Andy Moore: Thanks! well, I'm always hopefully optimistic about my music being well-received by fans, other artists, and the industry alike... so, I guess advancing this far in the MakeaStar contest just confirms my optimism. I'm thrilled to say the least.


MAS: What do you think it is about your song that it has gotten into the finals?

A.M.: I'm don't know that I'm able to articulate this very well. I've been told that "heaven only knows" is well-written, which must be a plus for a contest like this. but, in addition to that, I just think it's kinda catchy. The repetitive lines that lead into the chorus kinda pull in the listener... and then there's the chorus itself. it's pretty simple and more importantly about a subject matter that most of us can relate to in some way or another. also, the lead-lining is pretty hot... and the bass incredibly smooth. whatever the exact reason, I'm glad that it's appealing.


MAS: Have you been getting any e-mail from Fans? The Industry?

A.M.: Yep. My fans are really great about communicating with me... and for that I'm truly grateful. And all the attention I've been getting from the industry seems to be very positive. A lot of people seem to be really stoked about my new album "dig right in," and they're equally excited about "Heaven's progress in your contest. I know I am.

MAS: What is the response to your song and your sound in general?

A.M.: I think "heaven" has a very original sound. and while I don't want to sound too cliché about my own work, the vocals almost seamlessly weave themselves in and around a very percussive rhythm guitar which, I think, creates a "one-of-a-kind" sound. it's this very sound that has become somewhat signature for my music... and it's a sound that I would definitely like to keep, and I would like to see that sound evolve. the folks really seem to enjoy and appreciate it.

MAS: What do you think about MakeaStar.com's Industry review service?

A.M.: It's awesome! Specifically, it allows Indie artists (like myself!) access to critical feedback on their projects, which is really important in growing musically and possibly catering to a larger audience base.


MAS: What about the equal voting power being given to Fans and the Industry in the contests?

A.M.: In my opinion, this is wicked important. While industry opinion and positive critical review are highly valued, it is ultimately the fans that jettison artists' careers to the next level once production deadlines have been met. For this reason, I think it's great that MakeaStar's contest gives ample weight to the opinions of those people who do a lot of listening... not necessarily professional... and not necessarily critical.

MAS: Was getting into the contest your primary goal or were you more interested in the industry review?

A.M.: To be honest, my producer and friend, Robin Elder, entered "heaven" into the contest without my knowledge of it. It was only after we knew that we had made it into the top 16 that she decided to tell me about the contest and about the industry review. I was excited that there was going to be a contest. (I'm secretly competitive :)

MAS: How did you develop your sound? Is there a primary songwriter? Is it collaborative?

A.M.: My sound is my own. It seems to mimic the heavy percussive strumming of Indie folk artist Kristen Hall, but the sound that you hear on "heaven" is definitely something that I've been cultivating/nurturing for several years. it's just how I play... and sing. and while I wrote the entirety of heaven myself, it was only thru the encouragement of my producer that "heaven" even got recorded. I was ready to junk the whole thing. so, Robin should get credit for the rescue and for the choral arrangement at the end of the song.

MAS: Any influences you care to mention? What have other people compared you to?

A.M.: Many, many influences...from old-school Amy Grant and Shawn Colvin to Stacey Earle and the Indigo Girls. My inspiration artists are too numerous to name. A lot of people tell me that I sound like Tracy Chapman, which is incredibly flattering, but I personally don't see the similarity. Maybe it's because we're both chick folk singers. I'm not sure. But I take compliments any which way they come! :)

MAS: What do you think may set you apart from other Artists in your genre?

A.M.: I think the timbre of my voice is very unique... and this, I think, might be to my advantage. Strong vocals are a plus for those genres that leave melody lines opened and exposed, such as the folk genre. And because my rhythm guitar is so percussive, I think I really push the envelope of folk music. In fact, a lot of people wouldn't consider me to be folk at all. I love blurring boundaries and I love writing folk music.

MAS: It's obvious that your recorded material is great, how about your shows?

A.M.: I aspire that my live shows be as good as, if not at times better than, my recorded tunes. As a folk musician, I feel it's important to be able to reproduce the very sound that you hear on the album in a live environment, regardless of venue size.

MAS: Are you playing anywhere anytime soon?

A.M.: I play out as often as possible. unfortunately, because I'm finishing up a masters degree right now, I'm not extremely mobile. I play the New England states whenever possible... and I always list my shows on the gigs page of my website: andymooremusic.com

MAS: Have you released your music already? If so how, where and when? If not, do you plan to in the near future?

A.M.: I released my first independent album ("shifting") with Thumbcrown Records back in November of 2001. This album was released exclusively in Pennsylvania and did well for a first Indie release. And I actually just released my second Indie album "Dig Right In" here in Massachusetts this past July '04. This album was recorded in association with Rock Star Productions, a small Indie production company based in Virginia. "heaven only knows" appears on this album.

MAS: Where would you like to see your music take you?

A.M.: I would like to be able to earn a comfortable living while just touring and promoting my own brand of folk-rock (no more day job for me!). And I realize that folk-rock will never lead me into pop mega-stardom... but that's not why I'm making music in the first place. As long as I can deliver my tunes to the fans and eventually buy a house... adopt a couple of greyhounds and consistently replace my guitar strings after every show, I'd be content. :) Being signed to a label would help my chances of making this a reality... so I'm ever hopeful.

MAS: How realistic is that goal in terms of the immediate future?

A.M.: I think "immediate" is a relative term... but to answer your question, I think that my goal is realistic, and that's important in terms of thinking about its potential fulfillment. Once I'm finished with school, it's not impossible to think that I might be able to support myself within a year's time with hard work and consistent touring. This excites me!

MAS: What one band would you like to follow in the footsteps of down the road to success?

A.M.: Indigo Girls... hands down. They began playing around their hometown... and they worked the scene (hard) in Georgia, releasing independent recordings all along the way... until eventually they were signed to a major label. And once they were signed, they didn't buckle to the pressure of popular music (execs), but rather, they simply added (steadily!) to their insanely loyal fan-base... always creating and consistently recording and releasing music that was/is true to their roots... but allowing the music to evolve in a very natural way. that's not only respectable, but incredibly difficult to pull off. Kudos to them a thousand times over!