Suzuki’s Father, Multiethnic Background Key Influences in Music Career
Andy Suzuki’s parents had always influenced his musical style, but if it wasn’t for his father he may never have become a musician.
Suzuki, who will play an acoustic set at Saturday’s Pleasantville Music Festival, was raised in Washington D.C. by a Jewish mother and a Japanese immigrant father. His cultural background meant that he listened to an eclectic array of music as a child and often sang along to songs in different languages.
Although he was always interested in music, it wasn’t until high school that Suzuki realized that he might have a talent for writing original material.
“I’ve always been singing and by the time I was in high school I sort of realized that it came naturally to me and I started writing songs and that kind of put me on this path,” he said.
Just as Suzuki entered high school, his father was diagnosed with early onset of Alzheimer’s. For the next 10 years he watched his father’s condition worsen and Suzuki would spend lots of time reflecting about his dad, which led him to write music at the piano. Suzuki said the struggle of watching his father deteriorate can be heard in some of his music.
But perhaps most importantly, the unexpected diagnosis of his dad, who died in 2011, made Suzuki realize that life is short and inspired him to follow his dream of becoming a professional musician.
“My dad’s influence was super, super formative for me as an artist,” Suzuki said. “Many of my early songs, those kinds of images and my thoughts appear in the lyrics, sometimes directly, sometimes indirectly,” Suzuki said. “Who knows, if my dad didn’t get sick, maybe I wouldn’t be pursuing what I’m pursuing right now.”
On Saturday, he will be taking the Chill Tent Stage alone playing acoustic songs, which he says he enjoys because it allows him to play pieces that are more personal to him and permits his lyrics to speak for themselves.
One of his most memorable professional experiences, was when he had an opportunity to open for one of the most recognizable names in rock music. Suzuki had the chance to open for Ringo Starr and his All Star Band,
“To have that experience of playing in front of 10,000 people and then to have also the experience having to open for a Beatle…that’s a huge moment that I will never forget,” he said.
Following his appearance in Pleasantville, Suzuki said he will focus on his new EP, which he is currently writing songs for.
Andrew Suzuki will be performing on the Chill Tent Stage at 5:10 p.m.
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