I am very fortunate to get to work with some amazingly talented artists. Andrew Roachford (Cuddly Toy, Family Man) is no exception. Here Andrew tells us how he uses vocal training to help him in his career.
How long have you been singing for?
AR: I have ben singing since I was around 8 years old
What do you use your singing voice for?
AR: I use my singing voice for my career (touring and recording)
Why do you take voice lessons?
AR: I started taking vocal lessons mainly to help me sustain my voice through my demanding touring schedule, and I wanted o slightly improve my range without have to push my voice too hard
How has having voice lessons helped your performance and/or your career?
AR: since having vocal lessons I have been able to do more shows in succession
Do you have a favourite vocal exercise?
AR: I like starting with very short sounds but I don’t have a favourite exercise
Worst singing/performance moment.
AR: There are too many to mention 🙂
Biggest singing gig
AR: I think one of the most memorable singing moment in my career was singing for the Dalai Lama in Germany a few years ago..surreal!
Favourite singing/performance moment.
AR: getting on stage to sing backing vocals on ‘superstition’ with Terence Trent D’arby. And of course, Stevie Wonder was on lead vocals!
Singers who inspire you.
AR: too many to mention, but at the moment I’m listening to a lot of Sam Cooke and Bobby Womack
Top tip for anyone considering singing as a career?
AR: Make sure you understand the distinction between ‘hobby and ‘career’
Next gig? (put in al details if you like, I will add a link to your website)
Just finished a tour. More coming up click HERE for gigs. You can let me know if you want me to come to you! Click HERE to have your say.
Check out the new video from Andrew’s latest album “Addicted”
Andrew’s Biography
Ever since bulldozing his way onto the scene with unforgettable tracks like ‘Cuddly Toy’ and ‘Family Man’ in the late 80s, Andrew Roachford’s maverick take on music has spread far and wide. As the first artist to sign a staggering seven-album deal with Columbia Records, it heralded the beginning of something big. “Getting signed and being a black British artist gave me a sense of pride” enthuses Andrew.
Like any artist worth their salt, Andrew Roachford’s music is the result of many things. Raised in south London to West Indian parents, as a child of the 70s and 80s, it’s no wonder that his music sounds the way it does. Influenced by everyone from Curtis Mayfield and Al Green to The Roots, D’Angelo and Jill Scott, Andrew’s formative years were also spent listening to Radio One, reggae and jazz. Pinpointing the beginning of his musical career as a child he vividly remembers being mysteriously drawn from his bed to play the piano in his living room. “There was always a piano in the house and I just got up and started playing even though I’d never played before. There was something quite surreal and magical about it.” Looking at Andrew Roachford’s family history, though, it shouldn’t come as any surprise.
Born into a musical dynasty, his uncle Bill Roachford was a virtuoso saxophonist. The musical ball really started to roll, however, when
Andrew hit the road with his uncle. Playing gigs on the jazz circuit in those days, gave him a good grounding for things to come. “I got lucky enough to start gigging when I was about 14. I was in the middle of that whole jazz scene which was an interesting education. It taught me musically, how to listen and how to entertain. My uncle always told me that you had to give people a show.”
Andrew was Columbia’s biggest selling domestic act for over ten years. As if any more proof were needed, the fact that Andrew Roachford has been approached by such luminaries as Michael Jackson and Chaka Khan to write songs, speaks volumes.
In June 2005 Andrew released the album ‘Word of Mouth’ after having toured the UK, Europe and Australia spreading the word.
He is now back in the studio working on his new album ‘ADDICTIVE’ which will be released later this year.
Website: roachford.co.uk