Baltimore, MD based Guitarist, bassist, and vocalist Andrew Michael releases a five-track EP, The A.M. Frequency, this month via Pacific Records. The title, The A.M. Frequency, is a play on words, “since my name is Andrew Michael. It also refers to my music encompassing and tapping into a new wavelength that stands out from the rest,” he said.
It’s a compact, high-energy blend of cutting-edge funk, rock grit, and improvisational jazz texture, with Michael’s guitarwork anchoring the sound with sharp riffs and melodic hooks, while the bass threads pocketed lines through each groove. Meanwhile, Michael’s vocals sit front and center, delivering lyrics that cut through the sonic haze with honesty and urgency. The result is a record that feels rooted in funk and rock, yet alive with the exploratory spark of jazz.
All recording work on the EP occurred in recovery from alcoholism, turning personal struggle into a bold, communal celebration of resilience. “What inspired me to create this album is to it navigate the turbulence of addiction, the ache of consequences, and the hard-won clarity that comes with choosing help, healing, and ongoing growth” Michael said. “The project is not only a collection of songs but a testament to the beauty of recovery. This is a work that could not have existed while I was in active addiction, and that now stands as a proof point for art as lifeline and transformation.” According to Michael, The AM Frequency marks a turning point for him, “the moment art became a lifeline, recovery from addiction as a wellspring of creativity, and to push boundaries while staying true to the healing power of music.”
As much as Micheal enjoyed making The A.M. Frequency, it’s his hope that “listeners are able to connect to my music and have it show to them that there is always a way to get out on the other side of pain,” he said. “Not just with addiction, but with general life difficulties. I hope listeners are able to connect with some of my lyrics in detail as well and make it show them that they are not alone if they find themselves feeling negative emotions at times.”
“There is always a light at the end of the tunnel,” Michael remarked. “The fact that I recorded all of these songs in recovery is a testament to that. Even though pain or difficult experiences are tough to deal with, there is always something to learn or grow from by experiencing them,” he continued. “Life would be bland if there were no struggles because we would never grow. We rarely grow if we sit around in comfort. True growth is gained by walking through tough experiences, getting out on the other side, learning from them, and making changes for the better,” Michael said. “That is one of the main things I’ve learned in recovery, and what listeners can take away from A.M. Frequency.”
Listen to the A.M. Frequency EP here: