Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrei Awad.
Hi Andrei, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born in Bucharest, Romania and adopted by my Egyptian Father and American Mother. I was introduced to an abundance of music at a very young age. My parents put me into piano lessons around 5. Soon after, I wanted to play the drums, then guitar, then bass. I am mostly self-taught in guitar and bass. I started learning the drums in lessons, then played in a jazz band. Jazz put me on a whole new level of listening, leading to experimentation. I grew up singing most of the music I listened to, and it helped me find what I was looking to express.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
When there is a struggle, there is an opportunity to grow. Adversities have been a focal point of my music. You can transmute them into something that helps you, inspires others, builds confidence, and connects you to other like-minded individuals.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Connection. An omnipresent forefront of the music I’m inspired to make. The live band for my project is Dres & Friends. The outline consists of rotating members. At the beginning of the project, I outsourced this idea out of necessity. I was living with four other musicians at the time who had other projects they were working on, but when they had time to lend a hand, I took it into full account. This led to multiple groups of friends coming in and out at different times. Every show is different, different people, different styles of playing, different perspectives. The friends in the group are highly emphasized. How fun is it to play your music with friends who want to be there and enable your growth and theirs? Tremendous. Some of these friends I’ve known for a while, some of them I meet out in public and connect with, and some of them I meet through social media. When I record in the studio, it is mostly me you hear on every record. I like to work one-on-one with a session producer and track all the parts myself. Languages are another part of the web of connection. I speak French fluently, which opens a whole new realm of opportunities and connections. This yields a whole new audience and explores untapped markets through culture and business. I am currently learning Arabic, Hindi, Spanish, and Japanese. I love to make something happen, cultivate innovation, and be open to connection.
What matters most to you? Why?
Peace. The peace of mind in believing that something is achievable. The peace of mind of having self-control. The peace of mind in believing in yourself. The rest, I leave in God’s hands.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dres_13/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMjXltkFeGiNOx0nvrhfgJw/feed
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dresplayzzz
