Interview: Andy Frasco (World Saving Podcast)
I am super excited to have the opportunity to interview the talented and inspiring musician and podcast host, Andy Frasco. With his World Saving Podcast now exclusively featured on Volume.com, Andy's conversations with prominent figures in the entertainment industry on mental health, addiction, and life have reached an audience of over 45 million people. As a fellow touring artist, Andy's candid and approachable hosting style has encouraged his guests to open up in ways they may have not been able to before.
Beyond the podcast, Andy's own journey with mental health and addiction has been a cathartic one, and through his podcast, he hopes to show others that he is more than just a crowd-surfing, Jameson-drinking maniac they see onstage. Read our interview with Andy below.
Hey Andy, thanks so much for taking the time to chat with me! Tell me a little bit about your podcast, Andy Frasco’s World Saving Podcast—how did the show come about? Congrats on an audience of 45 million by the way!
Thanks! It’s been a wild ride for sure! I like to think of my podcast as an inside look at what the entertainment business does to our everyday thoughts as artists. We talk a lot about the wear and tear of following dreams. We laugh, cry and relate to how weird this job really is. I love getting to know my guests, and give them an outlet for their fans to know a little more about their favorite artists. It's like having dinner with some buddies.
You just signed a deal with Volume.com to be the home of the podcast for the next year, congrats! Something many indie artists overlook is the opportunity for branding and sponsorship even at an early stage. How would you advise them to navigate those waters in the early days?
It’s been a dream come true to be part of the Volume family. They really let me be who I want to be and how I want to direct the show in the coming years. I think my advice for artists would be, make authentic art and don't just chase what the industry wants you to make. The right partners will come your way and see your vision.. You just have to be patient and persistent with what you want to bring to the world. Take a breath and keep being authentic to what your heart and mind wants to show the world.
With May being Mental Health Month, how do you hope this podcast, and others like it, can help the music community?
I hope this podcast shows that we aren’t alone in the fight to have a better relationship with your brain. Even your favorite artists fight with anxiety and depression on a daily basis. If we can stop the stigma that we have to fight these feelings alone then maybe we can find a way to make people take care of their brains just as much as we take care of other parts of our bodies.You're not alone in this fight.
What do you think is missing or that we can do better when it comes to mental health in the music and entertainment industry?
I think we need to also think about the people behind the scenes of the art too. It’s not just the artists who are overworked or disregard their mental health to entertain the world. It’s the stage hands, venue managers, booking agents, artist managers, promoters etc as well. We're all in this together and we need to help the people who also help the art grow as well.
On your podcast you’ve interviewed many successful creatives. What do you see as some of those similarities that make an artist successful?
Their drive and the never giving up mentality. It seems like all the most successful people never took “No” for an answer. They just worked harder. This industry is so competitive already, that a lot of these success stories didn’t allow themselves to have a Plan B. You need to be working on your art 120% or it won’t come to fruition.
You're well known for your band Andy Frasco & The U.N. where you played festivals like Bonnaroo and had major acclaim from sites like NME. What’s been one of the highlights of your career thus far?
I think playing at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in front of 10,000 people with my parents in attendance. My mom is fighting leukemia right now and she loves us so much. To see her cry of joy from being so proud of all our hard work to get us there. It helps inspire her to keep fighting her cancer.
What advice would you give artists who hope to be in your shoes one day, both in terms of success and impact?
Don't take “No” as an answer. There’s going to be 100 doors shut in your face before the first one opens. If you believe in your art, all the great things will happen eventually. It’s a numbers game. Keep going.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
To our fans, thanks for being a part of this journey with us. And if you're just getting to know us, welcome home. I owe you a hug next time I see ya.
If you enjoyed that, you’ll want to check out the World Saving Podcast’s first-ever live episode. Featuring special guest Anders Osborne, this one-of-a-kind event will be the podcast's first-ever live stream and taping, with Andy Frasco & the UN performing live alongside Osborne and more special guests. With over 45 million listeners tuning in to date, this promises to be an unforgettable experience for fans of the podcast and lovers of live music. Anders Osborne is a true musical treasure, widely recognized as one of the most original and visionary musicians of our time. We can't wait to see what Andy and his guests have in store, so mark your calendars for what is sure to be an unforgettable night! You can view Livestream dates below.
Live Stream Details
Nolafunk X Volume.com Present
Andy Frasco’s BIG NIGHT OUT IN THE BIG EASY
Andy Frasco & the UN + World Saving Podcast LIVE
With Anders Osborne
Republic NOLA
Saturday April 29, 2023
8pm Doors 9pm Show
Ticket Link For Andy Frasco's BIG NIGHT OUT IN THE BIG EASY April 29
The 10th Annual Nolafunk Series During Jazz Fest is a highly anticipated musical extravaganza that takes place during the evenings and weekends of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, April 28-May 7, 2023. The series features an eclectic line-up of musicians, both local legends and national acts, who embody the spirit and essence of the city. Volume.com will partner with Nolafunk to stream all of their shows at Republic NOLA during Jazz Fest.
10th Annual Nolafunk Series During Jazz Fest Lineup @ RepublicNOLA on Volume.com
Daniel Donato’s Cosmic NOLA
Daniel Donato’s Cosmic NOLA
Feat. Special Guests Branden Lewis (Preservation Hall Jazz Band),
Kanika Moore (Doom Flamingo), and more friends to be announced
Friday April 28, 2023
11pm Doors 11:30pm Show
$20-$25
Ticket Link for Daniel Donato's Cosmic NOLA April 28
Live Stream Ticket Link
Dead Feat
Anders Osborne, Fred Tackett & Kenny Gradney of Little Feat,
Jackie Greene, Jason Crosby, Chad Cromwell
Republic NOLA
Thursday May 4, 2022
9pm Doors 10pm Show
$49.50-$55 Tickets
Ticket Link for Dead Feat May 4
Earth Wind & Power: The Music of Earth Wind & Fire featuring The Nth Power, Oteil Burbridge, Eric Krasno, Nigel Hall, Skerik, Kanika Moore, Dumpstaphunk horns & more Republic NOLA
May 5, 2022
9pm Doors 10 PM Show
Republic NOLA
$45 Tickets +
Ticket Link for Earth Wind & Power May 5
Voodoo Dead
Steve Kimock, George Porter Jr., Jackie Greene,
Al Schnier, and John Kimock plus special guests tba
Republic NOLA
Saturday May 6 & Sunday May 7, 2023
9pm Doors 10pm Show Sat
8pm Doors 9pm Show Sun
Ticket Link for Voodoo Dead May 6
Ticket Link for Voodoo Dead May 7