"...Throughout Fifty Miles To Chicago, he evokes the sophisticated styles of Ray LaMontagne or Paddy Casey and even hints of Jeff Buckley across the quivering 'Tim’s Song.'" - Illinois Entertainer
"You could say you knew him when." - Daily Herald
"He sounded great...like a mix between Ray LaMontagne and someone else I can’t quite put my finger on. He was excellent...” - Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave)
"He’s harder than Mraz, looser than Mayer and edgier than Maroon 5, and I wouldn’t like to be the one who bets against him becoming just as popular as any of the aforementioned. One to watch out for." - Power of Pop
"He has a strong voice that can still invoke vulnerability and he's good at establishing a hook. You know, that part of the song that smacks you up side the noggin and demands you listen." - cursedmonkeypaw
In today’s music market, it takes a truly unique voice to command the attention of listeners. Chicago native, Andrew Ripp, combines a voice that invokes both vulnerability and soul with a talent for undeniable hooks.
Operating independently of a label, Ripp focuses on touring and has shared the stage with Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Fiction Family (Jon Foreman of Switchfoot and Sean Watkins of Nickel Creek), Hanson, Dave Barnes, and Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers. Ripp and his band recently spent a month overseas performing for the U.S. troops stationed abroad in the UK, Mediterranean, and Middle East.
On his debut album Fifty Miles to Chicago, Ripp aimed to create an organic album reminiscent of those made in the 70’s and by artists like Otis Redding, Bob Dylan, and Hank Williams. Musicians Pete Maloney (Dishwalla, Tonic), keyboard player Will Hollis (Eagles), and steel guitar player Eric Heywood (Ray LaMontagne) were brought in to help create a timeless record based around Ripp’s rhythmic guitar playing and soulful voice. From the electricity of the full-band backed, organ-driven groove of “Get Your Smile On”, to the solo acoustic guitar and vocals of “It’s All Good”, and the heart-wrenching rock ballad of “Dresden Wine”, Ripp does just that.
Ripp co-wrote and co-produced Fifty Miles to Chicago with songwriter Randy Coleman and brought on Dan Lavery, bass player of the rock band Tonic, as producer. Funded by Andrew himself, the majority of the album was recorded in Lavery’s back-house studio in Los Angeles.
“This record really portrays who I am not only as an artist but as a person,” Andrew says of writing the album. “Honesty goes a long way because you can see right through it when somebody is slopping words on a page. And I feel like we took the time that was necessary to really work through every word.”
Hey Andrew,..Thanks for the Add..Looking forward to hear you play the saw...soon!!! Don't forget Michigan, thanks for bringing back the Kazoo!!! And congrats on the newlywed thing...wishing you many blissful years!!!
Hey Andrew, great Xmas tune - I love it! Sorry we missed you in the area with DB - another of the Tupman Family faves. Hope to catch you live soon, Best Maggie P.S. I thought you were going to play at Kat's wedding?? What happened ;)
So glad I made it out last night to see you live on stage! "vulnerability", "honest" and a "pureness" are words that come to mind... (keep in mind I'm stealing one of those off your bio). But they nailed it. I think you're doing a FINE job! Hope to see you in Grand Rapids on the 2nd of November! Hot diggetty!
What's new...We need to get together with Daviero, he plays alot at nellies with his band 20 Over. They may not play originals but may be the next Mike and Joe!
Never got the chance to tell you and the band but you guys did a kick ass job playing here at Lajes Field. Wish the best of luck to you all in music and life.
hey ripp i can see you playing robert johnson's Traveling Riverside Blues. Here's hoping you play that AND Losing Gravity at the Chicago show 7/22. I'll probably be there with drew and amanda. Later, and thanks for posting Gravity to the playlist. I've been trying to find that online since last summer's show in palatine!
Online Now!
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