About That Song: Andy Ulseth
About That Song #114
In our special series, singer-songwriter Sarah Morris interviews artists about the songs that shaped them.
Hi! I’m Sarah Morris. I’m wildly in love with songs and the people who write them. There have been a few songs in my life that have been total gamechangers—songs that made me want to be a songwriter and songs I’ve written that made me feel like I am a songwriter. About That Song is a space where I can learn more about those pivotal songs in other writers’ lives.
In the 114th edition of our special series, I was delighted to chat with Minnesota songwriter Andy Ulseth, who’s gearing up for a now SOLD-OUT show at Bryant Lake Bowl in Minneapolis, about formative songs in his musical journey.
Andy Ulseth. Photo courtesy of the artist.
Sarah: Hi Andy Ulseth!!! I first encountered your music through the Singer/Songwriter Summer Challenge—a prompt-based writing group that operates on Facebook. Instantly, I became a fan of your singular melodies that somehow feel utterly familiar, and your sharp and vivid lyricism. I am grateful for every week you wrote a song that led me to listen and say something like “GAH, THAT IS SO GOOD” to the air. Over the last few years, you’ve released two albums—2022’s How We’ve Changed and 2021’s Broken Bones (Redux)—plus a handful of singles. Currently, you are preparing a career retrospective show at Bryant Lake Bowl. This feels like an excellent time to learn a little bit more about the songs that have brought you to this place in your artistic journey.
Do you remember the song you heard that made you want to be a songwriter? Tell us about that song.
Andy: In a way, I feel like I became a songwriter when I first earnestly picked up a guitar at the age of 9. Even before that, I was writing lyrics, melodies, and conceptualizing musical projects and trying to get my school friends to lock in and try and start a band with me.
Sarah: This does not surprise me one bit. And I love it.
Andy: I truly never had a moment as a teen or young adult when I decided to try and write a song—it was just always a part of my life. When I was around 17, people started telling me that they actually liked my songs and encouraged me to keep doing it, and gave me opportunities. I’ve never stopped and can’t imagine I ever will.
When I was in college, I bought this compilation CD called The Sound The Hare Heard, that had contributions from a lot of interesting contemporary songwriters, and I was really taken by this song “Cast a Hook in Me,” by Laura Veirs. It totally blew my mind for how simple the composition was, while also being extremely vivid and evocative. I love that song, and I think of hearing it for the first time as one of those moments that cemented what I wanted to do with my art.
Sarah: It sounds like the songwriter identity came naturally to you. Can you recall writing a song where you stepped into that more fully?
Andy: For a long time, my goal as a teen was to just have content that I could perform with my band so that we weren’t just a cover band. I was interested in the craft of it all, but the songs I had written were mostly to give us something to play that was ours. When I was 16, my friend Pablo passed away suddenly and tragically, and I felt compelled to write a song about it.
I wrote it on an acoustic guitar, which wasn’t really something I’d done before, and I’d used metaphor and surrealist and clever imagery—stuff that I felt was a lot more sophisticated than what I had been doing previously. Other friends really liked the song, and I began to consider that I had the ability to write songs that could move people and make them feel something. While it wasn’t the first song I’d ever written, I still sort of consider that song the prototype—what I still try to do to this day.
Sarah: You certainly DO have that ability. Also, I’m so sorry for your loss, Andy. That is hard, and so young …
“I’ve always been one for poetry / I’ve always been one for fire.” You have a way of weaving literary reference into your lyrics that feels natural, so when you sing this line in “Calliope,” I believe that you indeed have always been one for poetry. This song culminates in the romantic declaration, “Molly, it’s you, you’re the one for me.” Can you tell us about that song?
Andy: I haven’t been asked about this song before, so thank you. This was an earnest attempt to write a love song for my wife, Molly. I don’t think I have ever been good at writing songs that had such immediate meaning or intent, but this was definitely intended as a love song. My idea was to not just focus on the “love” but also show an appreciation for how she deals with my quirks. It felt like a more honest and interesting way for me to show my love and appreciation.
One thing I love about your songs is the way in which you always seem to find an interesting backdoor to say the thing you want to say—I’ve admired that for a really long time, even before we became friends. So I think you have this quality in your songs as well.
Sarah: Oh, you are kind to say that, Andy Ulseth!
Andy: So in the instance of this song, instead of saying “I love you and I appreciate you,” it’s more fun to highlight what you love about her in a way that evokes Greek gods, art, poetry, fire, etc. The opening line is “Voice like the one from Calliope,” which is a reference to the most revered of the Greek Muses, as well as the name of a musical instrument. My wife has sung with me for a long time, and so I thought likening her to a Muse and a beautiful sounding instrument was clever and interesting. The next line is “And this, at the risk of your ire,” which is me saying, “I’m going to sing about what I like about you, and that may embarrass you, I’m still going to do it.”
Sarah: Just the thought of this makes me smile. Looking at someone and more or less saying, “I’m coming at you with a song about how amazing you are, just get ready …”
Andy: Finally, “I’ve always been one for poetry, and I’ve always been one for fire,” is me acknowledging the artful nature of my intent with this song.
As you know, I read a lot, and even if I rarely lift ideas and concepts directly from the text, I find that steeping myself in language and literary concepts enriches my own palette. All that’s to say, I think that saying something plainly can also be incredibly poetic and beautiful, and it’s important to do that too sometimes.
Andy Ulseth. Photo courtesy of the artist.
Sarah: You provide a great equalizer when you sing in “Everyone Is A Failure,” “Everybody fails. I’ve been drinking the water. I’ve been acting out songs in pantomime, I’m in love with my jailor. I’ve been making the most of outdoor time.” The melody and groove made me, as a listener, feel A-OK joining the crew of … everybody. Can you tell us about that song?
Andy: I truly don’t remember the genesis of this song or why I wrote it, but I’ve made up various backstories over the years—usually for fun. I do think when most of us compare our life goals to where we are, it can feel like we’ve somehow fallen short, or failed. And so in that regard, in the grand scheme of rat-race culture, most people probably feel a sense of underachievement, but that’s sort of what makes us human. There’s another passage that goes “I’ve been noticing rainfall/I’ve been coasting on winds of maritime/ and everyone is a sailor/ everybody wants to be canonized,” which is sort of about people wanting recognition in a society, or to go viral, and in a way, I think that desire is a failure in its own way.
Sarah: In April of 2021, you released a 9-and-a-half-minute piece titled “In An Election Year”—can you tell us about that song/piece?
Andy: I began noodling on this on Election Day 2020. Everyone I knew was feeling so beaten down and tired, and 2020, as we all know, had some really unusual circumstances. The idea was to write a piece that had multiple movements, and each movement sort of focused on the feelings I had throughout that year.
The first movement is about the calm I felt after voting and waiting for results to roll in. The second section is sort of about the bizarre feelings of having a child for the first time, and how it’s like nothing else. My son was born in June of that year, and I was so taken by how early parenthood is like nothing else. The third and final movement is sort of about the struggle between the two sides to abide by COVID instructions and recommendations, and how for many, that struggle created unimaginable consequences.
There’s nothing linear about the piece as a whole, but I had a number of fragments that I thought would be fun to string together. I’m proud of this piece, and I’m glad you listened to it!
Sarah: It felt like a swing toward Art Song, which thrilled me a bit. I like watching songwriters stretch out into different forms. I’m curious—as a listener—whose songs are knocking your socks off right now?
Andy: I recently listened to the most recent album by My Brightest Diamond, which came out in 2024. The first track is about the singer Shara Nova’s experience on the day that Sinead O’Connor passed away. There’s a really incredible metaphysicality to the songs, but also sincere emotion and pathos. I love Shara’s voice and writing, and have been a fan for a really long time. That latest record is really a triumph.
Sarah: Ah! This is new to me; thank you for the recommendation. Let’s talk career retrospective! Can you tell us more about that show?
Andy: I turned 40 at the end of August and wanted to do something special for the occasion. Turning 40 itself is a watershed moment, so it felt like a time to reflect and celebrate. I wanted to host the event in a theater setting rather than a bar or listening room, so that I could curate the experience and performance a bit more. There will be some fun surprises and stories to go along with the music. I heard today that the show is entirely sold out, so I’m looking forward to feeding off of that energy.
Sarah: Amazing! Thanks for writing songs that knock my socks off on the regular, and for stopping by for this conversation. Happy belated birthday, and I am wishing you a fantastic show. I think Bryant Lake Bowl is such a special venue, and your listeners are lucky to hear you in that space!
Listen to “Everyone Is A Failure”
How We’ve Changed Album Credits
All Songs Written by Andrew Ulseth
Released by Reverse Alphabetical Records
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sarah Morris. Photo credit: Tom Smouse.
Sarah Morris is a superfan of songs and the people who write them, and a believer that certain songs can change your life. A singer-songwriter / mama / bread maker / coffee drinker who recently released her fifth album of original material, she’s been known to joyfully sing with people in her Big Green Bathroom.
