Mr Scruff Interview

For anyone that is familiar with Mr Scruff, the name runs synonymous with electronic music, cartoon drawings, tea and a slightly unkempt look, hence the name. A DJ and producer that has toured the UK circuit for over 20 years, Andy Carthy has taken his love of all different genres of music and made the Mr Scruff sound: a melting pot of styles that can keep a crowd going from 6pm to 3am.

Growing up in Stockport, Andy explains how his influences came from magazines and radio from a young age.

“I just got into music before you care what genres are. When you’re a kid you’ll quite happily listen to punk music and nursery rhymes. I was lucky enough to discover music for myself, but I think a lot of people are into lots of different styles of music; maybe the difference is that I like to make those influences obvious. I’m absolutely all over the place and find a joy in doing that.”

This results in a live performance that’s more of an experience than a show. Much like we as listeners might play different material from day to day, Andy manages to combine house, jazz, soul and reggae and merge them seamlessly throughout the night, and so nothing comes as a surprise. It is this approach to DJing and making music that has given him the freedom to do what he wants.

“For me, the world of music is so varied and bewitching that to confine myself to one thing would be stifling.”

Another ingredient of the Mr Scruff experience is his famous cartoons. With his unique potato style, Andy has been able to have some control over his album artwork, music videos and live visuals. Despite the connection between his music and his drawings, the relationship was never intended.

“They were just two things I did; DJing was a hobby that I did in my bedroom for ten years before I had a tune out or did my first gig, and the drawing was something I did at school, a style that I’d established when I was 15. When I had my first single out in 1994, I thought as I did these cartoons I may as well do my own sleeve and it worked and continued from there. Looking back it was a very obvious decision to make. There’s definitely a similar spirit that runs through and that friendly aspect of it which really appeals to people and helps me to play what might be considered to be specialist or difficult music.”

Not to be taken seriously, Andy stresses that the intriguing visuals during a set are to support the music rather than play a starring role.

“The visuals aren’t on all the time because the last thing I want it to be is a big tele. What I don’t want is people standing and staring like it’s some kind of AV show. The visuals are there to add to the atmosphere and sensory experience once the party’s got going and is just a bit of fun.”

Those of us Down Under will be treated to such a sensory experience when Andy flies in for the Mr Scruff Australian Tour this February. Bringing his eclectic style with the potato characters, he explains that, while he is familiar with 170 Russell in Melbourne, the Metro Theatre in Sydney, the Royal Croquet Club in Adelaide and Festival Bar in Perth, he isn’t preparing his sets too far.

“There’s such a variety of music at your disposal that it’s nice to tailor that on the spot or how the venue looks and feels on the night. That’s the one thing that has kept me interested in the DJ gigs and part of why I play all night. It means that I can set the mood with whatever feels appropriate. To come in with a planned set, I feel like I’m cheating myself, because I wanna drop myself in at the deep end. If I’ve not played Australia for six or seven years and I’ve spent a day and a half getting there, why would I just wanna play for an hour or two?”

And we are so grateful you feel that way, Mr Scruff.

Watch Mr Scruff ‘Render Me’ Featuring Denis Jones

Have you seen the latest front cover of BBM, featuring artwork by Mr Scruff himself? Check it out right here.

By Charlotte Mellor