Next Big Nashville - Kyle Andrews

I wrote about Kyle Andrews the very first month I started Out the Other - the eighth post on this blog was actually about the track "Amos In Ohio," which I posted because I was reviewing Kyle's album for WRVU.  I like to think my writing has improved since then (note me NOT linking to that post - the blog was atrocious back then), but it's nice to see I at least kicked things off with the cream of the local crop.

Since then I've seen Kyle play a bunch of times, had him on as one of my first guests at WRVU, and bumped in to him at a number of shows around town (I even ran into him at SXSW earlier this year).  As a girl who owns both the original Fictitious version of Amos In Ohio as well as the Badman Recording Co. re-release, I was all kinds of excited to hear that he will be releasing the follow-up, Find Love, Let Go, on Badman this October.  Add this to an already-lengthy list of 2007 accomplishments that includes touring with Josh Rouse, producing an album for Chicago-based band Horse in the Sea, and opening up for Peter, Bjorn and John earlier this month.  Here's a pair of new tunes (and one old one) to listen to while you learn a little more about Kyle Andrews:

"Get Mad"
"Find Love, Let Go"
"Amos In Ohio"

I know you're from Chicago originally - why did you decide to move to Nashville, and how long have you lived here?

After high school a close friend of mine moved to Nashville for school.  Through him I got to meet a variety of people that were down here making music.  At the time I was really attracted to the idea of an entire city comprised of music makers.  Escaping northern winters had a certain appeal as well.  Its been a good 5 years or so...  I spent about 5 months living in Philadelphia which was sort of a disaster!

Please describe your music in five words or less.

Home-made, personal, computer-pop.

I adore Amos In Ohio and I was thrilled to hear you have a new album coming out in October - what can you tell us about Find Love, Let Go?

This new CD is a little more organic sounding and broader in sonic scope than Amos.  Lyrically and emotionally it is probably more focused...  there seems to be a little bit of a horror theme in there.  Get Mad was originally titled "Wolfman," there is "Bat Fangs"... a lot of blood sucking going on... which, I didn't really set out with any specific theme in mind when writing, it's just how it came out.

In addtion to having an insanely busy year working on your own album, touring and opening for the likes of Josh Rouse and Peter Bjorn and John, I hear you also recently produced an album for some friends in Chicago.  What was that like?

Making the Horse in the Sea record was a lot of fun.  I knew Joel from growing up in Chicago, we played on the same little league team in grade school.  So it was neat to reconnect and make some music together. We share a sensibility when it comes to very streamlined linear pop writing.  Basically Joel would sing his songs and I would fill in the blanks, play guitar, bass, keys and create the beats.  We did it in a way that allowed us to work quickly and cheaply but still get a very catchy listenable album in the end.  I look forward to making another record in this way...

check it out myspace.com/horseinthesea

What else have you been listening to lately?

I'm actually a big fan of Josh Rouse, so it was a blast to go on tour with him and get to see his shows from a very unique perspective.  On top of that I really love PBJs album, it's so catchy and loopy in a very organic way so it was a great honor to open for them.  Andrew Bird is another favorite, I think he is superhuman.  In Nashville my favorite new artist is Brooke Waggoner.  I actually managed to get her to sing on "Get Mad".  She has a voice that for me felt like an old friend the first time I heard it.  And her hair is like a campfire.

And finally, what's your favorite thing about Nashville?

I love all the music.  Sometimes it's overkill, you cant go out every night... but it feels good to live in a city filled with people who love music and love trying to create something meaningful.

Kyle Andrews will be playing Next Big Nashville on Friday, September 7 at 10:15 p.m. at Mercy Lounge.  Visit http://www.nextbignashville.net to view the full festival schedule and purchase a five-day wristband for $30.

Kyle will also play Exit/In on Saturday, September 15 with Heypenny, Disappointed By Candy and Brooke Waggoner.