There was a point of time in my life when I spent a great deal of time with Andy (mainly due to the fact that we were both just hanging around Newcastle with little else to do but pints). It was a long time ago now, but I look back on those memories and it really stands out to me what a lovely guy he was to be around. Andy didn't have bad things to say about people, didn't indulge in gossip or mudslinging, wasn't out to one up people or make a big deal out of himself. Rather, his arena was good company and a nice cosy time.
If all that could be said for Andy was that he was a nice bloke that would be enough. As anyone who knew him knows though, Andy was a great deal more than a smile and a nice chat. I think at his core he was a creator. When I met him he was studying music at college and already at that point he had written and recorded songs which he was ballsy enough to put up online for everyone to hear. Having attempted to record myself singing before I can assure you it is absolutely terrifying, but Andy never shied away from putting himself out there. I was very glad to find a video of Sonic Void playing on YouTube in which you can see Andy having a blast playing guitar, man could absolutely strum. Of course, there's a much larger corner of YouTube with a whole lot of Andy on it. You can see in Indie Andy not only a real creative passion, but also someone willing to share some very personal life experiences in the hope that others might find joy or comfort or community within them; Andy to his core.
There is no doubt at all that Andy Burns left a stamp on this world, and that the world is a richer place for it. I wish I had spent more time with him in the last few years, I shall have to content myself with my admittedly rather fuzzy memories of hours spent doing very little in rather shoddy pubs with a lovely lovely chap.
Max Wells:
11/01/2022
