Andy Frasco & The U.N.

1977 Maybank Hwy.,Charleston Pour House SC 29412

30 December, 2021

Description

Andy Frasco & The U.N. THE CHARLESTON POUR HOUSE ALL AGES Andy Frasco & the U.N. Yam Yam, Paul McDonald Rock & Roll Andy Frasco & The U.N.w/ Yam Yam & Paul McDonaldThursday, December 30th Main Stage / General Admission 8pm Doors / 8:30pm Show Tickets - $25 Advance / $30 Day of Show Andy Frasco“We’re going through a mental health crisis right now,” says Andy Frasco. “Loneliness, depression, suicide, it’s all on the rise. When you’re struggling in the moment, it can feel like you’re the only one, but that’s just not the truth. I wanted to make a record to remind you that you’re not alone.” It makes sense, then, that Frasco’s rousing new LP, ‘Keep On Keepin’ On,’ lands somewhere between an emotionally raw therapy session and a rowdy house party. Produced in part by Widespread Panic’s Dave Schools and in part by former Awolnation keyboardist Kenny Carkeet, the collection finds Frasco digging deeper than he’s ever dug before, fusing ecstatic rock and soul with infectious pop and funk as he grapples with the kind of demons he’s spent the better part of his adult life running from. The songs here are blunt in their honesty and unsparing in their self-examination, but they remain, at their core, works of great hope and promise. They’re the work of a man who’s been through the darkest part of the night and, now that dawn is finally breaking, is ready to share his story. “Making this record helped me accept that I needed therapy in my life,” Frasco explains. “I always used to think I was too proud or too strong to have a therapist, but I realized that was all bullshit. I’m not always the fun, wild guy people see onstage, and it felt like time to talk about who I really am.” Born and raised in California, Frasco’s first exposure to the music industry came not onstage, but rather in an office. As a young teenager, he worked with legendary indie label Drive-Thru Records and helped book bands like Hellogoodbye, and by the time he turned 18, he’d already moved to New York City for a gig with Atlantic Records. When the job fell through, though, Frasco made a leap of faith and decided to launch his own career as an artist, taking everything he’d learned working with other bands and applying it to himself. “I figured I could teach myself an instrument, book my own tours, and try to write some songs that’d help make the world go round,” he says. “I bought a van with my bar mitzvah money, called about 3,000 venues, and managed to book myself 200 shows in that first year alone.” Initially, Frasco hired local pickup musicians off of Craigslist to back him for gigs, but soon he put together a steady(ish) lineup, and Andy Frasco & The U.N. began taking the world by storm. Since its inception, the group would release a series of acclaimed records, share bills with the likes of Leon Russell, Galactic, Gary Clark, Jr., The Revivalists, and Marcus King among others, and slay festival stages everywhere from Mountain Jam in the U.S. to Rock am Ring in Germany and COTAI Jazz & Blues in China (this summer, Frasco will appear at both Bonnaroo and FloydFest). NME hailed the constantly evolving group as “party-starting touring stalwarts,” while Relix praised their “raucous energy,” and Clash lauded their live show as a “nightly high-octane experience that doubles as a celebration of life and music…energized by a powerfully entertaining multi-cultural soundtrack that will shake the foundations of all nearby structures.” Every party has to end sometime, though, and while it seemed Frasco was living out his rock and roll dreams on tour, he was facing an internal darkness few knew about. “I hit a breaking point,” he explains. “Last year, I was sitting alone in my van, and I realized that I didn’t know who my friends were. Worse, I didn’t know who I was. I was drinking too much, I was addicted to cocaine, and I was dealing with really heavy depression. I even contemplated suicide, but I decided that if I’m fortunate enough to leave behind a legacy, I didn’t want to be remembered just as some good-time party guy. I wanted to show people that I’m more than the crowd-surfing, Jameson-drinking maniac they see onstage.” So, for the first time in his life, Frasco began writing poetry. The idea was that the poems would eventually become songs, but Frasco decided to start just the words to ensure that his message of survival and resilience remained at the heart of everything he did. He wrote about despair and anxiety, about friendship and growth, about accountability and potential. Whenever he could scrape together a few days off from tour, he’d fly home to LA to work with Carkeet or head to Richmond to collaborate with Schools on transforming the poems into defiant rock and roll anthems. Over the course of a single 100-night stretch, Andy Frasco & the U.N. played 81 shows and managed to record the entire album with the remaining 19 days. “What can I say?” Frasco laughs. “I like to work.” The joy Frasco takes in his work is obvious from the very start of ‘Keep On Keepin’ On,’ which roars out of the gate with the thrilling title track. Inspired in part by the story of comedian Gary Gulman (Frasco recently scored ‘The Great Depresh,’ an HBO documentary exploring the comic’s struggles with depression that was produced by Judd Apatow and directed by Mike Bonfiglio), the song is equal parts self-help and sing-along, and like much of the record to come, it celebrates perseverance in the face of pain. The soulful “I’ve Got A Long Way To Go” reflects on the strength it takes to acknowledge your problems, while the driving “Good Man” examines how hard (and how rewarding) it is to become a better version of yourself, and the soaring “Animals” reaches out in solidarity to anyone who needs an a hand in the depths of their depression. “I host a podcast where I talk to musicians and comedians and actors about life on the road,” says Frasco, who’s interviewed everyone from Portugal. The Man to Todd Barry on his show. “Those conversations have been so eye opening, and they helped me realize that I wasn’t alone in what I was dealing with. I wanted to find a way to offer that same comfort to people with my music.” While there are no shortcuts on the road to fulfillment, Frasco did find some pearls of wisdom on his journey that he was eager to share. “Happiness is living in the moment,” he proclaims on the epic “Shine,” introducing a mantra that could easily double as a thesis statement for the record as a whole. The funky “None Of Those Things” affirms that material wealth can never compare to the riches that come from being present in the moment, while the slinky “Getaway” declares that the only thing standing between us and our potential is ourselves, and the tender “Feel It In Our Bones” promises that, at the end of the day, “you are never alone.” “I wanted to approach suffering with optimism on this record,” reflects Frasco. “I’m not the kind of guy to sit there and drown in my sorrows; I’m the kind of guy who wants to get out and fight for my happiness. Change is possible if you’re willing to do the work. You’ve got just got to keep on keepin’ on.” Yam YamYAM YAM formed in late 2015, coming together from playing in an assortment of local bands in central PA.  The band is inspired by 1970s soul music, New Orleans roots of jazz music, and modern/vintage funk and jam music. YAM YAM features raw instruments and captures a high-energetic sound. YAM YAM is Mike Dempsey on keys, Jason Mescia on saxophone, Xander Moppin on bass, Tom Fuller on guitar, and Tyler Fuller on drums. The band released its debut, self-titled album in late 2018 and upon its release, it charted on Billboard Jazz Albums section at No. 17. The band has opened for Lotus, Dopapod, and Keller Williams among others and has been featured in NepaScene, LiveForLiveMusic, TheBurg, and Burg in Focus. The band is currently finishing up its second album, preparing for a release in 2020/2021. Paul McDonaldPaul McDonald’s voice is immediately recognizable and impossible to ignore. Often compared to legends like Mic Jagger and Bob Dylan, the poetic story-driven narratives and deeply catchy hooks in his music are delivered by a raspy yet refined voice reminiscent of another era yet that demands to be heard right now. He pulls off the rare feat of being a poet, visual artist, songwriter, adamant performer, and a powerful vocalist. Raised on southern rock, roots, country, and gospel music intertwined with the late 60's & 70's Laurel Canyon scene, he started writing songs by the age of 15 and by his early 20's he was touring and making records full time. All good things have to come to an end, and after years of fronting various rock and alt-country bands including The Grand Magnolias, Hightide Blues, and a duo with actress and ex-wife Nikki Reed, Paul was on the search to find something deeper…his own voice. He released his solo debut "Modern Hearts" in 2018, which introduced a more alt-pop approach and brought him widespread exposure through tours across the U.S. a record deal with Vacancy Records in the U.K , and placements in major motion pictures, commercials, with cuts on other major artist records. He has made television appearances on Good Morning America, The Today Show, NBC’s Parenthood, and The Tonight Show and his various bands have appeared in publications including Rolling Stone, Billboard, Yahoo, and American Songwriter. The ‘Modern Hearts’ album is a result of years of personal experiences, good and bad. “I was on rocket ship when I was out in LA, going 1000 miles per hour and spiraling out control. There was no way I could keep it up. I had to crash.” This record is Paul hitting rock bottom and then landing back on his two feet in Nashville. Getting back to basics… After working with a wide range of musicians and producers and finally arriving upon a sound that felt like home. This may be a ‘break up’ album, but it’s more about rebirth and bursts with serious hooks and anthems; desperation is tempered with introspection and, ultimately, redemption. “Darkness is a beautiful gift. It introduced me to new layers of myself and gave me a brand new perspective, but I'm happy to be out of the dark. I feel like I’m right where I’m supposed to be.” Born in Opelika, AL and currently living in East Nashville, TN, Paul’s hope is to spread peace, love, and unity through his music. He's a creative force that won’t stop until everyone not only has heard his message but is a true believer in it. He’s currently writing songs for his next album and is planning on getting back in the studio in 2022. Show is all ages. Attendees under 18 must be accompanied by a parent. If you are under 21 you are subject to a $5 surcharge. The surcharge must be paid in cash at the door on the day of the event. Andy Frasco & the U.N. Yam Yam, Paul McDonald Charleston’s home for live music. 2 stages. National touring acts + free music daily on the outdoor deck stage. Yoga + Farmers Market + Motown Throwdown on Sundays. Night Markets and more!