Andy Germak

Biography

Love, loss, introspection, politics, observation and doubt- Andy Germak unleashes an uncompromising blend of emotion in every song he writes.

Germak (pronounced Gûr´mak as in Gertrude) grew passionate for songwriting and performance several years ago while studying psychology at the University of Michigan. He often filled local coffeehouses playing late-night sets of original music for college crowds.

In the fall of 1997, Germak moved to New York City to expand his audience. With a six-string and a remarkably powerful voice, he immediately started to gain momentum. Germak began showcasing his music at prestigious venues such as New York's The Living Room, Catch a Rising Star, and Fast Folk Café. In April 2001, Germak was selected to showcase at House of Blues in Cambridge, MA as part of the 2001 NEMO Music Conference. In February 2002, he appeared at The Bottom Line (NYC) as part of the 20th Anniversary Fast Folk Concert. Germak currently performs in New York City clubs, bars, and cafés as a solo act (guitar and vocals), or accompanied by Gideon Grossman (drums) and Arnold S. Gottlieb (bass).

In addition to performing, Germak is a regular participant at Jack Hardy's legendary Songwriters Exchange in Greenwich Village, where he writes one new song every week. Having grown up in six different states, lived in Italy, and traveled throughout the United States and Europe, Germak's writing has always been refreshingly inviting and representative of his unparalleled observations of the dynamic world in which we live. In fact, one of his newest songs, "Spoonfed," makes a strong statement about United States foreign policy in Afghanistan. "Spoonfed" is featured on Vigil (Conscious Music), a compilation album whose proceeds benefit the families of victims of the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center. Other artists on Vigil include Suzanne Vega, Jack Hardy, Bob Hillman, and Christine Lavin.

Germak independently released his first full-length album, Color Through the Smoke, in January 2000. Following Side Streets, the ambitious 1997 debut EP, the critically acclaimed Color Through the Smoke presents a thought provoking collection of meditations on an unpredictable world. Richard Skanse of Rolling Stone writes, "Tasteful strings and a first-rate melody set 'Fireworks Over Ithaca' apart from standard singer-songwriter fare."

Matt Fink of All Music Guide (AMG) remarks, "Germak has definite breakout potential." Similarly, Mick Skidmore of Relix writes, "Andy Germak is a writer whose songs and vocals have a sense of maturity and depth that belie his age."

Recently, a fan in New York City compared one of Germak's songs to a multi-textured abstract painting full of stunning imagery, color, and contrast. Indeed, with each composition, Germak's views on the complexity of human relationships and the passions of the mind and heart make for compelling listening and especially re-listening, through which one begins to realize his exceptional capacity for splashing bits of color onto some of life's most obscure canvases.

For more information on Andy, please visit his website at: www.AndyGermak.com

Comments on 'Spoonfed':

I wrote "Spoonfed" in October of 2001. It was actually the second song I wrote pertaining to the events of September 11th. The first song was a pure emotional reaction, necessary for me to express in order to find a unique angle on such complicated events.

Then, I started watching the news and reading papers. I was struck by the contradictions in United States foreign policy. Why did we drop food and bombs on the nation of Afghanistan at the same time? Did we really feel badly for the people on the ground? I don't think so.

The narrator in "Spoonfed" screams, "I didn't ask to be dependent... I didn't ask to be spoonfed." I think that these attitudes against dependency are much more prevalent in the world than we in America would like to believe.
- Andy Germak

Here Andy Germak takes the unexpected point of view of the Afghanistan people after Bush began dropping food packages on that nation, even as we were at war with them.
- Suzanne Vega

'Spoonfed'

[ mp3 sound clip ]

infant lines are forming
hands up to the sky
today it's raining bread and water
please don't cry

infant mouths are gaping
drooling with delight
tomorrow will bring cake and candy
please don't fight

i didn't ask to be dependent
i didn't ask to be a hungry baby
i didn't ask to be spoonfed

infant eyes are yearning
they have never seen
darkness turning
into sunlight so serene

i didn't ask to be dependent
i didn't ask to be a hungry baby
i didn't ask to be spoonfed

now they are maturing
faster than they think
soon they'll be full grown
enough to gather and conceive
constantly evolving
taking what they need
anything they need.

i didn't ask to be dependent
i didn't ask to be a hungry baby
i didn't ask to be spoonfed

i didn't ask to be dependent
i didn't ask to be a hungry baby
i didn't ask to be spoonfed