Since releasing his debut EP
‘You Don’t Belong’,
Andrew Cushin has played shows with
Noel Gallagher and
Paul Weller, performed at
Newcastle’s St. James’ Park during the rugby
Super League’s Magic Weekend, and smashed songs and hit volleys as a guest on
Soccer AM. Now the 22-year-old shares the new double A-side single
‘You’ll Be Free’ and
‘Dream For A Moment’, which he’ll tonight follow by closing his
UK headline tour with a sold-out homecoming show at
Newcastle’s 1600-capacity
NX. Listen
HERE.The two songs are linked by their themes. ‘You’ll Be Free’ talks of the scars from childhood that still haunt you years later. The only way to escape being “sick of going over the past until the sky turns black” is to vow to somehow confront those demons to allow your future to be unencumbered by incidents that you can’t change. ‘Dream For A Moment’ then finds Andrew looking at what he has achieved so far and hoping he can inspire others to overcome their challenges, singing, “I want to see your dream for your wish come true.”
Both tracks represent an evolution in Andrew’s style, both lyrically and musically. His previous fan favourites, ‘Where’s My Family Gone’ and ‘Waiting For The Rain’, have been heart-wrenching observations on personal experience, but the hope that shines throughout these new songs gives his music a far brighter resonance. They’re also richer in stature too, combining his early intimacy with the power of his full-band live shows and sumptuous strings: a blend he shaped at The Libertines’ Albion Room Studios with long-term Manic Street Preachers producer Dave Eringa.
Andrew says, “To work with a producer with the reputation of Dave Eringa on these two tracks was an important step in my career. Both tracks were recorded at the Albion Rooms in Margate. You’ll be free is a demo I’ve had for a few years now and Dave took it to the next level with a live string orchestra – the Vulcan String Quartet and his expertise in music production, but he has kept its rawness. Dream for a Moment is an uplifting tune, again with the Vulcan Quartet it was taken to another level. The production I believe on these two tracks is the best yet. Looking forward to hearing the reaction to these 2 tracks from my fans and singing them live for you at the NX on the 21st!”
Andrew Cushin was first discovered while playing as a goalkeeper in the youth team of his local non-league side Newcastle Benfield. His coach encouraged his other main passion as a songwriter, the first step towards releasing his self-released debut single ‘It’s Gonna Get Better’ in 2020. His third single, ‘Where’s My Family Gone’, featured production and guitar fromNoel Gallagher, while further iconic artist support followed when he signed to Pete Doherty’s Strap Originals label, and with support shows with Paul Weller. His own headline shows have grown in scale throughout, particularly in Newcastle where he plays a bigger venue each time, first selling out The Cluny, then the Boiler Shop and now NX.
