Sepiachord: How long have you been playing the accordion?
Ando: About 6 years. Milwaukee has a pretty big accordion club, and a lot of the members teach. I took lessons from one of the members for about three years.
SC: You're approach to music is pretty, well, punk. Do you have a backgroundin the punk scene?
Ando: I love punk rock! I was in a punk band for about...three years? We had a blast playing shows, touring around and catching other acts. I still try to make it out to shows as often as I can, and I adore playing with punk bands on the road.
SC: Who are some of your favorite musicians?
Ando: Music? Music sucks! Tom Waits, Bad Religion, Jason Webley, Minor Threat, Dead Kennedys, Choking Victim, G.G. Allin, Slim Cessna’s Auto Club, the Zydepunks, .357 String Band, William Elliot Whitmore, Sage Francis, Those Poor Bastards, Geoff Berner...I think those are really the top people in my playlist for now. There are so many good bands and musicians out there, you know?
SC: Your first CD, "Who Cares", was released under the name Ando & the Jolly Barrels. "Death Polka Spear", your new EP is just under the name Ando Ehlers. Why the change?
Ando: This one’s a bit of a story. The first CD, “Who Cares” was released under the Barrels name because I had a band that I was working with at that time. To make a long story short, the Barrels had several lineup changes between 2009 and 2010. Whether it was scheduling issues, different opportunities, or moving, or equipment busts we always seemed to have someone floating in and out of the band. I guess after a while I got antsy to continue playing live shows instead of finding new band members, so I just started playing shows and touring solo. Since then, it’s just been “Ando Ehlers,” and I’ll keep it at that until further notice. I can’t say I haven’t looked back. I miss playing with a band, but I’ve also had the opportunity to play quite a few shows over the past year that might not have come together. Ups and downs to everything, you know? Either way, like “Death Polka Spear”, any of my releases in the future will be under Ando Ehlers unless a band forms again.
SC: Other than the name change how do the two recordings differ?
Ando: This is a tough one, for me! I suppose that when I wrote “Who Cares” I was focused on the raw energy that one can only really get out of punk rock. I feel that release revolved around that concept, despite using all acoustic instruments. “Death Polka Spear” is a little more reserved at some parts, but some of the songs in that disc didn’t require the “in your face” attitude that punk rock boasts.
SC: Why release two EPs? How soon do you plan on putting out a full length?
Ando: I’m a pretty indecisive songwriter. Most of the music I write is re-written several times due to my own hair-pulling and scrutiny. Have you seen those really lame television shows/commercials where some person is at their desk crumpling up all of their work and throwing it on the floor? That’s totally me. At my last studio session, which I set up to record “Death Polka Spear”, I ended up recording seventeen songs. I only used seven of those for the CD. I would like to release a full length next time around, but I guess that will depend. If I feel comfortable with that much music at that time, then I’ll be ready. It just has to feel right, you know?
SC: Your website mentions that you'll have tracks on two upcoming compilations from Farmageddon Records. Can you tell us a bit about those CDs?
Ando: Sure thing! One of the compilations is out right now, it’s called: “Danielle Colby Presents the Music of Farmageddon Records”. That compilation has a song by Ando and the Jolly Barrels on it, as well as 13 other Farmageddon artists. Some of the tracks on there are unreleased/sneak peeks, and others are just favorites that have been selected between Farmageddon and Danielle Colby! That comp also has a photo-booklet in it that features some of Danielle Colby’s modeling photos. The other compilation is going to be released as a limited print called “Ya’ll Motherfuckers Need Justice II”. There’s a long story behind why this compilation came about, but to keep it brief the sales from the double disc set will go towards settling up some legal bills that were necessary to ensure justice in the mistrial of some Farmageddon artists (you can read the whole story at newrootsorder.com). I’ve got an unreleased song on there from the “Death Polka Spear” sessions. I’m glad Farmageddon chose that number, too! I really like that song, but it never felt like something that would fit on any of the collections that I publish.
SC: How did you hook up with Farmageddon?
Ando: I didn’t even know that I hooked up with Farmageddon until it was too late. I had no idea who Darrin was until he called me one day and said: “It’s your baby. We’re going on the Maury Povich show.” It’s been downhill ever since! Immature? I don’t care.
SC: You call your music "Death Polka", how do you define that sound?
Ando: “Death Polka” was the term I chose to use because the music I write is my shoddy attempt to combine a bunch of unrelated genres. I was trained on accordion playing polka songs. I really love punk rock, sacred harp singing, metal, bluegrass and folk music. A lot of those categories have a hard time holding hands, so I guess I just threw the term “Death Polka” out there to try and describe what it would be like. Like you said before, though, the music pretty much falls into punk. Throughout shows, I have heard people say that it should be called “Polka-billy”, “Polka-punk”, “Folk-punk”, “Crap”, “Awful”, etc. Any term will do, but I like “Death Polka” the best!
SC: You've toured as a "one many band" any plans to hit the road with a friend or two in tow?
Ando: I would love to do that! I think it’s going to be a little while before that’s a possibility, though. At this juncture in my life I have a pretty strict devotion to touring, working and some other projects. Maybe when one of those factors slows down there will be some time to practice up with some pals and play some sets! Until then, though, I’ll keep rolling solo.
SC: Where has your best road show been?
Ando: There are so many awesome places to play shows! There isn’t any one place that has been the all-inclusive amazing set because each city/venue/scene brings its own unique aspects to an event. One of my all time favorite shows ever was in a friend’s living room in Champaign IL. It was the middle of the humid Midwestern summer, the heat was blazing, and the room was packed with people drinking and having a jolly ol’ time. We played completely unplugged that night. It was unforgettable!
SC: What city has had the worst reaction to what you do?
Ando: Curran, IL. My friends and I played this roadside bar, and after my first song random people from the crowd began yelling obscenities at me. I was staring daggers at people from the stage that night. Nobody actually boo-ed me, which is kind of disappointing in retrospect, but some random drunk hit my car in the parking lot. Then on the way home my friend ran her truck into the ditch, so we were sitting not a mile away from a venue full of intoxicated people that hated me waiting for the tow truck. On the way home I got pulled over by a cop and he kept asking me if I was drunk. I wasn’t even drinking that night because I was playing shows that weekend with a 101 fever! I felt like ass, got heckled, froze my genitalia off waiting on the tow truck, my car got whacked and then some bored cop is trying to score a DUI on me! It wasn’t a lousy show; it was a terrible night! Son of a bitch!
SC: Have you considered working with any established bands?
Ando: Considered? Nah. Fantasized? Yes. Don’t get me wrong, I love writing songs and singing. However, my heart truly lies in playing accordion. If an established band approached me saying that they wanted a squeezebox player to work with, it would be definitely be a proposition that I’d consider! I could never “give up” songwriting, but I could easily play more accordion!
SC: Who creates your art work (including the infamous "steampunk barf" tshirt)?
Ando: I love that one! The artwork for the “Steampunk barf”, “Kill the Guitar” tshirts and the album artwork for “Death Polka Spear” are all done by Richie Murry. He’s out of Milwaukee, and does a lot of work there locally. He also plays guitar in a band called “Cry Coyote” on One Track Mind, and he had a short stint as a Jolly Barrel! We were also in a punk band together way back in the stone age.
SC: What's the next big step for Ando Ehlers?
Ando: Tomorrow I am going to take a shower. I’m really going to do it this time! After that’s done, I’m about to announce the dates for my Midwestern tour this summer (July 15th-August 1st). I’ve got two or three recording spots that I’ll be doing for some pals in some pretty amazing bands over the next few months. I’ll also be relocating to Seattle WA this August where I’ll be trying to squeeze my sounds until further notice! Other than that, not too much. My big goal this summer after the tour is done and before the move happens is to watch all 137 episodes of “The Twilight Zone” available on Netflix instant play. Super serious about completing that.
SC: Any words of advice for young people?
Ando: How do I say this without sounding cheesy? If you find what you love to do in life, then do it! To hell with anybody who tells you otherwise. Fuck them dead! Fuck the what if’s, fuck the naysayers, fuck society’s pressures on you to act/dress/eat/worship/love a certain way. If you’re happy, then I am happy for you. Fuck it!
