Andrew Rothschild
Emerging from the thread of Loci creatives is Colorado resident Andrew Rothschild, aka Northern Form. Like his collaborators, he breathes in the mountain air for inspiration. His themes stem from earthy tones and titles with a dash of edginess. Additionally, he hones in on his signature style of fades and buildups, each an individual story, coming together like pages in his songbook.
As a solo guitarist Rothschild wasn't naturally familiar with electronic instruments yet fell for Emancipator's craft while listening to his streaming radio station. He reflects on hearing the label owner's single “First Snow”; “it blew everything open in my mind of how you can merge genres.” Upon further research into Emancipator's label Loci, Rothschild had something to “strive for.”
Rothschild didn't allow intimidation to enter when he sent in his guitar rendition of “Soon It Will Be Cold Enough To Build Fires.” He was politely declined as a specialized instrumentalist but took the opportunity to learn Ableton. “Loci always felt like home,” mentioning towards joining the label. This home has given him the freedom of collaboration and expressionism on a level that many signed artists cannot do. For now, he reserves his guitar solos for his online audience and looks forward to adding them to his future live shows.
He considers himself a “railroad” constructor, adding layers of songs “track by track.” Rothschild goes by whatever he feels right in the moment and isn't prone to “a formula.” “I've come to realize that people usually want a coasting vibe and not so much an epic journey,” referring to the instrumental adaptation to full-on production. “A lot of my resonated tunes are on a subconscious level and do not require direct attention.” This journey has pointed to a “direction of calm,” a fluidity level that comes with diligent work and some patience.
His music may not focus on storytelling, yet the progression from his 2016 album The Stampede of Life to last year's Forest Blue symbolizes his transition under Loci Records and, more importantly, within himself. “I knew just enough to record guitar and make a trippy effect,” Rothschild states of The Stampede of Life, an album he declares as an amateur. “[The album] is very raw and vulnerable because I didn't know how to micro-manage,” he says humbly.
“That album encompasses exactly who I was at the time. It was a super honest album.” He affirms that it was a “triumphant” timepiece because it reflected his eagerness to “prove to everyone that music is [his] passion” at a time when many were unaware of his calling. “It's an underdog punching up feel,” reminding himself of the time he was swimming against the current in a new city.
Originally growing up in South Florida, Rothschild took a chance on relocating to Portland, Oregon, on a whim. Now residing in Denver, Colorado, he takes a step back in time to recall his summoning to be closely related to Mother Nature, more specifically the mountains. He was eight the first time he saw this type of region up close. “I didn't know how to handle it-legitimately blew my mind!” speaking with delight. He dreaded summers' end in Tennessee to the “flat, concrete jungle” of Florida. “Subconsciously, I gravitated towards mountains and forests,” he states reassuringly. “It bothered me when I wasn't among them. The idea of how isolated or small I feel next to them, it's where I feel at home.”
Now with residency in a naturalesque recording label and The Rockies, Rothschild can focus on his other passions: hikes with his pitbull Dobbie and being a visual jockey. “When schedules don't clash, and I get booked to do visuals, I'm stoked because I love creating experiences for people.” This skill has also correlated to create most of his album covers. With the pandemic, he has been able to connect his visionary realm with his musical field. “Once a tour comes around, I'll be able to program an established color/nature region with every tune.”
Since six years of age, Rothschild's addiction to music has heavily paid off. Before iPods, he was “obsessed with creating playlists in a VHS form,” recording songs from the television. Before expanding into the experimental, hip-hop and rap were a source of interest for the young musician-to-be. At the age of seven, he experienced the live artistry of rapper Eminem. This event, matched with its genre tonality, is still evident in Rothschild's works, including “Nocturnal,” “Lokta,” and “Between The Lines.”
In his teens, Rothschild migrated to the sounds of folk and his ingrained love of guitar. Eventually, he was able to “recognize repeated patterns” and introduced himself to the electric style, adding blues and rock 'n' roll to his repertoire. “Piano/synthesizer become second nature when you know how the guitar works,” depicting this added instrument helped him find his style. Moreover, he would appreciate the ability to turn heads in a crowded shopping mall or airport at an open piano one day.
For Andrew Rothschild, it's clear where his devotion and purpose lies. Initially studying psychology, he felt that “music was a more effective way to help people on a larger scale.” He even gives credit to his own experience by saying, “without music and art, not sure where I would be.” In turn, Rothschild's definition of art hangs on the “significant platform to help people.”
