Andrew Azara delivers a masterclass in deep house rhythm, blending thumping techno baselines throughout.

In his own words "This mix is a true reflection of how I approach my DJ sets, and I aimed to infuse a lot of my personality into this one-hour session, capturing the energy of the dance floor. It features high-octane house music with nods to the past while looking forward to the future"

What’s your process for finding new music?

My process is pretty simple. Most of my iTunes library consists of music from myself, a close circle of producer friends, and lots of old tracks from the '90s and 2000s. I do search for new music as well, often digging through random carts on Beatport, Bandcamp, or SoundCloud.

What is the biggest change you’ve seen in the industry?

The biggest change I've seen is the explosion of social media. I came from a time when I was a raver, just a couple of years before social media blew up, and I'm not going to lie—it was kind of special. Nowadays, a DJ can become famous overnight with the help of social media, which is great in one sense, but it can also create a negative ripple effect, where this becomes the norm, and people forget about what's really important—the music.

If you could play at any festival or club in the world, where would you play?

For festivals, it would be either Glastonbury, Houghton Festival, or Sunwaves. For clubs, it would be DC10, The Warehouse Project at Concourse, or the old Printworks.

What never leaves your bag while you’re traveling and playing?

USBs, headphones, electronics, and toiletries. :)

What was the first record you ever bought, and does it still influence your music today?

The first record I ever bought was Eric Prydz's "Slammin" (Axwell Remix). It would still go off today, and these kinds of timeless house records continue to influence me to this day.

What is one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?

Take your time! Haha, it's cliché, but Rome wasn't built in a day. It's easy to want everything fast and now, but when you think about it, how long does it take to learn a language, get in shape, or build a career? These things take time, and once you embrace a long-term vision, everything becomes a little less stressful, in my opinion.

Who or what inspires you musically?

Inspiration comes from all angles, but for me, I find the most inspiration from hearing music played live. I'm not the type of person to sit on a beach at sunset and think of a track; instead, I get inspired when I'm in a small club, hearing something that makes me feel or move in a certain way. Those moments fuel my creativity, and I try to capture that feeling and emotion in my own music.

Some DJs and producers who have been inspiring me lately include Traumer, Raresh, M-High, Tuccillo, and Chaos in the CBD, just to name a few. I really admire how they each strive to be unique and different, pushing away from trends and the "noise" of the music industry. I resonate with that. Some earlier influences for me would be Eddie Richards, Nathan Coles, and Terry Francis.