Andy Evans

Check out the fresh sounds from Texas-based singer-songwriter Andy Evans. To be honest, it’s more than just fresh, it’s also quite refreshing, both musically and lyrically, the songs are rich and his honesty never misses a beat.

Andy grew up in Charlottesville, VA, where there was a steady stream of songs in his childhood home. From his first introduction to music, he reveled in its magical power to set a mood and shape his own perspectives. He was thrilled by the guitar riffs of Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Rush, and others, and after receiving a bass guitar as a teenager, he began to learn the ins and outs of that instrument as well as the guitar while playing along to tapes of his favorite bands, making as much noise as possible. Eventually he was introduced to Texas country, gospel and the red-dirt music that was coming out of Oklahoma after joining the Navy and getting stationed in Ingleside, Texas. Moved by the sound, he began to write his own songs as a release and a way to document his journey, and for that we thank him!

Now blazing a new trail with his solo career, Andy has been steadily gaining a following in the local music scene in central Texas, playing guitar and singing as the front man of the blues/rock outfit Andy Evans & The Brotherhood. His single “Miracle” streaming below is an exceptional piece of music that is taken from his forthcoming album of the same name. The album is a perfect combination of blues, rock, pop, funk, and soul, with all of the nasty guitar solos, upbeat percussion, and strong vocal melodies that come with the territory. The album is set to be out January 26th, 2016, but for now, take a listen to the title track below and get excited for the album. We’re definitely keeping an eye on this dude and you should, too! - Brendon Goldwasser

Texas singer/songwriter Andy Evans‘ solo debut album, ‘Miracle’, has quite a few positive things going in its favor. For one, Evans’ skill at piecing together various musical influences into finely tuned rock songs with striking melodic grooves and relatable lyrics is undeniable. The only other thing, and maybe most important thing you need to know, is Evans can play the heck out of a guitar.

‘Miracle’ is a bluesy guitar-laden rock symphony. A cacophony of atmospheric noise, alt-country angst and burnt bourbon vocals make Evans’ solo debut something to behold. He records out of Austin by way of Dallas but is originally from Charlottesville, Va., and has been a staple in the Texas music scene for some time now.

Evans is a storyteller first and foremost; the melodies he creates are the ink on the page. Similar to John Mayer or Justin Townes Earle, Evans lets the lyrics dictate the musical terms of the tracks he builds. Songs like ‘Make It’ or ‘Judas’ are turns into the shadowy corners of the human condition complete with heavy guitar riffs and perilous organ accompaniments. On the song ‘Elemental’, his laments on love may sound familiar but the poetic lyrical crumbs left behind are still more than enough to satisfy the soul. Evans even manages to throw a bit of New Orleans brass line flavor onto the album in the form of the hand clapping song, ‘Shape of Love’. The image of a man with just an acoustic guitar confessing his sins in front of some derelict dusty back-road bar kept crossing my mind while enjoying the music, and the scene is an apt visual comparison for the soundscape of this entire album.

Evans’ rich voice projects a matter-of-fact realness to it when he sings. He can belt out a ballad with requisite heartache and grief, or simply speak to you with a soft frankness friends use over casual conversation at the dinner table. The whole alt-country blues rock feel of the album perfectly pairs with his every-man vocals.

‘Miracle’ was recorded at Central Recording studios and produced by Nicky Jay. The overall sound quality of the record is superb and all the instrumentals are clean and well laid. Fans of The Black Keys or Gary Clarke Jr. will appreciate the talents of Mr. Evans’ solo debut. The album will be available come Jan. 26 and definitely deserves an addition to anyone’s New Year playlist.

Tavon Perkins is a Senior Writer for Rant, Inc. Follow him on Twitter @TavonPerkins or add him to your network on Google. - Tavon Perkins

When I first heard of Andy Evans the comparison was Ryan Adams, the hot-shot-pop-rock star of the moment. No offense to Adams, but not really my cup of tea. There is a reason why the phrase “don’t judge a book by its cover” still applies today. Andy Evans is no Ryan Adams; I enjoyed Evans music much more.

Diving right into the tracks of his album, Miracle, we begin with “Miracle”, a simple love song. The song is simple, in a good way in that the tune is catchy and somehow the lyrics, despite being simplistic are real and unique, all in a good way. Hey, it worked for The Beatles (they weren’t so bad), and it works for Evans. Sometimes I like to guess what a song is about by the title and “45” didn’t disappoint. It’s about a gun, but not what you think, it’s the gun his dad left him as a gift after he passed away. I don’t want to get all “Cats In The Cradle” here, but it hit a nerve. Let’s talk about Evan’s voice. It’s deep. A perfect place to start is listening to “Lesson Learned” a slow tune that showcases his Eddie Vedderesque vocals with a sound that is forcefully suppressed, resulting in a built up emotion for the listener, at least it did for me.

Evan’s album is an eclectic group of songs that together work to tell a powerful story. The writing is impeccable and the delivery is flawless.

“Shape of Love” has a hint of roaring twenties swing and “Judas” is a gloomy, purposely distorted sounding rocker. “I Wish She Was Mine” goes back to what Evans does so well, and that’s tell a real story where he doesn’t mince words, poetry mixed with a pleasant sound. The album ends with “Make It” a long tune that only puts an explanation point on the fact that Evans is an artist that doesn’t play by the rules! -

Andy Evans begins his Miracle with a brief introduction before moving into the eponymous track. The soulful rock that Evans creates here links together John Mayer, Rob Thomas, and Jack Johnson. This track is single-worthy as Evans crafts a dense instrumentation that will stick with listeners long after the track has concluded. A Santana-esque guitar solo adds a sizzle to the track, keeping listeners on the edges of their seats.

Lesson Learned is a crossover track that has Evans take up hints of soul, rock, and country in a bold, unique fashion. The track’s instrumentation ebbs and flows with Evans’ vocals representing the one constant. The narrative quality of this track will have fans following every word. Shape Of Love is our favorite track on Miracle; the vocal range of Evans during this track is fantastic. The jazzy brass and funk that make their way onto this track gives listeners a little bit of the bayou, while Evans’ sultry vocals link this cut to the rest of the tracks on Miracles. A ropy bass line is threaded through this track, a move that adds further depth to this complex composition.

I Wish She Was Mine slows things down and has Evans express a profound sense of loss that can be understood by anyone that has experienced unrequited (or forbidden) love. Miracle is the rare example of a full-length album that stays strong from beginning to end. Andy Evans continually adds to his repertoire with the twists and turns that one will experience on Miracle, making for an album that stands up to a number of spins. Visit his Facebook or Twitter for additional information about the Miracle album.

Top Tracks: I Wish She Was Mine, Shape Of Love - JAMES MCQUISTON

For Singer/Songwriter Andy Evans, his blend of Pop-infused Blues coupled with poignant prose and profound storytelling make his new record ‘Miracle’ nothing short of just that. Throughout the course of its nine songs, Evans takes listeners on a sonic journey that’s quite miraculous — in delivery, in execution, and in overall experience.

As both the lead single and the song that serves as the album’s namesake, ‘Miracle’ is instantly catchy, with soothing, soulful rhythms and melodies. The up-beat vibe is layered with emotive lyrics, which (when combined with the lush atmosphere), adds a level of richness to the entire experience. Each instrument works in perfect harmony with the others, providing a balance that keeps any one instrument from overwhelming the rest. It’s this kind of attention to detail and deftness of hand that really comes through.

Whether it’s the walking bass lines, the assortment of guitar licks, or the overall groove, this track has everything you could want in an opener and it doesn’t disappoint. It’s an attention-getter right from the opening chords — Pop enough to garner radio play, but soulful and groovy enough to give it that extra kick.

In terms of bringing everything together, you won’t find a more cohesive record out right now. There isn’t a dull moment on this entire album — a rarity, to say the least. For any fans of Amos Lee, Ray Lamontagne, The Steeldrivers, The Black Keys, or The Black Crowes, ‘Miracle’ is an essential edition to your collection — no two ways about it. - Evan Morgan

Blues rocker Andy Evans is a man of many talents. He’s a songwriter, studio guitarist, poet and master live performer from Dallas, Texas.

On his new album “Miracle,” Evans releases a set of polished songs that have been inspired by legendary artists such as Rush, The Allman Brothers, Fleetwood Mac as well as current contemporaries such as Jack White and Ryan Adams.

The songs on “Miracle,” Evans debut solo album, convey strong emotions dealing with heartbreak, joy, love, loss and hope.

According to the album’s official release, “his straightforward guitar playing accompanies vivid lyrics that show his knack for poignant storytelling; he paints poetic, personal pictures of the bold road towards exploring life with wide-open eyes and forging human connections.”

My favorite track on the album has to be “Shape of Love,” which includes sassy horns and an upbeat melody that complement Evans’ confident vocals and the exciting guitar solo. It reminds me of a song you’d hear while walking down Bourbon Street during Mardi Gras.

Evans follows that track up with the darker “Judas” that relies more on the almost-metal like guitars and reverb goodness. He somehow is able to make the chorus sound bluesy, which really is an impressive bit of musicianship.

The title track, on the other hand, takes a lighter approach. It’s subtlety is it’s strong suit and the way Evans makes it sound so easy and carefree has to be commended. I pictured myself laying in a hammock on a beach with a beautiful woman as the sun set while we sipped on our margaritas as I listened to this track. It’s hook “I witnessed a miracle today, she said she loved me,” really fits the tone of the song, as well or vice versa.

The other notable track on the album, “Elemental” starts rather ordinarily, but it’s slow burn catches on as the song progresses. It’s a simple song, no question, but that simplicity is it’s greatest strength. It takes a talented and experienced musician to pull a song like that off without making it sound incomplete somehow.

Overall each of the tracks on “Miracle” have lots of redeeming qualities to them. If you like artists such as Alabama Shakes, John Legend, Kaleo,Gary Clark Jr. Ryan Adams or The Black Keys you’ll dig Andy Evans. “Miracle” comes out in January.

8.9/10 - Jake Sorich

Blues rocker Andy Evans is a man of many talents. He’s a songwriter, studio guitarist, poet and master live performer from Dallas, Texas.

On his new album “Miracle,” Evans releases a set of polished songs that have been inspired by legendary artists such as Rush, The Allman Brothers, Fleetwood Mac as well as current contemporaries such as Jack White and Ryan Adams.

The songs on “Miracle,” Evans debut solo album, convey strong emotions dealing with heartbreak, joy, love, loss and hope.

According to the album’s official release, “his straightforward guitar playing accompanies vivid lyrics that show his knack for poignant storytelling; he paints poetic, personal pictures of the bold road towards exploring life with wide-open eyes and forging human connections.”

My favorite track on the album has to be “Shape of Love,” which includes sassy horns and an upbeat melody that complement Evans’ confident vocals and the exciting guitar solo. It reminds me of a song you’d hear while walking down Bourbon Street during Mardi Gras.

Andy Evans
Andy Evans
Evans follows that track up with the darker “Judas” that relies more on the almost-metal like guitars and reverb goodness. He somehow is able to make the chorus sound bluesy, which really is an impressive bit of musicianship.

The title track, on the other hand, takes a lighter approach. It’s subtlety is it’s strong suit and the way Evans makes it sound so easy and carefree has to be commended. I pictured myself laying in a hammock on a beach with a beautiful woman as the sun set while we sipped on our margaritas as I listened to this track. It’s hook “I witnessed a miracle today, she said she loved me,” really fits the tone of the song, as well or vice versa.

The other notable track on the album, “Elemental” starts rather ordinarily, but it’s slow burn catches on as the song progresses. It’s a simple song, no question, but that simplicity is it’s greatest strength. It takes a talented and experienced musician to pull a song like that off without making it sound incomplete somehow.

Overall each of the tracks on “Miracle” have lots of redeeming qualities to them. If you like artists such as Alabama Shakes, John Legend, Kaleo,Gary Clark Jr. Ryan Adams or The Black Keys you’ll dig Andy Evans. “Miracle” comes out in January. - Ryan Donnelly