About Me
John Paul Jones once said of Andrew Paul Woodworth, "He's the best lyricist I have ever worked with." The legendary bassist for Led Zeppelin discovered the young talent in Los Angeles and was soon producing the debut album for Woodworth's band, Elephant Ride. Signed to Sony, but having failed to garner commercial attention, Elephant Ride disbanded and Woodworth regrouped, forming Virgil in 2002. In 2003, Virgil released its debut album, "My Paradise," and quickly carved a niche for themselves in the indie rock scene.
In 2004, Woodworth was honored with "Male Vocalist of the Year" at the LA Music Awards, and Virgil took home the "Independent Rock Album of the Year" Award. During that year, Virgil's music was heard on Television, including Rosweel, ESPN, and Buffy, The Vampire Slayer. They also had an on-camera performance on Buffy, The Vampire Slayer. Movie theatres across the country also pumped Virgil music through their audio programs, in addition to showing their music video on the big screen in the Top 50 US Markets.
Virgil signed with an indie label out of Texas, after a performance at SXSW. After a six month run, the label lost its financing and Virgil was on its own again. At this point, Woodworth started to expand his vision for his music career. Besides playing shows with Virgil, he also started recording new material with producer Christian James-Hand. The first finished track, a re-imaging of the Beastie Boys' "Fight For Your Right," found its way into the hands of the music supervisor of "One Tree Hill." "One Tree Hill" was eager to use the song as the final song in its season finale. The problem, however, was that the Beastie Boys have remained militantly opposed to licensing covers of their music...until now. All three Beastie Boys listened to the song and authorized the use of the song.
Woodworth continued working with Hand, as well as producer Warren Huart, to record more music, quickly realizing that a solo career was organically launching itself. With an album's worth of music, his new EP, ironically entitled "I Hate Music," and a new set of backing musicians, Woodworth embarked on his first solo tour in December 2006. His music is guts and beauty and his performances are raw and honest. "I Hate Music" is a bravely eclectic EP with lush, poignant poetry. The EP is a masterful piece of works that invites you to redefine your notion of how a collection of songs should be put together.
The title speaks to the sardonic wit laced throughout the EP; it's cynical wit without being overly derisive. The voice is the love child of Michael Jackson, Eddie Vedder and Jeff Buckley. It's a grotesque image, but you'll understand it when you hear it, and you'll feel as if you've known it all along.
