Andy Frasco, the charismatic frontman of Andy Frasco & The U.N., is a force to be reckoned with. Known for his infectious energy and wicked sense of humour, Frasco has cultivated a loyal fanbase through his fun blues-rock sound, unpredictable live shows, and his long-running podcast, World Saving Podcast. Fresh off a string of sold-out gigs and the release of his recent singles “Try Not to Die” and “Crazy Things,” Frasco is gearing up to drop his 10th studio album, Growing Pains, on May 23. Produced for the first time by Frasco himself, the album delves deep into the highs and lows of life, mixing humour with raw emotion in a way only he can. Before he makes his way up to Toronto for a show at Adelaide Hall on March 5th, we caught up with Andy to chat about the making of Growing Pains, his creative journey, and what fans can expect from an Andy Frasco & The U.N live show.
JG: You’re about to release your 10th studio album, Growing Pains, which is a huge milestone! As someone who’s always evolving musically and emotionally, how would you describe the journey from your first album to this one?
Andy Frasco: We’re a band who takes the stairs. We never had an elevator. I didn’t even know an elevator existed. We had to do it the hard way, and I’m thankful for that because I don’t think I would have appreciated it if it was just given to me so quickly with all the success we’re getting now. I’m a student of Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan where you gotta you gotta do the fucking work for you to feel accomplished. And then, ten albums later, I finally feel like I deserve this.
JG: Definitely. You’ve put in your ten thousand hours, as they would say.
Andy Frasco: I mean, I feel like I’m starting my second ten thousand hours. I talked to a lot of musicians who are on their second ten thousand hours and that’s when the fine tuning begins. Because with the first ten thousand hours, you’re just trying to figure out how to master this thing. But with the second ten thousand hours, you have a good idea of what’s going on and you have to get better. You have to put the microscope on and just fine-tune it. That’s when you start mastering stuff.
JG: That makes sense. I read that you produced Growing Pains yourself. What did you learn about yourself during that process and in taking on that responsibility?
Andy Frasco: Patience. And just to keep going with an idea that you have in your head, even if it takes seven takes, a hundred takes, etc. You gotta keep going with it because, at the end of the day, there’s no rush in making art. That’s just something in your head. We gotta we gotta keep staying focused on it and keep digging at it until you get the right idea.
JG: Was there a particular moment in the recording process that you look back on and you’re especially proud of?
Andy Frasco: I normally rush everything and this is the first time I didn’t rush anything. I’m normally just like, oh, let’s just get it done. But I felt like I was just compromising so I could put out another thing because I’m always on the run. I’ve been doing 250 shows a year for the last fifteen years. I’ve always had that mindset of just getting it done. This is the first time I was like, no. Let’s not just get it done. Let’s make it right. And it helped me with life, you know. It helped me realize it’s not about how much you do in life, it’s about the quality.
JG: I wanted to ask you about “Try Not to Die.” I love that song and how real and honest it is. How did that song come together?
Andy Frasco: I was just hungover and strung out after a three-day bender of doing blow and everything else. And I kinda had this epiphany that the mornings are not fun. I wanted to realize that life isn’t about going as hard as you can and worrying about all the bills.
I realized I was doing this for the wrong reasons. It’s because I have to pay bills. I am stressed out because of salaries and all that stuff. And life should be a little more simple than that. Pay all your bills, stay off the pills, and just try not to die. Plus, we’re worrying about all this other shit that that gives us cancer? And, you know, stress gives us cancer. Life’s hard.
JG: That lyric “pay all your bills, stay off the pills, try not to die” is so relatable. Your Try Not To Die Tour is coming to Toronto at Adelaide Hall on March 5. For those who’ve never seen Andy Frasco & The U.N. play live, what should they expect?
Andy Frasco: A celebration. A chance to forget about all the other bullshit that life brings. For two hours, you’re with us. We’re gonna get out there. We’re gonna laugh. We’re gonna be there together.
JG: Sounds like it’ll be a great time. You’re also hosting the World Saving Podcast, where you’ve had incredible guests like Tony Hawk and Margaret Cho. How has podcasting changed you as a person and as an artist?
Andy Frasco: I think I listen now. Listening to the stories and life experiences that everyone has. I have to think the podcast really made me sit down and listen, and that was the most important thing in life in life that it taught me.
Get tickets to see Andy Frasco & The U.N. on their Try Not To Die Tour at Adelaide Hall on March 5th here.
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