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Andrew Mark Schaffer talks about his influences,love for guitar playing, Inspiring people and more

I first heard Andrew's single "Serenity Now" on sound cloud and since then I have been glued to his work. Andrew is a talented singer Singer/Songwriter, Guitarist, Open Mic Night Host, Actor from Allentown, Pennsylvania. He has received a nominations for the 2014 Lehigh Valley Music Awards for "Best Music Website", Outstanding Male  Artist , Outstanding  Song  "Serenity  Now" and Outstanding Album  "Spread Our  Wings" . His single "Serenity now was voted #1 on GasHouseRadio and is definitely a must listen. Andrew also donates all the proceeds that he gets when people download his album  Spread Our Wing to the cause of fighting cancer.
I got to chat with him and get an insight of his musical life
Q: Tenacious D. Kyle Gass music video POD was a reason you got into music what exactly happened that you thought let me try my hand in music?

A: I heard Kyle Gass' acoustic guitar solo, and for some reason it just stuck with me. It sounded so cool, and beautiful, and I was mesmerized by it. Right then and there, I knew that I had to learn how to recreate it for myself. That was when I decided I wanted to buy a guitar, and it took me almost a year to buy it. Once I did I was hooked on it. In the coming years I became more and more interested in different types of music, and expanding my knowledge and pursuits.
Q: Your original track Serenity now did really good who exactly was your inspiration behind it?

　
A: Usually my songs have a girl behind it who inspired the song. For this one there is no person that is the inspiration behind it, because it isn't about a girl. It is about myself & the struggles I faced after graduating high school with anxiety, depression, depersonalization, introversion, & suicidal thoughts. It is about how I wanted to find the peace of mind & happiness I had in senior year of high school. Also about how even though I still battle with those issues, I don't want to end my life, I want to stay here for my friends & family, and along the way learn to find happiness in the different path life has planned for me. As well as help others that have those thoughts to give them hope & inspiration. The same hope an inspiration my favorite musicians music gave me.
Q:The kind of music are you into?

A: I enjoy alternative music, rock music, as well as oldies, swing, and musical theatre. I can find at least one artist I like in every genre of music. However I get the most enjoyment in singing songs from musical theatre.
Q: Who's influence can we see in the kind of music you play?

A: Dave Matthews Band is a very big influence. Tenacious D introduced me to acoustic guitar. AC/DC introduced me to electric guitar. Dave Matthews Band then gave me a new love for acoustic guitar, and a different understanding of it. I then became primarily an acoustic guitarist & gave up pursuing playing an electric. In addition to Dave Matthews Band I am becoming influenced by Billy Joel. The way Dave Matthews Band solidified my love for acoustic, Billy Joel is introducing me to piano. Those two are now my biggest influences, but I am also influenced by Men At Work, AC/DC, Taylor Swift, John Mayer, Phillip Phillips, Coldplay, Frank Sinatra, and others.
Q: You are a lyricist, singer, you even play the guitar which part of music making do you enjoy the most and why?
A: I enjoy the guitar playing most. It is what I am the best at. I struggle with writing lyrics and melody, but the writing of guitar comes very easy to me, almost effortless. I enjoy singing very much, and am continuing to grow as a singer, but I will always be better at the guitar than at singing.
Q: The whole process of music making is definitely not an easy one what exactly keeps you going?

A: The fact there are people in different states, and countries that have bought my music, listened, and supported. Being a professional musician is very hard. It is even more hard & almost impossible to become a famous one. However in a short amount of time I have gotten a wider audience, spanning outside of my back yard, and outside of my country, and I'm interested in seeing how much I can grow it with continued effort.
Q: The proceeds from your album Spread Our Wings go for fighting cancer, how did you come up with this idea?

A: I had 10 songs that were demos, or recorded on live radio. I enjoyed them but they were not polished enough to release on ITunes or officially. So I decided to release them myself & give all the proceeds to a charity, since it was a release I wanted to share & wasn't expecting to make a lot of money on. My Uncle Richard Hartman & Aunt Antoinette Hartman died of cancer years ago, so I decided to give the proceeds to fight cancer in their memory. The CD has raised $105 in donations & received a 2014 Lehigh Valley Music Award Nomination for Outstanding Album, one of 4 nominations I got this year.
Q. You have extensively worked in theatre as well as are a music composer which process do you enjoy more?
A: I enjoy music composition most. Theatre is a close second, but in that world I have never been a leading man. With music composition I am the one in control, I am the one writing music, using what's inside of me to create something that others might be able to relate to. Some of my happiest moments are when I am alone in my room composing new music. I will sit for hours & write for my guitar. It makes me feel at peace.
Q: The year 2015 you will be touring extensively tell us something about it?
A: While most famous musicians tour around the globe, I do not have those means. From 2011-2013 I toured in my hometown & in close cities playing open mic nights & opening for some local bands. In 2014 I started to get my own headlining shows in my hometown, surrounding cities, & I finally played outside of my home state. For 2015 I might be moving to California. So I am trying to expand my tour to over 5 states. Making trips from my home in California to my home in Pennsylvania & playing in the states on the way over.
Q: What should your fans expect from you in the coming year?
A: Since 2012 I have been talking about releasing an EP or Album, but haven't been ready. In 2015 I will finally release my first studio record EP. A studio album is possible but I can't confirm it yet. I go back into the studio in April to record a new single, and I am hoping by September I can release my EP. Other than official recordings, I will be releasing many cover videos on my youtube, new original song demos, live audio recordings, live video recordings, official music videos for my two singles, and even more. I will be hosting open mic nights & play headlining shows. I will get my music on more radio stations, and continue to grow as a performer & share a lot of new music with everyone this year! It's going to be an amazing year.


To know more about Andrew :
Website :http://www.andrewmarkschaffer.com
Twitter :https://twitter.com/andrewmschaffer
Facebook :https://m.facebook.com/andrewmarkschaffer
ITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/serenity-now.../id910318437?i=910318439
Sound Cloud
:https://m.soundcloud.com/andrewmarkschaffer
YouTube :https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=l3kUo244iNU

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