Andrew Bayuk and the Undeniables

Andrew Bayuk looks to the past with an eye toward the future while creating his music.

The folk rocker's heartfelt lyrics, lush harmonies and catchy hooks trace a triad of life, love and politics melded with Bayuk's love of Egyptology. His new CD, The Dreamer or the Dream, combines messages of peace and pyramids wrapped up in 11 tracks.

"I've found a way to combine my two great passions," he said.

Bayuk's interest in Egypt has influenced his music since he visited more than 10 years ago. He came home infused with inspiration.

"I see what a civilization can accomplish and it makes me realize humans always have great potential," said Bayuk, whose return trips led to a gig overseeing the official Web site for Dr. Zahi Hawass, secretary general of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities.

Bayuk took two years to create the disc that he intends to launch this weekend. He weaves references to monuments and mythology into tunes on Dreamer and a previous disc released in 2006, Mixed Messages. His next project is a CD centered around ancient Egyptian themes, due to drop in late 2009.

Bayuk's testing a few of the finished songs for the upcoming album at live gigs, including the all-ages official Dreamer release show. Join him 8:30 p.m. Saturday at the Coffee District, 325 NE Second Ave., Delray Beach; 561-455-0541 or mycoffeedistrict.com. His daughter, fellow singer-songwriter Winter Bay, will be the opening act.

ONLINE VERSION of this article:
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/entertainment/music/sfl-homegrown-bayuk.jpg,0,2524246.photo - Sun-Sentinel Newspaper

Album Review:
Mixed Messages – Andrew Bayuk
By Renda Writer

As the host of several 'Open Mic Nights' throughout South Florida, I am always coming across talented musicians. On April 24th, 2006 I started a weekly open mic at Java D'Lites, a coffee shop in Coral Springs. This was also the night I first met a kind and humble acoustic singer/songwriter named Andrew Bayuk.

Andrew grabbed the crowd's attention, singing an original song with lyrics that spoke of intelligent opposition to the war in Iraq, suggesting that it is fueled by "Bullshit," which was also the song's catchy and appropriate title. He followed with a song called "Mixed Messages," an insightful song for those who have more questions than answers in their relationships.

At the end of his set, it sounded as if he said something like, "Thank you… My name is Andrew Bayuk. Hope you liked my music. I'll be back next Monday." But it was hard to make out his exact words because within seconds of finishing his last note the entire place was pulsing with applause that continued until he walked off stage.

I took this opportunity to walk over to talk to him. Our exchange of compliments and introductions was brief, but what stood out most to me was his assertion that he would come out to play every Monday night as part of what he labeled a personal 'regiment' to go along with his ongoing recording of his debut CD, "Mixed Messages."

Six months later, after roughly 24 more appearances at the open mic, Andrew walked into Java D'Lites and handed me a professionally packaged copy of "Mixed Messages," complete with 11 original songs. He told me that the 1,000 unit reproduction of the CD was paid for as a prize for his song "Footprints in the Snow" winning first place in the "Big Push Folk Competition" on www.AmericanIdolUnderground.com – pretty impressive in my book. And as if this wasn't enough to pique my interest, he also revealed that he currently held the number two and three positions in the listing of the "Top 900 Songs of the Times" on Neil Young's "Living with War Today" website (http://neilyoung.com/lwwtoday/).

With all that being said, I couldn't wait to get home to listen to the CD. I slid it right into my car stereo after leaving the open mic and drove away to the sounds of the title track. By the time I got home, I had heard 11 honest and original songs that prove what a lifetime of devotion to your craft can produce - an opus that any musician would be proud to call his own.

But Andrew Bayuk is not just any musician. His versatility won't let him fit neatly into any one music genre. Although, he does hover closely over the "folk rock" category and creatively integrates varying influences such as Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and The Beatles into his own signature sound. "I've Seen" is a soft and mellow account of a full life that has no doubt inspired a need for poetic output. On "Losing Time," Bayuk gives us a Pink Floyd-esque pleasing and relaxing song that contains two solid verses separated by a guitar solo, each verse ending with a lyric that will make you say, "What did he just say?" And what did he say? You'll have to get a copy of the album to find out. The topics on the album include familiar ideas such as love, life, and politics, but Andrew is not at all afraid to cover new ground, as evidenced on "Weighing of the Heart," which is based on accounts of judgment after death recorded on ancient Egyptian scrolls. And "Shine On" is a fun, upbeat track that urges you to "stop what you are doing/ take a look around/ forget about your problems/ and shine on."

Strong talent, strong lyrics, and strong convictions make for a strong and moving CD. "Mixed Messages" belongs in everyone's CD collection and with the incredible buzz that Bayuk has established for himself on the internet, at his live performances, and by winning several contests it soon will be. But just be sure to leave room in that collection for his next CD too, which he is currently working on. - Renda Writer

The other night I went to see a female performer from NYC. Fantastic songs, great voice, all the stage presence one could ask, and in fact, everything I expected, having heard her music online.

But that was not the real surprise of the evening. I had gotten to the venue nice and early, the Atmosphere Coffee Shop at the mouth of River Walk in Las Olas, to find that there were opening acts, previously unannounced. The first, a guy named Andrew Bayuk, leisurely took the stage. I barely noticed him as I settled in, and when I looked up my initial impression was that this no 20 year-old performer, lowering my bar of expectation for whatever reason. So, I was paying more attention to my delicious cup of home roasted organic espresso (a specialty of this cafe) when he began to strum his acoustic guitar and sing. The guitar sound was mellow and unassuming and his voice chimed in at a low relaxed register as I continued to focus in on my espresso. But as the song went on, I began to listen more intently to realize that he was singing about an old ancient Egyptian scene, one of the original scenes of the judgment after death, called the “Weighing of the Heart”. My mind went back to my art history course in college as the song picked up in energy and his voice was building singing, “Will my heart betray, will my heart be true?” Finally, I became engaged as he completed the song with his voice and guitar building to the climax “grant your power to renew”. Then he began his second song with his bass player Dutch DuBois, this one extremely edgy and trudging, called “Lonely With You”. Yes, you read that right; it was not the predictable and corny “Lonely Without You”, but “Lonely With You”. And this song had a Beatle-esque feel to it, a la Rubber Soul, while still remaining completely original and engaging. He sang about that relationship we’ve all uncomfortably seen off in the corner of some restaurant, the one with a couple in constant conflict with every utterance, where we perplex as to how these people are still possibly together. He continued with the title song from his debut CD, "Mixed Messages", another extremely catchy song that we all can relate to, relaying how one can be a hero and a villain in a relationship, often all in the same day, or even hour.

Andrew continued song after song with all original compositions, all were compelling and sincere, infectious songs that you want to hear again. His command of the acoustic guitar was riveting. In the middle, he played 2 political protest songs. One was about the Iraq War called, “Smokescreen”, another was more general about insufferable politicians pandering instead of serving, called, ”Save The USA”. He ended up with a haunting and lovely song about a parasitic relationship, with a David Bowie feel called, “She’s A Vampire.”

At the end of all, I approached Andrew and praised his set. He enthusiastically thanked me mentioning that he was presently in the studio recording his next CD. I asked him where he’d been and why I’d never heard of him and he replied that he’d been bringing up his family and was now out from the shadows, having recently won 2 song contests through American Idol Underground (http://idolunderground.com). I asked him the price of his CD (it was $10, also available on CDbaby.com) and promptly bought one, which I’ve been playing over and over again ever since. And now, I keep an eye on his website (http://andrewsongs.net) to see where he’s playing; while eagerly awaiting the release of his next CD.
- Jack Paul

These are turbulent times in America. Between the current economic crisis and the endless wars abroad, it's surprising that more local musicians aren't speaking out against it all. There used to be a time when art and protest went hand in hand, but these days, not so much.

That's why it's refreshing to hear the songs of local rawk 'n' roller Andrew Bayuk, whose folky tunes capture the sentiment of everyday America and go beyond banal red-versus-blue politics. While singing about the United States heading in the wrong direction on songs like "Save the U.S.A" and "Think Peace," Bayuk is speaking on behalf of the country he loves, not against it. It's not the only topic in his material, but it's a welcome change.

As far as his playing style goes, there's a touch of Neil Young in his guitar strumming as well as traces of Jim Croce and John Lennon in his approach to songwriting. He'll sing about social issues one minute, then follow it up with a heartbroken love song, and that juxtaposition hits the soul.

Article by Jonathan Cunningham - New Times

3 time winner of the Top Rated Folk Song contest, Big Push Folk and Big Push 2 Folk

http://idolunderground.com/Tournaments/ContestDetails.aspx?2914

and:

http://idolunderground.com/Tournaments/ContestDetails.aspx?2941

and:

http://idolunderground.com/Tournaments/ContestDetails.aspx?3065

Something's happenin' here.... - American Idol Underground

Ironic, sincere, grounded, ethereal, eclectic, and well rounded musically; the album represents all of the complex, mixed emotions that Andrew has inside as well as his ability to understand the mixed messages coming to him. It was great to hear him sing in a higher range in "Weighing of the Heart." It was clear that Andrew have been working at his craft for thirty years. This album represents a culmination of Andrew as a poet and as a musician. He is a complex person who is thoughtful, cynical, and sincere. Well done! - Dancing Bear Productions

Make room for Andrew Bayuk - his shuffle-driven blend of folk and blues is catchy enough to assure a roomful of handclaps and chorus sing-alongs. - New Times - Broward - Palm Beach