Andrew X clearly has ‘Whatever It Takes‘, and in our recent interview with him about his single of the same name, we asked him about his style, his inspirations, and the answer to a question he’s never been asked before.
EP: Hi Andrew, thank you so much for speaking to us!
AX: Thanks for having me! I appreciate you taking the time to talk to me about my music!
EP: We’re really enjoying your new single, ‘Whatever It Takes’ and we really enjoy your 80s style. What was it that made you decide to make this your signature sound?
AX: I don’t think I really “decided” on it, it is just what came out of me when I started writing the songs and making demos! Since I am an independent artist, I always make records that I love and that feel genuine to who I am. I listen to a lot of music from that 1980s and watch a lot of movies and TV from that era as well. I can’t explain why, I just like it!
EP: Who are your musical influences and inspirations, and why?
AX: Wow! There are a lot! I’ve always been influenced by many different artists from different genres and time periods. When I was writing the songs for this record, I was really listening to a lot of late ‘80s Steve Winwood, Bruce Hornsby, Tracy Chapman, 38 Special, Walk The Moon, Bleachers, and more. I love Winwood’s “Back In The High Life” and “Roll With It”. I also really like “Talking Back To The Night” and “Arc Of A Diver”. I love Hornsby’s “The Way It Is” and “Scenes From The Southside” records.
In general, I tend to listen to more music with a heartfelt, positive vibe to it. I suppose these artists are in that groove!
EP: Similarly, if you were making a mix tape of 10 of your favourite tracks, who would be on it, and why would they make the cut?
AX: Come on! That is too hard! It would take me days to really figure this one out! I’ll make a list of some songs I never seem to get tired of that I feel influenced this album.
These are in no particular order:
“The Finer Things” – Steve Winwood
“Learning To Fly” – Tom Petty
“Take Me Home Tonight” – Eddie Money
“King Of Wishful Thinking” – Go West
“It’s In The Way You Use It” – Eric Clapton
“Fast Car” – Tracy Chapman
“Summer Of ’69” – Bryan Adams
“Your Eyes” – Peter Gabriel
“Have A Little Faith In Me” – John Hiatt
“Boys Of Summer” – Don Henley
EP: If you could go back in time to any era, where would you go? What would you hope to learn while you were there?
AX: I would go back to the 1980s! Hmm… I think I would like to be in one of the coastal/beach communities near Los Angeles, CA. How to enjoy life! Great music, great movies, great tv, great sunsets! What is not to love?
EP: What’s next for Andrew X? What can fans expect?
AX: Well, this album was a 10-song full length titled Driving At Sunset, mainly because I love albums, but moving forward, I believe I may do singles that build 4 or 5 song EPs. It just seems to make more sense with the way people are listening to music now. I’m really digging the idea of doing a full band album that is strongly based around keyboards and acoustic guitar. I’m really into that right now. I hope to begin recording new music in 2024. I will also be playing full band shows in 2024 as well.
EP: Finally, what question do you wish someone would ask you in an interview, but nobody ever does? What’s the answer to that question?
AX: Hmm… “If your new single were in a movie or tv show from any time period, what would it be?” Probably Baywatch!
Thanks again!!!
Watch the music video for ‘Whatever It Takes’ and find out more about Andrew X and his music online on his official website, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.
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