A quick look at Andy Grammer, the quintessential California boy with a warm smile, sparkling eyes, a genuine laugh, and pop-infused music that both lingers lyrically and musically, you would never guess his first job in LA was as a booker for the Viper Room on Sunset Boulevard, a venue notorious for the virtually opposite type of artist. While lacking in the black nail polish and eyeliner department, Andy established a great reputation for himself in the intimidating atmosphere of the club, enjoying the challenging environment and diversity he was exposed to. Grammer was even able to perform there a few times, an opportunity to cut his teeth, describing the experience as awful and empowering all at once. Those two years at Viper Room proved to be extremely valuable for this rapidly growing artist, offering him the chance to learn the ropes and to see how the business worked.
Much has changed for Andy since the Viper Room, first discovering his knack for songwriting in ninth grade, after toying with both magic and a circus clown phase. “I started out really wanting to impress people in anyway possible,” Grammer reveals honestly, claiming his main goal was to make people smile. That goal was exceeded when he realized he could not only bring happiness, but also truly touch and affect people through his art. Andy dabbled in acting, initially attending school for theatre, but found himself not comfortable with always “pretending,” and ended up spending time on breaks writing songs. After two years he picked up and said goodbye to the acting business, and moved to LA to finish school and dive into music more forcefully. First there was “Anything But Andrew,” a duo that whose music Andy described as “unsure acoustic,” and after that he tried on a new style in a pop/punk band. “In the beginning you’re just trying everything figuring out what you have to offer to this equation of music,” Grammer offers wisely.
After releasing a short EP, Andy decided to compile a live CD, one that offered a strong selection of songs that he was ready to record and share with audiences everywhere. The CD was born under the conditions most self-starting artists take, cutting corners and doing as much as possible on your own. “You realize at some point no one’s gonna do this for you,” explains Grammer, “And if they do it for you it’s more of a loss.” The Live CD offers a great arrangement of Andy’s work, with strong tracks and clever metaphors that validate his revelation “I mean everything I say. I don’t write things that I don’t believe.” The album sold seven to eight thousand copies between his street performances, traveling, and touring- not bad for a first run- but will no longer be printed moving forward, as Andy’s vibe has changed and grown artistically. However, the message behind creating opportunities for yourself is clear- “If you wait til it’s perfect, it may never happen.”
Spending this past fall embarking on a countrywide tour booked through a NACA showcase, Andy is uncovering new steps to the process each day. Working with a manager has provided him with great connections- the day we spoke Andy was waiting to hear on a writing session with John Forte, who co-wrote and produced The Fugees, and he’s continuing to work up to the level where a large fan base in every city will allow him to hire a full band. Predominantly a solo acoustic act, playing with a full band is both challenging and stimulating for Grammer. “It’s the difference between doing construction with a hard hat and laying bricks and using one of those heavy duty machines,” he cleverly puts it. “Usually [in a solo performance] if I want to connect with the audience I can just stop, say something, and go back into the song, but you can’t [with a full band]. I love it though!”
Hitting up cities in South Dakota, Michigan, Iowa, and Wisconsin to name a few, it was the energy in New York City that inspired Andy above all. Describing everything here as closer and tighter, he feels a “squeeze” from this city, and found himself writing songs intensely while here. “I live right in the center of Hollywood to get THIS feel… and it’s just not there,” Grammer divulges, adding with a smile, “But it’s sunny all the time.”
While on tour, Andy’s next main focus is on recorded music, meeting with music industry reps all over the country and figuring out answers to questions like “Does this sound work?” and “Who can help me record what I need?” His new vibe is somewhat hip-hop infused; showcasing beat boxing skills and a love for grimy, programmed drums- just enough without taking it too far. Not wanting to be pinned as another “normal, down the middle acoustic guy,” Andy has worked hard to develop songs that send a strong, relatable message in a way that still keeps the audience’s spirits uplifted- and that is not an easy task to master.
Citing an experience opening for Tyrone Wells and Emerson Drive for a crowd of thousands as his first taste of success, Grammer knew at that point this was what he was meant to do. “I went up and played and just killed an audience of 1,000, and when it was done I sold tons of CD’s and signed things,” Andy recalls happily. “It was WAY above where I was at that point in my career.” Getting that “I can do this” glimpse was enough to inspire Andy to confidently push forward and set higher goals.
While big crowds have become a staple at some of Grammer’s shows, including the Tribeca Film Festival and opening for Plain White Tee’s, it was his time as a street performer that had the greatest impact. “If there’s a way to get negative numbers, its with street performing,” Andy laughs. “You’re performing for people walking by saying ‘If we could NOT be listening to you, we would be.’ But thank God for that… that’s what taught me how to sing.”
Although based out of LA, Andy will be back in NYC in two weeks, sharing his impressive talent, charming personality, and passionate songwriting on the stage at Rockwood for Rebel Spirit Music’s Two Year Anniversary Show on December 2, 8pm. Please come out to support this fantastic musician… I can guarantee you will leave smiling.
For more information and tour dates find Andy on Facebook and MySpace.
