Review Fix chats with Valentin Marx’s Andy Kissel, who discusses the band’s origin, goals
Review Fix: How did your project start?
Andy Kissel: The project started when I had amassed a bunch of like minded songs and decided I needed a band to make it all happen. I had been performing as a solo acoustic artist, but these songs definitely needed the full band treatment.
Review Fix: How did you get involved in music?
Kissel: My older brother is a guitar player, and I started playing the drums around the age of 10 in hopes of being in his band. From there I just started adding instruments, and over time guitar and piano became my main focus and passion. Songwriting started picking up around 14, and I’ve been chasing the dragon ever since.
Review Fix: What’s your creative process like?
Kissel: For me the riffs and groove always comes first. I may have a lyrical hook or phrase that attaches melody to the progression, but usually the song itself is fully formed before I write the lyrics. Once I have the basic structure, melodies, and lyrics, I bring it to the other guys and we craft the song further.
Review Fix: What inspires you?
IKissel: ‘m inspired by other artists in a big way. I have a deep respect for visual artists, a skill in which I personally have never excelled. However I work to try and create a landscape for the audience so that they can get lost in the music, create their own reality and memories with the song. We recently released our first single, and the artist Alex Unger made the art for the release. His visual response to the music was hugely inspiring for me. Seeing what the song made him feel made what I do so much more meaningful.
Review Fix: What makes this album special?
Kissel: The songs on the upcoming EP are several years in the making. I’m really excited for people to hear all the hard work and love that has gone into the process of making this music.
Review Fix: What’s the standout track?
Kissel: First single Made Up is a personal favorite. It was a total collaborative effort from all the guys in the band, and I’m really proud of how it turned out.
Review Fix: What’s on your musical bucket list?
Kissel: One item on my musical bucketlist is to play drums on Helter Skelter with Paul McCartney, somehow someway.
Leave a Reply