Drawing us in with an intricately performed acoustic guitar, Andrew Shier opens Rusted and Weathered with a high emotional quotient as he sings, “This town’s only got a little room, one church with a hole in the roof, people come but they leave too soon, so if you don’t need me, then I don’t need you…”
The opus expands into a soft indie-rock energy as Andrew continues with depth and poetic prowess. The track oozes authenticity and lived experience. We connect with the choral harmonies and the relatability of Andrew’s perspective. There’s a vulnerability at play here that feels deeply personal.
There is no doubt that the song holds a cinematic allure, and would fit well in a TV show like Adults, or an episode of Euphoria. It would also be great in a film such as The Perks of Being a Wallflower, or Voicemails from Isabelle. In essence, the song has an existential energy and is about the ebbs and flows of life, how we experience the “cracks in the leather”. It doesn’t offer a solution, but it does offer respite and catharsis.
What makes the track even more compelling is Andrew’s hands-on approach to creation. It serves as the first single from his upcoming EP, Bluebell, and sonically reflects a shift from energetic indie rock towards a more Americana-folk-inspired sound. Having built a home studio, Andrew oversaw all of the production himself. Fans of Elliott Smith and The Postal Service will be able to vibe with Rusted and Weathered.
There is also a rich musical history behind Andrew’s artistry. As the great-grandson of Canadian big band leader Wally Perkins, music has always been an integral part of his life. Classically trained in piano, he began recording original songs at thirteen and has since explored numerous creative avenues, including Ten Minute Detour and the alt-rock duo Walboom.
Instrumentally, the contributions of Joseph Martel on lead guitar and Rhys Lintern on drums add an organic depth to the track. Andrew describes the song as an homage to some of his favourite artists while still retaining his own identity. Needless to say, we are in awe of what Andrew is creating, and have added Rusted and Weathered to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS playlist, whilst we continue to stream his wider discography, including Shimmer and Fade, and Blue Passerby.