Andrew Canlon has landed on the Electronic Music scene, determined to make his mark as he sets about integrating his Classical background with contemporary electronic sounds. Known for his evocative soundscapes and thoughtful lyrics, Andrew Canlon has fostered a unique approach that supports his creation of dynamic music and engaging sonic experiences. With the recent release of his single, ‘Gemini Man,’ alongside Dmitry Libman, Andrew Canlon added a compelling production to his discography, offering a track that showcases his distinct signature sound and diverse talents.
So, today, we’re looking forward to sitting down with him for this exclusive interview to delve into the story behind ‘Gemini Man,’ discovering more about his collaboration with Dmitry Libman, his process, and what fans can expect next from this innovative artist.
Hi Andrew, how are you today? Congratulations on the release of ‘Gemini Man’!
Thank you so much! I’m doing well. Staying busy!
What was the inspiration behind ‘Gemini Man’? Did any specific experiences or ideas spark the concept for this track?
Man, that’s such a good question. I think I’ve always been kind of enamoured with the concept of duality. I think it’s possible to be a good person but to sometimes fall short of your ideals. We are living in a time in our society where, for some reason, it’s really important to people that you choose a side. I’ve never been inclined to brand myself one thing or the other. I tend to be very moderate in my thinking. But I am, in fact, a Gemini, so I think that just lends itself to having a certain affinity for characters and narratives that try to understand that everyone ultimately has two sides to their personality. That doesn’t mean you’re good or bad. It just means that you allow yourself the opportunity to express the positive and negative aspects of who you are.
How did your collaboration with Dmitry Libman come about? Can you share a bit about your creative process together?
This is the 5th single I’ve worked on with Dmitry. We’ve known each other forever. We were in a band together back in 2008-2009. He drove in from Philly and would crash on the floor of my Washington Heights apartment and we’d roll to band practice together. He would produce all of the band’s tracks back then, and I always thought he had an amazing knack for recording. I started pursuing a solo career in 2016 and approached him again to produce my singles. We’ve been working together ever since. There’s such a great chemistry when we work together. He just likes what I like, and we’re both not shy about wanting to release songs that are pop-forward and really give the audience the payoff that it wants.
Can you describe the initial stages of creating ‘Gemini Man’? Which element did you start with and how did the track evolve from there?
I definitely know I was in an emotional place when I wrote the song. I remember shutting off all of the lights in my studio and lighting it up in neon. I was in a moody place and wanted to create an atmosphere that would really allow me to dig into the emotional side of things. I remember writing the chorus first, including the lyrics. The piano riff came next, and then it just started spilling out. I started to understand what I wanted to do sonically, which was to take it back to the ’90s to Moby’s “Porcelain,” one of the formative tracks from my youth. The strings are a direct tribute to Moby and “Porcelain” because that song has been playing in the back of my head for the past 20+ years.
How did your background in Classical Music influence the production of ‘Gemini Man’?
It always comes in handy in terms of creating the song structure, the orchestration, and the dynamics of the song. With that said, I’m not trying to impress people with my music theory skills. The truth is I keep things very simple. I’m just trying to write songs people can relate to.
Can you share the process for integrating the vocals into the production? How did you work towards balancing the instrumental arrangement against the vocal line, and what was your approach when it came to mixing the different elements?
Vocally, it was really important for me to feel comfortable to really belt this one out. My studio at home is in a cramped New York City apartment, so it’s not the best environment for vocal production. I actually rented out a performance space with amazing acoustics and set up a makeshift vocal booth. That really paid off because there is a level of conviction in there that I’m so happy about. That was a pretty surreal experience. I’m looking out the window at NYC skyscrapers recording the vocals of a song that I’m about to deliver to Dmitry so he can work his magic on it. Sometimes you’ve gotta stop what you’re doing, look around, and remember that making music is awesome.
How did you and Dmitry Libman ensure that your individual styles blended seamlessly? What about ‘Gemini Man’ would you say exemplifies your signature sound?
Damn. Another good question. The truth is that we have a bit of a shorthand. Dmitry knows what I like, and he likes what I’m writing these days, so I’m always happy that he likes the material and he’s eager to work on it. I don’t really give Dmitry a brief. I trust that he knows what is best for the song. I’ve never been let down. I feel like it reflects both of our styles equally.
The track features various melodic elements like atmospheric pads, piano lines, and synth hooks. Can you tell us about the sound design process for these elements? What was the compositional process behind these details?
I knew I wanted “Gemini Man” to be lush and full of dramatic elements. I love the classical-contemporary feeling that you get from the strings during the intro. Actually, here’s a fun behind-the-scenes insight… The horn that plays during the bridge is a bit of a nod to my Staten Island roots. There’s a little bit of a Godfather vibe to that part of the song that I kind of knew was happening when I put it there. I think some producers might have thought it was too much or taken it out completely, but Dmitry left it in there. That’s what’s awesome about working with him. He takes what you give him and makes it even better.
What was your favourite part of the production process for this track?
After I recorded the vocals, I started to get really excited. It’s been an exciting process from start to finish, but that was the moment I knew I had something really cool on my hands.
Can you share what’s next for Andrew Canlon? Do you have any more releases you can tell us about now?
Yes! I’m excited to say that “Gemini Man” is going to be getting a remix very soon, so please keep an eye out for that! I’m also working on a 60-minute electronic set that will be filmed on location on a rooftop here in NYC. That is scheduled for mid-August and will be released via my YouTube channel. Aside from that, I’m always playing regularly here in NYC, so feel free to check my Instagram page for those announcements! Lastly, my goal is to be able to start touring very soon, so I look forward to sharing those updates with you in the near future as well. Thank you guys so much for your time!
Having taken us on a journey through his process with ‘Gemini Man,’ we thank Andrew Canlon for taking the time to share his insights and providing us with a behind-the-scenes look into the track’s creation: offering a sound that is both nostalgic and fresh, Andrew Canlon seeks to captivate listeners far and wide, and this latest release no doubt showcases the originality of his sonic identity and cements him as a talent to watch closely. So, with a boundary-pushing approach, make sure to stay tuned to Andrew Canlon and keep an eye on his social media to be updated on his upcoming releases and live performances.  
Listen to ‘Gemini Man’ Now: 
Andrew Canlon Online 
Instagram | Spotify 
