A Conversation Andrew Gower
A Conversation Andrew Gower
Last Summer, Liverpool-born actor/musician Andrew Gower released his debut EP, THE JACARANDA (named after the venue in Liverpool), under his band name Gustaffson.
Craig Potter from ‘Elbow’ produced, and Guy Garvey said “Gower’s effortless understated delivery is particularly impressive given the heart-stopping honesty of his beautifully crafted words and the he unfurls and wallop, it’s love.” Peter Jobson of ‘I Am Loot’ has said, “Rich, Beautiful and Soulful. Gustaffson is a great balladeer. Soaring heartfelt vocals, perfect arrangements and pristine production make this EP very special. Get some. Love it.
The epic fantasy series CARNIVAL ROW on Amazon returned recently with Andrew playing ‘Ezra Spurnrose’ starring alongside Orlando Bloom and Cara Delevingne. He has also been appearing in the hugely popular Netflix thriller YOU, alongside Penn Badgley, Charlotte Ritchie and Tati Gabrielle and he’s just wrapped filming a brand new series called ‘THE WINTER KING’ with Eddie Marsan and Ian De Caestecker for ITVX produced by Jane Tranter’s Bad Wolf Productions (His Dark Materials, I Hate Suzie, Industry).
NSGs Billy Vitch had the pleasure to interview Andrew recently about his amazing acting career and have a natter about life, his music and what’s next!
BV: Good morning Andrew and how are you, what have you been doing today and how’s that going?
AG: I’m just back from a weekend in Liverpool which has cheered me right up. As did Michael Keane‘s late equaliser for Everton.
BV:: Where did you grow up and what was it like?
AG: I was born in Aintree and moved to Warrington in my early teens. Growing up it was a loud house full of football, music and classic 80’s films with myself and my two older brothers. We spent a lot of time at my Nans‘ house in Anfield on Utting Avenue. That was the centre of our family. The community at Anfield is something that has stuck with me. There is always someone who wants to tell you their story. Wherever my Nan would go people would know her name and be looking out for her. It’s what I love most about the city.
My extended family originates from Andrew Street right next to Goodison Park. The family get-togethers are still happening, we just need a much bigger venue these days.
BV: You are extremely well known for being an actor, starring in shows like ‘Outlander‘ as Prince Charles Stuart and most recently Ezra Spurnrose in ‘Carnival Row‘ with Orlando Bloom and as Detective Peter Andrews in Netflix’s ‘You‘. Quite the CV! Can I ask, how did your career in acting begin and did you ever expect to have the kind of success that you’ve had?
AG: I don’t think I ever expected any success at drama school. I was taught quite early on that success is definitely something we put on other people. Television and Film were something that took me completely by surprise. With predominately theatre-based training, it was a completely different medium I had to learn out of drama school (thankfully the same core skills applied). Still to this day I am developing and learning this craft. Every part and role is a new set of challenges and obstacles I try to grow from.
(Andrew Gower) Photography: David Reiss, Styling: Ella Gaskell, Grooming: Paul Donovan)
BV: You are also a musician and Last Summer you released your debut EP, ‘THE JACARANDA‘ (named after the famous Beatles venue in Liverpool), under your band name Gustaffson. Produced by ‘Elbow‘ band member Craig Potter, you have had a lot of praise for the EP from people like Elbows Guy Garvey and it’s also been EP of the week on 6 Music’s ‘Finest Hour’. I have so many questions, firstly was it always an ambition of yours to make music, how do you find the time around filming to make music and how did your band come to be?
AG: It was during covid I finally made the decision with my band member Webbo, to put some music out there. We were incredibly lucky to be offered the chance to work with Elbow‘s Craig Potter in their studio on our first EP. That doesn’t always happen. I’ve always wanted to share my stories through song and I’ve always written music. I feel like music and acting can complement each other. The core of both is to tell a story. It just happens my music is in my own words instead of someone else’s.
BV: The EP as we have mentioned is named after the Jacaranda in Liverpool (made famous by the Beatles as being one of the first places they played in the early days). Can I ask why you named the EP ‘The Jacaranda‘ and what is the EP about?
AG: It was the place I used to go as a 16-year-old to listen to records and it has become a venue that has played a key part in both my adolescent and adult life. I love thinking about the idea of what the basement of The Jacaranda would say if it could talk. What stories are in its walls? There are so many buildings and venues like it in Liverpool – staple landmarks of the city that I find fascinating. They’re inspiring places to be.
BV: Do you think acting and music go hand in hand or do you think that they are different as an artist, Like do you approach both art forms differently at all?
AG: Of course, I approach both differently. In acting my goal is to attempt to think like a different person. When writing music – it’s often to tell a story I know or have heard and have a desire to share. The comparison I draw between the two is storytelling. But I don’t act to be seen/heard as Andrew Gower. I guess with my music it’s more difficult to not be me…
BV: A lot of our readers are a little bit obsessed with Netflix‘s season 4 of ‘YOU‘ (especially regarding a certain Mr Penn Badgley!) where you play the role of Detective Peter Andrews. Can I ask what he’s like in real life and do you have any funny stories from during the filming of season 4?
AG: He’s a real pro. To lead any show is a difficult task for an actor. Penn has led this successful show for 4 seasons now. He’s gracious, inclusive and leads from the top. Which I think for any show that runs beyond a first series – is so so important. Stories from the shoot – London traffic is really terrible. I haven’t filmed in London for a very very long time. The dream was I’d be home every night for dinner. The reality doesn’t always allow that!
BV: Do you think it’s hard to be taken seriously as a musician when you are known for something else?
AG: I haven’t really thought about this. In all honesty – I think everybody in today’s society is a little too obsessed with how we are perceived. Or if we’re being taken seriously. Fundamentally when all the hot air has gone and we stop telling people who we are or what we stand for – what is left? The work. The acting. The music. So I don’t really think about being taken seriously. Besides, I spend half my time as an actor in period costume and existing in wild worlds with crazy creatures as my neighbours!
BV: If you could sit down with three people from history, past or present, who would they be and why?
AG: George Harrison: to talk music, Howard Kendall: to talk football and Mike Leigh: to talk acting.
BV: You have just wrapped up filming for ITVX‘s ‘The Winter King‘. What’s it about and who do you play and what can we expect from the show?
AG: It’s a retelling of the legend of Arthur. Directed by Otto Bathhurst – who was the original director of season 1 of Peaky Blinders – created by Badwolf Productions. What I love about the concept is it really does ask the the question: what would it be like if this community of pagans actually did exist? And how are these legends created? I play an underestimated and secretly ambitious Bishop Sansum. His journey in season 1 was very exciting to play. A character who starts out as somewhat of a mystery – will hopefully surprise an audience as well as the characters in the show.
(Andrew Gower) Photography: David Reiss, Styling: Ella Gaskell, Grooming: Paul Donovan)
BV: We’re a Liverpool-based publication as you know so I have to ask, do you have any plans on playing with your band here anytime soon?
AG: Yes we do. Post our EP launch at The Jacaranda – we are very lucky to have a great relationship with Graham and Veso who run Phase One & The Jacaranda. They stock our EP vinyl ‘The Jacaranda‘ at the Jacaranda record store. We make a point of rehearsing and gigging in the city. We are in talks to arrange a couple of gigs in Liverpool this year. The Cavern Club is now top of the list.
BV: Everton or Liverpool?
AG: As you can tell by the majority of my answers – Everton. UTFT!
BV: Your career to date has been amazing, to say the least, and likely something most people could only dream of. Can I ask, do you have any more dreams or ambitions or are you content with where you are at?
AG: Most of my ambitions are to keep working with people I want to work with and hope they continue to want to work with me. To find people in the music and acting world who think and feel the way I do about these special art forms. Specific dreams would be to find a way to combine the two. Potentially film a biopic based around music or a musical of sorts. To film in Liverpool is also top of my list. Tell stories about my city that haven’t been told before. Preferably that doesn’t centre around crime or portraying working-class people as victims. We are a city with a remarkable history and wealth of stories and I’d love to see that side of Liverpool on screen.
BV: What is it about our city of Liverpool that makes it so special?
AG: Stories. We are a port. We welcome people in with open arms and want to hear their stories. We encourage the idea of travel but understand the importance of home.
BV: What’s the rest of 2023 got in store for Mr Gower?
AG: On the 14th of April 2023 we are releasing our first single since the EP. It’s a live single called “Northern Baby” recorded at the amazing Blueprint Studios in Manchester. It’s another collaboration with Elbow‘s Craig Potter who has mixed the track. Alongside the track, we are releasing a music video directed by the amazing Corey Rid – who just happens to be from Liverpool!
On the 27th of April, we have our first London gig at my favourite venue The Lexington. We’ll be joined by Liverpool’s Martha Goddard, Gaia Ahuja, and Caitlin O’ryan and the event will be hosted by Cel Spellman. We are excited to also be screening an amazing short film F.O.G directed by Malinda Kaur and starring Kiran Sonia Sawar & Adeel Akhtar. We are still an unsigned band but this year we’d love to make an album. As an actor: to keep telling original stories with the best storytellers and writers.
BV: Thank you so much for your time. Is there anything else you’d like to add?
AG: Northern Baby is out on 14.04.23 and available to download
To follow Andrew and his band on social media, click the links below
