ANDREW WALKER
FLOATING SHIFT
HEISE HILL RECORDS
SOCAN  

"The hardest thing about this record wasn't finding the funding or recording it, but giving it a name," says ANDREW WALKER about his first SOLO CD, FLOATING SHIFT.  "I didn't want to name it at all, it seemed more like a 'best of' ...”


Given all the styles on this record, FLOATING SHIFT is an excellent name for a collection of songs blending rock, pop, folk, and alt-country elements.  This marks ANDREW WALKER's evolution from former "rock-it-out" lead man for the acclaimed punk-alt-roots band, THE MUMMBLEDUCKS, to brave his audience as an insightful solo singer-songwriter.

The album was truthfully more of a process than a project, taking a couple of years to complete.  It showcases an interesting array of musicians, not the least musically (and personally) interesting character was American Rock Legend, songwriter, and bass player, TIM DRUMMOND.  Loyal followers of Bob Dylan and Neil Young will recognize his name and signature bass style.  Canadian musicians on the album include guitarist COLIN CRIPPS (JunkHouse, Jim Cuddy Band), drummer GAVIN BROWN (Big Sugar), and pedal steel guitarist KIM DESCHAMPS (Cowboy Junkies, Blue Rodeo, Barenaked Ladies, Charlie Robison).

FLOATING SHIFT started when one song, OLD 81, caught the ear of FRAZIER MOHAWK, expatriate American, founder of the Buffalo Springfield, now owner of Puck’s Farm Studio in Ontario.  This song naturally lead to another, and soon Andrew was working with Toronto recording engineer and producer JEFF MCMURRICH (Danko Jones).  "It's been a real treat working with Jeff," says Andrew, "He has helped me out immeasurably with my whole studio approach.  In many ways he helped these recordings reflect the type of artist I am".  OLD 81, a haunting folk song of trains and regret and days gone past in small town Ontario, is compared to the ballads of Gordon Lightfoot.

A truly engaging mix of eclectic Americana styles has made it onto FLOATING SHIFT.  From the Byrds-ian, radio-friendly vibe of CHARITY to the beat prosody of THE FENCE and STILL COMING ON.  From the soulful alt-twang of ADJALA through to the North American folk traditions of SLOW TURN AROUND and LAND OF NO GOODBYES.  In piano driven, SEVEN YEARS, Andrew shows his metal in writing personal songs of experience, mixing words to paint remarkable images, yet always remaining accessible to the listener.

Learning at a young age to brave risky, solo performances before rowdy crowds, many of Andrew’s teenage years were spent on a freestyle bike ... or more appropriately above, beside, under or tangled up inside, said bike.  Andrew enjoyed touring the Eastern US and Ontario on a BMX SPONSORSHIP before a temporary illness rendered him bedridden during his last year of high school. 

As with all things that balance out, this time spent indoors was filled by new passions, learning to play the guitar and devouring all the American roots music he could.  Shortly afterwards, Andrew traveled across the United States and Canada, -- Floating and Shifting -- from here to there -- almost in a subconscious pilgrimage to all those North American songsters that wrote and traveled and played and came before.

Years of cutting and spitting out teeth, learning the skills of songwriting and playing with his band THE MUMMBLEDUCKS graduated Andrew into a solo career.  He was looking for the independence and artistic license to experiment with words, imagery, and a quieter sound to bring out his newly developing and unique vocal performance style.
 
Andrew’s new writing captures the bittersweet loss of innocence and youth and the spoils of heartache.  He recounts the pride of men and honest work.  He reveals an introspective mind stirred and inspired by a personal appreciation of North American landscapes and histories.  Andrew’s literary style is multi-layered, often requiring the listener to go deep beyond the melody.  Like a good short story, his meanings are apparent, yet more is revealed with each careful re-examination.  His strong, subtle vocal style and plaintive beauty of expression simply entrances.

There is a timeless appeal about this record; listen and you will fall in love.  FLOATING SHIFT is a striking collection of powerful songs and haunting performances from one of Canada's fast emerging singer-songwriters, ANDREW WALKER.