Andy Burrows- Interview and review

Interview with Andy Burrows

From spending years as the drummer in Razorlight, to working on several prestigious film soundtracks, and supporting a stunning solo career, Andy Burrows is an amazing musician who is always keen to ‘keep the plates spinning.’ I was lucky enough to share a conversation with him over a cuppa, to find out more about his impressive work, including his brilliant latest album, Reasons To Stay Alive.

In addition to being the drummer in the bands Razorlight and We are Scientists, you’ve also spent time working on film soundtracks, such as David Brent: Life On The Road (2016) and The Snowman and the Snowdog (2012). How does the experience of touring compare to working with film?

That’s difficult to answer- I suppose inevitably I always prefer one whilst I’m doing the other. Generally, I love doing both, but it’s nice to be at home in my studio to be closer to my family. Not that I don’t love exploring different cities- that’s a great part of being on tour.

I understand that you actually starred in the David Brent film, as the drummer in his band. What was that like appearing on set?

The experience was really eye-opening, allowing me to be part of something I hadn’t explored before. But I’d definitely say I’m more comfortable behind the scenes.

Your latest album Reasons To Stay Alive was created in collaboration with best-selling author Matt Haig, who wrote the lyrics. I would be interested to know what the process of working together was like?

It was pretty smooth, really. Originally our idea was to do a kind of “Hansel & Gretel” music soundtrack for kids, but as the process went on we realized our lyrics lent themselves to more adult themes. It was helpful because rather than just giving me a wall of words to work with, Matt had written the lyrics in a verse-chorus structure, so all I had to do was add music. Occasionally I might change the odd word or play around with the structure, I changed the word ‘phone’ to ‘call’ in the chorus line of ‘Barcelona’, for example. Sometimes when you work closely with another person, there is a risk that your ideas might clash. But with Matt, it really felt as if we were on the same page, so the process wasn’t difficult.

Some of the lyrics on this album deal with quite sensitive issues, tackling topics like mental health. What do you think the significance of this is for your listeners?

I think any human being can relate to the lyrics on this album, as they deal with universal feelings- things like depression and anxiety, that many of us experience but don’t necessarily admit. For some reason we see these feelings as “odd”, or some kind of “condition” that we shouldn’t share with others. But despite the difficult themes, there’s nothing negative about this album. Although it deals with the experience of somebody essentially having a break-down, it remains positive and upbeat, showing that it’s important to talk about and deal with these issues.

How did you use the instrumentation to create that feeling of positivity that you’ve just mentioned?

When I was composing the music, I wanted to hold on to the real, heart-felt nature of the lyrics, but also to add some colour. The lyrics might be melancholy, but the uplifting sound gives it a lift that creates a nice contrast.

What is your favourite track on Reasons To Stay Alive, and why?

I’d have to say ‘Handle With Care.’ As a song it’s just so vulnerable and honest, and when performed you can just tell that the audience understand the feeling behind it. It’s beautifully sad, and yet uplifting at the same time.

Earlier in February you had a tour to support the album, and you’re now supporting Jamie Lawson on his Europe and UK tour. What is it like touring with Jamie?

He’s a brilliant song-writer with a fantastic band, and his fans have been lovely to perform to. I see some similarities with our musical style, but in some respects also some opposites, which I guess keeps it interesting.

To finish off, I’m just curious to find out what’s next. Do you have any plans for future work, and can we expect a new album soon?

At the moment I’m working on a Netflix series The Afterlife with Ricky Gervais, which is mainly creating incidental music, but it’s something I’m really excited about, and he’s such as great guy to work with. I’m also working on a new album with Tom Smith from the band Editors, which will see me heading off to America. I think that in the modern industry, with the surge of online music, it’s not enough anymore to just do one thing. That’s why I try to be part of several projects at once, keeping the plates spinning, if you like. It can be quite overwhelming sometimes, but I enjoy it, so it’s worth it.  

Review- Andy Burrows supporting Jamie Lawson at the Birmingham Town Hall, 4^th May

When witnessing the supporting act at any gig, one expects to see an upcoming talent- someone just about finding their feet within the music industry. This was not the case for Andy Burrows, who has released numerous solo albums and worked on film soundtracks since his days as the drummer for Razorlight. Watching him support Jamie Lawson, in the atmospheric Birmingham Town Hall, was a chance to witness his raw talent in a beautiful setting.

The artist used a simple arrangement with just one supporting musician, offering plucked bass tones and backing vocals. In addition to Burrows’ vocals and lead guitar, this created a sound that was stripped-back, yet rich in feeling. Beginning with ‘The Company We Keep’ from Burrows’ second solo album, syncopated rhythms created a complex texture. The chorus brought rising vocals, placed in perfect harmony, which had an almost ghostly effect when echoing around the large hall.

This was followed up by ‘I Know That I Can’, with the prominent guitar chords and falsetto chorus establishing bluesy undertones. The key flirted between major and minor, making the music exciting and unpredictable. When pausing to interact with the crowd, Burrows was entertaining in sharing anecdotes about Birmingham, clearly comfortable with a large audience from years of experience. It was impressive that rather than simply focusing on his recent material, Burrows chose to perform tracks that spanned several albums, giving the audience a whistle-stop tour of his musical legacy.

And such a tour, of course, would not be complete without a reference to the artist’s time spent with Razorlight. During my favourite moment of the concert, Burrows performed an acoustic, haunting version of ‘America’, which he had co-written back in 2006. Choosing to use lower notes within the chorus, Burrows created a version that was more breathless and thus perhaps more heartfelt, with the iconic lyrics that everybody recognises. With the tempo rising towards the end, the repeated vocal interjections of ‘hold me’ felt particularly mournful. The fact that Burrows was able to stun a crowd with this track over 10 years after its original release, shows it to be just as relevant, if not more relevant than ever, to our lives today.

The artist was also able to share numbers from the soundtrack of ‘The Snowman and the Snowdog’, which he helped to compose. There was something unique about hearing prominent film tracks within a concert venue, and ‘Hometown’ was a beautiful demonstration of Burrows’ songwriting skills. The track featured heartbreaking lyrics, describing ‘the only boy I know who cannot cry’, combined with a plucked guitar riff and airy harmonies which matched the magical feeling of the film.

To close his set, Burrows chose ‘Barcelona’ from his most recent album, Reasons To Stay Alive, which had the upbeat feel of a pop-song, made unique through the layering of acoustic guitars. The track painted a vivid picture of a Spain adventure, with a joyful chorus, perfect to close a performance. A round of rising vocals at the end gave the song an impressive finish, demonstrating the success of Burrows’ solo work.

Overall, the performance was one that spanned decades, explored several genres of music and even brought the audience into the magical realm of ‘The Snowman and the Snowdog.’ Burrows’ set was one that showcased the sheer range of his musical accomplishments, whilst also highlighting the impressive vocals that support all his work.