Andrew Balkwill

Originally posted on the 4th of May 2007

http://www.myspace.com/andrewbalkwill

I discovered Andy one night while I was at the SkyBar in Brighton having a drink with a few friends. I hadn’t planned on going specifically to see anyone play, and I certainly hadn’t expected to see what I did. It was a usual acoustic night in a posh bar, pretentious guitarists, and girls who thought they could sing. Then Andy came on with a big keyboard and nothing else.

Andrew Balkwill is one of the UK’s finest examples of how there is some absolutely amazing music out there, and no one knows about it. He seems, at the moment, to be gliding from bar to pub to the occasional venue, slowly accumilating a loyal following who are beginning to spread the word. A bit like the Pied Piper on steroids. The intriguing thing is that I dont think he actually realises just how good he is.
Which is refreshing to say the least.

So, what is it?

Its Alternative Piano Pop, now dont get me wrong, I hate labels more than anyone else. When I say ‘pop’ I dont mean McFly, I mean popular music that is user-friendly enough to have mass appeal. Think Keane, mix in a little Maroon 5, inject an 8th of The Beatles, and you’re pretty much there. Beautiful melodies played on the piano, accompanied with excellent vocals, and a rhythm that gives you a headache from the inability to NOT nod along to each song.

The recommend a friend song is definitely ‘Let Go’ which can be heard on the link to Andy’s myspace at the top of this entry.
It instantly begins with a choppy section of light piano chords and a sliding bassline, something that makes you want to tap your foot and simultaeously sway slightly. The vocals dont jump out at you at first, but the lyrics are clearly audible, and as the first chorus comes you realise that he really does have an amazing voice. Andy has a definite talent for arranging his songs as the slow smooth rhythms fade into and are contrasted beautifully by fast chopped up sections before dropping into an almost deathly quiet mid section.

But what’s it lacking? There is a definite empty space there.

Vocal harmonies. All of Andy’s songs would benefit fantastically from some contrasting vocal melodies to fill in some of the frequency gaps, and to contrast certain vocal sections from others. That said, his latest song ‘The Other Side’ does make use of some harmonies, but they are far too quiet, and sound like they were added to the song rather tentatively.

Andy has some serious potential to go a long way in the music world, but at the moment it seems like he hasn’t quite figured out the best way to promote himself. His ‘myspace stats’ could be better, and he could certainly do with booking a few higher profile gigs given that he’s every bit as good live as he is on record. If he can find a way to get himself out there a bit more I have no doubt that we will be hearing a lot more of Andrew Balkwill in the future.