Andy Sydow

Andy Sydow is dropping a new album, and has big plans for the future. The record was dropped August 23 at Moe’s BBQ in Englewood, followed in September by a mini tour to Nebraska.

As a graduate of CU Denver’s Jazz Piano Music Performance program, Sydow was able to make connections in the industry that helped him make this record happen. “Basically through school, I got together with this guy Anthony Catalano and we started doing some pre-production stuff,” Sydow says. “We focused for a while on narrowing down which songs to do, I was writing some new ones and throwing the old ones out. Last summer, we got into the studio and had our first session for this album.”

The recording took place at Elevation Sound Studios in Westminster. “We had our first session live with the tuba sax and drums, did five or six tracks. We listened to that, made new charts, new arrangements, and went back in January and just did all fourteen tracks live and then went back and did a bunch of overdubs.” He chose this studio because of Catalano, who works with the studio.

Sydow has made a name for himself through consistent live performances. He has had the opportunity, through getting himself involved at one of Denver’s most notable small venues, to share the stage with some big names. “I started off working with Moe’s BBQ,” says Sydow. “We got in there opening for a buddy one night and I begged all my friends to go. I developed a good relationship over there, that was where I probably played my first half a dozen shows as a band a few years ago. Eventually we had a reputation there and people would come see us there.”

The successful shows at Moe’s and relationship with talent buyer Danny Sax led Sydow and his band to be booked at larger venues. “And then from that, we were able to open for a couple national acts,” Sydow says. “Delbert McClinton, Dick Dale.” Sydow has also shared the stage with Michael Franti and Spearhead and Kid Rock.

His style is heavily influenced by the New Orleans sound, with hints of Americana, folk and blues all seeping through rock overtones. He takes his influence from artists who have defined the genre and have been around for years. “The music always comes a little easier than the lyrics,” says Sydow. “When I was in my early and mid-teens, I thought I wanted to be Bob Dylan like everybody else. And then I found guys like Jackie Greene, Anders Osborne, Warren Z Vaughn.”

Online: facebook.com/andysydowmusic - Colorado Music Buzz

On May 10, Grammy-award winning singer-songwriter, Delbert McClinton, made his way through town for a show at the Gothic Theatre, proving once again why he has secured a place in the hearts of so many people in this country. With his all-too-real stories of failures and fortunes, love and loneliness, and a long history of playing his bluesy music across the globe, “Del” has been riding a wave of success for what seems like decades now, and his stop in Denver showed that he’s definitely still got it!

Opening up the night were locals, Robby Peoples, and Andy Sydow, both of whom did a great job getting the middle-aged crowd warmed up for an amazing night of music. The biggest surprise of the night was seeing 20-year-old Andy Sydow, and his backing band of some of Denver’s best young musicians, rock the nearly sold-out crowd in the set just prior to Delbert’s. Sydow has a charismatic stage presence, and is an excellent songwriter, showing character beyond his years in both his lyrics and playing ability. With influences ranging from deep-south slide guitar, to jazz and funk, his songs take on an accessible, Americana feel, and he breathes life into traditional styles of music that allows for a new generation of fans, while still appealing to older-generations that grew up with blues, rock n’ roll, and folk music.

When McClinton hit the stage, the place was packed, and he did not disappoint the patient attendees, who waited all night to see him in action. I think Sydow said it best when he introduced him, “Delbert is a baaad dude, get ready Denver!”

He couldn’t have been more spot-on, as McClinton came out with all the old hits, delivering them with the cool and calm, yet completely badass demeanor, that only he can balance. Pulling songs deep from his catalog, as well as bringing some new ones from his latest album, Acquired Taste, to keep things contemporary, Del and the band ripped through a set that sounded like they were 20 years old again, surprising anyone expecting a rusty performance!

The night was capped off with a heartfelt thank you to the Denver crowd, a city that has always supported Del and been able to relate to his stories of life in Middle America. People went into the night looking to hear some old tunes, and I think many of them got more than they bargained for with the amazing young openers, and a refreshing look at some of McClinton’s biggest hits, and then some! Stay tuned for what he has next, and keep your ears open for the young stars of the night, as they all have plenty planned for the upcoming summer season, including more shows right here in Denver!

Online: Delbert.com

Andysydow.com
- Colorado Music Buzz

Andy Sydow’s new release Trailhead dips into a few genres that are quite the mix…Southern Rock tracks “Gun” and “Fight For Your Soul” showcase blistering guitar riffs along with memorable quality vocal stretches. Other tracks such as the Billy Joel infused “Red in My Wine” feature Sydow’s songwriting prowess. Fans of Matthew Sweet, Tom Petty and Tab Benoit will truly enjoy this collection of songs. Catch him live July 23rd opening for Dick Dale at the Bluebird in Denver. - Colorado Music Buzz