Breakout Philebrity: Andrew Lipke
Who He Is: Vaguely exotic Philly-based singer/songwriter; born in South Africa, with roots in the jam band Metagroove but more recently, won a Barrymore Award for excellence in theater with his project Franzschubert. His new album, Motherpearl & Dynamite, is just out on Mad Dragon and he begins a monthlong residency at The Fire tonight.
What He Does: Hyper-emotes, a la Rufus Wainwright or Radiohead in theory, but in reality, it’s more like Starsailor and the rest of an entire generation who hyper-emote a la Rufus Wainwright or Radiohead in theory, but in reality, it’s more like Starsailor. Also has fairly gorgeous hair. And nice vests.
Hated On For: Hyper-emoting, even in his press release:
“Having the means to explore and experiment with my ideas and take chances was so liberating”, states Lipke. Lipke inventively explores two of life’s most existential, persistent and complicated affairs: love and death. Lipke says, “Death in some way or another is the driving force behind everything I create. Not fear of Death, but reverence and respect for it. I believe in many ways that it’s our knowledge of our eventual and inevitable demise that inspires us to attempt great things. And of course love can be portrayed as the opposite side of the coin – the potential for a thousand new beginnings – although I must admit I’m much more fascinated by the end of relationships than the beginning.”
Loved By: Helen Leicht and all who sail in her. We kid, but Lipke has a nice fistful of what they call “commercial appeal,” it’s not hard to imagine hearing these tunes on The Hills and Lipke slowly becoming the next David Gray or James Blount or other singer/songwriter you start out kind of liking but gradually want to poke with a sharp stick.
Over/Under: Like we say, Lipke’s got The Goods, so there’s a good chance he could turn into the white, male Jill Scott. Or at the very least, the next Ben Arnold, and then some. We’re saying that ten years of Andrew Lipke is not inconceivable. But just how long he’s gonna drag the Thom Yorke thing out is. Hiyo!
Read about more Breakout Philebrities here.
