Singer-songwriter Jim Andralis recently released his new single, “The Worst Thing,” recorded with his band, The Syntonics. The song is from his forthcoming fifth album, Ghosts, set to release this fall.
Andralis explains, “This song is an attempt to give myself permission to feel overwhelming terror, rage, and despair. It’s also an expression of contempt toward the arrogant belief that we can be spared the world’s horrors if we do things right. Writing this song was my way of coping with the chaos and finding a mindset to help me survive.”
Andralis started his career playing with NYC’s punk outfit The Isotoners, followed by collaborations and solo projects, including his debut album, Your Dying Wish Come True, along with recording albums such as Shut Up Shut Up and My Beautiful Enemy with The Syntonics.
Andralis is also the co-host of the country music variety show Grand Ole Pubry at Joe’s Pub. With his band, Andralis has shared the stage with Bikini Kill and honored figures like Barbara Maier Gustern at prestigious events.
Tattoo.com caught up with Jim Andralis to discuss the inspiration for “The Worst Thing,” how he got started in music, and his upcoming album, Ghosts.
How would you describe your music?
I often write about the darker aspects of being a person in this world, but I really want it to sound and feel beautiful. For example, I write many songs about profound alienation but record and perform them with lots of harmonies (me and 5 other singers, usually). It’s my way of honoring the darkness in me and hoping others will feel less alone with theirs. I think genre-wise, it may land somewhere around indie folk, Americana, and singer-songwriter territory.
Can you share the inspiration behind “The Worst Thing” and the creative process involved in bringing it to life?
I was in the process of processing the violent death of my friend Barbara. One of my first thoughts when that sadistic Dobbs Decision ruling happened was, ‘At least Barbara was spared this.’ Isn’t that weird?
Anyway, soon after that my sister had a health scare that was terrifying. She’s fine now, thank goodness. But for a week or two I was completely overwhelmed with terror. This song was written at a moment when it felt hard to be alive, and I didn’t want there to be any relief from that feeling anywhere in it. It would have felt dishonest.
With “The Worst Thing” what was your main focus? What did you want to try and achieve with this track?
I love songs and songwriting that bring you into a wandering mind. Something about that feels human. And for ‘The Worst Thing,’ I’m thinking of my sister in the hospital in Pennsylvania and my body is bracing itself for horrible news. But meanwhile, I’m still somehow doing other stuff. And there’s all this magical thinking like this happened because I’d never imagined it could, and I’m feeling rage that the world around me still looks perfectly fine as all these horrors are happening. I wanted that nihilistic feeling. But pretty!
“The Worst Thing” is from your upcoming album, ‘Ghosts.’ What can you share about the album?
I am so proud of it. It’s about living through ever-accumulating losses. But it’s also about the moments of connection we sometimes get to feel with our ancestors and those who’ve gone on. When I wrote ‘The Worst Thing’ I did not have access to any of that. I was terrified and enraged. But there are other experiences represented in ‘Ghosts.’
I’ll also say I believe this album is one of the most cohesive I’ve ever put out. I highly recommend listening to it all the way through.
How did you get started in music? What’s the back story there?
I have always loved singing but was way too embarrassed to sing in front of anybody until my late 20s. Then I was in some off-off Broadway musicals here in NYC. But I think I officially got started in music when I began taking accordion lessons in my early 30s. That’s when I joined a band, started writing songs and singing as me. That’s when I began to feel like myself, and when my life got really fun.
What can you share about your writing process?
My friends and I have been doing a monthly songwriters’ group for like 13 years. We write a song a month and sing it for one another. No critiques, no negative feedback, just love and support. Then we do what we call a hook challenge where we each need to incorporate a stupid phrase into some kind of hook. This month’s classy and sophisticated hook is ‘P.P. on my A.S.S!’ Then some of us take 5mg gummies, and we move to the sectional where we watch YouTube videos and giggle.
All this to say I’ve gotten into a really nice rhythm of songwriting. I always write things down or record melodies on my phone. But once a month I pick something that is either demanding to be expressed from inside me or calling to me from my notes app, and I try very hard to finish it by songwriters’ night.
Jim Andralis – “The Worst Thing”
What’s been the highlight of your career so far? Maybe touring or who you’ve played with, something that’s really stood out.
When our band got to open for Bikini Kill in July 2022 that was a highlight of my LIFE. I’d never played in front of that many people, and I’ve never had so much fun on stage. Then, all of a sudden there we are dancing together at the most amazing Bikini Kill concert! Then we walked back to my apartment, ordered several pizza pies, listened to Rick Springfield’s ‘Working Class Dog’ and kept the good feelings going. I just felt so lucky to be me that night.
Which do you enjoy the most: writing, recording, practicing, or playing live?
I love playing live. I do not love the mental and emotional shenanigans I put myself through leading up to playing live, but when we are up there, I just want to be doing it all the time. I was tempted to say writing because it is something I treasure. But enjoy? Yes. Sometimes. But other times I’m weeping like I just pushed out a baby or exorcised a demon or something. I also love recording and practicing, but it’s hard to just let my mind to and give in to it because I’m thinking about a million things and worried I’m gonna fuck it all up. So, congratulations, playing live. You’re a winner, baby!
Knowing what you know now, if you could go back and start your music career all over, what would you do differently?
It’s weird. I feel like I’m starting my music career now, but I’ve been performing for over 20 years. But I guess I wouldn’t have been so transparent and forthcoming about my nerves and self-consciousness. I need to say things to move through them, but an audience doesn’t want to pay money to worry about you.
My friend Murray Hill came to a show of mine years ago, and afterward, I asked him for feedback. He said, ‘Bro. Stop apologizing.’ I was like, ‘What did I apologize for?’ And he said, ‘I mean, everything. Existing!!’ He was right.
Based on your own experiences and lessons learned, what guiding principles or words of wisdom would you share with aspiring artists looking to carve out their path in music?
I have had the opposite of financial success in my career in music. So, if you are looking for that, you have come to the wrong queen. But I still make music, and I still love doing it. That would not be the case if I were not part of a fun, warm, creative, loving musical community. So be good to people and let them be good to you. And having a day job does not make you less of an artist.
How do you define success?
I book a show and people come. Some even know the words. I pay my band well and still have money for me. I sell some merch. I have one beer and order a second. I drink 3 sips of the second and hand the rest to my husband. We return home to our dog, who is ecstatic to see us. I booked another show. If I am able to do this once a week forever, I will be so happy.
What’s next for you?
I have been thinking of writing something that integrates music into a narrative. My shows are kind of like that anyway, but scripting something and shaping it into an hour or so of a show, sounds like a really fun and just-scary-enough challenge.
