Arron 'Azza' Adams

Arron Adams is no stranger to packing dance floors. With a varied taste of everything from in demand funky bangers to slabs of 70s soul perfection, Azza's sets always go down well at Pow City so we caught up with him before his return to Dublin for our Fifth Anniversary special.

Where are you from?

Leeds, Yorkshire (gods own country)

What / when was your first experience of soul music?

As a kid, I was into all manners of music. My old man used to go to the Torch, Catacoombs, Va Va's etc, so there was always soul cd's in the house. I started seriously listening to it when I was about 11, and went to Prestwich in Manchester with him about 13, and sheridans. My first all nighter was about 14/15 at the Frobisher. Things got serious from 18 onwards and getting in with a great bunch of lads in Manchester in my 20's got me further into the rare soul journey I've been on ever since.

How long have you been DJing?

On and off from the age of about 20, so 15yrs roughly in the UK and Europe.

Tell us about Driving Beat, how did it start and for how long was it running?

Leeds has always had great reputation for superb dance clubs, particularly house/trance and more recently dubstep. But with the exception of the Central soul club in the 80's, and Matt Bolton's weekly move on up night, there's not been much going on in Leeds soul wise, which was so disappointing for such a diverse place.

I decided to start up That Driving Beat with my good mate Rich Buckley to fill a gap. Bridge the gap between Mod reference events and bar dj's playing the odd top 500. We set up in 2007 I think, and ran for 8yrs which I'm pretty proud of to be honest... the objective was to put on a genuine across the board club night that pulled the best dj's from the UK and Europe, allowing them the freedom to play without the shackles on, and only two stipulations; enjoy it and take the roof off. Safe to say that happened as most fans of the night would testify.

What LP is on your turntable at the moment (soul or otherwise)?

I love long players. Currently Leon Bridges is getting some Chez Adams airtime.

What three records never leave your box?

That's a tough one playbox wise, as I always like to freshen it up!!

JOEY IRVING - CAN YOU HANDLE ME GIRL ORIGINALS - YOUNG TRAIN RAY BARETTO - TOGETHER

Any current long time wants you’ve secured recently?

I recently bagged a 9yr want; Chrystals Image - A friend. Great modern soul.

Another I've got you'll hear at Pow City which will be my first play out of it, so that's a secret for now... but it's a monster!!