Andrew Landers: Local Pastor Follows Call to Career in Music

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By Gale Hemmann

volkswagenYou can say it is Andrew Landers’ calling to touch people through music. Whether it’s playing at a festival or beside a hospital bed, Landers is known for the joy and spiritual sustenance that his songs bring. An acoustic-guitar folk singer and songwriter, Landers is an accomplished musician. In fact, he has recently decided to pursue his passion for music full-time.

In addition to music, Landers is also a full-time pastor and a father of six kids. I caught up with the busy Olympia local to learn more about his music and his upcoming transition.

Andrew Landers: Soul-Stirring Songs for the Real World  

andrew landers
After two decades of combining music and the ministry, Andrew Landers is going after a career in music full-time.

Landers’ music and life are rooted in a deep Christian faith. He has been active in the ministry for over twenty years. He has been a popular pastor at Evergreen Christian Church in Olympia, where he served until recently as Creative Arts Pastor.

He currently plays with the band Andrew Landers and Mainstreet Struggleville. He has released eight albums, and his music has been heard internationally. His band has played many shows and festivals, including at the Seattle Hard Rock Café, to name just one well-known spot. You can view videos of their performances on his YouTube channel and learn more about his music on his ReverbNation page.

Landers identifies his work as American Roots acoustic folk. Listening to one of his original songs, such as “Circle K Song” or the eponymous “Mainstreet Struggleville,” one can clearly hear the simple, emotional resonance that draws people in. I could hear echoes of Landers’ influences David Wilcox, Dave Matthews, and the legendary Johnny Cash. He says the back-up band has a rotating line-up, pulling from a pool of talented musician friends depending on the type of song he’s recording.

Andrew and his wife, Jody, are also the proud parents of six children (including twins adopted from Sierra Leone). The family moved here from Denver four years ago, and they absolutely love the area. Landers says he likes the town’s laid-back vibe and the way so many locals care about issues that are important to him: this seems a perfect fit for his music and spirit. You can find the family driving around Olympia in Andrew’s beloved 1972 Volkswagen bus.

Landers also plays in musical therapy programs at hospitals and at senior homes. He tells me he especially likes playing for the elderly. “They are at such a powerful point in their life narrative, and it is so great to be able to spend time with them and listen to their stories,” he says. Fans say he has an immensely positive and calming effect on patients. As the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu says, “Music in the soul can be heard throughout the universe.”

Answering the Call of the Music

andrew landers
Landers cites his children as an inspiration in his decision to pursue his dream full-time.

For many years, Landers’ career and music have existed side-by-side. Now, with the support of his family and all those who know him, Landers is embarking on pursuing his musical dreams full-tilt. He is planning to leave his full-time position at the church to focus solely on his musical career.

The way he and his family are making this transition happen is through a Kickstarter campaign. They are asking family, friends and community members who have been touched by Landers’ music to consider contributing to helping Landers realize his dream. The funds are earmarked for equipment and business costs for Andrew, and will enable his family to stay in their rental home in Olympia while Andrew travels. The one-year time window funded by the campaign would allow Andrew to get a focused start on his career, and the family is grateful for the support they’ve received so far.

Landers’ work wins raves from both critics and his fan base. The best way to get a sense of its power is to listen to a few songs. There is a presence, a core, in his music that will touch nearly every listener. And he is known for putting on a heartfelt live show. As Rick Palmer, a theater executive, notes, “From the moment the curtain rises, you will encounter a night of music that is both healing and provoking. A masterful storyteller.”

andrew landers
Originally from Portland, the Landers family loves traversing Olympia in their 1972 VW bus.

People who know him say Landers has not just the skill to pull off this dream, but the character to do so as well. Dawn Kero, a ThurstonTalk reader, says of him, “Andrew Landers is one of a kind – very compassionate, loving, funny, and a devoted father.”

In fact, it is Landers’ kids that are part of his inspiration for this journey. He says he realized he wanted to teach them to follow their dreams and pursue what they are passionate about in life.

So how will Landers spend the year? Totally immersed in music, he says. He will be “knocking on every door,” building networking connections in the music industry, playing shows, and seeking as much music-related business as he can. After two decades of sharing his music with others, he will finally have the time to see how far he can go with it.

Landers notes he’s been developing in a niche in writing special songs for events and advertising jingles. As long as he’s writing music and supporting his family, Landers is happy. He says this year would “give him a runway.” Clearly, this talented musician is ready to run.

How You Can Support Mainstreet Struggleville

andrew landers
Landers hopes to bring his contemplative, soul-stirring musical style to even bigger audiences.

To learn more about Landers’ project, you can check out his Kickstarter page. On the page, you’ll find moving video by Andrew and Melinda about the project and their mutual belief in Andrew’s future potential as a musician.

In talking with Landers and listening to his lyrics, you can definitely hear the sound of something big. It brings to mind a quote by one of Landers’ muses, Dave Matthews: “Take what you can from your dreams, make them as real as anything.” With the support of his family and the community behind him, Andrew Landers is poised to do just that.

To learn more about Mainstreet Struggleville and find upcoming show dates, visit their website or follow them on Facebook. You can also follow Andrew Landers on Twitter at @msstruggleville.

 

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