Following the release of his critically acclaimed debut album, “Pretty Demons,” produced by the illustrious three-time Juno Award nominee and frequent David Bowie collaborator Emm Gryner, Andrew embarked on a profoundly different path from the typical emerging pop superstar. He earned a prestigious PhD, became a dedicated clinical psychologist, and founded Toronto’s highly regarded DBT Clinic, where he provides compassionate treatment for a wide range of mental disorders and issues.

Now, with a wealth of diverse life experiences to draw on, Andrew is enthusiastically turning his attention back to music. He is set to release a highly anticipated catalog of songs, starting with the evocative track “High Park.” This song showcases Spice’s richly expressive and distinctive vocals against a backdrop of dramatic instrumentals, featuring resonant chiming piano keys and stark guitar strings. Speaking about the song, Andrew explains, “‘High Park’ is about recovering from devastating loss by connecting with nature and animals. It’s a breakup song, a celebration of newfound independence, and a love letter to Toronto and my dog.”

Regarding the captivating music video, which is set in Toronto’s striking High Park, Spice adds, “The ‘High Park’ video depicts the literal process of communing with the woods and my dog, as well as the metaphorical process of grieving a loss there.”

Listen to the track…

We link up with Andrew to discuss his return, the story behind the track and his exciting new album.

Read the interview…

Hey Andrew! Congratulations on your new single! After a long hiatus, you’re back with a new single “High Park”. What inspired you to return to music at this point in your life?

I didn’t feel there was any other choice but to come back to music. I had just experienced a few traumatic events close in succession, and couldn’t see a way forward through all of the pain. I spoke with my friend Emm Gryner, who produced my debut album, about all of it. I told her that I needed to make music again in order to heal, but found the prospect daunting after 20 years away. She encouraged me to start by just writing a 1-minute song about my cat. Well, I wrote that song, and it ended up being significantly longer than a minute and one of the best things I’ve ever written (it will be one of the upcoming singles). After that, the door to inspiration was wide open, and music and lyrics were coming to me every day. It wasn’t long before the entire record was written.

“High Park” is described as finding beauty in sadness and being a deeply personal song. Can you tell us more about the story behind it?

I used to have a close relationship with someone, and we had a routine every Saturday of going to High Park (a beloved place in Toronto). We were joined by others, and the feeling was very much that of a family – something that is not so straightforward for queer people like me to establish. It all fell apart in a very painful way. As I was coping with the loss, I began taking my dog back to High Park every Monday – a different day and a different route, but the same place. A huge part of my life had been reduced to ash, but I still had my dog and we still had our connection to the park. There is a repeated line in the song: “I’m just walking my dog / Here in High Park” – a seemingly simple activity, but at that time infused with all the complexities of grief.

You collaborated with Matthew Barber, Adrian Gordon Cook, and Mike Tompa on ‘High Park’. What was the creative process like with them?

Matthew was one of my heroes during my initial music career, and still is, so joining him in the studio was one of those surreal incredible experiences. He’s very laid-back and I am admittedly pretty neurotic, so we balanced each other out as a working team. Among Matthew’s many musical abilities, he is a very skilled drummer, and one can easily notice his attention to rhythm throughout the record. I have been accustomed to playing solo with my piano, so it was thrilling for me to work with a producer who could make this more of a rock album.

Adrian recorded his parts remotely, but when I heard them, it felt like he had spent ages getting to know me and my songs. He has a keen understanding of how to support the piano without overtaking it.

Mike Tompa, like Matthew Barber, is an incredibly talented multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer. Once we had finished the foundational tracks, Mike came in to add the sparkle, magic, and surprises. He is one of those musicians who can play the cello mournfully one minute and shred on an electric guitar at the next (and you’ll hear him doing both of those things in my music).

In 2003, you were hailed as one of Canada’s most promising talents with your debut album ‘Pretty Demons’. How did it feel to receive such acclaim early in your career?

It was very affirming, as thematically my first album was focused on coming-of-age as a queer person and it was extremely vulnerable to put that out there at a young age. There were certainly plenty of people who didn’t want anything to do with me and my music at that time, so the acclaim felt like there were folks on my side who understood what I was going for with Pretty Demons.

Your new album is set to release in early 2025. What can fans expect from this upcoming album?

This album is about healing from trauma. Fans can expect uncompromising lyrics and total vulnerability. There is searing rage, mourning, tender love for dogs and cats, and some humour to keep things afloat. Musically, this is a singer-songwriter record with a piano and queer male voice at its center – but we’ve got ballads, pop songs, dirges, waltzes; hopefully something that many people can feel a connection with.

Are there any artists or genres that are currently influencing your music?

I am always influenced by a few women who came to the forefront in the 90s: Tori Amos, PJ Harvey, and Fiona Apple. All are still making vital, amazing music. Tom Odell can do no wrong in my eyes. Keane, Radiohead, my fellow Canadians Metric… music with a gorgeous melody will always get me thinking about the next thing I can create. I’m also influenced by artists who have returned to music after taking a long hiatus, like Kathleen Edwards. They make me hopeful that my return can be a success too.

Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations you’re particularly excited about?

My main focus is sharing this new album with the world! I can’t wait for everyone to hear High Park, and the rest of the album soon after.