We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Andrei a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Andrei, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Has your work ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized?

Absolutely! This happens all too often. Instead of people accepting me and what I do, I often get back handed compliments on why I don’t do things a different way or style. While touring, I have had various people approach me after shows that questioned me on why I don’t sing K Pop instead of country music. Back in 2013, I was opening for a singer/songwriter for a show at The Middle East in Boston, MA. After the show, an individual walked up to congratulate me on my performance. They reiterated that I should be performing K Pop instead of county music. While it’s nice to meet fans and get compliments, it’s almost demeaning to have people comment on how I should be doing something different because of who I am or how I look.
I feel like that’s where the misunderstanding comes in. Not all Asian people have to sing Asian genres. My appearance and the music I played didn’t sync up in this person’s mind. This wasn’t the first or the last time a similar incident has occurred. I would like to break stereotypes and help people realize that you only need to do what makes you happy and what others think shouldn’t matter.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I got into music at a young age and it’s been with me ever since. I was 4 years old when I picked up my first instrument, the violin. That’s when my passion for string instruments started. I learned how to play guitar along with other string instruments and thats when my obsession grew. The motive for learning these instruments was so I could learn to play my favourite songs. Growing up, I enjoyed groups like Red Hot Chili Peppers, Green Day, and Avenged Sevenfold and eventually I found my true passion, country music. My girlfriend in high school made me a CD mixtape with the song “Love Story” by Taylor Swift. I thought to myself, “That’s Country music?”. Shortly after I “googled” country music guitar players and I fell in love with Keith Urban and Brad Paisley. I learned every one of their songs on guitar, and watched interviews of them on YouTube. In one of Brad Paisley’s interviews, he told the interviewer that he wrote and sang songs because he wanted people to hear his guitar playing. That inspired me to write and sing music. Prior to this I only wrote instrumental pieces.
When I started performing my songs, people told me I had a great voice for country music.
What might set me apart from others is my guitar playing and ear for music. There are only a handful of country singers that play lead guitar; most of them play chords and sing.
I am most proud of how far I’ve come as an artist. I can remember days when I didn’t have any songwriting ability and couldn’t sing in pitch let alone sing in key. I am looking forward to improving and always striving to be better.
Some fun facts! I enjoy creating modern food for friends at dinner parties, I bring my rescue cat Aster, to co writing and studio sessions, and I have a love for soccer. I also attend the Nashville Soccer Club games.
No matter what background you come from, you don’t have to fit in a stereotype. You can do whatever you want to pursue!

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I wish I was more knowledgeable about the voice. With my recent vocal coaching, I’ve learned about strengthening different vocal muscles, making subtle stylistic choices, and using my voice to tell a story. The focus of Country music has always been on the lyrics. If you tell a story in a compelling way, you have a song with soul. Something that resonates with the listener. Recently, I’ve taken a little break from performing to hone in on the craft of singing.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I am extremely lucky to be able to do something everyday that I am passionate about. Not a lot of people can say that. Beyond that, my goal is to become a well known touring Country artist. This will allow me to impact and touch peoples lives with my music and my story. Nothing would make me happier than to break down the stereotypes people might have about what people can and cannot achieve. I believe Asian people can be in the entertainment industry without being nerdy, a karate master, or the butt of a joke.

Contact Info:

• Website: AndreiCountry.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/andreicountrylife
• Facebook: Facebook.com/andreicountry
• Twitter: Twitter.com/andreicountry
• Other: tiktok.com/@andreicountry

Image Credits
Libby Danforth Shane Jacopian Kasey Burton Jonathan Freeland