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Feyer
New York City, New York, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2010 | SELF
Music
Press
FEYER is off the ground running with his new single "Stuck in a Video Game." The Electro-laced-Rock-infused Indie artist is creating music on his own terms and we like it...well LOVE rather. FEYER is the stage name of artist Andrew Feyer who discovered his love for music at an early age.
FEYER states of the song:
"Stuck in a Video Game" is the first new single I'm releasing since the release of my 2017 debut album "Signals Internalized." Since releasing that album, listeners have formed a common consensus that my music tends to sound like it belongs in a video game, and I can see what they mean, given the retro-futuristic elements and the hybrid of electronic and rock genres. Personally, I greatly enjoy video game soundtracks. I was never much of a gamer growing up; my parents wouldn't let me have a console, as they thought I wasted too much time watching TV anyway. So, most of the exposure I had to video games were from playing them at my friends' houses. However, what caught my attention most with these games were their highly creative and elaborate soundtracks. As for the actual playing of games, frankly, I stuck! I would always come in dead last in Mario Kart, and be the first one out in Super Smash Bros. Playing these games, especially with other people, got me thinking that about how they foster competition, and how the end goal is always the same: to come out on top and be the most successful. In short, to win. To me, that seems like a strong reflection of real life. All of us are trying to be successful in one way or another, and, just like in a video game, it seems like there are all these skills we need to have, steps we need to take, enemies we need to fight, and hurdles we need to overcome in order to achieve our goals. With "Stuck in a Video Game," I hope that the listener can determine for themselves if it is a literal interpretation of being trapped in a game, or if it's really a metaphor for going through life, because my intention is to have it go either way."
FEYER is a unique listening experience as he blends a personal and theatrical dose of lyricism. Combined with a classically influenced melodic and instrumental style, he adds a charming and vibrant element of Electro-Rock into the mix. Currently based in New York City, FEYER is already becoming a staple in the live scene playing the likes of the Mercury Lounge, Knitting Factory, Bowery Electric, Sunnyvale and more. The beat doesn't stop there.... when not working on and playing his own music, FEYER finds himself dipping his toes in musical projects across the world from recording, producing, and remixing other artists, songwriting collaborations, and composing and sound designing for films, shows, video games, commercials and audiobooks....phew!
Kick into the weekend with FEYER's "Stuck in a Video Game,"....this track is FIRE! - BuzzFeed
Material: Solo artist Feyer doesnât adhere to one genre, or even two. He not only varies styles from song to song, but alternates them within a song, combining electronica, synthpop, alternative and hard rock, just to name a few. His early influences are from classic rock acts like Queen, Pink Floyd and Elton John, later embracing heavier acts like Metallica and Rage Against The Machine. Along with his classical background, Feyer combines these elements to carve out a unique statement. He strives for global themes; though they are highly sweeping statements, they are universal. In âThe Curse Of Common Manâ Feyer is the âeverymanâ who can only attribute his shortcomings to the modern human condition: If the sky comes crashing down / on your head while Iâm around / then youâll know that all I am/is the curse of common man. Though highly infectious, the chorus melody sounds a bit reminiscent of another well-known song, a common pitfall for any songwriter, but nonetheless, itâs a standout piece. In âWasted Time,â Feyer laments the misuse of time: Wasted time / falling far behind / out of line with my many lies and the crimes of my life / wasted time. The song opens with a Middle Eastern sounding synth instrumental, immediately pulling you in, then morphing into a full-blown FEYER rock treatment. The chorus marks a total change of rhythm, offering up an anthem-like feel.
Musicianship: The backing band keeps pace with an ever-changing landscape, while also playing to pre-recorded tracks. Feyerâs vocals cut through the many instrumental components, delivering his message in a concise manner. He jumps from keyboards to guitar with equal fluidity.
Performance: Already possessing a keen sense of the theatrical, derived from a combination of the arrangements and his performance, Feyer threw in a few stage antics to keep it interesting. For any artist experimenting with so many elements, coupled with lofty messages, there is a danger of pretension or heavy-handedness. Feyer managed to dodge those designations with his sincere delivery and overall appealing vibe.
Summary: Feyerâs music is downright cool, creative and inclusive. In spite of the artsy presentation, his melting pot of styles forms a cohesive unit. Exploring additional musical outlets will help him to further grow his audience. - Music Connection
Today (Feb. 10), Feyer has released his new album, Signals Internalized.
For a while, âI Just Donât Knowâ and âTaking a Turn for the Worseâ have been out as a preview of the LP. We thought we would highlight our favorites that havenât yet had the chance to circulate.
âGet Over Itâ [4:44] is just as diverse as any other creation on the album, but was the most âear-catchingâ (if you will) to us in the first half of the album.
âThruâ [1:12] reminds us, to a reasonable degree, of earlier works by M83. You probably wonât expect the progression â or the conclusion â to this short track.
âWasted Timeâ [6:00] is a challenging, but rewarding listen. Imagine Arabian Nights in chip-tune, before an incredibly awesome but abrupt transition into metal, and even quicker transition into the meat of the song. Just at a minute and a half into the track, weâre still settling in for a crazier ride to the end. This lands as the most âout thereâ on Signals Internalized. Also as our album favorite.
This wasnât supposed to be a reviewâŚbut Feyer sucked away all of our attention into the immensely powerful vacuum that is his new album. We were warned that this wasnât the typical âsoundâ that is found on Impose â what a shame, because we loved Signals Internalized and think it deserves a 4.5/5. But it is weird. - Impose Magazine
Learn more about Feyer in the following All Access interview:
Thanks for your time! What are some words you would use to describe 2016 for you and your music? What were some of the highlights? What are you most excited about for 2017? Did you make any New Yearâs Resolutions?
2016 was the year I graduated from college, and the beginning of a new chapter in my life. It was pretty scary entering the adult world, but I used my time to develop myself as a musician and meet other musicians along the way. Musically, 2016 consisted of recording and producing an album, playing a bunch of shows in New York City, and gradually making connections. Definite highlights of 2016 were finally completing the album, getting my degree in music from Bard College, and landing gigs at famous NYC venues such as Arleneâs Grocery and Knitting Factory. Iâm very excited to have the album released in 2017 and continue to build with more shows. As far as resolutions go, I always make them, but I never keep them, but maybe next year Iâll stick to them! Even though thatâs what I tell myself every year before I break them.
Growing up, did you always want to be a musician? Can you recall your earliest musical memory? Could you see yourself doing anything else today?
Iâve wanted to be a musician for as long as I can remember. It all started with piano lessons when I was six years old, and from there, taking on other feyer3instruments like guitar, drums, vocals, and various synthesizers. Once I got to high school, I found myself in various rock bands, an a-cappella troupe, the musical theater club, and adding a lot of music lessons to my schedule. Iâd say the first instance in which I knew I wanted to be a professional musician was when I bought my first DVD of Queen performing at Wembley in 1986. Just watching Freddie Mercury on stage, I thought to myself, âmaybe I could do that someday.â Today, all I can imagine myself doing is in music, where it be writing, performing, working in a studio, etc. I donât really have it in me to get an office job. Iâd go crazy sitting in a cubicle, unless that cubicle happens to be a studio desk.
Iâm curious to know why you decided to go by Feyer and not your own full name?
Feyer is my last name. Itâs an Americanized version of the Hungarian surname, Fejer. The family name was changed when my father emigrated from Hungary to America. Everywhere I go, when I would introduce myself as Andrew Feyer, people would just naturally start calling me Feyer. Itâs been going on ever since kindergarten, when there were four Andrews in the class. We all just started calling each other by our respective last names and it stuck. When I first opened up my music page on Facebook, it was titled âAndrew Feyer.â But then I was worried people would confuse my music page with my personal page. So I shortened it to A. Feyer for a bit. But one of my friends suggested that I just go by Feyer, because it has a better flow. I did that and it stuck.
Next week, you will your debut album âSignals Internalized.â What does that feel like? How long have you been working on this collection? Were you surprised at all by the process of putting it together?
It feels great to finally be releasing this album. It is my first musical undertaking that I am doing professionally. It is the first project I have fully fleshed out from start to finish. This project has been in the works for about three years. It started with me revamping and reproducing songs from an EP I made in 2013. One night, when I was dealing with an injury to my left foot, random bursts of inspiration came to me. That is when I really started getting into producing my own music. I downloaded Logic Pro onto my laptop and spent months recording instrumentals onto my laptop with my small MIDI keyboard. After that, I went about writing the lyrics, often going through several different versions before deciding on the final. Once the lyrics were written, I hopped in the studio and spent a few days recording vocals. From there, it was down to tweaking, editing, mixing and mastering. What surprised me most about the process was how much I was able to do on my own, but also how long it took. With massive mainstream productions, huge artists like Beyonce and Taylor Swift have whole teams with dozens of people dividing up the tasks. With this album, itâs mostly me doing everything, with the exception of a few hired friends to assist with recording, producing, mixing and mastering, and album artwork.
What was the inspiration for the albumâs lead single âI Just Donât Knowâ? How did it come together from start to finish?
I Just Donât Know is a prog-rock inspired anthem that I started writing when I was 16, but didnât get around to completing it until I was 22. In that long span of time, I kept revising it until I had something I was happy with. The process of writing it began when I started studying music technology at my music school. That class was my first exposure to music software and helped me realize that I could self-produce my music. The instrumental for the track was completed very gradually on my laptop and wound up consisting of about 40 layers. The lyrics are the most recent creation; itâs essentially a song about feeling uncertain and fearful of the future. I chose it as my lead single because I believe it to have the best energy overall and encapsulates the overall vibe Iâm trying to achieve.
Do you have plans to tour with this album a lot this year?
As of now, Iâm playing one-off shows in and around NYC, but I plan on hitting the road sometime this summer, once more details are in place. I have been doing a lot of research on venues in various cities that I think would be cool to perform at.
Where do you think you are happiest- in the studio recording, writing new music, on stage performing or elsewhere?
It really depends. Writing is the hardest and slowest part for me. I donât go into the studio until I know exactly what I want to do. The recording process is enjoyable if itâs done efficiently. If feel like I get the greatest satisfaction watching the final product â both the recording and the live show â come together, especially after putting in long hours in the studio producing and editing the music or rehearsing for a show. But the best feeling in the world for me is performing in front of crowds and knowing that I have the ability to entertain people with my music.
Who are some of your favorite musicians? What musicians would you love to work with in the future?
Musically, I really draw influence from artists that historically broke boundaries with their music. I am very inspired by the legendary classic rock performers, namely Freddie Mercury, Michael Jackson, David Bowie, Robert Plant, Mick Jagger, Billy Joel, Elton John, and so on. In terms of modern musicians, it is my dream to open for and even work with some of the giants in the alternative rock and electronic scene, such as Coldplay, Grimes, Passion Pit, Twenty One Pilots, and Florence + the Machine. I really want to get the inside scoop on these acts and see how they go about constructing their in-studio and on-stage visions.
At the end of the day, what do you hope is the message of your music? What do you hope people take away from your songs?
Iâm hoping that people will find them musically interesting, but also thought provoking. I try to combine personal lyrics with a personal production style. I want people to see and hear what I do and understand that my music is essentially me in sound form. I also want it to connect with people who feel like they struggle to fit in or find their place in the world. I certainly have felt that way in my life. Music should serve as a safe environment for people to feel welcome, but should also challenge the listener and give them something new to try on for size. So when I welcome people into my musical world, they better be ready for a ride!
Is there anything else that you would like to share with our readers about yourself or your music?
Yes! Iâm so happy to be finally releasing my debut full length album! You can find it on all of the streaming and download platforms such as Spotify, iTunes, SoundCloud and BandCamp. I hope you will enjoy listening to it and watching the music videos, and stay tuned for more exciting news down the line! - All Access Music
New York based Feyer has been an artist on our radar for a the better half of the past few months. Recently the buzzworthy artist has been taking the NYC live scene by storm, all while he releases incredible new music in tow. His new video for âStuck in a Video Game,â has been making the rounds and surely has caught our attention as well! This Saturday Feyer plays Trans-Pecos in Ridgewood, Queens, and we catch up with the artist to dive a bit deeper into his story. Hope to see you there!
Watch the video for âStuck in a Video Gameâ here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dl6_aKVhdfk
With an upcoming show at Trans Pecos, is this your first time playing the acclaimed venue? If so, what are you looking forward to the most?
It is indeed my first time playing Trans-Pecos, and I couldnât be more excited! Iâve visited the venue a few times, and I know of dozens of bands who have rocked the stage at this spot. It seems to withstand the test of time. Many D.I.Y.-oriented spots throughout Brooklyn and Queens (Shea Stadium, Silent Barn, Palisades) have sadly closed their doors throughout the years, but Trans-Pecos remains alive and well. I know itâs a newer venue compared to the other places Iâve mentioned, but it has real staying power. Iâm mostly looking forward to just getting on that stage and performing where many great acts have performed before me.
What is the premise for the night? Any surprises?
The band and I go on first, hitting the stage at 8:30 pm sharp. We have a half-hour set, generally beginning with a few upbeat tracks, slowing it down a little in the middle, and then climbing to an even bigger finish. All shows are full of surprises! Special guests, props, uncontrollable fits of dancing, who knows whatâs in store? Youâll just have to see it to believe it.
Can we expect any new songs at the show?
Yes! Iâll be performing a live rendition of my latest release, âStuck in a Video Game.â It tends to sound fuller when performed with a live band. Iâll also be throwing in a song that is unreleased, but will be released in the spring. Iâve performed it a few times already at previous shows, and the crowd seems to really dig it. Will there be a confetti cannon involved? Most likely!
What are you looking forward to the most for the evening?
Iâm definitely looking most forward to seeing all of the bands play. Since my act is going on first, we get our work out of the way, we can sit back (or stand rather, because itâs standing room only), and just enjoy the other three bands. Right after me, thereâs Morus Alba, good buddies of mine whom I went to college with. I think they may be releasing a single on that day too, which Iâm super excited about. After that, thereâs Fat Randy, on tour from CT. They put the show together and selected all of the acts for the night. From what Iâve heard from them, their stuff is incredibly goofy and fun. Funny and punny too, as their recent album was titled âReggaenomics.â Finally, we have Died, the closing act, whom Iâve heard are incredible. Iâll need to be prepared for four hours of straight rockinâ out!
How do you take the songs from the studio and craft them onto the stage? Is there any special process, or is it straightforward?
The process is fairly straightforward. My bandâs live setup is guitar, bass, keyboard, drums and backing tracks. I sing lead, play synth on most songs and guitar on one or two others. Whatever parts we have going on live are taken out of the studio track and replicated live by my musicians. I arrange all the parts myself and deliver them to my musicians by notating them out in Sibelius. I also send them audio tracks for reference. Usually, my musicians nail the parts on their first or second try. The stuff that is difficult to replicate live, such as arpeggiators or other sound effects, I leave in the backing track. The backing track is triggered by my drummer through a Roland sample pad, and heâs playing along to a click. He basically keeps the time for all of us and we follow him. Once the music is all set up, we add the final touches to the show: projections and lights. Since Iâm very big on having a custom visual experience to accompany the music, I have a friend working the lights that night, as well as another friend who creates custom visuals, which we display on the screen behind. Once itâs all put together, we try to create a multi-sensory experience thatâs both visually and sonically appealing. Maybe someday Iâll figure out a way to incorporate taste and smell into the act as well. Perhaps, a candy cannon instead of confetti?
When on stage, what do you love the most about performing?
There are two things I love most. The first is when I lose myself in the music. During performances, there is something that seems to take over my body that gives me an unfound sense of confidence that I canât often display off stage. This causes me to bust certain moves that I didnât know I was capable of. It also keeps me extremely engaged and focused. The thing I love even more than that is seeing the crowd into it. Iâve been to so many shows where the audience doesnât move a muscle, and watches the performance with blank expressions (if theyâre even watching the show at all and not talking with their friends at the bar). In the early days of performing, my shows were no exception to that, and as a performer it feels frustrating. But since then, Iâve made it a goal to keep my shows upbeat and exciting. So when I actually see a physical response from the crowd through dancing, singing along, and jumping up and down, it makes what I do all the more worthwhile.
Do you have any pre-show rituals youâd like to share? What is the typical show-day for you?
Generally, I try to avoid having shows on days where I do other work (such as my various audio editing and music producing jobs I do on the side). First and foremost, I make sure to get a good nightâs sleep, and if possible, have all of my gear packed up the night before. If the band needs extra time to rehearse, we do a quick runthrough the day of show. Once everything is packed and ready to go, we head down to the venue, doing our best to avoid traffic, which I must say is practically impossible! Still, we often arrive the the venue ahead of schedule (except for the one time my tire exploded on the Triboro Bridge; that sure was fun!) Once weâre all at the venue and our instruments are tuned and set up, I tend to shake out all of the bad vibes. Yes, physically shake. I may also do jumping jacks or run laps. The most important things I need to remember to do are drink water, stretch, and warm up my voice. Iâve had shows where Iâve forgotten to do those things, and it makes for a rather uncomfortable time!
Can we expect more East Coast dates later this year? New York loves you!
Why, thank you! And I love New York back! I owe a lot to New York for giving me an environment to hit the ground running with this music project. Right now Iâm taking a bit easy with shows as I begin work on another release, but my next confirmed show is on April 13, at the Bowery Electric in the East Village. For that show, Iâll be opening for Cosmonaut, as well as my friendsâ band The Values. I also plan on hitting a few other spots in the tri-State area during the spring, as well as gigs in upstate New York, and have plans for even bigger shows during the summer at slightly larger venues. To hear all about these upcoming events as they are revealed, follow @feyermusic on social media to be the first to know! - Brokelyn
We reached out to Andrew Feyer, who attended Summer Arts at Putney in 2009 and 2010, to see what he has been up to. Andrew recently released his debut-album, Signals Internalized through various streaming platforms.
Dan - How long have you been playing music for? Was it an early passion for you?
Andrew - It all started when I began taking piano lessons at age 6, so I got into it pretty young. My mom discovered I had perfect pitch, and had a good ear for picking up melodies, so piano lessons just seemed like the right thing to do. From there, I developed an interest in playing drums, and also taught myself how to play guitar. By the time I was around 12, I was writing songs on a fairly regular basis. Most of the friends I made at that age were through playing music, and by the time I entered high school, I was playing in a few bands. I was playing drums in one band, bass in another, and continuing to write and perform as a social artist, mainly with a singer-songwriter vibe. Upon graduating high school, I was also learning how to compose contemporary classical music for various chamber ensembles. When I got to college, I developed an interest in electronic music, and decided to compose primarily through software. This led to me learning about the world of music production, and how I was able to not only write and perform music, but also shape it and arrange it.
D - When you attended Putney back in 2009, and 2010 you took mostly music related workshops. What was that experience like and how did that carry over to your work?
A - I had been songwriting for a little while before attending Putney, but felt myself come more into my own while I was there. I took both 3-week sessions in 2009, and the first 3-week session in 2010, before spending the rest of that summer at Interlochen Arts Camp in Michigan. In 2009, I took a variety of courses such as Songwriting, Music Composition, Vocal Ensemble, and the Theater Intensive. I was also involved with many creative writing electives. I continued with Songwriting in 2010, and also partook in a filmmaking course, which got me interested in directing my own music videos. For the second round of Songwriting courses, I decided to take more risks and put myself through more challenges until I came up with ideas I never knew I had. In fact, some of the themes and musical motifs on my album stem back to ideas conceived at Putney. Iâve kept with me the tricks and tools learned at Putney to continue my creative path.
D - Where did you go to college? Were you making music then?
A - I went to Bard College in upstate New York, and graduated in May 2016. The feel of the college was very similar to Putney, as it was an outdoorsy rural area that placed great emphasis on strengthening creativity. What was great about going to a liberal arts school with a music program rather than a conservatory was that I was able to dabble in a variety of musical courses rather than focus only one playing one instrument really well. My concentration at Bard was composition, but I also branched out into production as well, learning how to record and produce my own music. I took both classical composition and electronic composition courses, eventually combining both styles into my own voice as a composer. My four years at Bard culminated with a senior concert performance, where I basically just took the songs Iâd been writing and performing for years, but arranging it for a large ensemble. It was very ambitious, but also challenging. Since then, Iâve downsized my band and have kept more instruments in the live backing track, but still finding the delicate balance between live instruments and pre-recorded tracks.
D - Who have been your influences?
A - Everything I listen to influences me in some way. I could go on for days listing my influences. Name a well-known artist; theyâve probably influenced me in some way. I get inspired even just listening to my own friends perform their songs.
D - What inspired you to create this album?
A - Before putting out this full length album, I had released an EP of four tracks, as well as a follow-up single. The sound was relatively underdeveloped, so I then spent the next year or so trying to sharpen my skills as a producer. My main inspirations for this album in particular stem back to both physical and emotional difficulties. Youâll hear from the lyrics that I have had my fair share of mental health issues, which I make a conscious effort to work on all the time. One form of therapy is channeling it into music. Music lifts up my mood when Iâm down and helps me channel my feelings of anxiety into something creative. The other inspiration came from a serious foot injury I sustained in 2014. When I suddenly broke six bones in my foot, and there was talk as to whether I would ever walk normally again, I realized that life is too short and precious not to be ambitious. I had always dreamed of putting out a full album, but never thought I could execute it. As I was recovering from my injury, I changed my attitude and buckled down to get to work on trying to take what was in my head and turn it into something that other people could actually hear.
D - Itâs an eclectic mix of genres. Did you plan it out to be, or did you arrive to it organically?
A - The concept of blending genres has always been fascinating to me. I always thought: why does something have to be just one thing? I suppose the genre mixing became so engrained in my writing style that I started writing and producing like that subconsciously. Since I try to draw inspiration from as many places as possible, the result is not your typical sound. Sometimes I start writing something, expecting it to go one way, and the result is something totally different. There are so many steps that go into writing and producing a song that things are bound to change often when I keep coming up with new ideas on the spot.
D - What was the recording and writing process like for the record? Did you play all the instruments yourself?
A - The writing process stems back to lyrics and melody ideas I had in high school, but never really developed until recently. Before I got into self-producing my music, the songs were just written to be sung and performed on guitar or piano. But I decided I wanted a fuller, more complex sound. I did play all the instruments, with the exception of the featured artist, Marcel Rudin, playing guitar and singing on Communication. Some of the parts I came up with werenât even humanly possible to play, so I just programmed it in the software. The majority of the album was produced right on my laptop, using Logic Pro. I suppose the main organic elements of the album are the vocals. Iâm very picky about how I want my takes to sound, so each line was recorded multiple times, and then edited and re-edited until I thought they sounded right. It made for very long nights in the studio. I had some friends help with engineering, mixing and mastering, just to get additional sets of ears. My hope for future albums is to become more collaborative and take more peopleâs ideas into account.
D - What about your music videos? Do you put those together yourself mostly?
A - Yeah, mostly my music videos are self-directed, and I edit them on my laptop myself, since usually I have a pretty solid idea of how I want the video to turn out even before I start filming it. Usually I enlist the help of my friends to do the filming, and sometimes they help me with some special effects, but as of now, for the most part, itâs me doing the brainstorming, directing, producing and editing. Currently, I have two music videos out for this project: one for I Just Donât Know and one for Taking a Turn for the Worse. I Just Donât Know was shot within the course of an hour and features me playing various instruments and singing in an empty garage. Each instrument I play is assigned a color, which is then placed over the footage. Taking a Turn for the Worse is slightly different: it was filmed in various subway and transportation hubs and features attempted communication between two masked figures. Both videos are meant to be slightly abstract and not tell a direct story-line. Currently, I am working on some more music videos for other tracks on the album, and I want to get more into a collaborative mode with them so Iâm not just doing all the work myself, and can use the talents and skills of others to help bring these projects to life.
D - What are your plans for the future? Working on material, touring, etc?
A - Now that my first album is finally out, I can focus on working on new material, while I continue to promote old material. Albums generally have a 6 month lifespan after the release, and within that time, we need to keep the energy alive by supplementing the release. I have some new music videos in the works for some of the songs, and Iâm planning to go on tour this July to support the album. The tour will take me all across the Northeastern United States, hitting most of the major stops between Boston and Washington. Once tour is over, Iâm able to have a clean slate and focus on writing, recording and producing. Iâm looking forward to continuing the process over and over. With each new release brings a new musical journey. - The Putney School Summer Newsletter
This live version of original song Get Over It by Feyer makes for a great introduction to the artist, to his band, and to their overall musical strengths and direction. As a unit, theyâre a connected and skillful group of musicians â the recording could quite easily be the result of multiple studio sessions. The fact that itâs live allows you to appreciate the abilities and creativity of everyone involved, as well as giving you an authentic insight as to what you can expect from a live show from Feyer.
At almost five minutes long, the further you get into this session, the more the song seems to connect. The opening verse presents a fairly delicate sound, not notably organic but fusing a little of the purity of music with something a tad more electronic. Among this, the melody, lyricism, and indeed the leading voice, all draw your focus well. Your attention is on the story line initially, this deeply personal and honest offering of experience and difficulty. Youâre also likely to pick up on the distinctly contrasting, manic energy of a certain key riff running behind the mellow energy of the melody. This has a slightly hypnotic effect to it, and by the time the hook hits â youâre completely locked in.
As a songwriter, Feyer brings an all important touch of realness to music. This concept of getting over it is so much easier said than done, so the set up of this song â the other character, the placement of oneself within the story â it works brilliantly in representing the journey through dwelling and on into freedom. Get Over It is a well written and interesting piece of music. In my opinion, this live version is the perfect way to experience it. - Stereo Stickman
Feyer splendidly blends together multiple genres on his latest release âI Just Donât Knowâ, second track on his album âSignals Internalizedâ. Candy-coated Indie Pop, 80s Disco & Limb Bizkit like Rock breaks are superbly melted together. Put your sunglasses on, get in your 80s convertible Cadillac, the wind in your hair and be awesome. If Feyer doesnât know, we do. This is a track that should be on any playlist. - For the Love of Bands
The keytar. We all know it, recognize it, want to be part of it. Itâs a powerful tool with ancient 80s roots that have only grown stronger through the years â thatâs right, when you thought the keytar had faded away, it was only lying in waitâŚgaining strength, function, desirabilityâŚuntil today. The charming, powerful relic is alive and well in the hands of our latest feature, NYC-based genre bender Andrew Feyer. Better known simply as Feyer, this multi-faceted artist is making waves at the young age of 23 â though the ambitious Feyer feels heâs behind his potential â and he might be right. The electronic pop rocker is certainly one of those players with unlimited ceiling, as you can hear on his latest record, Signals Internalized.
We asked Feyer to tell us more about the new music â he said, âEach song gets written and produced differently, but it all starts in my head and makes its way to my laptop. However, sometimes through the recording process, the compositions of the songs can come out as something very different than what they started. With this album, my fans can definitely expect a lot of things. For one, the album is multi-dimensional. I love the idea of blending genres and am trying hard not to seem repetitiveâŚIâm also trying to stray away from the concept of âtarget audienceâ because I believe that people in general are very complex, and are able to enjoy different music in different occasions. I want to provide an experience where different groups of people can come together regardless of who they are just to enjoy music.â Click to http://www.feyermusic.com to check out Signals Internalized â it just landed last month. And if youâre in the NYC area, hit up a show! Thereâs a frigginâ keytar there! - Pen's Eye View
Last month Feyer release debut album Signals Internalized and this is literally pure bliss. Andrew has something incredibly special and his song writing abilities are so impeccable. Anyways this debut album showcased 12 fine tracks all of which captivated me. Opening this splendid LP was In, now this tune was merely an introduction instrumental which had my taste buds flowing. I always find instrumentals to be rather magical. This then led into I Just Donât Know, this tune is a right revelation. I Just Donât Know was a mixture of synth pop meets rock, Andrewâs vocals were incredibly smooth and that melody was an infuriating one. Also I picked up on plenty of 80âs vibes. We Want To See was the perfect piece of synthtronia and those candy coated vocals were extremely upbeat leaving me enthralled in the process. Communication features Marcel Rudin and one word for this tasty tune would be futuristic. Delivered at a fast pace, Communication was completely captivating and Feyerâs hypnotic vocals were sugary sweet. Also Rudinâs vocals made me think of Blink 182. The thrilling Get Over It was a compelling composition aided by breathtaking vocals and space aged synth beats. Eternally was a beautiful piece of synthtronica which resulted in something extremely dreamy. Those lovely lyrics were exquisite and they left me in an utter daze. Unfocused was so whimsical, those lyrics left me hooked and Feyerâs synthy vocal tones were sweet like chocolate. Thru was a mesmerising magical masterpiece which mellowed me out, it was then time for The Curse Of Common Man. This number is about the struggle to fit in, The Curse Of Common Man oozed plenty of retro synth pop vibes resulting in something rather upbeat. Everything about this was pristine, the lyrics were contagious and the vocals were upbeat. Taking A Turn For The Worse was a dazzling cut which packed a fierce punch. Penultimate song Wasted Time reminded me of Arabian Nights, as it progressed it became rather rock inspired. Out ended what had been an extraordinary LP. Just like the opener In, Out served as an outro.
The album process began in 2014 when Feyer was dealing with a serious physical injury, combined with an unstabilized mood. The final touches, mixing and mastering, were completed nearly two years after the start date, in 2016. Inspired by a multitude of genres, particularly the synthesized progressive rock sound of the 80s, the album journeys into Feyerâs complex mind, combining innovative electronic timbres with deeply personal lyrics. Signals Internalized is available to purchase from iTunes - Music Is My Radar
New musician Feyer is gearing up for his debut album, releasing Friday, Feb. 10. He will also be performing his album release show the day of at The Bitter End in New York. He has recently teamed up with AXS to premiere the new single from his debut album, called "The Curse of Common Man." When asked what the song was about, and what it means, Feyer stated that:
"The Curse of Common Man" is a song about the struggle to fit in, thinking you're at fault, and trying to perform good deeds, but they backfire. I wrote the song after a series of minor mishaps: accidentally walking in on my roommate and his girlfriend, slamming the door on my friend's hand, losing a car key, and saying unhelpful things in a time of tragedy. I wrote the song back in 2013 but revamped it to be on this new album. I usually open concerts with it because of its energetic composition. The lyrics and song title also may have some political undertones, but I will leave that to the listener to determine."
Many fans will be able to resonate well with Feyer's new single, and will have a new appreciation for the underdog with this song. Feyer has announced more performances, with more collaborations taking place throughout the year. - AXS
DAILY DOSE: FEYER â WASTED TIME - Jammerzine
âTaking a Turn for the Worse is the second single off my album Signals Internalized. The music video is meant to convey the dark, mysterious nature of the song, with two figures trying to communicate with each other as they pass through the many subways and transit centers of NYC. The video was self-directed (I came up with the story arc) and filmed by one of my friends over the course of a day. I gathered the footage, edited the clips together, and then sent it to another friend so he could add the trippy visual effects.â â Feyer - Live In Limbo
Feyer is an amazing artist. He has produced a song that is amazing complex time signature wise while still able to sing along. As Feyer describes his song;
In a society where everyone seems to be on top of things, at least on the surface, Feyer makes a daring move to come forward and sing what a lot of us are feeling; they simply donât know and canât tell what the future will hold. Everyone has levels of uncertainty lingering in their minds, but not too many are able to make it public.
I love this song, I love Feyerâs voice, I love his instrumentation, I love his message. You know, using complex time signatures really back up his whole point of uncertainty. There is something jarring when a song does not count out like you believe it should. Other good examples are âSolsbury Hillâ. âLiving In The Pastâ, and âClose To The Edgeâ, all other great songs dealing with change (or lack of) and the uncertainty change brings on. Feyer is a genius, musically and lyrically. Thank you. - Audio Fuzz
Feyerâs debut single âI Just Donât Knowâ is an explosive progressive rock tune that captures the power that uncertainty has on an individual. Complete with theatrical vocals, foreboding lyrics, driving drums and guitar work, and synthesizers galore, âI Just Donât Knowâ is sure to be a song that gets you out of your chair and has you pumping your fist. Watch here
A song finely divided between the arena rock spirit of the 1980s and the shimmering groove of modern synth-pop, Feyerâs lead single is a sonic embodiment of an anxiety-ridden artist who turns to music as his form of therapy. In a society where everyone seems to be on top of things, at least on the surface, Feyer makes a daring move to come forward and sing what a lot of us are feeling; they simply donât know and canât tell what the future will hold. Everyone has levels of uncertainty lingering in their minds, but not too many are able to make it public.
Feyer has no shame in expressing his uncertainty, but still wants to mask it with a feel good, in-your-face song that is impossible to play as background music, but begging to be played at full blast every time. So, as you bang your head and scream along to the chanting section of Feyerâs track, while drumming along to the odd-time signatures on your steering wheel in a traffic jam, realize that if you are anxious or confused about what the future has in store, have a little fun with it, because you are most certainly not alone. - Vents Magazine
Feyer recently released his new single "Taking a Turn for the Worse" from his forthcoming debut album 'Signals Internalized' and to celebrate we asked him to tell us the story behind the track:
This might come as a surprise, but the initial writings for my song "Taking a Turn for the Worse" began in 2009, a whopping 7 years ago! At the time, I was a freshman in high school, dealing with problems that not too many kids I knew were dealing with: severe depression, social anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. It became my emo phase. I know a lot of kids have episodes like that, according to what I see on the internet, but no one I knew in my personal life was going through what I was. Everyone around me seemed organized, happy, social, and secure. Not me. The worst part was, my illness was invisible. No one knew what was truly going on. So what was I to do? Write music of course!
At the time, I was messing around with GarageBand, and my production skills were in their infancy, so I decided to record a scrap version of a song explaining how I felt and what I was dealing with. Now, being only 15, I was not up to speed with lyrics, and couldn't go about articulating my mental state in a subtle, metaphorical way. But I figured, why does it matter? This is how I feel. Music is my therapy. I'm just going to sing what's on my mind. And I did. Thus, Taking a Turn for the Worse was born.
Half a decade passed and I completely forgot about that song and the scrap recording I made on my old computer. I was too focused with college work to rejuvenate old songs. That was until one bad night, when my depression returned. Something triggered a memory to that song, and I began to flesh it out, only this time, I had more knowledge of production, songwriting, and lyricism. I knew there had to be a way to combine the original chorus I wrote as a teenager to the beat and bassline I wrote that night, seemingly out of nowhere.
In the recording studio, the more I recorded, the more I felt like I needed to add, and the track kept growing. The lyrics kept changing, and eventually, the song became what it is now. Every time I play people the final version, they are usually unsure of what to think. It's groovy, but theatrical. It's melodramatic, but whimsical. They ask me, "what's your creative process?" I tell them, "to be honest, I can't really put it into words. I just do what I feel." And much of the time, they will tell me to keep feeling. So for those of you who have given me that feedback, thank you.
Hearing is believing. Now that you know the story behind the song, listen for yourself and learn more about the upcoming album right here! - antiMUSIC
Catch up with singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Feyer and watch the video for his single "I Just Don't Know" from his debut full-length album Signals Internalized, to be released February 10th.
What got you interested in music?
Feyer: Well, I've been taking piano lessons since I was 6, on and off; piano is really what got me started. When I started singing around the age of 10 or 11 and started getting into a lot of classic rock greats based on what was played on the radio in my town - artists like Queen and Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd - I thought, 'that would be cool if I did something like that'. So, I started getting into that. From there, I took on a couple more instruments in addition to piano - drums, guitar, bass - and then I joined a few bands here and there and, after there, I got into recording and producing my own music.
What was the first song you wrote that you were really proud of?
There was this song that I wrote when I was about 14. I actually had to write it for a Humanities/Social Studies class and we all had to do creative assignments based on human rights and activism and things like that and I think that was the first song that I wrote that was fully fleshed out, in terms of music and lyrics, that I was very proud of. In terms of songs that I've been doing with this current solo project, it started about 4 years ago. In 2013, I wrote this song called "Wasted Time", which you're actually going to see appears on this album that I'm coming out with on Friday.
Which musicians were you influenced by?
A lot of it started, as I said, with classic rock. Queen was the main one that really got me interested in performing and songwriting but also, of course, you have The Beatles and Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd. From there, I started getting into more modern rock bands, bands like Avenged Sevenfold and Metallica, some of the heavier stuff. Recently, I've been getting into really alternative groups like Passion Pit and Tame Impala and also solo alternative artists like Grimes. Most recently, I've started paying attention to what is trending and what's in the Top 40, just to see what the world is listening to. I started paying attention to what the number one singles are and it's actually become a hobby of mine, to memorize the number one song, year end, of each year; like, last year, it was "Love Yourself" by Justin Bieber and before that it was "Uptown Funk" and before that it was "Happy" by Pharrell Williams. Going back to the '90s, I can tell you what the number one song of each year was.
Is there a song that you're hooked on right now?
I think the song that I'm hooked on right now would be "Hymn For The Weekend" by Coldplay. There's a lot of Top 40 songs out there that you hear them a bunch and it's really catchy, but then you get tired of it after it's been played so much. But this song is being played a lot and I'm still not tired of it, even though it's been out for almost a year now. I'd say one of my favorite modern groups in the mainstream right now would be Coldplay, just because they've been doing this for 20 years and they're very fresh and they're still able to catch my attention. Another group that I'm really into right now is Twenty One Pilots, they've been coming out with some stuff that has managed to make it into the Top 10 but still sounds very different from a lot of the other stuff out there and that's what I'm getting really into: stuff that's able to break through into the Top 10 but doesn't necessarily sound like anything else, it has its own sound.
How would you describe your own sound?
To me, it's always hard to describe, but I guess I'd have to describe it as taking everything that I've observed and learned over the years with different genres and styles and periods of music and trying to put it all together into one precise style. If you listen to my album, you'll hear songs that resonate with a lot of stuff they were doing in the '80s with progressive rock and stadium rock, but also trying to put a modern spin on it production-wise, like some of these modern day alternative groups like Coldplay and Twenty One Pilots. I'm all about blending genres, blending production styles, and blending particular periods of music. Certain periods, like the '80s and '90s and even the 2000s, have their very distinct styles and what I'm trying to do is find a way to put it all together.
What were your inspirations behind your single and the video for "I Just Don't Know"?
Funny story, the instrumental of it I actually wrote when I was 16, which was about 7 years ago. Basically, I was in this music production class at my music school and I just started fooling around and these melodies and these rhythms started coming into my head and I hung onto it in my brain for a while but never really got it down and recording it until about 2 years ago. That's really just how it came about. In terms of the video, honestly, I didn't have much of a budget to make a music video but I knew that there was this wide open parking garage space in my town and nobody ever goes to the top floor, no cars ever drive through it. It's a big open space and I just wanted to think, what's a nice open space that I can film a video where I don't have to pay to rent out a space where I could set up all my instruments and I'm able to showcase that it was me playing everything on it - which it was - and I had the idea of, you often see a band video where it's different people playing every instrument and I wanted to try to make a video where I'm playing multiple instruments, but just at different times. To point out each instrument, each instrument is given a different color, and so I wanted to experiment with that. One day we just took all my instruments, we moved them into the garage for a couple of hours, my friend set up a camera and she filmed it, and then I took the footage home and I edited it and did all the colors in post production and that's about it.
Could you tell us more about your debut album Signals Internalized?
This is my first full-length debut album and it's the first album that I'm really going all in with. In the past, I've released a couple singles on SoundCloud and Bandcamp here and there, but I wasn't too happy with the production so I took them down. I spent about 2-3 years just really working on developing my sound and trying to get this album as good as I could get it. Basically, what you'll hear from it and what you can expect from it is, as I said, a combination of all of these musical styles that I've been interested in and trying to write for, but also combining that with a personal narrative, lyrically. I'm someone who has dealt with the issues of anxiety and depression in the past and I wanted to tell that story in the lyrics and my whole thing is, a lot of people mention that there is a little bit of a disconnect between my instrumentals - which sound powerful and thought out and fleshed out - with my lyrics - which are meant to be more vulnerable and very personal and narrative. Some people say there's a disconnect between the two and either the lyrics have to be more powerful or the instrumentals have to be toned down a little bit to match, but I kind of like the mismatch. I think that could be my sound, is the disconnect. That's what people can expect.
In one sentence how would you sum up Signals Internalized?
Signals Internalized is, essentially, all of my experiences and musical training thus far, coming together in a 12 track album.
I will say, because I have musical training in a couple of different fields - ranging from vocal production to instrumental production to recording to songwriting - I'm not a specialist. I don't play one instrument really well, I never became a virtuoso on piano or a virtuoso singer or anything like that. I want to take all of the skills that I have enough of a grasp on and try to use it and just combine it so that I don't necessarily have to specialize in just one thing. If I was just doing one thing in music I'd get really bored, honestly, so I want to try to take all I've learned and put it together in one package, which is what I'm hoping to achieve with this album. And, of course, it will be different with each album as I grow as a musician and as I keep learning. Who knows, the next album could have an entirely different style, it could have an entirely different theme! It's really hard to say right now, because I'm constantly learning and I know so much more now about myself, doing this album, and about my production. Even when I finished the album, which was a couple of months ago, I know more now about production and songwriting - and about myself - than I did when I finished this album. As I said, each album, I'm trying to make more developed and try to do something different each time.
Is there a favorite song you have to perform live that you're excited to play Friday?
Yeah, I choose between two actually. "I Just Don't Know" - which is the lead single - is really fun to perform live 'cause it sounds very energetic, especially when I play live with my band, which is what's going to happen this Friday at The Bitter End; which is very exciting to play that venue because that's where Super Bowl Halftime star Lady Gaga actually got her start, was at The Bitter End 10 years ago, so it's very exciting to be on a stage that she was on. "I Just Don't Know" is very fun to play live. Also, the closing song, "Wasted Time", is also fun to play live, because I'm noticing from my gigs that that's the one that I think the crowd gets most into and it's always really fun to see a song that you're playing where there's a visible reaction from the crowd and you can see that they get into it. I'd say it's a tie between those two that are the most fun to play live.
What do you hope listeners are able to take away from your music?
It's sort of a mix between two different things. I'm noticing, a lot of time, that in terms of specializing, that a lot of artists and a lot of songs are really just about one thing: you have songs to party to and you have songs to relax to and you have songs to cry to and you have songs to laugh to. I want my songs to have more than one meaning. Going back to the disconnect between the lyrics and the music, the music is meant to get people to have fun and to rock out a bit, but I want them to also, in another instance, stop and think about what the lyrics are saying; whether they're able to do that at the same time or not, that's on them, I guess. I want my music to be able to be used for different occasions, rather than just be about one thing. The lyrics will be for a thoughtful occasion and the music will be for a fun, rock out occasion.
Is there anything you want to add?
Just look out for the album when it comes out, it'll be on iTunes, Spotify, Apple Music, all of those things. Look out for some more music videos coming out, look out for some more features, maybe some more shows in the future, and that's about it. - The Music Rag
Feyer released a video for âI Just Donât Knowâ off his debut album Signal Internalized, released on February 10th. - The ModernRetro Magazine
Please list your name and role in the band.
My name is Andrew Feyer. I go by just Feyer for short. It's a solo project, with me doing everything myself in the studio, but I often play live with a backing band: a guitarist, drummer, and keyboardist, all synced to backing tracks.
For starters, what bands were you a part of prior to Feyer? How long has the band been around?
Prior to this project, I was involved with several rock bands throughout high school and college. I was the drummer/singer in an alternative rock band called Dropsite from 2007-2012. From 2010-2013, I was the bassist in a metal band called Raging Impetus. I also was the drummer for a few bands in college, and played keyboards as a session musician for my friend's solo project. As far as my own solo songwriting/producing project goes, I did it casually as a hobby for about six years, from 2006 to 2012. In 2013, when I was a college freshman, I started to get more serious and tried to develop my skills as an artist as much as possible. I've been doing this project consistently since then.
Whatâs the origin of that name and have you changed the bandâs name before?
Originally, I just went by my full name, Andrew Feyer. Then to distinguish between my personal and professional pages on Facebook, I changed it to A. Feyer. That didn't roll off the tongue so well, though. So I decided to drop the A and just go by Feyer, which is what everybody was already calling me anyway. I briefly considered adopting a stage name, but that would mean having to change all the names on my social media pages. So, not worth it.
What bands are currently inspiring the music that youâre making?
Definitely some modern artist and bands that don't fit so cleanly into a style or genre, or are all about blending genres. They exist in their own entity. Think artists like Twenty One Pilots, Grimes, Passion Pit, Coldplay, etc.
Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?
I'd say the first band I really started paying attention to was Green Day. After they released their American Idiot album, I began listening to them on a religious level, as any 12-year-old at the time would. After hearing that album and seeing live footage of them, I knew that starting a band would be a cool idea to occupy my time with.
What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, etc...
To prepare for a show, I pretty much just run the set a few times, do some brief vocal exercises, and try to relax and stay focused. I don't put on a good performance if I'm distracted by all the unimportant things. Oh, and I make sure my other musicians are prepared too!
What has been the biggest highlight of the bandâs career so far?
Definitely having all of my musical training finally come into fruition, and being able to finally produce an album. Those long nights in the studio were worth it! Additionally, it's been awesome playing at some legendary NYC venues such as Arlene's Grocery and the Knitting Factory.
If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
Queen! They had legendary tours and always put on amazing live shows. To open for them would be a dream come true.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Yes! I have my debut full length album coming out sometime in early 2017, most likely in February. The first two singles from that album, "I Just Don't Know" and "Taking A Turn For The Worse" can be found on my SoundCloud now. Stay tuned for more exciting things to come! - Kill the Music
With soon to be debut album Signals Internalized on itâs way, Feyer releases new single âI Just Donât Knowâ to get the ball rolling. And with giving this record a listen youâll have nothing but anticipation for his upcoming project.
A synth symphony and non stop heavy rhythmic percussion, âI Just Donât Knowâ showcases pop alternative without sacrificing any quality whatsoever. The intricate bridge of keys on the tail end of the song, and the hints of electric guitar throughout pushes this record so far instrumentally. The lyrics on here speaks on themes of uncertainty and longing, utilizing vocal FX to distort and reverb the vocals; the breaks in the singing and the song itself add to the narrative as well.
This progressive rock track is very complex, contrasting contemplative lyrics to a fist pump inducing, melodic, pop background. Itâs a great preview to his debut LP, without a doubt leaving the listener wanting more. And if all of Feyerâs Signals Internalized is as good as this single right here, itâs going to be one hell of an album. - Audible Addixion
âI Just Donât Knowâ kicks off with a heavy dose of synthy pop sugar that will likely let listeners know right away whether or not Feyerâs style will fall into their realm of pleasure. The track is unabashedly colorful and doesnât appear to be concerned with being too over the top in its character.The synth work is bright and poppy, and the layered instrumentals are playful. Itâs a fun listen but the sugary nature at the beginning will probably not be for everyone. When Feyer jumps in with his vocals though, thatâs where heâll likely hook listeners back in. Feyer possesses a smooth yet unassumingly powerful voice. Feyer makes a strong impression on his track, using the glittery instrumentals to combat his more mellow pop voice. Itâs a nice mixture of experimental instrumentation being paired with more realistic vocals and lyrics.
âI Just Donât Knowâ is an amusing experience though if listeners arenât already fond of the more energetic brand of synthpop, then this single probably wonât be for them. Feyer does a good job of creating his work, though the glistening production will likely make certain listeners shy away. Nonetheless, those who already enjoy a splash of synthpop should find this track to be enjoyable. Feyer gives everyone a taste for what he has to offer as an artist and that first experience definitely left a prominent mark. Now that weâve had our first exposure to Feyer, it would be great to see him continue to follow this path and reveal even more about himself through his music. Feyer comes across as an interesting persona and it would be nice to see him express more of his personal traits in his future work, such as he did here. - Music Existence
One holiday ends and several more are on the horizon! To help people get into the happy spirit, there is a music video that will surely urge listeners to dance with joy. New York native, Feyer, has gifted music lovers a visual representation of his energetic tune, I Just Donât Know. The man rocks out on every instrument and serenades the viewer easily all the while making a parking garage his musical stage.
Catchy drumbeats introduce listeners to the catchy riffs to follow. Feyer is on all instruments jumping to and fro with a wild color palette adding onto the flair of the energy he brings to the tune. His mild vocals bring listeners into a pure rock and roll vibe that is captivating and hard to ignore. Feyer sings and dances like he is still back in his bedroom air playing some great music. He somehow takes garage rock to a whole new level with the parking structure. Trippy keys and lilting tones flutter throughout the song to keep that pop feel flowing. For listeners catching this for the first time, prepare for a mild trip at about two minutes in as Feyerâs echoed vocals take over with blurred images of the man in action. However, that psychedelic journey ends up being a chant as the song progresses. Chiptune fans might enjoy this bit given the primary colors, animated images and glitchy tones included. It is all entertaining and surreal in the best way.
Jam On. - Punchland
Hi Andrew, welcome to VENTS! How have you been?
Hello, thanks for the welcome. Iâve been really good. How about you?
Can you talk to us more about your latest single âI Just Donât Knowâ?
Itâs the first single off my new album, so far the only track from the album to be released. For this song, I wanted to incorporate a âbig room vibe.â By that, I mean a sound that strikes many nerves at once, and is not meant to be background music, but music that is heard in large venues, where everyone is getting down and singing along. It is probably one of the most energetic songs I have ever produced. And even though I lead the crowd in a chant, the lyrics retain their anxious undertones.
Did any event in particular inspire you to write this song?
Funny enough, I started writing this song in 2010, when I was a sophomore in high school. I was playing my guitar randomly and played the opening riff almost by accident. No particular events inspired me, but the overall feelings of uncertainty and self doubt I faced as a teenager played a role in the subject matter. However, I did not finalize the music, lyrics, and production until mid-2016. Nevertheless, the feelings of uncertainty still remain at times.
Tell us about the video you plan on releasing for the single.
I am currently in the editing process of the music video. It doesnât have a direct storyline, but I am basically just playing various instruments in a cool-looking location. I play about 6 instruments, and want to just play the various parts to the song and then sync them up, as well as color code them. Nothing too fancy.
The single comes off your new album Signals Internalized â whatâs the story behind the title?
Well, it sort of just came into my head randomly because I wanted a cool sounding title that would catch peopleâs attention. Itâs my debut album, so I want to enter with a presence. But then I tied it into the overall concept of the album; the âsignalsâ represent the various anxieties, confusions, and irrational thoughts and fears that lurk in my mind, and how I have internalized them so much over the years that it sometimes feels like it is a part of who I am.
How was the recording and writing process?
Almost all the songs on this album Iâve had with me for years, even stemming back to random lyrics and melodies I wrote as early as 2009, when I was a freshman in high school. I did not spend that time fleshing out the ideas, though. Because so many years had passed, it was tricky to keep those ideas fresh, so I was constantly altering the lyrics and the instrumentals. It was in 2014 when I started recording the album for real. I had recently purchased a copy of Logic Pro and began messing with it. I got the hang of it quickly, as I had grown up with GarageBand, as most people who owned Apple computers did. Logic was like GarageBand on steroids. There was so much I could do with it. I used to think that you needed to work with an accomplished producer in a fancy recording studio to get a professional sounding album. Once I taught myself the whole process, most of the albumâs work was done by me, including recording, editing, sound design and mixing. Of course, I brought some friends on for additional sets of ears. I utilized my collegeâs recording studio for vocal recording and mixing, but did the rest of it right on my laptop. To do the final mixdown, I basically pulled three all-nighters; not my best idea.
I feel a very 80s vibe â does this decade play a role in your music?
The first bands I really got into were all from the 80s â Queen, The Police, Genesis, Rush. To me, it just seemed like a fun time. I donât know for sure how it was, since I was born in 1993, but the 80s is where music began to utilize synthesizers as a staple of production, but the productions remain natural. The 80s (and also the 70s) pioneered the way for albums, videos, and concerts on a much larger scale. Concert productions became more of a spectacle, and of course, MTV began and the music video became its own art form. I donât know, something about 80s sounds really connects with me. It probably also helps that a lot of preset sounds in my music software program, particularly the synthesizers, are naturally 80s-esque. I also feel like if you take a look at the state of music today, itâs like weâre going through an 80s revival with the sounds people are choosing to use.
Any plans to hit the road?
Yes! As of now Iâm playing shows in New York City here and there, but my goal by the time the album is released is to embark on a North American tour and play some festivals. I have a backing band and Iâm sure they would love to tour, as well.
What else is happening next in Feyerâs world?
All music, all the time. In addition to releasing my own music and touring with it, I really want to look into behind-the-scenes work, such as music directing, sound designing, and audio engineering, as well as writing and producing songs for other people to sing. Currently, I am interning at JSM Music, a music production and sound design company in New York City that specializes in music for commercials. As someone who loves the art of film scoring, I would love to try my hand at it, as it is another path to consider. The last thing I want in my musical career is to be stuck doing the same thing all the time. - Vents Magazine
For our readers, please describe your musical background.
When I was six years old, I started taking piano lessons. I kept that up for a few years and then started to play drums. By the time I got to middle school, I was writing songs on piano and guitar. They were heavily influenced by classic rock artists such as Queen, Led Zeppelin, and The Who. From there, I was able to connect with fellow musicians at my school, and soon found myself as the singer and drummer of a pop punk band, and the bassist in a metal band. Gradually, I started composing for other genres as well, including classical, jazz and experimental. In 2012, I was accepted to Bard College for music composition. Once I got to college, I began applying these skills to music production, and was finally able to produce an album. Right before graduation, I locked myself in the schoolâs recording studio for a week straight to complete this album.
Who or what are your influences?
Anything I hear can be inspirational. I draw my influences from everywhere. But it all started about ten years ago when I fell in love with classic rock. This station in New York, Q104.3, always played songs from the 60s, 70s and 80s, and I was drawn to the authentic sound. Artists that particularly stood out to me on the radio were Queen, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Elton John, and Rush. Once my love for rock was solidified, my friends started introducing me to heavier artists such as Metallica, Rage Against the Machine, and Iron Maiden. Recently, I became increasingly interested in electronic music production, starting to follow DJs such as Skrillex, Zedd and Knife Party, trying to understand how they go about composing and producing. Itâs an interesting new concept to me because their craft magic is reserved for the studio, as they arenât playing instruments live.
What can we expect from your upcoming debut record Signal Internalized?
Iâm calling this my official debut because it is a reinvention of myself as an artist. I have released a few singles and an EP prior to this release, but the sound was underdeveloped. Now, listeners will get a chance to hear what I really do. You can expect a nice blend of rock and electronic music that combines a personal lyrical narrative with my own unique production style. Iâm not really trying to sound like anyone else. I just want to use this album to say, âHello world! This is who I am and this is what I sound like!â Once it is out, I have a few shows lined up where I can play these songs live, and I hope to keep growing my audience, whether it be through radio airplay, features in blogs or magazines, or touring.
And tell us a bit about the background and songwriting process.
Every song starts differently. It may start with me just jamming on the piano or guitar, and something I think sounds cool pops up. Or, out of nowhere, a catchy melody pops into my head. Lately, Iâve been trying to compose from within the software, using my knowledge of scales to input notes into the MIDI graph, and then playing it back to hear how it sounds. Usually, what comes last for me are the lyrics. Once I have my music written, I need to pick a subject and then find lyrics to match, trying hard not to force rhymes for the sake of keeping the melody in tact. It has been noted that there can sometimes be a disconnect between the vocals and instrumentals, but Iâm trying to make that part of the overall sound.
Who or what inspired each track?
Various people in my life such as family or friends, but mostly looking inside myself. Growing up, I had to deal with a lot of issues such as depression, anxiety, self-doubt, not fitting in, and rejection. It may sound like your typical teenage stuff, but growing up with it for me was life-consuming. These songs highlight my journey with all of that and show how Iâm still working on resolving these issues to this day. The thing about mental illness is that you never fully recover from it, but you learn to deal with it and understand it, and try to use it to shape your art. Every time Iâm able to express how Iâm feeling in a song, good or bad, itâs my best form of therapy.
What has been a highlight in your career so far?
Actually finishing a full-length album! Also, getting features in various blogs and magazines has been pretty cool. Iâve also revamped my live set and have taken it into cool New York venues such as Arleneâs Grocery and The Knitting Factory. Iâm definitely looking forward to the release show for the album, which will be on February 10 at the world-famous Bitter End.
How has your music evolved since you began playing?
Iâve definitely put more of an electronic spin on things. I used to be more singer/songwriter, only having a piano or a guitar as my instrumental tracks. But when I discovered music software and became invested in the art of sound design, I crafted a larger, more electro sound. Additionally, the songs themselves are definitely more thought out. I spend many hours making sure everything from the lyrics to the production to the vocal delivery is acceptable to my ear. Iâve also gotten better at writing and producing songs quickly, as well as getting an understanding of what entices my audience.
Where can someone view your music?
As of now, I have some songs available on my SoundCloud and BandCamp pages, but I also have my full album available for pre-order on iTunes. Just type in Feyer to find it. Once it is out, it will be on all digital download and streaming platforms.
And do you have any advice for aspiring musicians?
Be patient! It doesnât come right away! But work hard every day perfecting your craft and getting your name out there! Most importantly, believe in yourself!
Any last words?
Yes! Stay tuned! The album is out everywhere February 10! The release show is also that night, at the Bitter End in Greenwich Village, Manhattan. I hope to see you there!
Interviewed by Danielle Holian - The ModernRetro Magazine
I Just Donât Know is your brand new single from your upcoming album Signals Internalized. How does I Just Donât Know reflect the sound of the album?
My sound is a mix of rock and electronic, which is what I Just Donât Know captures. My main experience growing up as a musician was in rock bands, but I recently started getting into electronic music as well. I didnât want to erase the band vibe entirely, so I decided to combine the two. The album showcases a fusion of those two vibes, among a couple of other different styles. No two songs sound alike, but when the album does come out, youâll be able to hear some reoccurring themes.
For new listeners to Feyer how would you explain the sound of I Just Donât Know?
Think progressive rock from the 70s and 80s, but with a modern spin on it. I am a big fan of time signature changes and unexpected melodic lines, which the song has. I wanted to achieve a very driving, big sound that could fill up a large venue, one that sometimes catches people off guard. Combine that instrumental with personal, almost narrative lyrics. Other people who have heard the song think my compositions are similar to bands like Rush and Genesis, whom Iâm a big fan of. Vocally, I have been compared to Morrissey. Iâm not sure why. Itâs just who comes to peopleâs minds when they hear me sing.
How many layers went into this track?
Iâd say close to 40. We have a lot of synthesizers running at once, plus two guitars, a bass, and drums, not to mention four vocal lines â one for lead, two for harmony, and one reserved for special effects and overdubs. Additionally, I split the drums up to put each drum into a separate track so I can EQ and compress them individually. Combine that with a lot of auxiliary tracks for sound effects and reverb, and you get that big arena rock sound.
Now if you are up to it and answering this one how in the hell did you compose and create such a filling song such as this? I canât even begin to think with the amount of time that you must have spent creating this song?
The whole process from start to finish took about two years. Of course, I was working on like twelve other songs for the album simultaneously, plus juggling schoolwork at the same time, but the initial productions began in 2014 and ended in 2016. The melodic and rhythmic ideas were in my head for about five good years before that; they came to me when I was a sophomore in high school, and I occasionally jammed out to it when playing guitar, but it wasnât until 2014 that I actually decided to record these ideas and turn it into a finalized song. Most of it was done right on my laptop, so I could edit as I went. I just seemed to keep adding more to it. It was hard for me to decide when I could finally say âitâs done!â
With the way the song turned out was this the original idea for the end product or was this a mad build up of many different Ideas?
For me, the end product is never the same as when I start. When I wrote this particular song, the composition sort of came to me all at once. I must have dreamed up the instrumental in its entirety, which is rare for me, because the next day, I woke up and played it straight through on guitar without even thinking about it. I just felt it in my body. However, I was always making adjustments to the production throughout the whole process. The lyrics I initially wrote were completely scrapped, and I kept tweaking the lyrics up until the vocal recording session. I probably changed the drum sounds a dozen times before I found the ones that sounded right to me. It also took me a while to decide on the synth sound, and what vocal effects to use during the breakdown/chanting section.
Are you able to pull this song off live in itâs entirety?
Yes and no. There are some things I have in the track which are humanly impossible to replicate, such as the extremely fast arpeggiator. However, my whole thing live is about syncing live instruments to pre-recorded backing tracks, going back to the concept of rock meets electronic, band meets DJ. A lot of artists seem to do that now. Generally, the live setup is myself, singing and occasionally playing keyboard and guitar, joined by another guitarist, keyboardist and drummer. Everything else you hear in the track that isnât being performed by a live musician is kept in the pre-recorded performance track. The drummer wears headphones to hear and keep up with the track.
Where can people pick up a copy of Signals Internalized when the album become available? And also a download copy of I Just Donât Know?
I Just Donât Know is already available on my SoundCloud and BandCamp. Just got to soundcloud.com/feyer to stream and feyer.bandcamp.com to download. When the full album is released (release date TBA), youâll be able to find it on iTunes, Spotify, and Apple Music, as well as the aforementioned SoundCloud and BandCamp.
What are your various Social links for people to check out?
Iâm basically everywhere on social media. As an artist in this day and age, you have to be. Just got to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr and use the handle @feyermusic and youâll find me. And look out for another single coming soon! - Kingston Music Reviews
Listen to I Just Don't Know by Feyer on Artist Sounds. Recording artist Feyer was born and raised in New York City where he is currently turning his childhood dreams into a reality. His debut single âI Just Donât Knowâ is an explosive progressive rock tune that captures the power that uncertainty has on an individual. Complete with theatrical vocals, foreboding lyrics, driving drums and guitar work, and synthesizers galore, âI Just Donât Knowâ is sure to be a song that gets you out of your chair and has you pumping your fist. - Artist Sounds
I Just Donât Know: This delightful tune was the debut Feyer single and it was released at the beginning of October. I literally fell in love with this track on my very first listen. I Just Donât Know was a blissful fast pace electro pop cut which left me completely entranced. The smooth vocals were candy coated and those delectable lyrics had me hooked from the word go. All in all this was a joyous electronic pop song which I found to be rather uplifting. - Music is My Radar
Weâre excited to premiere a brand new song from NY artist Feyerâs new album Signals Internalized, set for a February 2017 release. The track features a moody, intense vibe and transports the listener to its electronic, industrial atmosphere. - GroundSounds
I know Iâve said it before, and Iâll say it again, I love coming in at a debut. I love the sheer amount of opportunity that is presented with a debut, and with his first album, titled Signals Internalized, coming up, Feyer more than qualifies to earn a bit of excitement from not knowing what to expect, of not having any expectations.
With a steady beat and a heavy electronic influence, the song draws the listener in to gorgeous vocals that easily match the beat and electronic feel of the song. The careful balance of tones in the voice against a well crafted electronic sound are surprisingly enchanting to listen to. âTaking A Turn For The Worstâ is an incredibly fun song that catches and keeps the attention with ease.
Feyer is more than worth the time itâll take you to listen to a few tracks. Fascinating and fun, this song is anything but a turn for the worst. Itâs a fantastic way to dip your toes into a bit of a different sound and find yourself on a sort of musical adventure. - Music Unlabeled
Take a listen to a new song by Feyer titled I Just Don't Know. Feyer is a singer/songwriter/composer/producer and multi-instrumentalist with diverse musical experience spanning all genres and styles. Feyer constructs his unique sound combining personal lyrics with his classically influenced melodic and instrumental style, and Electronic/Rock production. Born in New York City in 1993 and raised in the greater New York City area, Feyer learned how to play the piano at the young age of 6 and began composing instrumental pieces. By age 11, Feyer had taken up drums and was singing, playing guitar, and writing songs. While in high school, Feyer became an instrumentalist in various rock bands, performing frequently at talent shows and band showcases. Simultaneously, he began recording and producing in his bedroom, beginning to shape his own style and studying film composition. Today he blesses us with an original witty musical composition in I Just Don't Know. You can stream new songs by Feyer on Soundcloud. - BTRU Entertainment
While the music world seems dominated by cheesy, and in many peopleâs opinion, pointless pop ditties, there are some artists who want to remind music fans that there is more to the music world than tracks you can perform (perhaps slightly drunk) karaoke to. Feyer is one such artist and his debut single âI Just Donât Knowâ is explosive to say the least.
With stress, anxiety and tension affecting so many of us, myself included, on what can seem like a daily basis, the track focuses intently on the hold uncertainty can have on us all. Driven by a thumping drum beat, combined with a theatre worthy vocal and impressive guitar play, I dare you not to feel energised from within after the first listen.
For many, again, myself included, music is, has been and will always be a form of therapy (full disclosure: I have âMusic Is Therapyâ tattooed across my lower back) and Feyer himself is using the art form to not only inspire himself, but others too and for that he should be highly commended. It can be daunting to even think about opening up to those around you about what you think and feel, but Feyerâs music works as something through which people can gain strength, encouragement and much needed support. Music unites people, and this track is most certainly testament to that, so turn it up at full blast and lose yourself in a tune that reminds you, no matter what you might think, that youâll never be truly alone. - This Is the Latest
The opening shot of Feyerâs music video for âParties!â indicates that the viewer is about to embark on a feel good adventure with this upbeat and party hat clad multi-instrumentalist. Hailing from New York City, he creates music that is experimental and fun. This is definitely a song that gets into your head after awhile and you canât help but sing along, âlook at everybody, raging at the parties, theyâre drinking and theyâre taking lots of drugs. Look at everybody scoring at the parties, people left and right are hooking up.â The songâs lyrics imply what a typical Saturday night is like, leading up to going out. Itâs a song party people might put on while theyâre getting ready, but it also touches upon the overrated and overhyped reality that comes along with the scene. Filmed by Sara Laufer, with audio recorded by Jake Cheriff (Paper Moon Records), the video was shot live on a Brooklyn rooftop, with bandmates Sarah Langer (guitar), Jesse Featherstone (keyboards/backing vocals) and Michael Bouteneff (drum pads); the sunset serving as a nice backdrop. After viewing, youâll be compelled to ask: Can I get an invite? - Left Bank Magazine
Weâre pleased to bring you the premiere of Feyerâs music video for their song âParties!â (watch it below). Currently residing in Brooklyn, Feyer has been heating up the NYC scene with his vibrant live shows, and eclectic collection of songs. The video for âParties!â gives us a further look into his artistic vision that has on the edge of our seats from start to finish.
Feyer share about the video:
âIâm very excited to release the new music video for âParties!â This video was one of the bigger productions Iâve done, and unlike previous music videos, I decided to get a bunch of friends involved. The video was directed by my college friend Bettina Campomanes (who also performs as a musician under the name Valiant Vermin). Since we were shooting on a Saturday night, we came up with the idea of throwing an actual party for this music video. With confetti and balloons! The song itself touches on the feelings of social anxiety and isolation that can come with going to a party, which is why I put on a mask in the video; sometimes at big social gatherings, I feel that Iâm at my most confident if Iâm hiding my face. Notice how the masked character starts off just looking around at other people having a good time, but then gradually becomes the center of attention at the party. Iâm hoping that others will relate to that feeling of being alone in a crowd, yet simultaneously trying to have a good time. The shoot itself wound up getting quite chaotic because we had a four-hour time limit in the space, and real alcohol was in those cups, but it makes for a good puke-filled story.â - New Noise Magazine
Feyer is a refreshing artist whose hard work, dedication and talent send him into great heights of success. - BuzzMusic
Discography
My Disconnection (feat. Siege Spitfire) - (released October 23, 2020)
Cauterize (with Evan Crommett) - Single (released April 17, 2020)
Parties! - Single (released May 31, 2019)
Stuck in a Video Game - Single (released November 30, 2018)
Signals Internalized (released February 10, 2017)
Taking a Turn for the Worse - Single (released November 7, 2016)
I Just Don't Know - Single (released October 3, 2016)
Photos
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Bio
Andrew Feyer, known by most as just the last name and solo moniker Feyer (pronounced FAY-er), is a singer, songwriter, composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist with diverse musical experience spanning many genres and styles. Feyer constructs his unique sound by combining personal, yet theatrical lyrics, with a classically influenced melodic and instrumental style, coupled with electronic-rock production. Key components of Feyer's style are the fusion of retro and futuristic sounds and the incorporation of visual elements into the mix, drawing great influence from nostalgic cartoons, movies, video games, and animation loops.
Born in New York City and raised in the surrounding suburbs, Feyer began piano lessons and composing instrumental pieces at a young age. Several years after the initial lessons, Feyer had taken up drums and was singing, playing guitar, and writing songs. During his time as a student, Feyer became an instrumentalist in various rock bands, performing frequently at talent shows and band showcases. Simultaneously, he began recording and producing in his bedroom, beginning to shape his own style.
Feyer relocated upstate and attended Bard College for music composition and production. He also studied orchestration, vocal and instrumental performance, multimedia scoring, and musical acoustics/engineering. He studied with many composers and professional musicians and performed as a choir vocalist at international venues under the direction of renowned musical directors. In his final years at college, Feyer solidified his interests and skills in songwriting and production and graduated with a fully produced album ready for release.
In early 2017, Feyer released his debut album, Signals Internalized. The music was described as energetic, exciting, thought-provoking and risk-taking by a number of online publications such as Music Connection, Impose and Pure Grain Audio. Spawned from the album are several music videos, in collaboration with numerous emerging filmmakers, visual artists, and animators. Now based back in NYC, Feyer has showcased this music at many of the city's well-known venues such as Mercury Lounge, Bowery Electric, Knitting Factory, and Arlene's Grocery.
When he is not working on his own music, Feyer can be found involving himself with other projects with a number of different artists and bands all across the music world. These include recording, producing, and remixing other artists, co-writing with other songwriters and producers, and running the audio production company Accretion Sound, which offers services in composing and sound designing for films, shows, video games, commercials, and audiobooks. He also remixes other artists under the name Draniods.
Feyer's new singles, "Stuck in a Video Game" and "Parties!" are now out on all platforms, in partnership with Kobalt's AWAL. Check them out and stay tuned for more exciting Feyer news to come!
Band Members
Links