Andrew Huston Drops “Like Halloween” Ahead of New Album SWAY

Masks, Magic, and Internal Storms: An Interview with Andrew Huston

Two years after trading the familiar rhythms of Philadelphia for the SoCal vibe city of Long Beach, singer-songwriter Andrew Huston is leaning into the unknowns of new beginnings. His forthcoming album, SWAY (out November 13th), explores the strange isolation that can linger beneath bright California skies, anchored by a two-man studio collaboration with producer Stephen Cunningham. With his new single “Like Halloween” dropping today (Happy Halloween!) and an album release show at Vine set for November 15th, Huston sat down with us to discuss stepping back behind the drum kit, finding clarity in contrasting climates, and weathering life’s internal storms.

RRN: Thanks for taking the time to chat with us about your new single and album release.

First of all, dropping ‘Like Halloween’ on Halloween itself is a very intentional move and we love it. What made you a big Halloween enthusiast, and how did the imagery or spirit of the holiday shape this specific track? Is it fair to say that Halloween spookiness feeds into your songwriting and production choices?

• While I am a huge fan of everything spooky, it’s the inviting spirit of Halloween that inspired this track. I work with children, and am consistently reminded that through play, we are free to drop our masks of mundanity and be who we really want to be. While paying homage to my favorite holiday, I hope this song gives listeners a nudge to squash their egos and enjoy some child-like delight this Halloweekend- and on any regular old day.

Finding a New Creative Rhythm

RRN: Moving 3,000 miles across the country can be challenging and mind altering, yet you’ve seamlessly integrated into the Long Beach scene. How did the transition from Philadelphia’s music scene to SoCal  impact your songwriting, and did California change the way you write melodies or approach song structures?

• Uprooting from Philly was an invitation to all kinds of newness in my life, including in my music. The creative energy in California is completely different, and it’s been important to me to let my own artistry simmer while taking my time to soak it all in as a transplant.  It’s really cool to hear the SoCal influence come through with this album that emerged unrushed amidst so much personal growth and change. Simultaneously, Philly is a permanent part of who I am and I think that will always come through in my sound. I am grateful to be planting seeds here in the Long Beach scene, surrounded by incredible artists and venues I would be thrilled to play. 

Studio Dynamics & Back on the Drums

RRN: You and producer Stephen Cunningham built SWAY from the ground up at Dream Machine Studio as a true two-person effort, including you stepping back behind the drum kit, your original instrument. How did returning to the drums shape the rhythmic foundation and tight, cohesive feel of this record compared to your past releases?

• Partnering with Stephen graced this album with his clever ingenuity woven between the rock and roll rhythms that come naturally to me. The open flowiness of this record as a whole allowed me to play with rhythms I haven’t in past projects, such as utilizing bossa nova beats on the title track. Drums were my starting point in recording the album, which I learned through Stephen isn’t conventional – but drums are home to me and made sense to lay the heartbeat of each track first. 

Contrast, Isolation, and Relocation

RRN: The lead single ‘California Rain’ and tracks like ‘Never Want To’ explore themes of isolation and relationship shifts set against the backdrop of beautiful, sunny weather. Can you talk about that tension between a sun-drenched coastal environment and internal storminess? How does that contrast feed into the emotional arc of your album?”

• Inner turmoil in spite of endless stretches of sunny days in the city of dreams was not the plan in moving to SoCal. However, it was the tension I needed to embody to propel me through endings and beginnings that I have immense gratitude for now. And it turns out Long Beach does get our share of moody, rainy days! 

‘Minnesota Snow’ as an Outlier

RRN: In ‘Minnesota Snow,’ you sing, ‘Sometimes you need 20 degrees to help you feel some clarity.’ Why did taking a step back into a completely freezing, contrasting environment prove to be such a vital perspective check for evaluating your new surroundings in California?

• A step back and a contrasting environment tend to be good ways for me to gain perspective. Minnesota is a place I’d always wanted to go, and the path that led me there, to visit my partner’s mom’s farmhouse buried in snow, was worth every twist and turn life took to bring me there. 

Sway’ and Moving Forward

RRN: The title track acts as a mission statement for this chapter with the line, ‘Life will blow you away but I’m here to stay.’ As you get ready to celebrate the release with your show at Vine on November 15th, what does finding ‘peace in the chaos’ mean to you personally at this point in your career?

• At this point in my life, ‘peace in the chaos’ means staying grounded in my rhythms, values, and choices- no matter the weather.  

Favorite Things

RRN: Lastly, where’s your favorite hang in the LBC when you need to recharge or clear your head?

• You can’t beat an afternoon spent fishing near the Queen Mary followed by asada tacos with spicy chiltepin salsa at Sonoratown!

Connect With the Music

Bandcamp | Spotify | YouTube | Instagram