Andrew Cushin, 20, is drawing attention and capturing hearts with his heartfelt songs penned from his experience of growing up in inner city Newcastle.Tracks like ‘Waiting For The Rain’, ‘Where’s My Family Gone’, and ‘4.5%’ are filled with emotion,meaning and purpose, sending shivers through audiences leaving them wanting more.This kid from Newcastle has a vulnerability overlaid with a street look – but a tone of voice that fills the room and has him compared to music great, Paul Weller.
Andrew will be joining us on Awayday Radio on our spotlight show on Wednesday 15th July. Make sure you tune in! For now Andrew had a quick chat with us. Here’s what he had to say….
Hi Andrew and thanks for joining us. Tell us how you became such an avid Newcastle fan?
It’s the norm in Newcastle to support the Toon, it’s the biggest thing that’s going on every weekend. It’s hard work though, i mean I’m only 20 and I’ve already felt heartbreak … dread to think what the older lot have went through!
Your certainly into the casual clobber. What’s your favorite label?
Ah I’m bang into the stone island bits … obviously a big fan of Adidas as well but stone island, CP etc that’s my go-to outing wear.
Your first love was playing football. How did you first get into writing music/songs?
I started writing a few daft poems when I was about 15 (one of which became Waiting For The Rain) when I started playing the guitar at 16 I was very good at making up chord structures or putting lyrics to chords so I’d always go back to the poetry. It’s definitely helped for what I’m doing now.
How do you write? Music or lyrics first?
I can just pick up the guitar and write whatever comes to me now, I still have a lot of poems backed up so that if I’m ever struggling for lyrics I know they can bail me out.
Here at Awayday Radio we absolutely love your new single “”Waiting for the Rain”. Where did the inspiration for the song come from?
It was a poem I had written when I was 15 about an argument in my house. I left the house to meet one of my good mates, we smoked a joint and on the way back I wrote the lyrics for Waiting For The Rain on my phone.
You have a big fan in Noel Gallagher. How did that come about?
My manager knew Noel from a few years back so once I signed with my manager he sent Noel a few acoustic performances of my original songs. To everyone’s astonishment, Noel replied and to be fair has been an absolute god send for what I’m hoping to be a long career.
Back to the football. What’s your opinion on your current owner and manager?
Owner, don’t even go there. Steve Bruce is sound though! I don’t mind him to be honest… I mean howay the biggest thing for Newcastle these days under Ashley is just “avoid relegation” and Brucey has done that. He’s also the spit an image of my uncle who just doesn’t see the resemblance at all haha!
Do you think the long awaited take over will happen soon?
No, it’s been one piss up after another …
With the current season coming to a close soon, how do you see next season panning out?
Without a takeover, we are again going to struggle ASM has been unbelievable so no doubt he will be sold … just same old Ashley unfortunately. I predict without a takeover we will finish 16th and with I reckon 8th … a takeover would make Newcastle.
You have a magnificent Stadium in the St. Jame’s Park. What’s the best stadium you have visited?
Sam Smiths Park – Newcastle Benfield haha (local team)
What’s the future hold for Andrew Cushin?
Hopefully just a good laugh. I could be back at work this time next year so I’m just enjoying every second of it.
Finally tell us something about yourself not many people know?
That’s a hard one as after a few drinks I have absolutely no filter … unfortunately I’m sober doing this interview so a boring one will have to do … I have 3 pugs haha
Thanks for joining us Andrew and we look forward to speaking to you again on Wednesday.
ay.
