Andrew Allen

For someone who’s been performing with various bands since high school Andrew Allen exudes none of the rock star been there, been asked that attitude which seems to afflict so many musicians.

His calm demeanour throughout our phone interview could, however, be blamed on the fact I’ve known Allen since elementary school - his first live performances took place in Grade 3 where he would bang out the chorus to MC Hammer’s Can’t Touch This on the piano in the school’s music room at recess.

Allen’s love of music has always been obvious - he plays numerous instruments including guitar, saxophone and piano and wrote his first song at age 10.

“It was basically so I didn’t have to practice the songs my piano teacher gave me,” said Allen.

“I thought mine were better. They didn’t sound like songs until I was 14 though.”

Now, at 27, Allen is venturing into a career as a solo artist and honing his sound which combines elements of funk, groove, pop and a little folk rock for good measure.

“I was working as part of a band, but the members were in different places,” said Allen, who is currently based out of Vernon, B.C.

Since making the decision to become a solo artist Allen has been busy performing at venues throughout B.C. and Alberta, writing new material, re-recording songs previously performed with his former band and posting them on sites like sonic bids, myspace and facebook.

“The reason I have so many songs on the Internet is because I got a bunch of recording stuff at home,” said Allen. “Since I decided to stop playing with a band I had to find a way to record without having a band.”

The decision to take grab the reins on his musical career has also led to a burst of song writing.

“I think it’s just life in general,” Allen said when asked about the new songs he’s written. “It’s kind of a new time not to have anybody hold you back. There’s been a lot of sitting on beaches and sitting with (wife) Julia and thinking about life.”

Being married though, does put a bit of a damper on his song-writing skills, Allen joked.

“It’s way easier to write songs when life sucks,” he said, laughing.

But he wouldn’t change the way things are.

“Since being with Julia she’s helped me realize what a true relationship is. We did the cruise-ship thing. We lived in Vancouver. We’ve struggled together.”

Working as an unsigned musician can also have its struggles, but Allen said he can see the benefits as well.

“You don’t have anybody controlling your art form. It’s exclusively you. But I can’t say I’m one of those artists that’s passionately indie,” said Allen who admits he wouldn’t pass up the chance to sign with a well established label if it was offered.

In the meantime, Allen is working on his music, hoping to have a CD out soon and looking to the future.

“I’d love to - as soon as the songs are out - just buy a van and take off touring,” he said.

Allen will perform live at Bad Paul’s in Revelstoke on Friday, March 28 and Wednesday, April 16. Both performances start at 7 p.m.

Check out Allen’s songs at www.sonicbids.com/andrewallen.

- Melissa Jameson - Revelstoke Times Review

Andrew Allen broke down and bought a minivan, but he makes it clear the vehicle is not for toting around strollers or small soccer players.

“It’s strictly for musical endeavours,” said Allen, a Vernon singer/songwriter about to take his music on the road, first across Canada and then through the United Kingdom.

The 27-year-old, who has called the city home since Grade 3, recently recorded his debut solo album, The Living Room Sessions. It’s an 11-track CD with a sound Allen describes as something “like Jack Johnson and Maroon 5, if they were hanging out together.”

When that was done, Allen and his wife, Julie, decided to pack up and hit the highway, try to make a go of his career as a musician while they can, he said.

“A big part of wanting to tour is, yeah, push the album and share music with different people, but also to live life...”

Between preparing for the tour and practising, Allen spends time at the Upper Room Mission, playing, hanging out and trying to see the world through their lives.

“The people down there, they don’t have homes, but they have such a rich sense of relationships...You give one guy a loaf of bread, and he’ll share it with all his friends, but me, I’d probably put it in my freezer,” said Allen, who is ending his term as music director at East Hill Community Church when he sets out on his tour in July.

For Allen, who has already traveled the world, performing in Ireland pubs and Caribbean stages (he once worked on a cruise ship), observing people who live with less offers perspective.

Sights become sentiments Allen quickly converts into choruses.

“One of the main ones in the The Living Room Sessions is about life and community and getting to know people, and one underlying message is the poverty in our own lives — how we in western culture have a little too much, but not everyone in our community has too much.”

Though he supports the messages found in his lyrics, Allen said he doesn’t always have control over the songs he writes.

“All of the sudden you just start jamming out and there’s a feeling or idea and before long, a melody takes shape. It’s almost like the song tells me what it’s about,” said Allen, who recorded The Living Room Sessions by himself in his home studio, a benefit to being a one-man show.

“It gave me a lot of creative freedom. When you’re in a studio you can’t bang out ideas, but if it’s on your own time, you can work at it as much as you want,” he said.

Allen’s voice and face first became known in Vernon and B.C. when he played with Martin, one of several bands he belonged to before breaking out to go solo a few years ago.

“I absolutely love playing in bands and being creative with other people, but if everybody is not as committed as you are, then you get held back and you’re battling. I kind of thought, instead of waiting for anybody, I’m not getting younger and I might as well try to do this as well as I can.”

Allen and Julie found temporary homes for their two dogs, a minivan and places to play across Canada over the summer and in the U.K. for September and October. After making “just a lot of phone calls, making tons and tons of phone calls,” they’re about to pack their bags.

Giving Europe a go was an easy decision for Allen.

“There’s just such an appreciation there for live music, and especially original live music.”

But before he crosses the pond, Allen is giving two hometown performances — on Saturday opening for Redfish, then as the headliner at Sunshine Festival June 14.

Playing downtown in the festival, he said, will be a great start to the tour.

“It’s always such a blast because the people who come out to see it are there to have a good time and it’s something local everyone gets to take part in. It’s also really fun to play on a road that’s blocked off.”

Andrew Allen opens for Redfish Saturday at Boomer’s Nite Club. Doors open at 9 p.m. for a VIP keg party and 10 p.m. for the show. Tickets are $15 or $20 for the VIP party, available at Bean to Cup and at the door. He also plays on the main stage during Sunshine festival on June 14 at 4 p.m.

Natalie Bank - Vernon Morning Star - Vernon Morning Star

Published: September 19, 2008 4:00 PM
Updated: September 19, 2008 5:52 PM

Three music industry names from Vernon kept coming up as judges for the BC Interior Music Awards filed through more than 2,000 fan nominations.

Rock band Redfish, producer/engineer Steve Tod and pop solo artist Andrew Allen have been shortlisted as nominees in BCIMA, formerly the Okanagan Music Awards, categories.

Redfish, which released its second album, De Profundis, earlier this year, is up for rock group/artist of the year as well as album of the year.

The band, which includes Josh Evans, Steve Butler, Dean Gordon-Smith and Ed Hagman, produced their 11-track CD with the help of two Grammy-winning producers.

“We were really looking forward to being nominated at least for this album,” said Hagman, Redfish’s lead singer. Upon learning of the nominations, he said it’s nice to know fans took the time to vote for them.

“We’ve noticed over the years a growing amount of fans in the area and it’s fantastic,” said Hagman.

Redfish is set to perform at the BCIMA ceremony, being held Sept. 30 at the Kelowna Community Theatre.

Allen, who opened for the band earlier this year, is competing against Paul Filek and Moments in the best new artist category. The 27-year-old Vernonite, who recently released his debut album, The Living Room Sessions, is currently on a United Kingdom tour.

Steve Tod, a Vernon-based producer and engineer, is up for producer of the year along with Mike Ohman for their work on Lindsay May’s Bronze and Blue album. The duo is also in the running for engineer of the year.

The 2008 BC Interior Music Awards begin at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 30. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.

- Vernon Morning Star

'The Living Room Sessions' Review

I have been lucky enough to hear Andrew during his recent tour in
England. On stage, the Canadian showcases his prowess on the acoustic
guitar, and loop pedal which he uses to create intricate backing tracks
whilst on stage. The singer-songwriter mesmorised the audience with his
beautiful songs and upstaged the headlining act.

He is a fine young musician, but it is Andrew's voice that is of
particular quality and this shines through on his debut album, The
Living Room Sessions. Like Stevie Wonder and JK before him, Andrew
plays all of the instruments himself. All eleven songs are his - many
lesser debut albums cover classics to be pigeon-holed, but I believe
that this album is an attempt to transcend the dogmatic classification
that can hinder creativity in the contemporary music scene. This is a
fine debut and is well worth a listen. - Andy Smith

When you attend a multi venue festival it is customary to check the programme for who is playing where and select your favourites and work out your own timetable to try and catch the bands you think want to see. In theory.
The practice in my experience is entirely different and is why festivals can be such exciting places to be. There are always artists performing whom you have never heard of and some of the best acts at an event of this kind are often caught by accident rather than by design. Andrew Allen fell squarely into that category recently when he performed at Bollington’s Mind, Body and Boogie festival.
Andrew hails from British Colombia in Canada and had made a speculative enquiry with the festival organizers about a possible spot on the bill before he left for the UK for a jaunt to try and promote his newly finished self produced album ‘The Living Room Sessions’.
Why not ? thought the organizers.
Andrew opened the proceedings on the main marquee stage on the Saturday afternoon. A bit of a rotten spot really. Most of the punters were still in the pub and the marquee was populated by musicians, stewards, sound and light guys, organizers et al, all going about their business preparing the afternoons proceedings. Undaunted, Andrew did a quick sound check and kicked off.
It took about a dozen bars to realize we had diamond in the room. Most of the activity ground to a halt as all eyes and ears focused on Andrew.
He is a very talented young man indeed. Great songwriter, very accomplished guitarist and a fine singer. What sets him apart from others of the same ilk is that he is a fantastic entertainer. He thrives on an audience and they thrive right back at him. His performances are a totally enjoyable experience. We weren’t going to waste this guy on one spot, so it was hastily arranged for him to play another three across two of the festival venues. He is still around in the UK and last Sunday he paid a visit to The Hollins on Black Rd, Macc where he provided the entertainment for Chris the landlord’s birthday celebrations. It was great night, all the better for Andrew entertaining us. Almost everywhere he visits for the first time re-books him immediately. This was no exception, Chris re-booked him for the 11th October. Put it in your diary. Aside of that he will play Toast bar in Dukes Court on Sunday evening Oct 5th, yes everyone wants a piece of this guy. Catch him (more than once) before he goes home.
Next Wednesday (8th) at Bluefunk at the WMC is a benefit night featuring many of the fine players who have graced the place of the past few years, eg Jim Kirkpatrick, Dave Richmond, Virginmarys, Barry Barnes (Sinnerboy), Cactus Moon and many others. Could be the jam session of the century!
Support live music (it’s good for the soul)

Garry the Hat

- Garry the Hat

Published: October 02, 2008 6:00 PM
Updated: October 03, 2008 11:04 AM

They thanked each other, the radio stations, their wives, and God. They thanked their hands, their first guitar teacher ever and their long or soon-to-be-gone day jobs. They thanked the Okanagan, the bars, their babies, and their parents for the lessons. They even thanked those who said they couldn’t.

At the 2008 B.C. Interior Music Awards Tuesday, 24 awards were given to artists and groups who, over and over, said, “Thank you.”

For Vernon rock band Redfish, it was lead singer Ed Hagman.

“This is a surprise,” he said, as drummer Steve Butler gave his arm a squeeze and bassist Josh Evans looked at the diamond-shaped award, given to the group in a tie for album of the year with Wassabi Collective, a five-piece Nelson band.

“We’re really happy. Thank you so much,” said Hagman. Earlier this year Redfish released, De Profundis, its second CD and part of the reason they were also nominated for rock or pop group/artist of the year, which went to the Kelowna-based Sleddogs.

Redfish, who also performed two new songs at the awards presentation, held at the Kelowna Community Theatre, wasn’t the only one from the North Okanagan to take home a trophy.

Vernon studio whiz Steve Todd was awarded engineer of the year along with Mike Ohman. The duo was also nominated for producer of the year for their work on Lindsay May’s album, Bronze and Blue.

Rising pop singer Andrew Allen, currently on a tour across the U.K., won new group/artist of the year. In a pre-taped video clip, the singer/songwriter told the audience how much the nomination, never mind winning the award, meant.

“That’s so huge. Thank you so much,” said Allen, who grew up in Vernon and recently released his debut solo album, The Living Room Sessions.

Six judges from the entertainment industry, including Music BC executive director Bob D’Eith, chose winners such as Allen after receiving nearly 2,300 nomination votes for the 2008 BCIMA (formerly the Okanagan Music Awards).

Two screens above the stage also delivered a filmed message from Vernon-raised Daniel Powter, the singer behind the best-selling song Bad Day and winner of the special achievement award.

“I want to thank the BCIMA for this award. I’m very honoured. I come from a great place and you guys know all about it,” said Powter, who tried to inspire the emerging artists in the audience.

“When someone says you can’t do something, you change your path. Follow your dreams, but stick to your path.”

Powter’s path, which has included a 2007 Grammy nomination for his hit single, may seem like a distant destination for the other BCIMA nominees.

Most of them are still in the “battle against the day job,” as Kootenay folk musician Shawn Stephenson put it. Travis Lundgren, a member of The Murderous, which won metal group of the year, said he had to run from work just to make it to the stage in time for an acceptance speech.

But for others, like the seen-on-Much Music Sleddogs, which took home group of the year along with three other awards; success is just around the corner.

And D’Eith announced the drive there could become a little shorter for Okanagan musicians with the upcoming opening of a Kelowna FACTOR (Foundation to Assist Canadian Talent On Recordings) office.

“You can be in Kelowna and write a song just like Daniel (Powter) and go off and conquer the world...I’d like you guys to be able to stay here and do it,” said D’Eith. - Vernon Morning Star