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Andy & Jessica Eppler – The Prairie Scholars
November 26, 2011

(After you read this story, be sure not to miss next one – “An Interview With Andy Eppler”)

UPDATE – This just in on Andy’s Facebook page:  “My name is on this Grammy Ballot!  I’m up for Best New Artist and Best Pop Vocal Performance.  I won’t win but it’s nice to be on the list.”

What a cool thing!  And what a shame if you missed our Thanksgiving weekend HubCityMusic.com house concert featuring Andy and wife Jessica (The Prairie Scholars) up close and personal.  They put on a fantastic show, and everyone who came had a great time! 

The Prairie Scholars, husband and wife team Andy and Jessica Eppler, perform together blending Andy’s darkly poetic Texas folk with Jessica’s driving and haunting rock melodies.  Honest, aggressive and passionate The Prairie Scholars document in their music a journey out of the flatlands and into the shadowy world in search of a home.  Jessica, a Sweetwater, TX native, moved to Levelland, TX upon enrolling at South Plains College.  She quickly earned the respect of her peers with her captivating songwriting and classically inspired musicality.  While at school she met Andy who had also been making a name for himself as a prolific songwriter by incessant recording and performing in nearby Lubbock, his hometown.  Soon the two were married and began producing material.  Andy released three solo albums (There is No Underground 2007, Dark Places 2008, Disease in the Heartland 2009), which gained him not only a hearty following of keen thinkers and art lovers but also glowing international reviews.
Jessica performed in the band Clandestine Amigo in venues all over the south plains and finally released a live recording in 2009 (Clandestine Amigo). The new album by The Prairie Scholars is titled Strangers in the Modern Era and is available for free as a download at www.prairiescholars.com

An interview with Andy Eppler of The Prairie Scholars

Andy EpplerOne thing to know about Andy Eppler is that he looks at the world through different eyes than most of us.  That unique view of the world and his sharp sense of humor show up clearly in this short interview.  Enjoy!

An Interview with Andy Eppler of The Prairie Scholars, by Paul Johnson with HubCityMusic.com:

Paul: You grew up in Lubbock, and like many native sons, found greener pastures elsewhere. Now that you’ve been away for a while, has your perspective changed any?

Andy: I have not changed in any perceivable way. I certainly haven’t grown either as a person or as an artist. I’m even wearing the same pants and shirts and what not… that’s how little I’ve grown. When I went to get my drivers license renewed the lady at the counter just looked at my old license for my height and then glanced up at me for just a split moment before she said “That looks about right”…. That is how little I’ve grown.

Paul: A lot of people subscribe to some variation of the theory that there is something about Lubbock that seems to inspire musical expression. Do you agree, and why or why not?

Andy: I think, in general, the people in Lubbock are genuinely disinterested in art. This has two effects. First, it builds a stronger feeling of community between the select few people there who really do love art. We treasure these. Second, because the crowds are so uninterested in quality art, it forces the artist to be that much better. The artist ends up getting used to working harder for the most meager attention in Lubbock and so when they go touring they knock everybody dead.

Paul: How has Lubbock influenced you as an artist?

Andy: It made me tough and it taught me to go my own way.

Paul: How do you feel when you come back to visit?

Andy: I feel good. I come for special events and great gigs… and that’s the only time I come to Lubbock. I stay just a little while and see my friends and I leave before I get mad about how they are treated by some college kid who never heard a rock and roll song before. I stay in Lubbock just long enough to remember the good times.

Paul: Is it something you look forward to?

Andy: I love playing at the Buddy Holly Center every year and following it up with a special concert the next night in the Tornado Gallery. It’s always a good combo for us and we always have a great time. All our friends come out and we are usually inspired to play a great show.

Paul: Is there anything you’d like to say to your friends in Lubbock?

The show is intended for adults only. There isn’t much tough language but we would still probably have an “R” rating. Lots of shooting and stuff in the songs.
Beyond that, this show will be best enjoyed by folks who really enjoy a well written song. That’s our focus.

Paul: Anything to say to those who may not be familiar with you?

Andy: Go to http://andyeppler.com and download our album: “Prairie Scholars: Strangers in the Modern Era” for free from our homepage.  That’s the cheapest and simplest way to test the waters.  Plus it makes the $20 ticket seem like a pretty good deal.

Paul: Free music?!  That’s got to be the best deal I’ve ever heard!  So there you have it, folks, go download their album for free, and use the money you save to attend The Prairie Scholars’ HubCityMusic.com house concert on Saturday November 26th!  Click here for concert info or to RSVP.