Andrew Kaye Releases Second Full-Length Album

If you’re looking for Newberg-local musician Andrew Kaye, search among the trees. The odds of finding him amid them are high.

When suggesting locations for an interview, Kaye recommended a small oak grove near Joan Austin Elementary School on Mountain View Drive. Despite being next to a highway, there was a sense of calm and serenity.

The German language has a word for this: Waldeinsamkeit (vahld-ahyn-zahm-kite): the feeling of being alone in the woods, usually sublime or spiritual. Sitting against the base of an Oregon White Oak, with Kaye propped on a neighboring tree stump and watched over by towering trees, I grasped the meaning. Kaye says that feeling significantly influences his creative process.

“I spent a lot of introspective time in forests, a lot of meditation — finding peace and connectivity with nature and the environment. Feeling safe and inspired under a canopy of trees. Being humbled by their size, the life, and the connections beneath the soil with their roots. I want to speak to nature and I know nature will guide me, and perhaps my music too.”

Kaye infused that energy and influence into his second full-length album, “Singeing Dragon,” an experimental collection of songs and tonalities released July 23, 2023.

“I’d describe it as having ‘a strong sense of storytelling’ as the primary focus,” he said. “That translates into the music in some way. I love a broad range of music genres — I want to capture that somehow.”

Kaye grew up in Newberg on a partially forested 10-acre piece of land, leading to extensive exploration of the woods. Beyond the trees, he says the town significantly influenced his creative journey.

“I love the small-town vibe; it’s very intimate,” he said. “But, you know, Newberg sometimes exudes a ‘spooky’ vibe. There are many charming nooks and crannies, like this oak grove. It’s a quiet town, but it seems to be gaining more energy and activity.”

With a population of just under 25,500, Newberg’s music scene is relatively quiet. Part of this is due to the ease of online publishing without the pre-internet need to build a following — meaning there could be artists out there publishing but not playing locally. Alternatively, it could be the town’s size. Regardless, Kaye believes Newberg is a town ready to embrace local music.

“I do believe there’s music in this town, as in any town,” he said. “I’m not sure if my music directly speaks to Newberg, but it’s certainly influenced by and reflects Newberg’s impact on me. All of this is expressed through my music.”

Kaye started playing guitar in 2008. For him, the acoustic guitar was the easiest to pick up and play. While the non-amplified guitar holds a special place in his heart, he’s finding a home with the electric guitar, which allows experimentation with different sounds and tonalities.

He began releasing his music on Spotify in November 2019, starting with “Blue,” an electronic-focused collection of singer-songwriter jams largely featuring Kaye’s voice over whimsical beats and melodies.

In 2022, after a series of singles and his first album-length release “gargybeats,” he formed the alternative rock band Wormfarm with Daniel Roberson and Evan Church. The few YouTube videos showcase the trio performing live in the forest, surrounded by trees.

The band’s existence was short-lived, disbanding after a few months.

“It was interesting trying to be harmonious in the band,” Kaye said. “It often felt dissonant. Our individual journeys and paths made finding a collective path difficult in the end. We all sought different musical paths. However, we had a wonderful time together, making beautiful music.”

Kaye realized he craved the creative control of being an independent singer-songwriter.

“I recognized I might be better suited for solo endeavors because I wanted my hand in everything.” he said. “And that becomes a little selfish when you’re in a band.”

Kaye describes his album’s genre as “experimental.” He recognizes that the music industry confines artists to a marketable package for public consumption. Kaye believes these boundaries hinder artists trying to express themselves through music.

“I always want my expression and art to take precedence,” he said. “From that, I’ll figure out how it fits into music or the music industry. The industry doesn’t favor experimental music, as it seeks direct relatability. Yet, I enjoy creating polarity.”

Experimental music requires an open mind, just as abstract art demands perspective and a willingness to shape colors and textures into emotions and, broadly, feelings. For Kaye, multiple elements are stitched together “like Frankenstein,” he notes, to capture his expression. “It’s open-ended,” he added.

“Interpret it as you wish. It may not require comprehension — you can like or dislike it.

“Find depth in the tones, rhythm, and lyrics, or stay on the surface, viewing it as a guy experimenting in his bedroom studio. Approach it with an open mind and see what you feel.”

Kaye states “Singeing Dragon” is the first of a four-album series representing natural elements: fire, water, earth, and this one: air. The songs encompass everything from clouds and jet streams to sunshine, the moon, and even what the moon inspires, Dracula. The album title reminds listeners not to take the music too seriously. Singeing implies superficial burning — Kaye intends this to introduce experimental music, offering a taste of the style.

“I enjoy not taking it too seriously and not fitting into a box. I want to experiment and convey my story,” he said. “It’s the mad scientist approach — creating something new and observing its function in the world.”

You can stream Andrew Kaye’s complete album on Spotify and Apple Music. While no tour dates are set, keep an eye on Newsberg’s event calendar for live music.