Finn Andrews is the lead singer of The Veils. They released their 5th album, Total Depravity in 2016. They were also one of the bands who starred in David Lynch‘s Twin Peaks The Return, watch it here.
Finn Andrews releases his first solo album ‘One Piece At A Time’ this week (March 15th). Today he fields our 20 Questions.
Hi, how are you today?
I’m well, thank you.
How do most of your songs start life? A piano part? A chord? Or melody?
Often times it’s a lyric, or a melody and line or two. All manner of things can get the cogs turning.
You’re back living in New Zealand, what’s the music scene like there?
It’s great, I feel very inspired by the people here. Tiny Ruins are wonderful. Nadia Reid. Reb Fountain. I feel very at home here again.
Best gig you’ve ever played?
Oh I don’t know. It’s usually the terrible shows that are the best if you know what I mean. You really have to make the bad ones count.
What’s your favourite single?
Nina Simone’s version of ‘To Love Somebody’ springs immediately to mind.
What do you listen to in your tour van?
Usually whatever Soph puts on.
Who were your favourite artists growing up?
Tom Waits, Nina Simone, Sparklehorse, Chris Knox. Everything in my mum’s record collection.
Who would you want to play you in the film of your life?
Geena Davis.
What would be your dream collaboration?
I’d like to play guitar for someone, like, I’m just their ‘guy on the side’. Maybe Neko Case, or Gillian Welch. People who already have really great guitar players which is annoying.
Vinyl, CD, Download or stream?
Oh vinyl, of course. CD’s are the devil’s plaything.
What’s the best cover version you have ever heard?
Nadia Reid does the most incredible acapella version of John Prine’s ‘Angel from Montgomery’. I really hope she records it someday.
Have you ever been starstruck?
Really famous people don’t bother me. I don’t think I’d care about meeting Lady Gaga or George Clooney or something, but if I met Catherine O’Hara or Alan Arkin I’d probably get pretty weird.
What’s your favourite book?
East of Eden (John Steinbeck)
The Veils featured in David Lynch’s Twin Peaks The Return last year. How was that experience? And any insider information on whether they’ll be a 4th series!?
I’m not privy to that information, unfortunately. I very much hope so.
How are you finding going solo so far? Do you miss the rest of The Veils?
Yeah, it’s lonely on your own, but it needed to be done. I miss them all the time.
Tell us about your latest release?
It was recorded here in New Zealand over a very intense week in a very sweaty room. I’m immensely proud of it.
What’s can people expect from one of your solo shows?
Me hollering, people either clapping or looking at their phones – lots of sweating and good cheer.
What is your favourite thing about being a musician?
This life suits me down to the ground. My dad has a pet Greyhound and he says it’s the perfect musician’s dog. They just lounge around all day and then determinedly chase a rabbit for 2 hours. I feel just like that – I’m always either half asleep or chasing the rabbit.
If you weren’t doing this, what would you like to be?
I’d probably go into service or modern dance.
What are your hopes for 2019?
I hope we get through it with a little kindness and grace. As the temperature rises there’s a hell of a lot riding on the next few years…we must try and do far better. That’s really all there is for it.
