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![AoS: How are things going?
Andrew: Things are going great. [I’m] enjoying being back on the road and playing to new audiences every night.
AoS: Do you find that you approach Jack’s Mannequin, in terms of the writing process and live performance, in the same way that you did Something Corporate?
Andrew: The writing process is definitely similar. I've been writing songs since long before I played in a band so that has stayed fairly consistent. As far as the live show is concerned the material is more demanding to play so I spend more time at the piano during the show and a little less running around than I would during a Something Corporate show. We still try and deliver a really high-energy show every night and so far I've been blown away by the turnout and reaction of the Jack's show.
AoS: Why did you decide to make the first album a concept album?
Andrew: I figured if I were going to do a project away from my band I would need to make it special and approach it in a way that was like nothing I had done before. Being that Josh contributed a few songs on each of the SoCo records one thing I could not do on those albums was shape a cohesive story which was something I had always been interested [in]. It worked out perfectly as I really felt like with this album I wanted to tell a story.
AoS: Late last summer you beat your battle with leukemia, which I would like to congratulate you on. During your fight, your fans displayed an amazing amount of love and support towards you. How does it feel to know that you have such a loving and dedicated fan-base?
Andrew: It is an honor. I have always said that the SoCo and Jack's fans are some of the best I have ever encountered. I grew up a music fanatic, was always the first one in line at my favorite band’s shows and always tried to score an autograph. I know what it feels like to be that into a band, and seeing people connecting with my music that way is an unbelievable part of my reality. When I got sick I knew they would be concerned and follow the story closely but I never anticipated the kind of outreach that followed my diagnosis, nor did I expect them to be so organized and motivated as they proved to be raising tens of thousands of dollars for the charities I directed people to from my web site.
AoS: You’ll be opening up for O.A.R. until mid-August. What are you most looking forward to about the tour?
Andrew: Bringing Jack’s to a new audience will be the most rewarding part of my summer. I won't lie though, after spending last summer locked up in a hospital, the offer to play outside nearly every day was a huge part of my decision to take the tour.
AoS: “The Mixed Tape” is doing very well on the charts. Any idea what the next single will be?
Andrew: The next single is “Dark Blue”. It's one of my favorites on the record and we just shot an amazing video for it. I'm really looking forward to putting it out.
AoS: You seem to have a fascination with the sky, be it logos, lyrics, or even your tattoos. What is it about the sky that is so intriguing to you?](Andrew%20McMahon%20Interview_files/shapeimage_3.jpg)
![Andrew: For whatever reason, I have always spent my life staring up at the stars. I love how unknown it all is and for some reason I have always associated the sky with hope. It has constantly been a source of inspiration and wonder for me, and in turn, it has made many appearances is my creative efforts.
AoS: The rarely used theremin is credited on the track “Miss Delaney”. Where did the idea to add such an odd instrument to the album come from?
Andrew: We had gotten through the whole production on that track and the chorus just wasn't paying off for me. I knew it needed something and I had this melody in my head that I thought would really add to the hook in the chorus. We tried the melody with a few different sounds, but once we got to the theremin we knew it was right. It all seemed to make sense when all was said and done being that the track itself is one of the most Beach Boys inspired on the album
AoS: You’ve achieved quite a lot within the past year. What are your goals, both personal and professional, for the coming year?
Andrew: I am working on a lot of things both musical and otherwise right now. I'm really trying to reach into other creative areas that inspire me. I have been working with friends on a clothing line called River that will hopefully begin retailing within the next year. I am also working with a label as a scout for new talent as well as working on a documentary, a book, and as always, new music. I know it sounds like a lot but I'm getting organized and taking my time with all of it. The most important thing to me is to keep a balance of work and my personal life and for the first time I feel like I have accomplished such a balance. Also, in December I'll be married, which I am very excited about.
AoS: What’s your favorite lyric off of Everything In Transit?
Andrew: I'm very proud of the words on this record, but one of my favorites is definitely in “I'm Ready”. "My life has become a boring pop song and everyone's singing along."
AoS: What have you been listening to lately?
Andrew: Lots of new bands as I'm looking to sign some new bands, but other than that I've been listening to some Jeff Buckley, Jimi Hendrix, Bloc Party and whatever cuts off the new [Tom] Petty record I can get my hands on
AoS: What’s the first thing you do when you get back home from touring?
Andrew: There's a restaurant called Gina's I tend to hit for my first meal home. From there I usually just throw a record on and stare out my window to the Hollywood sign.
AoS: Anything else that you would like to tell your fans or anyone reading this?
Andrew: Thank you for listening. I love my job and nothing makes me happier than recording and performing music for people. I hope I can do it till the day I die.](Andrew%20McMahon%20Interview_files/shapeimage_4.jpg)
