Andrew Adkins is an acclaimed singer-songwriter with over a dozen years of playing music in the United States and several times over from coast-coast. His songs have been featured in television/film and he has shared the stage with artists such as Sturgill Simpson, Cage the Elephant, Little Big Town, and Billy Joe Shaver among others. Andrew is releasing his new album, The Echoist, in November, but today we are premiering the album's second video and single, "Save The Day." Check out the video and our interview with him below!
For people who don’t know, how long have you been honing your craft as a singer/songwriter? To be honest, as long as I can remember I was always making up songs, as a kid even. I didn't serious about it until about 15 years or so. Specifically, the past 6-7 years has been where I feel I've been able to find my own identity and hone in on my own sound, stylistically.
We are premiering your video for single "Save The Day" today. What’s the story behind the song? What's funny about "Save The Day" is I wrote it a couple of years ago and recorded a demo and completely forgot about it. It was definitely inspired by what has transpired in our country since 2016. The whole thing came to be from a conversation I was having with a friend. I told him it felt like the US government was being run by Batman villains. Haha! So that's where the initial concept came from. I finished up most of my album at the beginning of 2020. Quarantine happened and I just started losing myself in writing and producing. I had all this new, unclaimed time on my hands so I wanted to utilize that. I was going through demos on my phone and there it was in skeletal form! I revised it, wrote new words, updated some things, and there you have it! It would be remiss of me if I didn't mention that seeing people take to the streets this past Spring and Summer was very moving. The events which provoked them, the denial of such horrific trauma our Earth is going through - the pandemic, global warming. Obviously, the upcoming Presidental election played a big role. I just feel we, as a society, are at such a pivotal point. There's so much fear-mongering and division. We can work through all of our differences, racism, sexism, classism - we just have to try and focus on working together instead of tearing each other apart.
What's your favorite lyric from the song? I was afraid some people would confuse the line, "Save us, from ourselves" as derogatory. I want to stress that I meant it as an encouraging line. "ourselves" is all of us - the good, and the bad. We just need to come around and communicate, accept one another regardless of what divides or separates us. Break those barriers and save each other from the darkness surrounding us.
How did you come up with the idea for the video? This past Spring and Summer it was so encouraging to see people take to the street and stand up for what they believe in and stand behind. It's also sad that people are still fighting for things that should have been faced and erased decades ago. The year started out so hopeful, then...Nashville gets devastated by the tornado, the pandemic happened, and then all of these horrible injustices start to pop up everywhere. I think the video just represents a glimpse into the power of the moment. People demanding change, events that have built up over the years, to just boil over into civil unrest this year. I also felt that it was fitting for a song that suggests change and encourages hope and people to look out for each other.
At the end of the day, what do you hope is the message of your music? What do you hope people take away from your songs? Hmmm...I try to not take myself too seriously as an artist or writer. I never expect to change the world or even someone's mind with my songs and music. If there's a message, I just want it to be encouraging and hopeful. Although life is life - there's darkness and troubled waters that we all swim though. I find beauty in a lot of dark places, but I never lose hope or faith in the human condition.
What can fans look forward to next? I recorded another album during the quarantine. It's my first true, concept album. I'm not exactly sure what it will be called or when it will come out. It's basically a sonic Spaghetti Western. The themes and music all have that vibe. It's part-song, part-instrumental. It's very inspired by the late Italian film composer, Ennio Morricone - who is one of my biggest heroes. It's off the wall!! A lot of symphonic, cinematic sounds. If you think my upcoming album is weird, you haven't heard anything yet! Haha!
Since we are also a food blog, what is your favorite music to listen to while you cook? That's a great question. SO many artists come to mind! I do happen to find myself listening to NPR a lot when I cook. The last time I had the stereo cranking while at my oven, I was blaring the first Traveling Wilburys album - such a classic!!!
What is one food that most people seem to like, but you cannot stand to eat. Hamburgers!! I haven't had beef in over 13 years. I've slipped on a couple of occasions at diner parties and such. It's nothing religious or health-wise, I just don't prefer to eat a cow nor drink its milk.
Most memorable meal while touring. Where were you and what did it involve? We were playing in Baton Rouge, LA. The venue brought in their entire kitchen staff in the middle of the day to cook us a meal. It was incredible! So much Cajun food!! Fresh fish, and shrimp from the gulf. It was absolutely amazing! It was like a Cajun Thanksgiving in the middle of July!
What's your favorite place to eat in Nashville for:
Breakfast: Nashville Biscuit House
Lunch: Sky Blue Cafe/Edley's (tie)
Dinner : Taj/Scoreboard (weird tie)
BBQ: Jack's
Hot Chicken: Bolton's, but honorable mention to Prince's (RIP)
Nashville Hidden Restaurant Gem: Tacos Y Mariscos Lopez in Madison, TN (THE best tacos in town!!) Best place to relax with a beer and listen to music: The 5 Spot/The Basement (awesome tie) Finally, if you could be sponsored by one food/drink brand who would it be and why?Czann's Brewing Company because they are the best beer in Nashville.
Twitter: http://twitter.com/andrewadkins
Instagram: http://instagram.com/OfficialAndrewAdkins
Official Website: http://www.AndrewAdkins.net