Berklee Alumni Column #6: Andrew L. Lucas

Joely Cromack-Kluko

Music
As summer flies by, I had the pleasure of speaking with the talented and versatile Andrew L. Lucas. Andrew’s interest in music began in his childhood in Morristown, New Jersey. His father gifted him a guitar when he was only six years old, and he and the instrument have been inseparable since. At eight years old, after two years of private lessons, his impressed teacher recommended that he join School of Rock. It was there where Andrew developed his drive for playing, performing, and being surrounded by music. “It’s not all about being the best player; it’s also about putting on the best show for your audience. Music is a service industry in that way.”

Wishing to pursue a music career, Andrew began at Berklee in 2020. Initially, he was unsure of what he wanted to major in. Choosing Contemporary Writing and Production turned out to be a risk well-taken that expanded his skill set beyond the guitar. When asked how Berklee prepared him for his current career, Andrew explained that Berklee helped him realize his passion for arranging. In the CWP major, he had ample opportunity to arrange pieces in varying genres, write complex orchestral parts for live performances like the 2024 Berklee Commencement Concert, and perform in and direct ensembles such as Silk Sonic. Through the Berklee Career Center, he connected with performing artist Maris and played guitar for her 2024 Boston Calling set. Studying with private instructors like David Tronzo and Joe Stump helped Andrew play outside of rock music, develop jazz voicings, and master his fretboard. The most valuable tool that Berklee offered Andrew, as he put it, was community.

Since graduating in 2024, Andrew moved to Nashville. He was nervous about establishing connections somewhere new. Reflecting on his time there so far, he said, “I have found that work is achievable here. It’s about putting your best foot forward and staying genuine. I’m not saying I moved down here and was immediately busy; I truly had to trust the process and lean into the community.” Nashville is a hub for excited musicians that help each other out, many of whom come from Berklee. After almost a year since moving, the music scene in Nashville is certainly keeping Andrew busy. He is involved with a tribute act called A Foreigner’s Journey to Boston. They play songs by—you guessed it—rock bands Foreigner, Journey, and Boston. He connected with them by sending a message on Facebook to band leader Brandon Miller. Thanks to Miller, the band is currently recording with Dolly Parton’s producer, Kent Wells, who is sending their work to Journey’s original vocalist, Steve Perry. Andrew played with the band on a mini tour from Louisiana to Texas, performing at venues ranging from festivals to wineries.

Andrew has also taken an interest in becoming a Music Director. One of his clients is pop vocalist Matthew Orgel. He recently arranged a one-hour-and-15-minute set for Orgel’s four-piece electric band, featuring Andrew as the guitarist. Here’s what he had to say about that process: “MDing is a newer field that I wasn’t even aware of at Berklee, but I definitely use my knowledge of arranging. I have to think: How does this song fit into the context of the whole show? How can I make it sound interesting and coherent? How will all these synth tracks translate to a live set?” By consistently putting himself out there, Andrew is lucky enough to work on projects he is passionate about: “When it comes to personal life or business life, it’s hard to discern the two. I work with incredible musicians that I call friends. I get to see new parts of the country. I made my own luck by working on myself and reaching out to people.”

Andrew has an upcoming tour with artist Maris alongside artist Caroline Kingsbury. They have 24 shows booked across the US and Canada for the Fall of 2025. He also has a few shows lined up with singer Matthew Orgel in Nashville. A Foreigner’s Journey to Boston will soon release their covers, recorded at Kent Wells Productions. When asked what drew him to these future projects, Andrew said, “I believe in these people’s music. I am playing the songs I grew up with and helping other people’s creative visions come to life. I want to be known as someone who can bring out the most in music. Whether it’s the production element or laying down a cool guitar solo, my joy and artistry are in collaboration with other people.”

I want to thank Andrew for sharing his incredible experiences thus far. Follow along with his journey on his Instagram @andrewllucas, as well as his website linked below.

With that, I’ll leave with some final words from Andrew:

“Do it scared. If you felt too comfortable, you’d have nothing to strive for. It’s the yearning that keeps the motivation alive.”

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