Andrew Spice is a classically trained pianist, vocalist and songwriter who grew up in rural Manitoba. He earned numerous accolades during his early music education, and was headed toward a career as a concert pianist. Then, influenced by the raw confessional albums released by artists such as Tori Amos, Fiona Apple and PJ Harvey in the 90s, Andrew began writing his own songs. The process proved powerfully cathartic. As a coming-of-age queer person, his music soon caught the attention of 3-time Juno nominee Emm Gryner. Andrew moved to Toronto, set his classical aspirations aside, and signed with Gryner’s label.
The result was 2003’s Pretty Demons (Dead Daisy Records/Outside Music). Publication after publication raved about his debut: “So sensitive it will break your heart” (The Varsity); “profound, beyond-Thom Yorke melancholy…a genuine talent whose lyrics are carefully wrought poems” (Now Magazine); “between the loopy highs of Tori Amos and the degraded depths of Trent Reznor…with the talent on display on this album, I can see Andrew Spice one day reaching their status” (Swerve); and “this songwriter has the rare ability to make a profound statement using a minimum of words and notes… Spice manages to put his finger on our collective hearts” (The Toronto Star). Andrew performed with artists such as Jason Collett (Broken Social Scene), Amy Millan (Stars), Danny Michel, Dayna Manning, and Jann Arden. He played a showcase set at NXNE, and was nominated for Outstanding Debut Recording at the OutMusic Awards.
Subsequently, Andrew’s path took another unusual turn: he earned a Ph.D. and became a clinical psychologist. Spice became well-respected in Toronto as a specialist in treating self-harm and suicidal behaviours, among other issues. Then, quite unexpectedly, inspiration struck again and he returned to music after over 20 years—all the while continuing to practice as a psychologist. Andrew’s new single, High Park, is produced by industry veteran Matthew Barber, and features Adrian Gordon Cook (Noah Reid) and rising star Mike Tompa. Like his very first songs, High Park is devastatingly vulnerable with a piano and queer male voice at its centre, and firmly re-establishes Andrew Spice as a unique artist and indie trailblazer.
