Maverick (UK)

Blue-collar folk music from New York City.  I simply love it when a young artist takes an old musical genre and blows the dust off; fiddles about with the mechanics and makes it their own. Andrew Vladeck wears his influences on his sleeve and regular Maverick readers will easily spot Dylan, Van Zandt, Cohen and even ‘Nebraska’-era Springsteen in the mix on THE WHEEL but Andrew Vladeck has thrown all of these ingredients into the air and added a good dose of cayenne pepper to come up with his own intriguing fusion of modern and classic folk music.

The Independent Weekly (North Carolina)

Vladeck combines Springsteen blue-collar concerns with Steely Dan wit and austerity, rendering American aphorisms that are clever without being too clever, smart without being sewn of smarty pants.

The L Magazine (NYC)

The perfect blend of Midwestern thoughtfulness and New Yorker gruff. Some have even compared his post-Americana rock to the Boss. Yowza.

Penny Black Music (UK)

Enjoy comparing ‘The Wheel’ to standout recordings by other American legends; Gritty, albeit poignant images creep-out and often rush out of this old- soul, New York singer-songwriter’s prolific pores. His first release since 2006, ‘The Wheel’ is stuffed to the gorgeous gills with epiphanies of urban squalor, at times, delivered through unrelenting lyrical tirades. His edgy albeit steadfast vocals are often edged with humour.

MSN Video Interview (Canada)

Video interview with French subtitles.

The Village Voice (NYC)

His upbeat music is bold and brassy... this ex-urban park ranger is nothing but fun.

The Boston Globe

New York native Andrew Vladeck makes beautiful music with his banjo, Dylan-esque voice, and phrases loaded with lyrics, especially the title track of his new record, "The Wheel.’’ The indie/folk alt-rocker slows things down a bit on the delicious tune, "Picking Apples in Orange Country.’’ Fascinated with the relationship between nature and New York City, the songwriter is a former Urban Park Ranger.

The Deli Magazine (NYC)

A highly musical, soulful result of a lot of years of playing and touring. His eclectic family of songs pays the listener in full... (Read interview at link)

The Lo-Down

Feature story on AV for the 2011 CMJ Showcase.

Unveiled Arts (NYC)

Andrew Vladeck formidable talents as a singer-songwriter will remind you of geniuses from Bob Dylan to Jeff Mangum. He started out as a NYC Park Ranger and went on to win first place in the International Songwriting Competition judged by Tom Waits and Brian Wilson. The vote of these musical heavyweights speaks to Andrew Vladeck’s skill and literate mastery of a sound that ranges from Springsteen-esque rock to poetic, instrumentally complex folk. He’ll be at Joe’s Pub tonight celebrating the release of his newest EP, Passing Knowledge, and accompanying book of the same title, in part a tribute to San Francisco's City Lights bookstore. Head downtown for Vladeck’s big night – few artists today fill out both parts of the “singer-songwriter” label so richly. — Isabella Yeager

Pennyblack Music (UK) Interview

In this interview, Andrew Vladeck discusses his newest project, a six-song EP, ‘Passing Knowledge', which is accompanied by a psalm-like, pocket book of lyrics and other writings, hearkens back to traditional American acoustic folk, allowing the New York singer-songwriter to laud his finely honed lyrics.

La Stampa (Italy)

Ironico, talentuoso, introspettivo, innovativo: tutti aggettivi che calzano a pennello se si sta tentando di descrivere uno dei fenomeni musicali emergenti del 2010.
Con il suo primo disco "The Wheel", un misto di folk e indie rock uscito nel marzo di quest' anno, Andrew ha già saputo accattivarsi le grazie di mezzo mondo, tanto da vincere il primo premio all' “Internetional Songrwriting Competition” con il brano “The Songs You Inspire”.

Frankentipps (Germany)

Eigenständig? Ja, genau. Denn wie viele Musiker gibt es schon, die ihr Banjo an einen Fender-Amp anstecken und sich so auch Instrumental vom Einheitsbrei abheben? Zudem wartet "The Wheel" trotz aller klassischen Folk-Klänge vor allem im Songwriting mit rockigen Untertönen sowie Country-Anleihen auf.

Alternative Nation Interview (Germany)

AN.de: The Wheel erschien bereits vor mehr als einem Jahr. Arbeitest du bereits an einer neuen Platte?
Andrew Vladeck: Ich bin fast mit einer neuen EP fertig und ich glaube, es ist das Beste, was ich jemals aufgenommen habe. Ich kann es kaum erwarten, dass Menschen es in eine Schublade stecken und meine Texte analysieren!

Cutting Edge (Belgium)

Als er iets is waar Andrew Vladeck bekend om staat - al is ‘bekend' in deze misschien nogal relatief - dan zijn het wel zijn capaciteiten als songwriter. Scherp en ironisch zijn twee woorden die spontaan bij ons opkomen om Vladecks stijl te omschrijven. Oh, en origineel!

Reporter (Italy)

Ma anche sprazzi della poesia luminescente dello skyline di New York o la sfacciata visceralità del rockwriting di un Ryan Adams. L'asfalto e le strade, le chitarre e le parole, il cuore e la collera, l'amore e le radici, peraltro cantati da Vladeck imbracciando con grinta da invasato sei corde, banjo, autoharp e armonica, neanche fosse un Elvis Costello schizoide e americano fino al midollo.

Music Headquarters (Germany)

[Heck, I can't read it, but I hear it's a sweet review of my show in Cologne (Koln) - Thanks MusicHeadquarters!].  Eine Umbaupause gibt es nicht. Wozu auch? Alles was der New Yorker braucht, sind seine Gitarre, eine Mundharmonika und ein Banjo, mit dem er auch gleich die ersten beiden Songs spielt. Den Schellenkranz bedient er mit dem Fußpedal. Auf Socken. That`s it. Ansonsten verlässt er sich auf seine kraftvolle Stimme und sein virtuoses Spiel. Teilweise spricht er mehr als dass er singt, und noch dazu doppelt so schnell wie andere Leute.

Zitty Berlin (Germany)

In print!  My Berlin tourdate was once of the Weekly Picks!  Can't read what it says, but it helped get a great audience.  Thanks Zitty! 

Edam (Netherlands)

Met het ‘rammelige’ geluid dat hij daarmee creëert geeft hij een eigen invulling aan folkmuziek. Vladeck begeleidt zijn eigen teksten met een combinatie van oude Amerikaanse folk en invloeden uit de moderne indierock.

The Antagoinist (UK)

PDF of the August 2010 Issue / Interview

King’s Road (Italy)

E sarà davvero difficile, per chiunque, non sobbalzare ad un suo primo ascolto: nei suoi brani sono collezionati tutti gli incanti che avvicinano al rock: l’asfalto e le strade, le chitarre e le parole, il cuore e la collera, l’amore e le radici, peraltro cantati imbracciando con grinta da invasato sei corde, banjo, autoharp e armonica, neanche fosse un Elvis Costello schizoide e americano. 

Plus an Additional Interview, in English, HERE. http://www.kingsroad.it/?p=720

Roots Highway (Italy)

Ci sono occasioni in cui non mi dispiacerebbe abbandonare del tutto l'obiettività (ammesso che le mie parole, in genere, ne dispongano) per seguire senza indugi l'onda delle emozioni e delle suggestioni...

Riff (Hungary)

[Thanks Attila for the Translation!] Besides the award-winning The Songs You Inspire, the Hold Me Back and the You Can't Kill Me songs are real "pearls", but the other songs are more than above the average standard. The song lyrics are enthralling, their mood is dark, sometimes they're ridiculously ironic and they're performed with such an empathy, that we can experience everything what they say. I know that in our country, few people know the musical activity of Andrew Vladeck, but I think it would be worth to get to know him, because the disappointment is excluded!

Krone (Austria)

Mucchio Selvaggio

Have no idea what this says but it sure sounds pretty.

Subba-Cultcha (UK)

For a New Yorker, Vladeck’s pieces are unexpectedly pastoral. He breathes life into sounds of the past with amped up strings. His charming little pieces of alt country with a rock heart are worth investigation.
His first album since 2006 sees him hotwiring his banjo to accompany his urban alt-folk tales. Vladeck has been compared to variously to Dylan, Townes Van Zandt and Springsteen.

Blues Magazine (Netherlands)

Als ik de eerste keer aandachtig naar de teksten luister, word ik een beetje van de wijs gebracht. [we hear this is good... translation anyone?]

Radio Sonar (UK)

In a sea of American singer/songwriters, New York's very own Andrew Vladeck shines through them all with his fantastic new effort entitled 'The Wheel' There's definitely no doubt that Vladeck is now a nurtured musician still creating great music which shines through.

There is definately a degree of humour throughout the release, with lyrics such as "Before I do something that I regret/Before I throw a brick throw my TV set" highlights the subtle humour which appears in certain songs in the album. Another favourite is 'Waiting For The Coffee To Kick In' which he sings about the after effects of a rather heavy night out.

Real Roots Cafe (Netherlands)

Daarnaast is Vladeck ook een voortreffelijk liedjesschrijver met een enorme woordenschat - "excellent songwriter with an enormous treasury of words" [Thanks, W]

Common Folk Meadow (Germany)

The most characteristic feature seems to be Andrew’s voice, with lots of country feeling – sometimes it pushes you forward (mostly in the harder tracks: Hold Me Back or The Songs You Inspire or the title track) sometimes it sounds really exhausted, harassed (Waiting For The Coffee To Kick In) and sometimes it’s relaxed and confident (Avenue U). And as many facets as Andrew’s voice is able to sing, so is his overall album...  But it would be too easy to cut the album in half – say one alt country side and one folk side. Songs like Chinatown are experimental, not really folk, not really alt country, somewhere in between.

Keys & Chords (Belgium)

Er zijn zoveel revivals van muziekgenres aan de gang, waarom dan ook niet van de folkmuziek uit New York, die ons in de vroege jaren zestig zoveel moois heeft geschonken. [Flemish, anyone?]

Revolver (Netherlands)

His lyrics are full of sharp observations...He is almost spitting out words...Carefully/thoroughly written songs...A timeless album..." [Thanks W for the translation!]

Alternative Nation (Germany)

Vladeck fesselt durch die Dramaturgie seiner Erzählungen, den Hörer an seine Lippen.

Folk Forum (Netherlands)

Andrew Vladeck combineert oude Amerikaanse folk met invloeden uit de moderne indierock, waardoor zijn muziek algauw lekker in het gehoor ligt. De productie is vrij naturel gehouden, waardoor de instrumenten goed tot hun recht komen naast de fijne iets gerafelde stem van Vladeck.

Music Reporters (Italy)

I cantautori sono cantautori, dice chi se ne intende più di me. Fanno buona musica, scrivono belle canzoni e a loro la nobile arte di respirare l’aria e i nostri sentimenti&desideri più profondi per trasfonderli in musica, specchio dei tempi.

Whisperin and Hollerin (Ireland)

A skilled songwriter in his own right. He is particularly adept with clever wordplay and quirky juxtapositions as in "Last night I got hammered - today I got nailed" (Waiting For The Coffee To Kick In) or the image of "punks and squatters playing chess in the park" (These Streets)... The album is crispy produced by Kyle Fischer (formerly of Brooklyn Indie rockers Rainer Maria) and the title song and These Streets are good places to start if you want to get a flavour of Vladeck's punchy brand of old time folk with a contemporary twist.

Mass Movement (UK)

Different folks will put different labels on Andrew Vladek... and be content in the knowledge that they’ve managed to fit him into a neat little box. Me? I reckon the guy has his own distinct voice, dipping his toes into all three fore mentioned genres, sounding like Tom Petty on a sojourn in Nashville, one eye constantly fixed on the horizon. Yeah, you could call ‘The Wheel’ new or alternative country, but at the end of the day, it is what it is, and that’s a damn fine record, and if “The 21st Century” doesn’t make Vladeck a household name through constant airplay, there really is no justice in the world….

Troublezine (Italy)

[Thanks to W and her mom for translating this in Germany from Italian to English!]  It seems a simple task to compare an American singer-songwriter to all those storytellers who have made history in this genre and have put the lives of generations into music. This genre requires continuity, the ability to lull the listener with comforting sounds, and spontaneity. Andrew Vladeck argues that “it’s all about the words”, but knows it actually has to come from the heart. If the twenty-first century is aging, he says, there will still be something in the music stemming from the core, and that is what we like.
[i am not sure about this last sentence, have tried to make the most sense of it, does it...?]

A man, his legs and his guitar, a banjo, a harmonica. Andrew Vladeck returns with a new album, the first since 2006. Vladeck makes tradition his own by combining and simmering it down. The beginning of the CD in particular is very fresh, very catchy, but without slipping too much into pop. Suddenly there are the unmistakable influences of Bob Dylan, along with echoes in the vein of Springsteen, and hints of Beatles and Death Cab For Cutie. Opening track Hold me Back perfectly represents Vladeck’s style. 3min 30sec, and you know whom you're dealing with. Or maybe not: With the second piece the songwriter shows another side of himself, gloomy and aching, and clearly indebted to classic American folk music. Like the beautiful The 21st Century, also You Can’t Kill Time and The Magnet would make the perfect soundtrack for a quintessential American movie. Neither songs which have the credentials to become Vladeck classics like The Wheel and I Want You Near are missing, nor poisoned atmospheres like in Avenue. U

The lyrics are brilliant and often rich in humor, some images affect more with (apparent) ease than profundity. Even those displeased with too apparent concessions to tradition... will enjoy being carried away by a river of heat, almost hypnotized by Vladeck, all the way to the acoustic version of The 21st Century, to be captured even more by his voice, which this time sounds... particularly authentic. Imagine yourself in a film set in Brooklyn, or walking the streets of Central Park. Playing "The Wheel" evokes a feeling of freedom, at least for a few minutes.

Pennyblack Magazine Interview (UK)

Imagine if the best of American folk music had been frozen in time. Then imagine if the fossilized remains had been excavated by a troubadour with a contemporary facelift. Imagine that this troubadour added his own unique vision of the current political climate, his own interpretations of urban squalor and once- kindred souls that had mournfully drifted apart.  What if the word play this troubadour manufactured cut through pretentiousness with deft wit? And that, at his bequest, every-day items, like crackers, became storied super-stars surrounded by stark strums?  Andrew Vladeck has a way with words, alright, and it’s a way that’s uniquely respectful to the human condition and irreverent to complacency, yet insanely believable. Lisa Torem

SLAM (Germany)

Der Mann weiß ganz genau was er tut und beherrscht sein Fach wie kaum ein anderer Musiker, der mir in letzter Zeit aus dieser Ecke untergekommen ist.  (8.5)

This guy knows exactly what he's doing and commands his subject like few other musicians I've encountered from his corner of late. (Thanks K for the translation!).

Das Musikmagazin (Germany)

Von Andrew Vladeck haben sicherlich die wenigsten bislang gehört. Der Singer/ Songwriter, der aus New York stammt, hat sich bislang vor allem dort einen Namen in Folk und Indie Rock Szene gemacht. Das erklärt auch, warum wir so spät mit dieser kurzen Review dran sind - immerhin ist das aktuelle Werk des ehemaligen Park Rangers bereits sei Mitte April in (sehr, sehr) gut sortierten Plattenläden zu finden.

Musik Instinkt (Germany)

Jetzt sitz ich hier kurz vorm Ende dieses Jahrzehnts und bekomme schon die ersten Scheiben, die erst im neuen erscheinen werden. Bevor ich mich aber mit diesen befasse möchte ich noch kurz eine Platte wärmstens ans Herz legen, die schon ein bisschen länger draußen ist.

Grimey Goods (Los Angeles)

His very real lyrics tell a story. With similar traits of some of the greatest American folk singers, Vladeck is cleary on his way to something golden. I don’ think I’ve ever heard a banjo sound so damn cool! He stays true to that emotion-evoking traditional sound, but morphs it into his own innovative style. A style that resonates a hip indie vibe which is amplified even more so coming from Brooklyn

Lucid Culture (Brooklyn)

Talented, popular Brooklyn multi-instrumentalist... shows off a fervently lyrical style over sparse, tasteful, mostly acoustic instrumentation. Andrew Vladeck packs a lot of words into a phrase in an almost hip-hop vein, with more than a little nod of the head to Dylan (specifically the fun, freewheeling, early Dylan). The five tracks here range from fast and fierce to slower and more contemplative... Magnet follows, a dexterously fingerpicked acoustic ballad and then the cd's best cut, Chinatown. It starts off slow, eerily plinking banjo intro over slide guitar and eventually gets marvelously intricate, even psychedelic, with something of a Blonde on Blonde lyrical feel... Uncompromising as this album may be, it's a very accessible cd: a stealthy victory for smart songwriting. 

Indie-Music (Raleigh)

Vladeck plays Americana folk/rock on banjos, ukuleles, electric guitars, and in the opening track, I could swear he's bearing down on a violin with a saw blade. Through it all, he warbles in a way I can only describe as a deep-grooved drawl filled with bleary-eyed nights, hot coffee, scuffed boots, and flickering neon diner signs. If you are desperate to hear something completely different, put on this CD... And it will definitely scrape the Top 40 glitter right off your stereo.

Whiskey-Soda (Germany)

The musician from New York City got his exceptional reputation not by imitating the old heroes, but with efficient amplification he endows the dusty folk-genre with his own new drift.  The voice is Dylan-like, Vladeck rather tells his stories then to actually sing them, he assimilates onomatopoeic and expressive the so-seemed trivial happenings in life to striking worldly wisdoms… Tradition and modern spirit are linked with ease and so Andrew Vladeck sounds like his hometown, the melting-pot NYC – America at its best. (Thanks to F for the Translation).

Cover of Toxic (Britney Spears) selected Best of 2009

"Let's face it, cover songs are awesome.  And we've been given some pretty damn good ones in 2009."    This is a Britney Spears song, that Andrew fell in love with after hearing The Chapin Sisters's  deadly awesome version.

The EP chosen Top 10 of 2009

The EP, recorded live in studio during a marathon one-day session, sees the New Yorker mix traditional and non-traditional styles to his banjo-focussed roots music.  "Coney Island" has a distinct mariachi feel, while on "Ringaleevio" Vladeck assumes the role of traveling minstrel.  Most surprisingly is how well the banjo compliments the pop songwriting on the cover of Britney Spears' "Toxic".

Of course it's the more customary sounds that make for the strongest tracks on the record.  A bluegrass cover of the Beatles' "Helter Skelter" stands out, as does "Chinatown" which boasts the best banjo solo this side of the Smokey Mountains.

Rock Midgets (UK)

An endearingly off-kilter country-folk exercise that's as overtly charming as it is refreshing.

Life Sounds Real (Germany)

Translation something like: Andrew Vladeck shines particularly in his native but excited style with reserved instrumentation transforming his songs into stories. Of course is the guitar his main instrument, but you can’t forget about the banjo, which is allowed to expand the easy-going, country touched album. On top the intelligent-charming lyrics, the mastered vocals and a precise songwriting. … it is obvious that Andrew Vladeck managed to do something wonderful: To blow off the in my mind associated dust with the american-in-its-own-juice-cooking folk-rock and to create with the 13 songs of ‘the wheel” a new genre-angle in my CD shelf (and my heart). [Thanks to F].

Long Live Rock n Roll (Italy)

Andrew Vladek riesce a massaggiare e a scaldarci il cuore attraverso liriche solari e ritmiche accattivanti senza essere mai scontato. Provate ad immaginare i Rolling Stones che fanno delle jam session con i White Stripes con alla voce Bob Dylan e avrete il vostro Andrew Vladek. Non esitate a cercare in giro questo dischetto d'autore e a gustarvi un buon bicchiere di vino (anche due) esclusivamente rosso con in sottofondo pezzi come "Hold me Back", "The 21 st Century", "The Magnet", "The Songs you Inspire", "The Wheel", "Theese Streets", "I Want you Near".

Rootstime (The Netherlands)

Wat opvalt bij beluistering van het gehele album is dat Andrew Vladeck vooral een poëtische woordengoochelaar is. Doordat hij de muzikale inbreng in de nummers zo minimaal mogelijk houdt komt de inhoud van de songteksten nog beter tot zijn recht.

Blogger Schizo (Turkey)

Kendisi bu toplulukta yeni dalga folk müziği adına hatırı sayılır işleriyle tanınıyordu. Şu günlerde kendisi “The Wheel” adlı solo albümüyle konuşuluyor. Günümüz folk ve indie rock müziğin güzel bir örneği olan yeni albümünde sanatçının banço, gitar, uke, autoharp ve ağız mızıkası çaldığı görülüyor.

Pulse Magazine (Boston)

Andrew Vladeck.  He’s a boy with a banjo from New York City, strolling at his own speed across the country from one gig to the next.  With rust-colored hair and a thoughtful, deliberate choice of words, he beckons you closer.  He wants to tell you a story and he’s going to let his amped-up banjo do most of the talking.  It’s difficult to rip your attention away from the olde tyme feel and sound of harmonica and banjo.  But it’s Vladeck’s lyrical impact and the aftershock thereof that really tears into the listener.

The Boston Phoenix

Somewhere between Tom Waits, Dire Straits, and Jonathan Richman, there's Andrew Vladeck. Best known for his backup banjo work in the Honey Brothers, a troublingly wacky but seriously good folk-rock outfit.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Columbia Spectator - Andrew Vladeck, is poised between folk and rock, ready to break into either but truly belonging to neither. He combines pieces of pop music history as disparate as honky-tonk country and Motown bass lines to create a sound entirely of the moment... blends styles, traditions, and technology into the best electric banjo solo you’ll ever hear.

Hartford Advocate - Critic's Pick. When one ponders rock music from New York, one does not often include the sounds of the ukulele or the banjo. Nonetheless, Andrew Vladeck, a resident of the music mecca that is the Lower East Side, blends these sounds effortlessly in his quest to produce juiced up, folkafied rock compositions. Influenced by gritty, determined musicians like Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan and the Band, Vladeck started hot wiring beat-up instruments to create his own unique melodic persona. He´s received tons of praise for the inventiveness of his self-titled debut.

Smother - No way did this album happen in New York City. How honestly could you fuse a ukulele and long-neck banjo that glaze Americana and roots rock with a veneer of Midwest attitude that ingeminates Dylan but without sounding like a cliché. Somehow Andrew Vladeck accomplished this with a voice all his own.

Music Connection - Absolutely entertaining stuff here from an East Coast singer/songwriter. Not doing what everyone else is doing these days - the songs sound modern, yet have this historical, Americana feel to them.

Feeling Anxious - Immensely enjoyable for any music enthusiast, Andrew Vladeck brings something completely new to the table.

How Long it Takes - "The Magnet," out now on End Up Records.  It sounds superb: fun, loose, confident, open... just as it should be...how tough he's gotten his banjo to sound.

Evolution of Media - Every song here is muscially dazzling and lyrically compelling.

AM New York - Vladeck is the master of the hot-wired banjo.

The Musicians Exchange - Vladeck is an intelligent songwriter who isn’t afraid to stand on the ledge. 

Brisbane Courier-Mail - No hilbilly ever made banjo solos sound like Andrew Vladeck.

Soundviews - Vladeck’s music is like a dog riding in a car with its head out the window.