Earth to Mr. Neptoon with Andrew Gardner
Earth to Mr. Neptoon with Andrew Gardner
By: Hailey Layne
Andrew Gardner is a native of Oxford, Mississippi who possesses an immense amount of gratitude for his family and the musical endeavors he has been a part of. “I’m so grateful to be able to dip into different musical pots, and work on so many different projects,” Gardner said. With a strong sense of self-awareness and personal timing, Gardner is preparing to release his debut album. Going by the name Mr. Neptoon, Gardner has assumed the uniform of a black suit, sneakers, and sunglasses. Talking through the aesthetic components as well as the foundational elements of the album’s creation links feelings of nostalgia with all the experiences of growing up.
What is the link between the music and the outward expression of Mr. Neptoon?
Gardner recalled, “the short answer is that I am creating an Album called the Power of A Suit. Some of the reasoning behind the attire can be attributed to my great grandfather who owned a men’s clothing store on Capitol Street in Jackson, Mississippi; I wanted to thank and acknowledge my family through the process.” When tackling a concept album, Gardner felt it would be the most powerful to focus on what he is experiencing in his life; “for me, I am an undergraduate student who is experiencing the “beginnings” of adulthood.” The suit has a corporate look to it, but the sneakers represent the youthfulness aspect. “I didn’t want to constrain [Mr. Neptoon] too much, so it really is up to interpretation,” Gardner said.
How do you think the character or persona will evolve over time?
“In a literal sense, there have been so many movements in history that have started by people in suits,” said Gardner. Describing The Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show and Willie Nelson’s evolution, Gardner detailed the historical aspects of the attire. The suit simultaneously represents Gardner’s youth and the sacredness of the act of creating the music. There’s a quality of formality to it. “I have wanted to make and perform music for so long; it almost is an idolizing of the process,” said Gardner.
If you had to describe your new single “American Holy Spirit” what would it look like?
American Holy Spirit is an A-side record, and it represents the infancy that Gardner talked about earlier. He said, “It is a really fun song that people can dance to; I see it as a typical college party song, but like the college party that I used to imagine when I was nine.” The song has the image of people sitting around talking and laughing as the music plays in the background. There is a wholesome essence to it that is just really listenable and catchy. “The song is really happy, '' said Gardner.
Who are some of the Musical Performers that Have Influenced you?
Andrew cracked a smile, “I have the crippling, chronic ability to be influenced by all kinds of music.” Referencing his classical violin training, he emphasizes the importance of the fiddle and performers like George Jones, the Charlie Daniels Band, and Waylon Jennings. “As a teenager, I listened to a lot of ColdPlay, The Lumineers, The Avett Brothers, and Mumford and Sons. A lot of the stomp and clap bands had really talented string players,” said Gardner. Along with aging, the people in Andrew’s life introduced him to different genres and areas of music; “the people in my life have always influenced what I have listened to.” Lacking any pretentiousness in his taste in music, Gardner has a reverence for the artists that have shaped his musical development.
What about style influences?
“I think performers who just have swagger to them inspire me. They can wear the most outrageous things and still look cool; they have the confidence to back it up,” Gardner said. Gardner touched on the style of Anderson Paak and his printed jackets. On the idea of influence, “people say it worked because one person originally thought it worked.”
What does becoming a classic mean to you?
Gardner answered, “Our generation is somewhat at a disadvantage because you feel a strong sense of existential dread that everything has been done already. There are well-established acts that are pushed from labels and that side of things. At the same time, I feel grateful to be part of the “digital native” age where you have access to all kinds of information and inspiration.”
No longer do people have to sift through countless physical records to find new sounds. Regardless of genre boundaries, funk music and indie rock are areas where a lot of overlap is taking place. “I think finding a sound that pulls from many different areas is really special,” said Gardner.
Gardner expressed that he doesn’t know what the future holds, but he’s super excited about it; “I had a really surreal moment the other day when I was looking in the mirror wearing my merch.” He understands the gravity of first impressions and creating a debut album. “Everything competes with the debut album, because it is the first. It is also released into the world with all the music ever produced,” he said. The timing aspect was important to Gardner; he wanted to wait and produce music when he felt ready. On a final note, he again expressed his gratitude for everyone who mentored, trained, and chose to invest in his musical endeavors. Gardner especially wanted to thank his first violin teacher Irwin Bell and his fellow band members in Happy Landing. While Mr. Neptoon is making music for the universe, Gardner appears extremely grounded.
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Images and art by Sam Dakauskas.