Andy last week to find out what sounds she has on repeat when she’s away from the dimly lit dance spots we’re most familiar with seeing her in.
Firstly, Happy New Year, how are you doing?
I am well! Very much enjoying the summer, I’ve been learning to surf and had some nice time off relaxing over xmas and new years. Back at work now and feeling fresh and ready for another year.
I guess like a lot of music lovers I am itching to get back to both the club and festival sphere. It feels like Sydney is on the verge of opening up slightly more soon, there is a part of me that is feeling impatient but another part of me that knows it’ll happen when it’s meant to be, and when it does it’ll be all time.
The PS005 - PROXIMITY compilation was probably more conducive to home listening than previous Pure Space releases. How much have your listening habits changed in the past few months and do you think that’s fed into the music you’ve been producing and releasing?
I am super proud of how that compilation turned out. It was a huge amount of work getting it all together, but we managed to raise quite a bit of money for the Aboriginal Legal Service in Redfern, so all the effort was very worthwhile.
My listening habits are kind of funny now that I work from home all the time. Programming club mixes for triple j means I am still listening to DJ sets all the time and our Pure Space radio show has meant I am still collecting a lot of club music too.
I have definitely found myself buying much more home listening LPs. Some compilations and albums that I really enjoy playing when cooking and having friends over. I feel like that is the space that I enjoy those records most. But then again, as it gets later I’ll whip out the deeper end of club music too - I guess it’s all pretty varied.
What music have you been gravitating towards when at home?
I guess I am a bit all over the place, it really is dependent on my mood.
Are there any albums or artists you listen to at home that we wouldn’t know about based on your shows and your own music?
Joe Tossini and Friends: Lady of Mine [Efficient Space]
My album for cooking a romantic dinner:
CAN: Ege Bamyasi [United Artist Records]
My album for sipping wine with friends:
Love Machine: Garden Of Your Dreams [OTIS Records]
One for a Sunday afternoon:
Jagwar Ma: Howlin’ [Marathon Artists]
I really love this album but this is also my pump up album for cleaning the house:
Jacob Mafuleni & Gary Gritness: Batanidzo [Nyami Nyami Records]
Something to get silly to:
Do you think club music and DJing will change after the pandemic and lockdown restrictions?
The thing I worry about most is the next generation of DJs who have the early stages of their careers on hold at the moment. Particularly in Sydney there are not really many spaces for new DJs to cut their teeth.
Pre-pandemic our city was very much working in unconventional spaces or bars that are not always club music focussed. I feel like both promoters and party-goers were really excited to get around emerging artists. Now that there aren't really many spaces for promoters to easily access when the laws do lift it’s just getting harder to support and give those opportunities.
I am still positive that new artists will emerge through these times though. Independently releasing music is a lot of work but the barriers to entry are much lower than they used to be.
What’s on the cards for 2021?
Right now I am working on a stack of Pure Space releases, I feel like this will be our biggest year yet. The first is from Third Space and a Consulate record will follow that, they’re sounding super sick!
I’m spending a lot of my time not really producing club music per say but just jamming - idealising my next release slowly. Not putting any pressure there, just letting it come when I am feeling it.
NECTAR hopefully is going to get back into the club space as soon as the laws allow it. It’s a bit of a rollercoaster but we are all still really keen to be working in that space and can’t wait to get it happening.
I’ve a bunch of exciting mixes I'm planning over the next few months as well. I just got some new decks and I am really enjoying mixing at home, it’s been a little while…
And otherwise, I’m just trying to keep happy and healthy :)