Today we’d like to introduce you to Andy Macintyre.
Hi Andy, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
From when I was just a small kid I’d always been obsessed with Music. It didn’t matter if it was coming out of some fancy Hi-Fi system, or a radio, or a live musical instrument. Music always pulls my attention – even if it’s not my favorite song I’ll still listen to it. My Grandparents had a late-70’s reel-to-reel system that I loved listening to but I also loved watching the machine work. It was quite entertaining to a six yrs. old because not only was the music coming out of the speakers it was also coming out a very large tape deck that would slowly spin and rewind quickly! I loved the sound of the transport motors revving up as the tape would rewind or fast-forward… oh! and Tape produces an interesting smell as it sheds its particles when the machine spins at high speeds. Early on I figured out that if I put my finger on one of the reels and applied pressure it would augment the music’s speed. I’d do this when nobody was looking, but I didn’t understand that adults could also hear the speed change. I thought I could pull one over on them! After several trials of Piano and Trumpet lessons I found the guitar.
There was something about the Guitar and being 13 that allowed me to really hone in on the instrument. I loved the Guitar for its ability to not only make insane, wild sounds but to create strange textures and simple / complex rhythms. It took a few years to figure out how to properly recreate what I heard on the stereo. By age 16, I could listen to a song I knew and was able to play it back on the guitar with little difficulty. It did come easy to me – at first. The next challenge was figuring out how to play something that I had never heard before and reproduce it. This was a much greater challenge but I knew I had to keep at it. I wanted to be able to write my own music and I felt like the only way I would be able to do that was to know how to hear something once or twice and “play it out of thin air”. That way it would push me to develop my ear for song crafting. Since having moved to Austin from Chicago in ’99 I’ve played with as many different people as I could or just be around those I could learn from. If I can humble brag a little – I now have my own private studio setup and I can craft my own music or work with other artists, which is a lot of fun as you learn something new working in production. Doing that helps you develop your ears even more and grow as a musician. Sometimes it feels like going back to the 6 year old me and pressing my finger on the Tape Flange.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There is nothing “smooth road” about the music business. Its complete with Ups, Down’s, good days, bad days, and so-so days. I don’t mean to come across as cynical, but that is the nature of the Art & Commodity marriage. Being a musician or artist of any kind is a constant struggle for balance. “How far is too far? How real am I really supposed to be right now in this very moment?” It’s a bumpy road.
Here’s the reality of being an independent artist in the 2020’s – You have to be: the artist, the producer, the arranger, the manager, the publishing company, the social media expert, the videographer, the graphic artist, self-PR person, and perhaps even the merch salesperson. When you step back and look at the task at hand it’s ludicrous to even consider taking all that on, but it’s the reality of the business right now. Labels do not invest in artists like they used to. Unless you are some big times pop tart, or you have indispensable monies, you have to make it happen. It becomes several different jobs wrapped up into one. If you want to do it for a living the job becomes an everyday affair and you’re often forced to write / create music well into the early morning – if you want to have any writing chops – and keeping a group together is like being in three different marriages! Ultimately, If you’re meant to be a musician you inevitably accept the challenge.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I think most people know me for playing Guitar, writing, song arrangement, and playing out live. Obviously, with Covid becoming present in everyone’s lives, playing out wasn’t on the menu. Fortunately, I had just built a new studio room and I was able to re-focus my energies. I’ve always been very engaged with Studio work either with my band, someone else’s group, a solo artist, etc. It felt right to dive head first into that world. I think I’m most proud of the albums and singles I’ve released in the last few years! In 2018, I released an album on Vinyl that famed Producer, Tim Palmer mixed (Pearl Jam, U2, David Bowie). We had the release show at Antones. In early 2020, I released a single that I had recorded at London’s famed Abbey Road Studios – that was cool! Last year and part of this year I helped Country Artist, Jason Harrell, produce his album. After that I released a double single and a music video for one of the singles. It has been busy despite the life-altering pandemic.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Follow me on Social Media and check out my links! The best way to support musicians is to follow them, listen to their songs and share, share, share! Contact me at my email if you’d like to inquire about the studio.
Contact Info:
- Email: macintyrerocks@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.macintyrerocks.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/macintyrerocks/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MacintyreRocks/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/macintyrerocks
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq45bwSWcpH1yXLQkO69jnQ
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/macintyrerocks
Image Credits
Anthem in Art Photography (Jenna Adele Barrett) Lisa Renee Track Rambler
