The Drews are a husband and wife team consisting of Jennifer and Andrew DiMartino, accompanied by Chris Adams based in Seattle,Washington, home to the grunge movement, although they are anything but. Their first CD entitled: “Strategically Interrupted Silence”, had wide spread critical acclaim from the US to European countries, their follow up, “The Sins of Others” is produced by Grammy Nominated Conrad Uno of Egg Studios in Seattle, and of The Presidents of the United States of America fame, They are currently on a tour of Amsterdam, that is where I am checking in with them.

MS: Hello Drews, how is the reception in Amsterdam for the “Americana Singer-Songwriters, with twisted roots”?

Drews: The response has been great. There is a big following for what they call “American Roots Music” here.

MS: So Americana travels well as long as it is twisted?

Drews: EVERYTHING travels well with a twist.

MS: Your first CD, the wonderfully innovative “Strategically Interrupted Silence” garnered great critical acclaim, how was that for your first time out of the gate?

Drews: Well...it sure beats the Hell out of the alternatives.

MS: Well, I must say “You Ain’t Got No Friends,” kidding...but what a great song, what was the inspiration for that?

Drews: We knew a guy who was always taking the rap for his so-called friends, but those friends were never there for him. It’s basically saying: Hey! Wake up and smell the bullshit.

MS: How did a marital union form a dynamic music duo?

Drews: The marital union actually came out of the music. We played together before anything romantic happened between us. Of course, the attraction was there from the beginning. The music was the fuel for the fire, so to speak.

MS: Is it easy living and working together?

Drews: Actually, it’s pretty easy. We generally agree on things. And you have a convenient scapegoat to blame when things go wrong. What could be better? We’re kidding. Really.

MS: Your “Americana with twisted roots” byline is a great selling point and as best description as anything to your sound, that defies description, how did you guys come up with that?

Drews: We came up with the idea the last time we were in Amsterdam, and we were trying to describe our sound to a record store.

MS: Your influences seem so much broader, they encompass everything from the B-52’s - Bob Dylan, am I off the mark or would you two concur?

Drews: Sure. Hence, the idea of twisted roots. We don’t go straight down. We’re all over the place. We’re taking the scenic route to who we are.

MS: “Lager Drinkin’ Laggard” kind of beings...that is one of a couple beer drinking songs on “Strategically Interrupted Silence”...so what inspired you to write and record them?

Drews: Drinking beer...While they’re two really different sentiments, both songs talk about finding relief from the strain of everyday life. We’re escapists at heart.

MS: Okee Dokee Jennifer and Andrew, separately this time, what sign is each of your entity’s?

Andrew: Jen is a yield sign. Jen: Andrew’s an animal crossing sign.

MS: “Lloyd’s Eyes” is about a misguided optometrist who has an eye collection from his various patients, they are his obsession...how did that song come from your collective consciousness?

Drews: It’s the minor chords, maybe. They’ll twist the mind after a while.

MS: Your current CD “The Sins Of Others” tops “Strategically Interrupted Silence” in terms of sheer musical irreverence and innovation, and you added a percussionist, Chris Adams to the team, how did his addition enhance the final track?

Drews: Chris is great. He’s not only rhythmic, but musical as well. He hears sounds in everything. What really impressed us was when one of our mutual friends was playing, and Chris went up and started drumming with him on an instrument case. Shortly after that, we asked him to play with us.

MS: Bravo! it works!! Glad to see you incorporated him into your vision, and your vision is strong and precise, yet seemingly fun and random, it is quite unique, accident or game plan?

Drews: It’s what comes out. We’re not sure if it’s part of some kind of plan or not.

MS: Jennifer, is Andrew a Sexy Monkey?

Jen: He’s the sexiest of all monkeys

MS: Andrew, is your lovely wife Jennifer a Sexy Monkey?

Andrew: Actually, she’s a sexy tyrannosaurus. I’ve had fire extinguishers and safety equipment installed in the bedroom. And I wear a hard hat to bed.

MS: “The Sins Of Other” was produced by Grammy nominee Conrad Uno, of The Presidents of the United States of America fame, WOW! What was it like working with him?

Drews: Conrad is wonderful. He’s so laid back-a living embodiment of his motto, “Stay small. Play golf.” He played a really huge part in the making of this CD.

MS: Well I can tell you two are nasty, and like “Nasty Girls,” I do too!! This is one of the most musically innovative tracks I have ever heard, what inspired this sure to be classic track?

Drews: We know what we like.

MS: “God’s Green Room” is another inspired track about tele-evangelism, what prompted you guys to go there?

Drews: Well, you just can’t say enough about that old-time religion, can you?

MS: Tell me how the title song of your new CD “The Sins of Others” became the overall theme for your latest effort?

Drews: It’s kind of a layered and convoluted thing...Almost anything fun is some kind of sin to someone. Most of the songs on our CD involve some kind of fun, or sin, or at least sins as described by others-sins of others so to speak. And the sins of others are ALWAYS greater than your own, as the song says. Yeah. All that.

MS: So Drews, what is after Amsterdam? World domination?

Drews: That would be a nice start.

1/2: Calm or Stormy?

Drews: Calm...and waiting for storms...

All Music Guide - review of Strategically Interrupted Silence by Jim Smith     AMG review link

"Described as "Americana singer/songwriters with twisted roots," the Drews play music based on blues and country licks but their interests are more eclectic, encompassing everything from soul to B-52's-style camp. Their delivery is sincere and direct, and the continually changing styles make for a number of nice surprises. True, some of this is conventional small-time stuff, but "Lager Drinkin' Laggard," "Lloyd's Eyes," and "Ain't Got No Friends" are quite enjoyable and memorable, and there's even an Irish-styled singalong, "Lucky Ones," complete with clever lyrics and a chorus that doesn't sound tired or kitschy. In fact, there's very little one can criticize about the Drews — they don't overstep their talent, and the record's homespun energy and flow are an unanticipated delight."

Seattle Vulture, Fall/2001 - review of Strategically Interrupted Silence by Cal Kuhlater

"The Drews are a Seattle duo that I have a hard time figuring out.  There is gentle folk guitar akin to guitar legend Dan Crary.  There is also funky, conga laden folklife festival type (dare I say...hippy?) delights like Flight 101.  My favorite song on the cd is Lloyd's Eyes, it starts off with a middle eastern vibe and I totally thought it sounded similar to Killing An Arab by the Cure.  Maybe it was because of the same clanky shitty cymbal sound that can be found on the early Cure stuff, I wish there was more stuff like this on S.I.S.

  Talented guitar work by Andrew DiMartino saves it from becoming too boring.  Jen DiMartino claims to play congas, keyboards but for the most part can barely be heard.

  It's not the spleen shredding rock that I enjoy but I do recommend it to the fans of music that requires talent to play."

"The Drews describe themselves as "Americana Singer-Songwriters with Twisted Roots."  Consisting of local folks Andrew and Jen DiMartino, who sing, play guitar, bass, and keyboards, their songs have a low-key, comfortable feel.  Calling their style "Americana" is probably as good as anything, although limiting - the songs on this CD range from a country feel, to an Irish drinking song, a slide guitar blues, and a John Fahey-like instrumental, among other things.  Some of the songs have additional musicians on drums, bongos, sax, or pedal steel, but the accompaniment is always tasteful and understated, leaving the vocals and guitar playing at the front, and so adds to the songs.  An enjoyable album."