Andrew Ripp

“This record really portrays who I am not only as an artist but as a person,” Andrew says of writing the album. “Honesty goes a long way because you can see right through it when somebody is slopping words on a page. And I feel like we took the time that was necessary to really work through every word.” 

Ripp co-wrote and co-produced the album with his friend Randy Coleman (Saints of the Pacific) and brought on Dan Lavery, former bass player of the rock band Tonic, as producer. Funded by Andrew himself, the majority of the album was recorded in Lavery’s back-house studio in Los Angeles. “I wanted to make the record on my own,” Andrew states. “All the recordings I had done in the past hadn’t really represented me in the way that I wanted to be represented.” Musicians Pete Maloney (Dishwalla, Tonic), keyboard player Will Hollis (Eagles), and steel guitar player Eric Haywood (Ray LaMontagne) were brought in to help create an honest record based around Andrew’s rhythmic guitar playing and soulful voice. 

With Fifty Miles to Chicago, Ripp aimed to create an organic album reminiscent of those made in the 70’s and by artists like Otis Redding, Bob Dylan, and Hank Williams. From the electricity of the full band backed, organ-driven groove of Get Your Smile On, to the solo acoustic guitar and vocals of It’s All Good, and the heart-wrenching rock ballad of Dresden Wine, he does just that. 

With the release of Fifty Miles to Chicago, Andrew Ripp proves to be one of the most inspiring and exciting musicians to watch out for.