Above: Andy McKee PC: Simone Cecchetti
ANDY MCKEE
RELEASES SOPHOMORE SINGLE FROM NEW EP
“STREETS OF WHITERUN”
TODAY
SIX-SONG EP
SYMBOL
OUT FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
NASHVILLE, TN (August 13, 2021) — Andy McKee, one of the world’s finest acoustic guitarists, has returned after nearly a decade without releasing new studio recordings. The sophomore single — “Streets of Whiterun” — from his upcoming Symbol EP has been released today alongside a music video.
An ode to McKee’s love of gaming, “Streets of Whiterun,” originally composed by Jeremy Soule for the Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim soundtrack, is a unique harp guitar arrangement dedicated to all of McKee’s fellow gamer enthusiasts. This new interpretation of the song not only inspired Andy, but is also for those “who enjoy escaping into another world now and then,” says McKee.
The music video, filmed near Old Hickory Lake outside of Nashville, TN, was directed by Joshua Britt and Neilson Hubbard [Tommy Emmanuel, John Prine, Jason Isbell].
Above: “Streets of Whiterun” Single Art
“I have been an avid video game enthusiast all of my life and one thing that I’ve noticed over the years is how great the music can be in games,” adds McKee. “After all of the hours I’ve spent playing games, I have taken influence from many composers like Nobuo Uematsu, Manami Matsumae, Kenji Yamamoto and others.”
While Symbol is a collection of inspired renditions, they are important song choices; artists that connect to his musical past. He pulls from the catalogues of greats like Michael Hedges, Preston Reed, Billy McLaughlin and Prince.
“I wanted to give listeners a chance to hear what I hear when I listen to this music,” says McKee. “I also wanted to branch out a bit and include music that isn’t originally for acoustic guitar.”
About Andy McKee:
Andy McKee entertains both the eye and the ear as he magically transforms the steel string guitar into a full orchestra via his use of altered tunings, tapping, partial capos, percussive hits and a signature two-handed technique. McKee’s crossover success has helped him to achieve millions upon millions of YouTube viewers, underscoring his emergence as one of today’s most unique and influential artists. His song “Drifting” became one of the first YouTube viral videos with almost 60 million views. He has been featured as a cover story in both Acoustic Guitar Magazine in the U.S. and Acoustic Magazine in the UK. He also curates his own annual guitar retreat called Musicarium. McKee’s tour dates have taken him through Europe, Asia, Australia and North America, including tours with legendary acts from Dream Theater to Tommy Emmanuel.
Above: Symbol EP Artwork