Growing up in New Jersey, Andy really wanted to be an astronaut. It was all he could think about. He remembers even liking freeze dried ice cream in a pouch. However, upon his rejection from Space Camp, he knew he would need to redirect his energies into something more practical. Acoustic music became the obvious choice.
Failed stints at the piano and the recorder eventually led him to the acoustic guitar. His passion and growing agoraphobia kept him in his bedroom practicing for hours, building his calluses and Eric Clapton repertoire. He found his way up to Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, where he promised his mom to focus on a more employable skill like Audio Engineering. Its here that a friend introduced him to the music of Michael Hedges. Suddenly it felt like a gear locking into place, and just like that a path was set.
Interweaving composition with incredible technique, Andy lays out a sonic patchwork with each song. His 2005 CandyRat release Only Bamboo moves seamlessly between the percussive and aggressive ("Corn Syrup", "Traffic", "Don't Walk The Cat") to the tender and melodic ("While You Were Sleeping", "825 Square Feet", "The Day After"). "A stunning finger-style album", this is something every acoustic guitar enthusiast should own.
In addition, Andy also performs in the singer-songwriter duo Andy & Denise with his wife Denise O'Brien. Together, they have released 3 full length CDs, toured nationally, and have had their music included on Oprah. They also run a Gemini Squared Studios, working with artists such as We're About 9, Erik Balkey, Eliot Bronson and more.
Currently, Andy is working on a new instrumental CD as well as a new Andy & Denise CD. Both are expected to be released in 2009.
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