We were lucky to catch up with Andrew Scotchie recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Andrew thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

Music was always part of daily life growing up. My parents never played an instrument but they LOVED all kinds of music. My dad Tom would take my brothers and I to all kinds of shows. I experienced lots of bands on my dads shoulders. The melodies and the thrill was etched into my brain early on. It was at age 10 I started taking a few lessons. It was then I started to become obbessed with learning my favorite songs and then in my teenage years I started writing my own songs and playing with my peers.

It also helped that my hometown of Asheville is one of the most musically diverse places in the world. Bluegrass at Jack of the Wood, jam bands at the Warren Haynes Christmas Jam, punk shows at the Odditorium, jazz at Tressa’s, just about every genre at The Orange Peel…this city has helped shape me as an artist in a profound way.

I’m still learning something everyday either musically or about the business side. I hope that never changes. That’s one of the best parts about music, the discoveries are endless.

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 am all about writing songs and putting on shows that help us better understand ourselves, unify people and create unstoppable joy. Music is a religion to me. Its helped me through so much. My dad was murdered a day before my 15th birthday and I don’t think I could have survived that tragedy without the outlet that music provides. Creating music and giving everything I got to an audience whether its 5 or 5,000 people, is what I live for.

I often get cagatorized as a “rocker” and while that’s true, I intend to explore as many sonic avenues as possible and my songs pull influence from alot of different genres. My most recent studio album “Love is Enough” explored a more tender, folkier side of my songwriting. It’s introduced me to a whole new audience and enabled me to play new festivals and open for some of my favorite bands. We just released a 15 song live album that was recorded at the Allman Brothers Museum AKA “The Big House” in Macon, GA. It was an honor to be invited to play at such an historical place. The songs span 4 albums worth of original material. There are moments of blues based rock n roll, funk, punk, Americana and psychedelic Appalachian soul. It’s a great representation of what people can expect at my shows.

The last decade has been far from easy. There have been plenty of roadblocks and hardships. I’ve lost relationships, gained even better ones. I’ve felt appreciated, I’ve felt completely ignored. It’s an exciting but sometimes extremely unfair and cruel industry to be in. The best thing I have done in the past decade is to have my own definition of “success”. Anyone that is creative should have their on definition of success. Not as a point of “oh I’ve made it” but as a place of “where I am right now is feeding my soul, inspiring me and I am excited to take on the next project or challenge”. I’ve been playing in bands since I was about 13 and in many ways I feel like my career has only really began.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

As far as my industry goes, I urge people to support working artists. Specifically, independent artists who are logging thousands of miles in a van, managing the business themselves, thinking of others than themselves and constantly trying to reach a higher sate of musical solace. Any successful community must have a healthy arts scene. Go to the shows on week nights to see that band from that town you’ve never heard of, look up bands at the bottom of the festival lineup, buy that t-shirt, donate to music programs and if you believe in a message, spread that message.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

When it comes to social media, much like music, I think its important for everyone to have their own style. It’s ok to pay attention to what kinds of posts reach the masses but don’t let social media dictate how you create. Don’t take it personally if you pour your heart into a song or any piece of art and then have it get less “likes” than you think it deserves. Be concise but informative. Above all, be human and be honest. There is too much misinformation and white noise on social media. Be real, be fun. Sometimes less is more. I feel the best posts make people feel included, inspired, empowered and give a sense of kinship with the artist.

It’s nice to know that in real life human connection still matters in 2025. I have met so many wonderful people at our shows. We hit it off in person and then they follow on socials. Sometimes they end up being friends and collaborators. I find those people to be the most attentive supporters because they really get a sense of who you are as a person and not just a performer.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.andrewscotchiemusic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrewscotchie/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andrewscotchiemusic
• Linkedin: https://linktr.ee/andrewscotchie
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@andrewscotchiemusic
• Other: Tik Tok – @andrew_scotchie

Image Credits

Photos by Tom Farr