Local Music Spotlight: Zach Andrews 11/2008

On a Friday night in mid-September, a horde of college students packs Montevallo’s Alabama Coach Company. The show began at 10 p.m. and the crowd only expands with each passing hour. Most students chat with their friends, some enjoy the cold beverages served by rushing bartenders, and everyone listens to the passionate playing of the singer onstage.
Look closer at the audience and you see that a good portion of them are singing along with every lyric of the vocalist. Ironically, this songwriter is not a major touring act on the American college circuit; he is not even a product of the popular Birmingham scene. Instead, this act, Zach Andrews, represents the raw talent of the University of Montevallo.
A senior health promotions major and former baseball player for the university, Andrews began his musical journey at the beginning of his college career as an attempt to explore unchartered personal territory. “I didn’t pick up the guitar until my freshman year of college. I had alot of down time and I'd always wanted to play, so I decided to teach myself,” Andrews said.
The decision proved successful as Andrews possessed a knack for memorizing chords and lyrics while learning the songs of his favorite artists. He credits the alternative rock band, Dashboard Confessional, as his principal reason for picking up the guitar. Lyrically, he finds inspiration in artists like Jason Mraz. “The way [Mraz]
strings together lyrics is sick,” Andrews said. However, he admits that the music he plays, usually consisting of acoustic singer/songwriter tunes, often does not mirror the music he listens to, which he says is a blend of harder, darker alternative.
In addition to learning and playing covers, Andrews also writes his own songs, a practice he started his sophomore year. He draws inspiration for lyrics from personal experiences, though he says that he recently started writing songs that reflect the events and experiences of others in his life. He desires to use his music as a way to express himself to his peers. “I think music plays one of the biggest roles in today’s culture. Music is beautiful and expressive. There is nothing like it in the world. You can really feel what a person is dealing with through lyrics and music.”
After a few years of learning the basics of guitar and writing, Andrews played his first show at Double Play, the venue currently known as Red Bones Bar and Grill. Though initially nervous during his first few gigs, Andrews developed into a natural showman. He plays covers to bring in the audience, but does not hesitate to play his own material. “I feel more comfortable on stage. Instead of just sitting there and playing music, I stand, move around, and talk with people. It is alot more fun now,” Andrews said, reflecting on the personal change that has occurred over the last two years.
As far as future ambitions are concerned, Andrews plans to continue writing and performing for at least the next year. “My biggest goal is to graduate. I'm not a fan of school by any means. I really have no clue what I want to do with my life, and that really doesnt bother me one bit. I would love to play music for a living, but only time will tell
on that one,” Andrews said. After graduation, Andrews hopes to commit at least one year to a full-time music career, but will resort to the conventional 9 to 5 lifestyle if this endeavor does not prove successful.
Andrews boasts a healthy gigging resume, at least in Montevallo. He has played several packed out shows at standard venues like ACC and Red Bones. He has also participated in university-related functions, providing music at the Phi Mu Band Aid, Campus Outreach, The Comedy Show, and various sporting events. Though appreciative of the town that has supported him all these years, Andrews longs to play in new surroundings. “I'm trying to get into the Birmingham scene and other surounding places. I need to get out of the 'Vallo Bubble' and see how others take in my music.”
Recently, Andrews spent part of the summer and a few autumn months recording with another Montevallo-based songwriter, Jordan Barrios. The finished product will be Andrews’ debut demo, aptly titled “Synethesia for Annesethesia.” The disc contains several songs written over the last three years, including crowd favorites such as “Gulf of Mexico” and “Goodbye,” as well as new tunes such as “Set Fire to the World” and the Jason Mraz-infused “Falling For You.” Barrios adds his talents to the mix, providing both lead guitar, percussion, and background vocals, as well as performing recording duties.
As far as the title track is concerned, Andrews explains that synesthesia is a case where a person’s senses mix together. “For instance, the background to the song is a girl that sees colors when she hears music. Oh how I would love to have that gift! I actually
spell anesthesia ‘Annesthesia.’ It’s sort of an inside matter involving someone's
nickname, so I hope no one thinks I can’t spell.” Andrews explained. Though he continues to play his older material, Andrews says he hopes listeners will remember him for his most recent songs.
Currently, Andrews is putting the finishing touches on the album. “It should be done in November. It’s really just a rough copy. Hopefully one day I can get a band together and record.” Until then, you can check out his music at www.myspace.com/zachandrews6. For a live show, you can see him on November 21st at the ACC or November 25th at Red Bones.