"...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 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!
“When we least expect it, life sets us a challenge to test our courage and willingness to change; at such a moment, there is no point in pretending that nothing has happened or in saying that we are not ready. The challenge will not wait. Life does not look back. A week is more than enough time for us to decide whether or not to accept our destiny.”
Andrew, I cannot wait for you to come back to Nor Cal - you were fantastic in San Francisco last month, we LOVED you! Thank you for chatting with us after the show, it was great meeting you and your girl! All the best always!
Andrew Ripp + Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers = greatest concert i've been to in my life......over Aerosmith/Kiss, Styx, Tom Petty....beats em all. The Man!
hey bro, long time no talk... you give up on the PGA? looks like your music is definitely taking you places. very cool! so when are you gonna plan a 50 miles to Portland tour? lemme know when you do n i'll be there! cheers bro!
It was great meeting you in Milwaukee several weeks ago. Can't wait to catch a show of yours. Thanks again for stop and talking to us. It meant a lot. Let me know if you are coming through the South, I would love to see a show.
Thank you oh so much for playing a second time at UINDY last night. The show was amazing. You are truly blessed. I also wanted to say it was a pleasure to actually sit down and jam with you after the show. Not many artist get down and groovy with the fans. Meant a lot.
Remember... the sun will come out tomorrow. Congrats again on the engagement.
Hey fellow chicagian! Its Janelle just stopping by to show some love. I love your music, you are a very good writer nice beats and everything!!!! Check out the music on my page, tell me what you think. I hope not to sound too nosy but how did you come across singing the national anthem at Wrigley ?
Andrew:
<br />Thanks for the request and welcome to my page. You have a great sound, I like your music. As my profile states I will do my best to help increase your fan base. Keep in touch.
<br />Jeanette
