The past, present and future projects of Andrew McMahon
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From being a rising star of emo rock to become a radiophonic pop star. In this short interview, we’re travelling backwards in the career, social and private life of Something Corporate singer, discovering more about his new album Tilt At The Wind No More as Andrew McMahon In The Wilderness and what’s left of the past… and yes, we asked him if he’s going back to the studio with Something Corporate.
Hi Andrew, it’s a pleasure to have you on VEZ Magazine!
Let’s start straight away with the first elephant in the room: you have a new album out soon as Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness and you’re just forty. Given that since your beginnings you’ve always dealt with difficult and yet actual themes such as bullying and sufferance, what of even more mature shall we expect from the lyrics of Tilt at the Wind No More?
“It’s been a few years since my last release and in that time there have been a lot of milestones. Turning 40, crossing over into having spent more than half of my life on the road, 15 years cancer free, 15 years married, publishing a memoir and so on. I wanted this music to reflect what I’ve learned along the way and to do so with an eye on what’s to come. There is a lot on Tilt about getting older and about the impact of love and relationships on my journey.”
I listened to Tilt at the Wind No More and I couldn’t avoid thinking how immediately recognisable your touch is. How do you manage to preserve your identity although evolving the sounds and adding instruments?
“Finding myself and my voice inside new sonic landscapes is always a process and truthfully why I still enjoy making music. I always want to find a new presentation for my ideas and my songs and figuring out how to do that with new collaborators and fresh instrumentation often comes down to trial and error. Once it feels like me or the artist I feel myself becoming I just chase it down until the song is finished.”
I’d like to go to the second elephant in the room: the Something Corporate reunion. Besides the long awaited live performances at Where We Were Young festival, shall we also expect any new song?
“I’m really excited to reunite with the band on such a large stage. It feels like the right place to come back together and we’re all so excited. There are no plans for new music at the moment but I’m not ruling it out either.”
In the early 2000, artists such as Something Corporate, New Found Glory, Fenix TX, The Early November and many more blossomed under the same roof: Drive-Thru Records. Are you still in touch with its founders Richard and Stephanie Raines?
“Those were incredible times and the bond we shared with those bands is lasting and really meaningful. That said, it’s been a while since I’ve connected with the old Drive Thru crew.”
Let’s go back one step and talk about your side project Jack’s Mannequin: I liked it very much both musically and because of its social relevance, supporting such a delicate cause like cancer and the importance of a dedicated support program for the young with leukaemia. Is the foundation Dear Jack that you created to support this cause still active?
“Dear Jack is still very active and growing every year. We work with hundred of patients, survivors and their families each year to help them navigate their cancer experiences and it is some of the most important work I’ve had the good fortune to be a a part of.”
We’re almost done, two more things we’d love to know: do you still have that piano fully covered with iconic stickers? Do you still jump on the piano barefoot?
“I still have that piano and have written nearly every record on it since it first traveled with me on the Warped Tour. I do still jump on the piano most shows but I’ve taken to wearing shoes.”
Thank you very much for your time!
Stefano ‘Cece’ Gardelli
Editing and translation: Francesca Garattoni
