Andy the Doorbum

Andy the Doorbum is a musician and visual/performance artist. He's been writing and recording his own music since he was 9 years old, first on boomboxes with his stuffed animal band, then on four-track cassette recorders, and eventually on digital consoles. The "Andy the Doorbum" name arose when he started working the door at the punk rock dive bar The Milestone Club (est. 1969) in Charlotte, North Carolina when patrons gave him the nickname due to his unkempt appearance and 7 day-a-week work schedule at the legendary venue. When it came time for him to release the album he had been recording in the door booth (3' x 4') while taking admission and giving out wristbands, the name stuck. He spent his formative years coming into his own as an artist and musician in the Charlotte area underground. He has been a recording and touring artist under this moniker since 2005, having released numerous full length albums, EPs, and split releases with other artists, as well as contributing to various music compilations and independent film soundtracks/scores. His live shows have ranged from stripped down solo acoustic sets to full band ensembles, primarily in the earlier days of his work. More often now when attending one of his live events, viewers will experience a unique visual/theatrical performance set to music featuring live vocals, lighting elements, and costumes and body movement to create an outer version of the inner world of Andy the Doorbum's art and music that allows for an environment in which the audience can immerse themselves in an effort to feel and see the ideas and moods being portrayed by the music and lyrics being recited. The image and effect have been described as "haunting," "somber," "surreal," "uplifting," and "sometimes moving to the point of being unsettling." He has also had his artwork and costumes featured in the short film Bring Water and contributed to several gallery exhibitions featuring his original drawings and visual art pieces.