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I was born in Stockport (not an obvious hub of music I realise), but spent most of my youth going to gigs in and around Manchester, where the indie scene was becoming pretty influential. I've been writing since I was 11, but as I got older and as a pianist, it was quite difficult listening to a very specific guitar orientated sound then trying to pen my ideas in a similar way. The result was a combination of old and new. I used to love the melodies and lyrics from some of my early influences like Ray Charles, Tom Waits and Otis Redding, but somehow I wanted the drive and rhythms of the new indie sound. In some ways I started using the piano as a percussion instrument and developed the melodies through my vocals.

It wasn't until I was about 19 when I was at Uni that I found some other musicians (most notably guitar) to jam with, and a lot of the expression I'd been looking for seemed to come together. I found I could let the guitar or piano control the rhythm, while the other could work on the counter melodies with the vocals. It was so simple!

Over the last few years I've been making a living from piano bars – at first I was against playing covers (I forget the exact reasons now...but I think it had something to do with a clouded view of artistic integrity or some bull like that...!), but in some ways they've provided a new way of looking at music. And it was through one of the piano bars that I landed my first support slot and UK Tour with award-winning soul singer Nate james.

After tour I got a taste for gigging further a field from Manchester, being particularly drawn to the lights of London, playing at venues such as The Bedford, Troubadour, Portabello Sesisons, The Great Indoors, London Unplugged, Curious Generation, Halo, amongst others. It was during this time that I started to write some new tracks which were getting some interesting opportunities. In less than a week after writing my debut single 'Playboy Money' it was signed by ITV producer Gavin Blyth for his forth coming film!

This prompted me to record the other songs I'd been perfoming solo and in 2009 I worked with some amazing musicians such as Miss Afrika, Terry Butters, Jake Foord, Mark Beaney, Ben Gooch and Adam Beaney, to produce my first set of demos which you can now check out on the music player.

Since then I've toured the UK solo and with some other band members, and early this year I've been concentrating on writing more new material. I'll be gigging again soon, and you can always catch me around the North West and in London playing in the piano bars, so come and buy me a whiskey...!

CHECK OUT THE MUSIC PLAYER FOR ANDY’S NEW TRACKS.

Playboy Money is available NOW - order your copy from PLAYBOY MONEY or from the i-tunes music store.

Press:

'Andy always delivers – his act is tight and the energy from the band is great. Someone we're always proud to showcase.'
– 15 Minute Club

'Great to have you at The Bedford, the set was awesome! Can't wait to have you back again!'
–The Bedford

'have been following Andy's career for a while and on the strength of the recent demos cant wait to hear the finished tracks , bring it on!'
-Dave Masterman, Xfm producer

For bookings and any other information about Andy Chandler, please contact:

steven@gmmanagement.co.uk