San Francisco Music Blog

​Andy Caldwell is a skilled pianist and trumpeter, but his classical training takes a back seat to his rep in the clubs. The Om Records staple and Uno Recordings owner has spent the past decade and a half touring the world (hitting all the big dance meccas: Ibiza, Berlin, Australia) with his turntables and recording tastemaking mixes. His latest album, Obsession is a departure from the San Francisco house scene he's synonymous with; here he collaborates on electro bangers with Mr. V, Storm Lee, Femke, Mr. J. Madeiros, and more. It's fitting that he's sonically departed the Bay Area, as he also moved down to Los Angeles, looking for better weather and a change of creative scene.

Caldwell is back in town on Saturday, Nov. 14, with a show at Vessel and, most likely, a stop at his favorite bakery. 

Name: Andy Caldwell

Style(s) of music you spin: house, house, HOUSE!

So what's your story, in 100 words or less? Just a kid who fell in love with house music, dedicated my life to it, and never looked back.

When and why did you leave San Francisco? I moved to LA not too long ago because I was feeling creatively stagnant and was looking for a place with warmer weather. Also many of my closest friends live here so I had a nice social network already. I like visiting SF though! I spent 12 years there.

What do you miss most about living here? One word... Tartine.

What are the biggest differences between the club scenes in LA and SF? SF has a great underground scene, people really appreciate new and fresh music. In LA people prefer listening to music they know and have heard zillion times, where as San Franciscans expect their DJ to play brand new tunes!

Name of a track you can't get out of your head: Yesterday I turned on the radio for a few seconds and that Akon track "damn you a sexy bitch" got stuck in my head all day. Ugh.

Name of an artist you're currently championing in your DJ sets: David Penn

Name of a current favorite track for the peak of your set: "Scream (Andy Caldwell and EC Twins remix)"

Musical mantra: Keep it funky

Favorite DJ experience: Sharing the stage with James Brown whole touring Australia.

Worst request: "Can you play something else?" Uh.... What?!?

Worst club faux pas you've committed: I fell asleep backstage before a show.. Oops

Most treasured vinyl score: Trentemoller test copy (one of 2 in existence) of his Naked Music EP.

What other music-related projects are you currently working on? None at the moment.

What elements would your fantasy club night entail? Lots of dancing, sweat dripping, sound pumping, overlooking a beautiful sunrise over the water.

Question we didn't ask you but you often ask yourself: What am I gonna be when I grow up?

Next time we can see you spin: Vessel November 14th!