Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Andersen Hugh

Andersen Hugh is an emerging young talent who’s bringing his full authentic self to his craft. As he’s grown as an artist and man, he’s learned to embrace the highs and lows of life and to channel them into lyrics that have, without a doubt, struck a chord with listeners. Today, he continues that legacy with the release of “While We’re Young,” a summer anthem to get us through these challenging times. Pop Culturalist caught up with Andersen to learn more about his career and upcoming debut EP, Manifest.

PC: How did you discover your passion for music?
Andersen: I grew up playing sports. I was heavily involved in gymnastics and diving. But when I had to have surgery due to gymnastics, I found musical theater. That’s when my life completely changed. I fell in love with music and the arts, especially with acting. When I hit puberty, I stopped loving music because my voice changed. My mom encouraged me to get back into it around senior year. There was probably five years where I didn’t do music. Senior year came; my mom found Alton, who linked me up with the Problem Solvers. The Problem Solvers helped me rediscover my love for music. We started making cool songs, and I started working on my craft again.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Andersen: Professionally, I would say the Problem Solvers. They’ve had the most influence on me because they were there when we made my first song ever, which happened to be “Options,” which is the first song I released. We made that song and we all felt so heavily connected to it. They saw something in me and they wanted to help train me and guide me through this crazy business. We’re trying to make some cool music, and I hope people enjoy it.

PC: Tell us about “While We’re Young” and the inspiration behind the song.
Andersen: I’m a free spirit. I’m a wild kid. I wanted to make an anthem for my generation and for the youth culture, especially with so much devastation and sad things going on right now. I thought it was the perfect song to be released where people can kick back and have a fun party song where they can let loose, dance, and forget about everything going on. But that was such a fun song to make. Once we had the beat, we were all hopping around and spitting ideas and bars.

PC: You’ve dropped a couple of singles leading into the release of your debut EP. What was the process like selecting what songs you would release and in what order?
Andersen: The process of selecting the first song was definitely the hardest. I was entering a new world, so to speak, and I was nervous, especially having spent five years away from music. I was coming back into it in a different headspace and with a different outlook. It was honestly nerve-racking, but I was so excited and I was so proud of the work that I did that picking it was the hardest one. I wanted everyone to be like, “Wow. He’s actually doing his thing. He’s serious about it.” I ended up going with “Options.” I felt it was just a great breakthrough song into the industry because it brought me back into the world of music. It’s a really special song to me.

PC: What did you learn about yourself during those five years away from music?
Andersen: I’ve always wanted to be involved in the arts. Originally, I thought I was going to pursue film—I still am—but those five years were weird, man. That was when I was coming into being a teenager and going through puberty and high school. I was trying to find myself. I was trying to find what I wanted to do. I went through these trials and tribulations. But once I got back into music, that pulled me back from some crazy stuff and helped hone me in on what I needed to be doing. Now I’m working so hard at making the best songs and getting this career started. It’s been a cool process.

PC: How has acting made you a stronger musician and vice versa?
Andersen: They definitely go hand in hand. Acting made me a better musician because when you’re young, you don’t have a ton of opportunities to go into film acting. I was doing musical theater. If I do something, I’m going to work my hardest at it and try to be the best at that. That is my mindset. I hate when I’m in a room with someone and they’re outworking me. Once I joined that community, I honed in.

I was taking voice lessons three times a week to make sure that my voice was the best it could be. I was doing open mics at restaurants, trying to find a way to handle my nerves and energy. So when I get on a stage, I’m there to perform. I’m there to be my character and to put on a show because that’s what I love to do. I love being an entertainer and putting on a show and letting people escape and take part in something that’s fun and they don’t have to stress about.

PC: Your debut EP, Manifest, drops later this month. What can fans expect? What do you hope to say?
Andersen: It’s a body of work that I am so incredibly proud of. I’ve worked so hard on it. The Problem Solvers have guided me through the whole process. They’re training and teaching me all these different things. It’s a really fun project. It’s seven songs. We have five really fun songs and then two more personal ones. I hope people can have fun and vibe and connect with them. That’s all I really want to do is put out fun music where people can escape their reality and find the joy in listening to music. Everyone loves listening to good music, and I’m hoping to be one of those people.

PC: If you had to pick one song off of your debut EP that best encompasses who you are as an artist, what would it be and why?
Andersen: I would definitely say “While We’re Young” because I’m a wild kid. I love getting people pumped up. I love getting the energy up in the room. I love entertaining. That song fits me the most. But they all really do. They’re all from my experiences or my feelings. I channeled those into my music.

PC: With this being your debut, what did you learn about yourself while putting together the EP?
Andersen: I learned that it’s okay to be honest with yourself. It’s okay to be who you are and think about the mistakes you’ve made. Music has to be completely honest. If your work isn’t honest, it’s not going to resonate with audiences. I learned to take myself and put it into my work. My mom definitely wasn’t excited when I was making a song about partying or being with girls. [laughs] But I was trying to make this EP as authentic as possible.

PC: What does the year hold for you after you release your EP?
Andersen: I want to keep reaching people with my craft. I just want to keep putting out good music. I’m going to continue putting out a lot of exciting, energetic music. That’s what we need right now. There’s a lot of devastation in the world. We’re living in troubled times. Financially, my dad lost his job because of corona, and I think most people need some more upbeat music, some “be happy” music so they can try to escape.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Andersen: The Black Crowes. I grew up on classic rock and old country, and now I’m making pop and R&B music. It’s just a funny switch.

PC: First album you bought?
Andersen: Appetite for Destruction by Guns N’ Roses.

PC: First concert you attended?
Andersen: It was Kendrick Lamar and it was insane.

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
Andersen: I would probably say Purpose by Justin Bieber. I think it’s one of the greatest pop albums of all time.

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
Andersen: Madison Square Garden.

PC: A must-have on the road?
Andersen: Definitely face moisturizer. My skin gets so dry and it pisses me off. [laughs] I always have to have skin moisturizer if I’m traveling around because once I get dry skin, it’s game over.

To keep up with Andersen, follow him on Instagram and Spotify. Stream “While We’re Young” today.