Andrew WK: Philosopher of Partying
By: MattPosted on: June 18, 2008
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There was a time when I thought Andrew WK made dumb frat boy music. Dumb frat boy music for frat boys who found Smashmouth too complex. And I wasn’t the only one.
But the funny thing is, serious musicians love the guy. Artists as different as Sightings and Lee “Scratch” Perry wanted him to produce for them. The Yale magazine Volume recently profiled him alongside minimalist composer Phillip Glass. And here he is performing with indie darlings Vampire Weekend. So basically, Pitchfork hates him, but bands that Pitchfork loves love him.
Andrew WK does make dumb frat boy music, but only in the way Jackson Pollack paints something a five-year-old could make. As his four-hour lecture at NYU makes clear, Andrew has a Philosophy, and simple, irresistible party music plays a role in it.
I don’t claim to understand exactly who this person named Andrew WK is, but I believe that above all, he wants us to be happy. Don’t believe me? Go here, start the video, and skip to about three minutes in, when he really gets cooking. You will be happier, I promise.


July 25th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
[...] Cross-posted from the Hotnewz Blog: [...]