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There is so much great music in Nashville that a lot of times it gets missed even by myself. Thankfully there are sites like Music City Unsigned, Noise Trade & Brite Revolution that help get the word out about great artists. If there wasn’t I may not have discovered this week’s Free Music Friday artist, Andrew Ripp.

My introduction to Andrew Ripp’s music happened rather recently thanks in part to Music City Unsigned. After following the link to his site & then to his YouTube page what caught my attention was the video to “Dresden Wine” from 2008’s “Fifty Miles to Chicago”. Andrew’s soulful voice conveyed the powerful lyrics perfectly while driving them all home with passion & sincerity unlike anything I had heard recently. Sure there are a lot of soulful artists in Nashville, but Andrew Ripp brings his own originality through his voice, musicianship & lyrics. In the end it’s exactly the piece of the puzzle that Nashville’s music scene has been missing.

Andrew’s debut album, 2008’s “Fifty Miles to Chicago”, is an album varied in it’s scope from the country tinged song “Just Another Song about California” to the latin infused song “Miracle of You”. Soulful songs like “Get Your Smile On”,“But You Saved My Life” & “Dresden Wine” round out the mix & leave the listener longing for more. Thankfully the wait is over with 2010’s follow up album “She Remains the Same”. “She Remains the Same” brings the same soulful voice that listeners were use to on “Fifty Miles to Chicago”. What sets “She Remains the Same” apart are songs like “Star”, “Savior”, “You Will Find Me” & “Peace Like A River”. These songs bring a depth lyrically & musically that were missing from “Fifty Miles to Chicago”. Two of the strongest songs on the record are the ones that speak of Andrew’s faith, “Savior” & “You Will Find Me”. Both are about finding God. In the case of “Savior” it’s about finding God’s love in people, music & forgiveness. With “You Will Find Me”, the song we’re giving away this week, it’s about finding God when you’re broken & when you’re lost. Lyrically this is the strongest song on the record. We’ve all had those moments where we are completely lost in this life. “You Will Find Me” speaks of how God is there in those moments of brokenness & hurt if we’ll just take the time to find Him. “When your faiths broken. When you can’t see. With my arms open,you will find me.” Andrew keeps it simple musically & vocally allowing the lyrics to carry the song.

With its well written lyrics & great musicianship “She Remains the Same” easily reminds us that Nashville has one of the best indie scenes in the country. As one reviewer said “She Remains the Same” is proof that you don’t need a big label & a big budget to make a truly wonderful record.

Andrew Ripp is currently on tour in support of “She Remains The Same”. Please visit AndrewRipp.com for tour dates & news. While you’re there please sign up for Andrew’s e-mail list as a way to say thanks for allowing us to giveaway “You’ll Find Me”.

www.andrewripp.com