Hi Andy, thanx for doing this interview, how are you doing?
Andy - I’m doing well. Staying busy as always juggling a million different projects.
Most people know you as being the singer of Bella Morte, an internationally renowned name that is active for a very long time, what is Bella Morte for you? It must have become a huge part of your life?
Andy - Bella Morte is so close to my heart it’s hard to imagine life without it. Had Gopal and I never started banging out songs in an old, dusty warehouse all those years back my life would be different by a thousand degrees… and I like how things have turned out. All the amazing friends I’ve met out on the road. All the places I’ve been. None of it would have happened were it not for Bella. And I don’t have any intention of stopping anytime soon. Bella Morte has changed over time, and might change more in the future, but it will always mean the world to me.
Why did you start a musical career? What spurred you to do so, was it a song or experience?
Andy – Because I’m fucking awful at math! Ha! To tell you the truth, I don’t really know. Music has just always been important to me, something I knew I wanted to be a part of. Once I got into high school it was just a matter of finding the other long-haired guys and getting a band together. The metal band I played with back then was called Nerve No Pain, and Bella’s drummer, Branden, was in that band with me. We go way back.
Has the feeling of being a musician changed for you over the years, when you start all is new and exciting but after a few years you must have seen it all?
Andy- Yeah, definitely seen it all. But that’s the great thing about music… It feels just as good writing a new song now as it did years ago when I first started out. A melody coming together just right can still send chills up my spine.
What is driving you in life? What is the thrill you chase in life?
Andy – I just want to create art, something beautiful. I want to write stories and songs that people will remember long after I’m gone. And I want to have fun along the way. I’m not a religious person, and believe that this life is all we have. I want mine to count, and I don’t want to look back on wasted time and wasted opportunities. Basically, what keeps me going is the love of what I’m doing.
When you look back on your career so far, what were the highlights?
Andy – There are so many… The first copy of “Remains” in my hand. All the shows we played at our local club, Tokyo Rose. Our first gig in Europe. Seeing my first novel, “The Sticks,” in print. And most recently, having my solo album released. Above and beyond all of that is the time I’ve spent with the guys in the band out on the road… good times and bad… wouldn’t trade it for anything.
What are personal influences in your music that the audience may be not aware of?
Andy – I listen to a lot of hip hop. Listen to the song “Beneath” from “As The Reasons Die” and tell me you don’t hear some of that in the drums and synths.
Do you still keep yourself up to date with new music or do you stick to older bands?
Andy - I am not the best at keeping up to date, but I do find a new band here and there that I like. I’ve been listening to Neon Horse a lot lately. Such an interesting blend of styles going on in their sound. I absolutely love it. Recently bought the new Eminem album, too, though I like “Relapse” better. The new one is a little too feel-good for my tastes.
Why did you start with The Rain Within besides Bella Morte?
Andy – I had all this electronic music that didn’t fit the mold of a live band, so I decided I’d put out a solo record. And it’s been a lot of fun! I missed doing songs like these, but didn’t want to try to shift Bella into something it’s not. It’s nice having multiple musical outlets… keeps everything fresh.
The name “The rain within” is based on a song by Bella Morte, is it one of your personal favorites or did it fit the project the best?
Andy – A little of both. I love that song, and it sounds a lot like what I’m doing with The Rain Within.
The music of The Rain Within is more electronic, is it a back to your own roots album?
Andy – Funny, but my roots are actually in metal. I didn’t get into electronic music until later on, around the time Bella Morte started up. But I am stepping back to that early Bella sound and pushing it in new directions. I never stopped loving that style, but I wanted Bella to continue to grow and explore.
Most electronic music these days is beat driven, in your case the beautiful melodies are in the front, how do you come up with such great melodies?
Andy – That’s just how I write. I put melody and atmosphere above all else. A strong beat can help push a song in the right direction and can be critical to a song being as good as it can, but without a great melody a beat is often a waste of time.
What was the most challenging for you do to for this album?
Andy – I couldn’t bounce my songs off of my band mates because I didn’t have any… that took some adjusting. I hit the guys in Bella up for opinions on several occasions, along with my buddy Shawn Decker from Synthetic Division and Eric Thomas Craven, who released my album on his record label. Writing alone is a very different thing, but it can be good in a lot of ways.
How are the comments on the album so far, are you pleased with them?
Andy – Overwhelmingly positive. I was shocked at how well the album sold right away with no advertising or radio play. And the emails I’ve gotten from fans have been great, very encouraging. Fans can definitely expect more releases from The Rain Within in the future. I have a couple of cover tunes in mind that might surprise folks as well.
What are your goals for The Rain Within, when is it a successful project for you?
Andy – It’s already a successful project in my eyes. I’m really proud of what I’ve done. That said, I’m going to push as hard as I can and get my music into as many ears as possible. And I plan on doing live shows with this project starting sometime in 2011.
What do you consider to be the future of your genre? How are you contributing to it?
Andy – I don’t really know, to be honest with you. I’m not so concerned with genres. I feel like people argue so much over what is or isn’t Goth or Metal or whatever that they miss out on great music. I mean, who really gives a shit which category the record store puts The Misfits in? It’s going to sound the same either way. Why not just like it or don’t like it and not care so much about the rest? The only good thing about labeling music is the fact that it helps listeners find similar music they may not have found otherwise.
Many people are wondering when there will be a new Bella Morte album, can you give us some info in that?
Andy – Yes! We’re in the studio recording it right now, and I gotta say, this album is going to be epic! We’ve been writing this one for a while now, making sure the songs are exactly as we want them to be… I’m really proud of what we’re working on. Keep your eyes on BellaMorte.com for the latest on that front.
Any last words for the readers?
Andy – Just want to thank all the fans for all the long time support of all my projects. You guys absolutely rock.
www.therainwithin.com