Two years ago, singer, songwriter, and musician Andrew Beck began producing and releasing his own music. Raised in Kentucky, Andrew’s first foray into playing music began at a young age when his mom persuaded him and his siblings to take piano lessons. Now twenty-one and a student at Georgetown University in Washington D.C., Andrew Beck is currently completing his degree while simultaneously carving out a space for himself in the music scene. SHEESH! had the pleasure to sit down in conversation with him and discuss his songwriting process, musical inspirations, and future goals.
Q: How would you define your music?
My music is my music and a reflection of who I am, a look into who I am as a person. Every single sound you hear is me; it is an authentic representation of who I am. I’m just someone trying to create music that relates to the same experiences we all have.
Q: When did you know you wanted to start writing and playing music?
I think I always sort of knew from an early age that I really loved making music.Through every song you write, you’re putting your heart out there really letting people listen to who you are as a person. I didn’t start creating music until the summer before college because I was really intimidated by the process of writing and producing music. But I decided to just let go of any preconceptions and give it a shot.
Q: What is the songwriting process like for you?
I’ll usually start by sitting down and noodling around on the guitar and follow whatever path it takes me on. When I feel a melody coming on in my head I’ll begin recording on my phone for five to ten minutes to catch any words or notes that come out of my head while playing. When I feel I have a really strong foundation for a song or I really want to pursue a certain melody, I’ll listen to the recordings and start picking out words from that moment of expression. I really need to feel something when I’m writing a song to know its worth pursuing. I need to have a visceral reaction like a gut feeling in my stomach or in my heart in order to know whether I can turn this moment into a song. If my body begins to move and follow the music, that’s when I know I have something viable. When I feel like I am discovering a new song and not creating it. That it already exists and I’m simply writing it down and pressing record on my phone.
Q: How would you describe your latest EP?
I wrote it while I was in quarantine, which is the major theme running throughout it. Writing, producing, and recording the EP was a very raw process for me. At the time, I had only one microphone and my acoustic guitar and I had to get really creative with what I could do and how I could make music that has a full studio sound is competitive. The EP is a reflection of my time spent by myself and with my family, contemplating life, while locked in quarantine. It’s called “Stir Crazy” and that’s what this EP is about; what you do when you have limited freedom and how you act within those boundaries.
Q: What emotions or experiences do you want to make people feel when they listen to your music?
It depends on the song. There are specific songs where I am trying to evoke certain emotions. There are definitely layers of emotions that I am trying to invoke through my music and want to make people feel. I want each song to be pleasant to listen to, yet still contemplative. However, it largely depends on the song.
Q: How does performing live make you feel?
Performing live makes me really, really happy. I still get a little nervous every time, before each performance, but I really wish I could be doing more of it right now. I got a taste of it last year and I loved it. I never thought of myself as a performer or as a singer, but performing live changed that for me and made me fall in love with singing. I have this new song, that is yet to be released, that whenever I perform live it’s a magical experience every single time. I feel such a connection with the people I’m singing it too.
Q: What does your music mean to you?
It means everything. It’s a record of my progression as a human being. I have no clue what I would do without it. I’m currently going through this stage where I don’t like the music that I’ve released, but I’ve realized that it’s a full reflection of who I am. The music I released this summer is representative of who I was during the summer, which is different from who I am right now and the music I’m making right now. My music is a complete extension of who I am.
Q: Where do you see the future of your music?
I definitely want to have a future in music, especially after I graduate. There is no question about it. I would love to keep doing what I’m doing now. I’d love to devote a hundred percent of my mental efforts towards creating music and writing songs. Hopefully people will like them.
Q: Any future plans you can tell me about?
I’m recording a ton of new music right now that I’m excited to release.
Q: What are your fondest musical memories?
Creating new songs and playing with other people, just jamming together, are very magical experiences every time. I recently finished writing a new song. When I first started playing the guitar and the first line for this song, I knew that evening what the whole song would be about. I started freaking out and knew it would be amazing. Those are the fondest memories I’ve had so far with music.
Artwork by William Beck. 
Q: If you couldn’t create or perform music, what would you be doing instead?
I would build guitars or guitar amplifiers.
Q: What’s your favorite song?
I love “Hotel California.” The guitar solo is unbelievable. I listen to it in the car and I just blast it. It makes you feel so spooky and brings back a lot of great memories for me from my childhood.
Q: What are you currently listening to?
I think Jack Johnson is simply unreal. I recently finished watching the David Crosby documentary on Netflix, so I’ve been listening to Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young alot. I’ve been listening to Tyler Chilvers, who I think is amazing along with Rayland Baxter. Chivers and Baxter are my two main squeezes.
Q: Do any writers, painters, or sculptors influence your music?
The surrealist painter René Magritte. I think his art is incredibly witty and has opened up my eyes to how you can see or view the world through a variety of approaches. His art has helped me in confronting impossible situations while viewing things through different lenses.
Q: Any advice for anyone starting out?
Just start. It’s never too late to begin. If I hadn’t taken that leap of faith and made that decision for myself to start writing and producing music, my life would be so different, so much worse, I think.
Check out Spotify, YouTube, SoundCloud, or Apple Music to hear the latest tunes from Andrew Beck.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
