Initially, Louis Maistros’ cover shot of a watchful Buddha statue on Tom Andes’ EP debut seems enigmatic since it implies an inexplicable Asian connection. Besides the figure itself and a salute to the Buddhist faith, it also has a strong New Orleans connection, though one that’s not stereotypical, like Jackson Square or a paddlewheel steamboat. The statue stood for years in a dingy, industrial setting in the otherwise trendy Bywater neighborhood.
The Bywater Buddha is also symbolic of how the Crescent City landscape inspires its artisans in more unimaginable ways, including singer-songwriter and guitarist Andes. He’s lived in the city twice now, most recently since 2012, and three of these five rock-ish, Americana originals are byproducts of his relocation. The characters are typically downtrodden, aimless wanderers, like the barely surviving service industry guy attempting to get into the good graces of his perceived paramour on “Uptown Blues.” On “If You See Me Walking,” the protagonist experiences joy in loneliness.
Andes mixes in elements of South Louisiana music, such as clarinetist Marc Linam’s trad-jazz flavor on “Walking.” David Symons’ rollicking accordion ride on “Uptown Blues” would feel at home in a zydeco number.
If there is a tune here that could contend for college-radio airplay, it’d be the jangly title track. Besides recalling early REM, “Static on Every Station” is infectious with charge-ahead energy spearheaded by Andes’ searing guitar tones. While the storyline is a composite of real-life characters, lyrically, it can be summed up as failed communication and feelings of love and loss—hence the static metaphor.
Though Andes’ songs follow the standard one-four-five chord progression, he also goes to the two-chord, which stands out the best on “Static” and “Oklahoma Nights” to add a little color to the arrangement.
Initially, Andes’ plan was to get his feet wet working in the studio again, which explains why only five tracks were recorded. Yet, they’re solid enough to indicate he has a promising future when he does return to record the next batch of songs.
