NICK ANDREA – INTERVIEW & ARTIST SPOTLIGHT
Nick Andrea is breaking free. Andrea was part of the blues laden Law & Chaos but has decided to tread the musical waters as a solo act. His new album, Blues @ Dark, is a dynamic mixture of divergent genres that converge to create a singular sound. And that sound is beautifully harmonic. Each song carries its own signature. Throughout the record there are swirls of cinematic jazz mingling with melodic rock riffs and silky blues. Andrea is a mastermind in the art of meshing addictive rhythms and inventive songwriting.
As a member of Law & Chaos, his unique vocalization and organic trumpet playing complimented nicely with the guitar notations of TJ Sullivan. Their combined talents distributed a swanky cool sound of urban blues and sophisticated jazz. The arrangements on their releases were impeccable. Full of soaring highs and tender lows. “Whiskey Whispers” which was originally recorded by Law & Chaos recently won the UK’s Blues Blues “Number 1 Blues Single of the 2021“. And Nick continues to deliver magnificent compositions.
Nick brings that expertise and strong musicianship to his new full length. Blues @ Dark is a powerhouse. The album showcases Andrea’s distinctive style and gritty vocals. The record offers powerful inflections and amazing cadences. With songs like “Motherless Soul” and Missus 2nd Place”, the project is a tour de force. By adding his rendition of Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition”, Andrea just enhances the entire vibe of the record. Nick Andrea is a superstar in the making.
Nick was gracious enough to sit with AMP and discuss his new album and future plans.
AMP: What made you want to become a musician?
NICK: I knew I wanted to be a musician as early as my school days. They came around with different instruments when they introduced us to band. I remember someone bringing me a trumpet and talking about Chuck Mangione. He was from the same Rochester, N.Y. area I grew up in. I was blown away with the trumpet’s sound. And immediately I knew i was hooked.
I eventually convinced my father in buying me my own trumpet. From the start I was fairly successful. My reputation of being a decent classically trained horn player spread. Soon, my jazz band was my first love. At the end of high school I came to a crossroad. Do I tempt fate and continue as a musician or follow my father’s advice and get a real job and raise a family. He told me I was a good arguer, so I became a lawyer.
I practiced law for many years but always felt something was missing. One Christmas, my wife remembered me talking fondly about my musical exploits and she brought me a starter trumpet. I started playing again. It was like a cripple learning to walk again. My lip muscles had weakened from all the down time.
I was pretty awful at first. I would go down to the local park where I thought no one would hear me and just wail. One day I noticed a woman walking toward me coming from the nearby library and I thought she was going to yell at me but instead she thought my playing was nice. She asked if I could talk to the children about what music meant to me and explain a little about playing. I guess I wasn’t as bad as I thought. From that point on I started taking my music seriously.
AMP: How would you describe your music?
NICK: I would describe it as a hybrid of jazz, blues, rock and other contemporary flavors.
AMP: Do you feel your new material is an evolution from your past undertakings?
NICK: You know I started out as Law & Chaos. My partner, TJ Sullivan was a traditional blues guitar player. I believe the reason for our split was the fact that I was constantly pushing the boundaries past just blues. I wanted to bring in different rock and jazz accents and that didn’t fit into his musical preferences. I believe evolution in music is a constant. All the different genres spring from the same tree. Blues gave birth to jazz and rock. So they are all related. Just for the fact that there are different genres demands evolution. Music should always evolve. We shouldn’t pigeonhole ourselves.
AMP: Is there an underlining theme to the songs on Blues @ Dark?
NICK: Not with every song but there is one group of songs which I call “the trilogy” that definitely have a common thread. “Whiskey Whispers”, “Motherless Soul” and “Missus 2nd Place” are all semi-autobiographical. There was a period of despair when music wasn’t in my life. I went through a phase of moral degradation and darkness. “Whiskey Whispers” speaks for itself. “Motherless Soul” has to deal with growing up with a mother with her own problems. “Missus 2nd Place” is the realization that one has to be a better person to their partner. It’s also coming out of the dark and finding the light. Those songs, in particular, are what Blues @ Dark is all about.
AMP: Is there a specific song, album, performance or live show that guided your musical taste?
NICK: Wow! There is a long list but if you’ll allow me I’ll name two. One of my earliest memories is when I got to see Dizzy Gillespie play live. He provided me the insight of how an audience reacts not only to jazz but also a great trumpet player. I saw the Rolling Stones in Philly in 1989 during their Steel Wheels tour. I was always a fan. They showed me how showmanship can stir up a crowd. Jagger was amazing as well as the rest of the band but their control of the house was incredible.
AMP: Name two artists you would love to collaborate with?
NICK: Wow again! Let me think about that for a second. Even though it’s not my current style of music, I would have to go back to the Stones. On the trumpet side I would have to say, Chuck Mangione. He’s still kicking it.
AMP: Any plans for an upcoming tour?
NICK: Yes, I’m rehearsing with a new band right now. We are called Nick Andrea and the Verdict. These guys are killers. It’s an all star line-up. We’re recording new material and rehearsing for live shows. We will be good to go real soon.
AMP: What is one message you would like to give to your fans?
NICK: Keep your minds open to all forms of music and don’t constrain yourself focusing on one genre. Experiment and enjoy the flow.
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To learn more about Nick Andrea, check out his website
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