The pop music world is a very fickle place. Many artists spend years trying to break into the scene without any success. Some artists get a little recognition but fade out quickly. Andy Grammer, on the other hand, has managed to climb out of obscurity and into the spotlight.
In the past, Grammer has had minor successes with songs like “Keep Your Head Up,” and “Fine By Me” but “Honey I’m Good” has catapulted him to the forefront of the pop genre. Not only does Grammer write amazingly fun songs to listen to, but he also puts on one of the best live shows I have ever seen. Grammer will be bringing his tour back through to New Jersey this weekend at Starland Ballroom and it is not to be missed. There will be a bit of dancing, beatboxing, and, of course, a lot of singing.
Andy Grammer was kind enough to talk to Pop-Break a little bit about the songs he wishes he’d wrote, the inspiration behind his biggest song to date, performing on some of the most watched reality competitions and what it was like touring with some of the best singer songwriters out there.
“Honey I’m Good” has really caught on like wildfire. I think in part because of how catchy it is, part because of the universal message. What was the inspiration behind the song?
This was a song about temptation in a relationship. We all experience it, girls, guys, everybody. If you say you don’t you’re lying (laughs). I think that acknowledging it and still writing about heading home is what helps the song stand out.
“Honey I’m Good” has climbed so high and taken over the pop world. How does this song’s success compare with your earlier releases like “Fine By Me” and “Keep Your Head Up”?
This one is totally different. It’s astronomically bigger. The spread has been significantly faster and even just chart and numbers wise, it’s blowing the earlier two out of the water. If this career is like surfing, then this wave is the biggest and most fun I’ve ever had.
You have been performing all over the place like American Idol and Dancing with the Stars. What has been your favorite television live performance so far?
Both the finales were pretty special. American Idol because I got to be a part of such a big event with Steven Tyler, J-Lo, Pitbull, choirs, props, fire, it was intense. The Dancing with the Stars finale same thing the sets are huge and it’s such a production. They were both incredible to helping the song song rise to where its at.
Since you began writing songs at such an early age and toured with a few great songwriters like Colbie Caillat and Gavin Degraw, who has had the biggest influence over your writing style?
I haven’t really had a chance to write with either of them, but watching them perform every night I’ve taken a lot. Colbie was so generous by bringing me up every night and really helping me get my name out there and build a fan base. Gavin I think I really fell in love with his transitions between songs and that’s something we’ve been doing a lot of recently.
What’s your favorite song you’ve written and are there any songs you wish you never wrote?
Any songs that really hit on a universal truth. I think “Honey, I’m Good” and “Keep Your Head Up” both have done that. When that happens and it’s also catchy and got something special about the track then in your business. I would say “Fix You” by Coldplay or “Yesterday” by the Beatles are songs that fit that criteria and I wish I’d written.
Magazines and Novels is a solid record and you had a hand in writing all of the songs on the album. Was it hard for you to select what songs you put on the record?
On this one I was just really fighting to find music that I felt was from me. I was experimenting so much sonically that the songs themselves had to really be from me. Out of the 101 that I wrote, there were honestly only about 12-15 that were really in competition to make the album. This album was a lot of writing to get to the magic. I don’t know if always has to be that way, but for me record two was really hard. I’m super proud of it.
When do we get the next record?
I’ve been writing a lot on the road this time around so hopefully sooner then later. I’ve never really effectively done that before. I feel there’s new music coming fast.
Andy Grammer performs tonight at The Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, New Jersey with American Authors and AJR. Click here for tickets.
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