Streetfest in Watson is always a huge musical treat for those in the area, and organizers have come up with another all-Saskatchewan party pairing that’s sure to make the evening a hit.
Brock Andrews is a familiar face in the Watson area. He’s performed in communities in the east central region, and with his spouse hailing from Englefeld, he’s certainly no stranger to this neck of the woods. Andrews takes the stage on Friday, June 20, along with the Barrelmen, in downtown Watson.
It’s been another busy summer for Andrews who has just returned to the prairies from shows in the Okanagan and Calgary. Spotty cell phone coverage was the biggest challenge on the junket, he laughed, but he admits his heart is in the flatlands. As far as the venue goes, Brock brings his best whether in an outdoor festival or on a local bar stage.
“They all have their benefits. If I’m on a bar stage in the winter, I prefer to be in the ‘songwriter world’ where you can tell stories and do the intimate and interactive thing. And if it’s summer of course, I’m all about the family friendly thing. So, I love to play shows where I can bring the family and incorporate it into amazing summer memories.”
That’s why street dances like Watson’s Streetfest and near and dear to Andrews. It’s about community and families coming together and celebrating under a hometown prairie sky. There’s chalk art and kids’ activities set up for Streetfest, so families will be welcomed.
Andrews is also equally at home with beautifully crafted ballads like “What I See” and hard stomping drivers like “Honky Tonk Night.” Every artist strives for that broad appeal, but for Brock, it’s about being honest and true to the music that’s inside him and what he wants his listeners to experience.
“We definitely try to make sure we have some scope to our recordings while still being honest and personal and talking about things we think relate to people. It's also about personal experiences from my side.”
Andrews acknowledges that many emerging artists will approach their catalog from the “radio game” side, striving intentionally for diversity in the catalog and straight-out marketability. Andrews has happily reached that state in his career where that’s no longer a driving force.
“At a certain point, you go ‘no.’ I’m going to be honest to me and honest to my music.”
The same goes for the live show, and in Andrew’s case he knows how to hit all the notes, from the soft shufflers to the up-tempo howlers. He’s of a mind that what is audience tested and approved for a live show is going to make for a good album entry.
There’s no doubt that Andrews approaches his songwriting material with both tenderness and also a generous dose of humour. He talks about his latest single, set for release soon, “Tinderella,” a tale of modern-day romance.
“Well, it’s about a dude who’s on his social apps and is having no luck. I had to bring in a songwriter from the family on this one because I didn’t have dating apps, and I’ve never been on one.”
Brock laughs about the experience of channelling someone else's experience into a vicarious tale of the lovelorn. Special guests on the recording include some members of Luke Combs’ band who sat in on the Nashville tracked session.
“We’re ‘over the moon’ excited to play the Watson Streetfest this year. They’re great organizers, and we weren’t able to be part of it last year, which was heartbreaking for us because it’s so close to home.
Have a great night with us. Great music, great food great atmosphere, so come on out.”