40 ...... Sunday, March 25, 2018 1SM MUSIC

by COLAN LAMONT ROCKER Andrew WK has been so busy enjoying himself that it’s taken nearly TEN years to make his new album. The singer- — who had a hit in 2001 with Party Hard — released fifth album You’re Not Alone last week. Andrew, whose last album was 2009’s 55 Cadillac, said: “There was definitely a big gap in between album releases. “At the same time I’ve not been in touring since 2012 so it’s been a few years for that too. “I’ve been work- ing on it the whole time and wasn’t aware that much time had gone by. “When you’re par- tying hard in a cha- otic environment, time slips into a vor- tex and ten years can go by without you even realising. I partied so Hard “I’ve been doing everything I nor- mally do which is partying hard and spreading the message of party power.” The singer, whose bloodied face my new album appeared on his debut album cover , says his ultimate aim was to get the new record finished — no matter how long it took. Andrew, who was born in Cali- fornia and grew up in Michigan, said: “I wish I knew why certain songs come together quickly and took ten years! others don’t reveal themselves until later. “It was such a disorganised and that party passion but I don’t take ried to fellow vocalist and music it for granted. producer Cherie Lily since 2008, songs from the new album and all informal process and was never a my albums, which is very impor- cohesive concept or plan of action. “It’s been a genuine privilege to added: “It gave me the greatest experience the lands in the way I things in life beyond my wildest tant to me. “The concept was just to finish “As a concert-goer and per- the album and make the songs as do. dreams, a meaning and purpose I “I’d love to know more about never thought possible. former I like to give people the exciting as they could be.” best shot at familiarity. The 38-year-old musician says Scotland and it’s certainly not “Party Hard is the rocket fuel through lack of interest that I that launched this venture and “I respect performers that play he’s still as wild now as he was songs nobody has heard and that when he hit the big-time with don’t know more, it’s just using the somehow it’s still burning — I wor- time I have. ship that song. can be thrilling, but for me the Party Hard and can’t wait to concert experience is about revel- showcase his new album on tour. “You may not even venture out- side the venue but you’re still “It’s the rocket fuel that ling in closeness and familiarity Andrew — coming to ’s together. Garage next month — said: “Those there and feel it so it counts for something. Not every worthwhile launched this venture” “Whether it was 2001 or you just shows in Scotland are always extra found us now, we want to be a memorable. I’ve mostly played the thing is in a museum or book.” “I didn’t make that song, that Despite being around for a long consistent aspect of people’s inter- same venue, The Garage, and each song made me.” est. time I feel like I’ve never left. time, Andrew knows his song The wild musician — who once Party Hard is the one that put “I was blown away by people at “There’s this unbroken chain of performed on stage on a giant rep- the very first show and they are feeling there and I’m very thankful him on the music map. lica of his own head — will play But he doesn’t mind being con- still coming.” for the experiences. the hit song in Glasgow next lAndrew WK plays The Garage in “The fans have this incredible sidered a one-hit wonder and still month, along with some of his loves performing the song. fresh material. Glasgow on April 21. For tickets, log on enthusiasm and dedication. I’ve to andrewwk.com/tour always been able to count on The singer, who has been mar- Andrew said: “I’ll play some

ACRYLIC progressed. The song first appeared a couple of WHO: Andreas Christodoulidis (vocals), Ross years ago. Great though it was, the newly Patrizio (guitar/vocals), Jack Lyall (guitar), Lewis NEW arranged version shows more depth. Doig (bass/vocals/synth), Ruairidh Smith (drums) Current single In Here/Tonight is another gem, WHERE: Glasgow MUSIC while opening track Where I Lie hits all the right FOR FANS OF: The National, Interpol, The Killers spots. Where I Lie first emerged last year as a split JIM SAYS: Still in their early 20s, Glasgow-based single with ’s Mt. Doubt, when they hooked up with Scottish Fiction for the first time, alt. rockers Acrylic have been on my radar for a unconsidered. The issue with only releasing while now thanks to a series of well-received the label that is releasing All I Am. singles is that there’s always the temptation to Jack explained: “We had always been big fans singles. release something catchy and upbeat, whereas of Scottish Fiction. One day, out of the blue, we They are all from Edinburgh except Lewis, who with an EP or album you can allow for different received a message asking if we’d be interested in is from Perth, but are now based in Glasgow. stages within the body of work.” releasing a split single. We’re good friends and big School pals Andreas, Ross and Ruairidh started The EP clearly gives the five-piece more scope fans of Mt. Doubt and were just about to record making music together as 16-year-olds. Frontman to experiment. EP closer and title track All I Am, Where I Lie. The timing was perfect.” Andreas said: “The three of us started playing in clocking in at over seven minutes, wouldn’t really Fresh from an EP launch last night at The Edinburgh with a series of different bass players, have worked as a single. In the context of the EP Islington in London, Acrylic play Sneaky Pete’s in mostly doing uninspiring Arctic Monkeys and it’s a perfect fit — a soaring atmospheric epic that Edinburgh on Thursday. On Friday they play King Oasis covers. When we moved to Glasgow for oozes class. They’ve created a compelling Tut’s, their first headline show at the legendary university we met Jack and Lewis who were both collection of songs, bringing to mind classic Glasgow venue. Jack said: “It’s always been a keen to start a band.” Scottish acts like The Blue Nile and Simple Minds. dream to headline Tut’s. We’ve played a few times Listening to the past singles, you can hear the But Overrun really shows how they have but only as a support band.2 band’s development. Each release is stronger MORE: facebook.com/acrylicmusic than the last, bringing us right up to date with their lJim presents a weekly showcase of New Music spectacular new EP All I Am, due out on Friday. Watch a video of the band playing on Amazing Radio Sundays 2-4pm. Andreas said: “It’s not that the songs weren’t any at: www.thescottishsun.co.uk amazingradio.com good, but they now seem quite immature and jimgellatly.com