One of the great things about running a pop culture site, is rather than trying to find the breaking news, sometimes the news comes to you. I was contacted by Andy Lundman is regards to the release of his latest EP and his new project Cliff Diver.
I agreed to do not only a quick q&a with Andy but also get a sneak peak and listen to his new EP and promote it on the site.
Andy is a seasoned musician from Seattle who learnt his trade in a band called Peace Mercutio, and this experience comes across in the first couple of notes in the first track.
Upon playing the first track ‘Miss You‘ what greeted me was a catchy and haunting intro followed by exceptional clean and crisp vocals similar to that of Dashboard Confessional lead singer Chris Carrabba and Yellowcard lead singer Ryan Key. As the first track progressed I found myself not only humming along to the track but also tapping my feet in beat.
The second track titled ‘You Said‘ is a contrast to the melodic tunes of the first track with an upbeat intro that is packed full of power but still retains the feel of the first track.
The third track titled ‘Forever And A Day‘ has me bobbing my head along to the intro from the first couple of notes and is truly an exhibition of Andy’s vocal range and talent. This was my favourite track of the EP.
The final track titled ‘Dress Me Down‘ is again a wild ride through Andy’s impressive vocal range, with country elements scattered throughout.
In summary I’d have to say that the EP was a brilliant debut solo work from a seasoned professional and it clearly shows. What also comes across in the music is his passion and heart for the industry and love to share his work with you.
A truly catchy song by an awesome guy! Let’s find out a little more about the man by the music Andy Lundman.
1) How did you get into music?
I grew up in a very musical family. My dad always song around the house and my mom played piano. My grandparents all played instruments at some point in their lives so it was always around. I grew up in a house with a lot of “oldies” playing constantly and I eventually tried to start a band with my cousin who eventually married one of my now former band mates. You could say it’s in the family.
2) How would you describe your musical style?
I’m a pop punk/emo kid at heart so those influences will always be under the surface somewhere. But with Cliff Diver, I would say if Chris Carrabba and Damien Rice put their DNA together and it created a less talented child, you would get something close to what I’ve been writing. I’m drawn to songwriters who are able to take you on a journey and when you listen, you get taken on a journey through what they were going through and you feel it. That’s what blows my hair back so that’s what I try to create with my music.
3) Your new EP ‘Make It Count’ was released on the 10th of June, can you tell us a little about what went into it?
My last band, Peace Mercutio, was a very heavily pop punk influenced band, which was my heart and I still love it, but I wanted to depart from the full band for a short time and create something a little more introspective and emo-y if that makes sense. I was going through kind of crisis of identity and changing of plans with PM breaking up and I needed to explore that, especially lyrically. I think you can hear the pain a bit in the songs because I put a lot of myself, and what I was going through, into all aspects both musically and lyrically. It was definitely an emotional time and very therapeutic.
4) Who would you say is your biggest influence musically and who did you listen to growing up?
I grew up listening to a ton of pop punk. MxPx was and still is my favorite band. Anberlin jumped up the ranks and forced me to question MxPx’s position in that so they’re kind of even there. Haha! Being from the “Drive Thru Records” era and the golden age of T&N, Dashboard, The Early November, Mae, mewithoutYou, Brand New, TBS, Thrice, and all of that. I can’t get enough of that era as a whole. That’s the golden era for me.
I love singer songwriters like Damien Rice, Mat Kearney, Matt Nathanson, Sufjan Stevens, and “new” to the scene Tyson Montsenbocker’s record “Letters to lost loves” is incredible as well.
Lately though, The Hotelier is blowing my mind as well as Into It. Over It.
As you can see, I’m all over the board. I connect with so much.
5) If you could duet with anyone person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
That’s such a great question! Probably John Foreman from Switchfoot. That band is like a fine wine and keeps putting out incredible music. Plus I love his solo stuff as well as Fiction Family. All great stuff, plus I think he’d teach me to surf on breaks in the studio. Haha!
6) You’re currently an audio visual technician for cancer charity Fred Hutch, can you tell us how this came about it?
After Peace Mercutio got back from touring with Emery, This Wild Life, and the Classic Crime, I needed to get a job again and pay some bills. I’ve been in the AV industry for 10+ years from doing front of house sound at venues to corporate AV at The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, so I naturally went back to that. What you have the most experience in pays you the best money and working in a non-profit environment is so rewarding and if I’m not on the road I’d prefer to be working in an environment like that where I’m working for something that’s greater than myself. My buddy Brett Durnell who plays lead guitar in the Seattle progressive amazing band Life As Cinema was the manager at Fred Hutch so he hired me on there. If
7) What can we expect to see from you in the remaining months of 2016 going forward into 2017?
I have plans for a series of “perspective” based videos for each of the songs on the EP that I’m planning on getting out before the year-end. I’d like to get back on the road, at the very least, in the Pacific Northwest or a quick run down the west coast. I’m also constantly writing new stuff and I’m planning on bringing more elements to the next release and get more of a full band vibe. I can’t get away from my roots for too long. I long to push the energy, but it’ll still keep a vibey sound for sure. It’s gotta groove.
8) Tell our readers one fun fact about yourselves that we may not know?
A fun fact…I’m originally from Wisconsin and for a short time (and hopefully again soon) I did some sports writing for a Wisconsin sports site titletownsoundoff.com covering The University of Wisconsin Badgers football for a couple seasons as well as a few feature spots for some Green Bay Packers related material. I’m a huge Badger and Packer fan.
9) Finally what advice would you have for upcoming musicians?
Be authentic. Don’t force yourself to write something just because it’s the “cool” sound right now. People’s “BS meters” are great and they will expose you. Plus, people want to connect with you and what you’re writing.
If you hang out with a “big” band when their in town and you’re trying to get something from them, they can see if from a mile away. They see it in every city. Just hang and buy them a beer. Bands take out their friends on tour. That’s how it works.
Also, don’t be afraid to take breaks. Feel it. Do what comes natural.
There you go readers, another one of our websites, talented followers, fans and friends Andy Lundman of Cliff Diver. Don’t be shy go say hi and tell him ‘Skatronixxx sent me!’
Be sure to check out his EP that’s available from iTunes now here . Also you can add him on social media at the following sites Facebook , Youtube and Twitter .
I’ve also included the title track from the EP ‘Miss You’ below so have a listen and let us know what you think!
Recent Comments