Addison Groove

Addison Groove is the Bristol electronic artist Antony Williams, who first recorded as Headhunter before adopting the Addison Groove name. His music has moved across techno, jungle, soul, juke and dubstep, with a growing focus on the rhythmic pull of Chicago footwork and UK bass.

Under the Headhunter alias, Williams released his first album, Nomad, through Tempa in 2008. The label had also provided early releases for Skream and Benga, placing the record within a key period for Bristol and UK dubstep. As Addison Groove, he shifted toward a more sample-driven approach, drawing on Chicago juke rhythms and clipped vocal edits.

“Foot Crab” became one of his best-known tracks. Released by Loefah’s Swamp 81, it used cut-up samples influenced by Chicago juke and helped introduce that sound to UK dancefloors. The Quietus described Addison Groove as “instrumental in drawing Chicago juke and footwork within reach of UK dancefloors.” His move away from a strictly dubstep framework also brought coverage and support from BBC Radio 1, Dazed, Vice and Red Bull Music Academy.

Williams has released music through Tectonic, the label run by fellow Bristol artist Pinch, as well as 50 Weapons and 3024. In 2012, he developed a live 808 show that toured clubs and platforms including Boiler Room, Fabric and Berghain in Berlin. The setup put the drum machine at the centre of performances built for club systems rather than simply reproducing studio tracks.

Beyond recorded releases and DJ-oriented work, Addison Groove has collaborated with Vector Meldrew on audiovisual projects, including a live show and music videos. His later work has leaned further into UK bass, including work with DJ Die and the Gutterfunk label, while retaining the direct drum programming and juke-informed rhythmic ideas associated with his Addison Groove material.