MuzicNotez Interview:
- So how long have you been a musician? What age did you begin?
- Andrew David Weber: Haha, shit. I was convinced that I was a musician when I was a little kid- I would always be humming or singing something…regardless whether or not it was in key. I even started a band when I was 8, before I played any instruments. In fact, the only kid in the band who played anything was our drummer- somehow that band lasted until like 7th grade though haha (with a few members cut from the original 22 person lineup). I guess I ACTUALLY started PLAYING when I was 10. So, I have been a musician for around 10 years (actually knowing what I am doing).
- What motivated you to start playing music?
- Andrew David Weber: Holy shit… I don’t know. It wasn’t really a conscious decision…
- What do you consider your style of music to be?
- Andrew David Weber: Dabble… I just made that up now because that’s what I do… I dabble in everything.
- Who were your musical influences, idols, or bands growing up that have helped mold you into the musician you are today? Or helped mold the music that you play?
- Andrew David Weber: The biggest influence I would say is probably Bob Dylan- His music really made me realize that the message/story is the most important thing. I really like Greg Graffin (Bad Religion) as well, just a smart dude. I am influenced from all directions though, everyone from Eminem and Warren G to Serj Tankian (System of A Down) and Isaac Brock (Modest Mouse)
- What’s the greatest concert you have ever been to? Or favorite show you ever performed?
- Andrew David Weber: Greatest concert I have ever been to… easily Coheed and Cambria Neverender. It was an amazing FOUR DAY CONCERT. A lot of people knock that band because of Claudio Sanchez’s voice…but I say see them live before you form an opinion…mind blowing. Best personal performance… it would have to be one of the Washington County Fair Battle Of The Bands performances…we (Oct Twentynine) had a four year winning streak there…and the energy at all of those shows was just so intense…mostly to do with the great crowd response every year. I love the fans we have.
- If you could play with any other musician or band… who would it be? (past or present)
- Andrew David Weber: Big label bands…Coheed and Cambria for sure.
What I REALLY want to do is play a show with Roster McCabe- if you haven’t heard of this band CHECK THEM OUT…phenomenal.
- What’s the ultimate goal you want your music to achieve, or for you to achieve in your career as a musician? Any particular message you wish to send?
- Andrew David Weber: The ultimate goal for my music is to have EVERYONE hear it- at least once- I don’t really care if I ever become a household name or anything. I don’t even care if people know it’s me when they hear it, as long as it has an impact. That brings me to the last part of this question- the message. I have a LOT of messages that I want to send, but I am terrible at explaining things any other way than through my songs. With that being said, just listen to them 😉
- What’s the music scene like in southern Wisconsin for an up and coming artist like yourself?
- Andrew David Weber: Oh man, the southern Wisconsin music scene has a lot of great raw undiscovered talent! I have recently discovered a whole bunch of AMAZING artists in the Milwaukee scene alone, such as Marco Jaimez (Mexico City Is Sinking), David Algrim, Melissa Heider, Lauren Ruka (I Wore Quiet), Carol Brandt and just so many more. I would HIGHLY, HIGHLY suggest to anyone reading this not only to look up these artists, but to drop by an open mic any Tuesday at the Miramar Theatre on Oakland Ave. in Milwaukee, Wi. It’s only two bucks to get in, and there are just so many great artists that pass through there!
- Out of all your songs… do you have a favorite? What is it? And why?
- Andrew David Weber: It comes down to three. “The Knowledge”, “(You Can Carry Me Home) In Your Pocket” and “Cheap Whiskey”.
Reason: The Knowledge: It’s just a very personal, very reassuring song for myself.
In Your Pocket: It’s a song I wrote for my lovely girlfriend, Heather Langenecker before we ever dated and it just makes me happy.
Cheap Whiskey: It’s certainly not the sound, but the lyrics. It’s a weird song…a lot of yelling. I like yelling too though…
- Now I know you play a lot of different instruments… how many exactly? Which one is your favorite to play?
- Andrew David Weber: First it was guitar, and then naturally bass guitar- after a while, I started to expand my musical abilities. I picked up piano, harmonica, banjo, ukulele, mandolin, lap steel, upright bass, organ, a little bit of trumpet and violin. I pick up new instruments regularly- I am addicted. I have recently taken an interest in the button box and other accordion type instruments.
- And anything else you’ve yet to learn to play but aspire to?
- Andrew David Weber: As I said, I have taken an interest in the button box, and accordion type instruments- but I think I have a good idea of what I am doing with them going into it. I don’t play any woodwinds yet… so perhaps saxophone and clarinet.
- What’s your opinion of how the music industry is today? Pros and cons of how it’s evolved throughout the years?
- Andrew David Weber: It’s pretty screwed up, I think everyone knows that. However, I do see glimpses of hope every once in a while such as bands like Mumford and Sons, Arcade Fire- even mainstream pop and “R&B” (I use that term loosely) artists such as Taio Cruz and others who don’t lip sync or auto-tune everything. The pros and cons of its evolution have been talked to death… but the main pros I see are things like I just discussed, and the main cons I guess would be the opposite? I am not a real big pro/con kind of guy- I just know what I enjoy.
- How do you believe the internet helps the music industry or you as a musician?
- Andrew David Weber: Immensely. I can post things just about anywhere, and I always get feedback from people who’ve just dropped by a site that my music happens to be on.
- What kind of things do you all like to do in your free time when you’re not creating music?
- Andrew David Weber: Haha… I don’t know if I can answer that really… like I said- I am obsessed! Recently my friend, Liz made this remark, “You know, Andy…I went to sleep to you playing guitar. I woke up to you playing guitar. I left for quite some time, came back- and you are still playing guitar… kudos.”
- Anything else you wish to say about yourself or your music?
- Andrew David Weber: I wish I could teleport, for one. I may just have to work on it… I also like to party, and I also like to party. I love going to shows and seeing new bands. I fucking hate when people touch my nipples or my nose. I have a tattoo of the Coheed and Cambria keywork on my ass with my friend Austin’s name under it. Too much information? Fuck it. I like to party. I want really badly to cure Cystic Fibrosis- so help me do it.