Toledo’s vibrant music scene delivers a compelling artist in solo bluesman Andrew Michael Ellis. His down-to-earth, one man show blends folk, delta blues, blues rock, and metal in a raucous, lively blend of traditional sounds and distorted guitar while his powerful voice delivers raw and gritty blues vocals. Currently preparing to tour Europe, we caught up with him to get the low down.
Origins and Inspiration
“I've been playing music ‘professionally’ for over twenty years,” said Ellis. His influences blend bluesy elements with a punk DIY sensibility. “I started playing punk rock in high school. Then, I got my first paying gig as a harmonica player in a blues band,” Ellis recalls.
When asked about his influences, Ellis responded, “The human condition. Our flaws are what make us. When selecting a teacup, the Japanese look for one with an imperfection because that's where the soul lives.”
Toledo Proud
Living in Toledo is also an important part of Ellis’ musical identity. “I think there is an underlying toughness in Toledo. Even when singing love songs, I present a ‘don't fuck with me’ attitude.” Ellis continues, “we have a lot of talent here, and a lot of support from the community.” The Toledo music scene has deep personal significance for Ellis, he added, “I met my wife at The Village Idiot.”
One Man Show
Ellis hasn’t always performed solo, he added, “I've played in bands for years, but needed a change.” HIs penchant for frequent performances made it difficult for his musical collaborators to keep up. Ellis recalled, “It was hard for the other musicians that I was playing with to keep up with my gig schedule.” He currently plays over 240 gigs a year in “10/11 states, and now Europe.” Ellis concluded, “so I learned how to play drums with my feet and it's taken off.”
Going International
Ellis will be all over Europe this Summer. “Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Germany, and France,” said Ellis. This is the first time his touring has expanded to an international level. Ellis remarked, “I've never been to Europe before!”, adding, “thank you to Rootstown Music for making this happen.” Ellis is excited to represent Toledo on a global level. “I was raised on Toledo music, and proud that I get to travel the world representing our little corner of the Earth,” Ellis concluded.
The Vibe
Ellis describes his performances as ranging from “an intimate acoustic vibe to a sweaty, distorted rock show. I try to be versatile.” The performance varies depending on the setting. “It depends on my mood and the venue,” he explained.
Future plans include continued touring and releasing recordings. “(I am) working on a new album, right now,” said Ellis, “hopefully, I can have the last few tracks done by fall. I'll probably do a Southern tour this fall as well. Mississippi is like our second home.”
After returning from his journey in Europe on August 2,
Ellis will return to play his local residencies at Swig
(219 Louisiana Ave., Perrysburg) on Tuesdays and the Village Idiot (309 Conant St., Maumee)
on Wednesdays. You can also check out his other gigs via his Facebook page.
Click here to check out more from Andrew Michael Ellis.
