Get to know... Andrew Shumaker

I've seen Andrew Shumaker's name in musical circles for several years, but never got the chance to see him play until we shared a bill earlier this summer at Elderbrew in Bristol. A few friends saw that I was playing the show with him and they all said things like, "You're playing with Andrew? You'll like him — great guy," or "Andrew is a good one, Jared, personally and musically." The general consensus was that I'd enjoy it. And I did.I didn't get to talk to him as much as I'd like, one of the drawbacks of playing instead of listening, but I can say I was very impressed with him — personally and musically.Shumaker fronts his band, Tell Ripley, and also plays some solo shows throughout the area. His songs are smart and lyric-driven and the guitar work reminds me of late-nineties and early-2000s college radio, when songs were good and meaningful and the bands playing them were earnest and well-meaning. He has an easy-going nature about him and a quick handshake and smile and that demeanor cuts through in his stage work as well. It's easy to enjoy his stuff.I don't know how often he's playing this fall, but if you get a chance to see him, you should take it. You'll be glad you did. Take a few moments and get to know Andrew Shumaker.When did you decide music was going to be a big part of your life, and how did you first get involved?"My connection with music began slowly, but it became a major part of my life at a critical time. When I was a kid, my cousin Josh Shumaker played saxophone in Tennessee High's marching band. I remember how amazed and inspired I was to see him march with the Mighty Viking band for the first time — someone I knew and looked up to performing with such a large, coordinated group. I didn't start playing music until Josh started teaching me sax lessons while in from college.Once the Guitar Hero video games quickly introduced me to a wide array of rock music, I started adventuring through my parents' CD collection: Led Zeppelin, Guns N' Roses, and Metallica were my first favorites.My mom toured with her church choir before I was born, and though she purchased my dad a black Squire Strat for his college graduation present, I didn't notice it until my early teenaged years. I experienced two concussions in 8th grade and took my doctor's advice to sit out from playing sports my freshman year of high school. That same year, my dad took me to see Metallica. So an increase in free time, an exciting new love for rock music, an unforgettable first concert, and an available guitar were the perfect combined elements for music to become a big part of my life — I took my first guitar lesson, jammed with my friends, and started playing weekly with the worship band at my church. Playing with other musicians was an immediate draw to stay involved, as was interning a few summers with the Birthplace of Country Music team. My parents and grandparents were especially supportive of my music pursuits."Is your current project the first, or have you been involved in other things?"My current project Tell Ripley began in 2019 as my first solo project of sorts. Before that I played guitar and started co-writing for Tedrow, a bluesy rock band comprised of five Clemson engineering undergrads. Tedrow recorded one album in downtown Bristol with the legendary Mike Stephenson, and we played shows across upstate South Carolina for a few years before we graduated. Though Tedrow never broke up, we moved to five different states before 2020. By then, Tell Ripley became my main focus. I started Skype songwriting lessons with Mike Mains and played my first solo shows as Tell Ripley in 2019."What is it about music that makes you want to perform or be involved?My thoughts and feelings are regularly rooted in some kind of goal or purpose. It's thrilling to me when planning, rehearsals, recording and creative vision come together with my bandmates and creative community to put on a show that brings an audience joy. I never get tired of trying new ideas to improve or enhance a performance. I experience the drive to perform my best and the freedom to create in a dynamic, sometimes competing tandem. But at the end of the day, it's the people I share music with that I value most. I love sharing the stage."{p class="p4"}How would you describe your music/band/project?{p class="p4"}"I describe Tell Ripley as a Bristol-based indie rock band. I like bright, angular, sometimes warbling guitar sounds with story characters that often draw from personal experiences. I perform with a rotating cast of friends old and new, which now includes my sister Amy and my talented friends Austin and Ben."{p class="p4"}Is this something you see yourself doing as a career?{p class="p4"}"Yes. Though Tell Ripley isn't on LinkedIn, I consider it more than a hobby and a second career to my day job."{p class="p4"}What are your other interests? Do you have any surprise talents or hobbies?{p class="p4"}"I am most interested in attending concerts, especially in Asheville, as well as attending Nashville SC matches and Vols football games. I collect set lists and records, and I have the privilege of owning and playing gear from artists like Wilco, Switchfoot, and the War on Drugs. I also love comedy, Apple TV's Severance, passenger trains, geography, campfire conversations, analog collage, and my tuxedo cat Josie."{p class="p4"}Who are your influences/favorites (worldwide and local)?{p class="p4"}"My most significant influences are Mike Mains, Jon Foreman, Jeff Tweedy, Joe Pera, Fred Rodgers, Jessica Dobson, and the Beatles. My favorite artists include Alvvays, Deep Sea Diver, Dr. Dog, and Jack White. I'm also a huge fan of Charlie Maples, the Kindest People, and Pixel Vision."{p class="p4"}If you could tell people one thing they should know about you, what would it be?{p class="p4"}"People should know that I think they are worthwhile, and I feel hopeful that together we can see any season through."{p class="p4"}How can people contact you about booking and information?{p class="p4"}"For information on shows and upcoming releases, follow us @TellRipley on social media, or visit tellripley.com. For booking, I can be reached at tellripley@gmail.com."