“I think it’s important to keep roots music alive because it’s real, handmade music. You can’t truly reproduce it with a computer—and it needs to be played live to capture its real feeling. We need every spark of human soul and emotion in todays world...”

Andi Unter: Lonesome Road Blues

Andi Unter, aka "Lonesome Andy", born in 1984 in Germany. His musical passion and style is deeply rooted in the early days of Blues & Jazz. Andi Unter is a renowned German musician primarily known for his solo project "Lonesome Andy & his One Man Band." His style is a raw, authentic tribute to the early pioneers of Country Blues, Ragtime, and Jazz. Andi is known for his impressive multitasking. He simultaneously plays the guitar (often a Resonator or acoustic guitar), harmonica, and a full percussion set operated by his feet (including a bass drum, hi-hat, and snare). His sound is heavily influenced by the pre-war era of the Mississippi Delta, drawing inspiration from legends like Mississippi Fred McDowell, Blind Boy Fuller, and Robert Johnson.

(Photo: Andi Unter, aka Lonesome Andy)

Besides his solo work, he leads the ensemble Andi's Blues Orchester, bringing a fuller, more rhythmic sound to his compositions while maintaining that vintage "back-porch" feel. He is a staple at European blues circuits and has performed at notable events like the Bamberg Blues & Jazz Festival. He has released several albums and EPs, such as Bad Luck and Night On Earth, which focus on live-to-tape recordings to capture an analog, old-school atmosphere.

Interview by Michael Limnios

How has the music influenced your views of the world? What moment changed your life the most? 

Music with the time had become a spiritual thing to me, my way of praying and spread a bit of positive energy around me. The Blues in particular made me dive deep into the afroamerican history and culture. I think the moment that changed my life the most was when I decided to become a professional musician and discovered busking as a daily form of practice. 

How do you describe your sound and music philosophy? What's the balance in music between technique (skills) and soul/emotions?

I study the first generations of blues musicians who recorded in the American South between the 1920s and 1940s, and I use their style and repertoire as a foundation for creating my own music. For me, the blues is deeply rooted in emotional expression, with a strong focus on rhythm and vocal phrasing. Technique and technical skill are secondary—they’re useful tools, but they’re not the essence of the music. What truly matters is the feeling behind it. And, just like in life, beauty lies in imperfection and improvisation is essential. 

What keeps a musician inspired of One-Man Band over the years? Why is it important to we preserve and spread the Roots music?

What keeps me inspired as a one-man band is the challenge of creating a complete and unique sound on my own. It’s not just about learning multiple instruments and managing them simultaneously—it’s also about the creative process of building my own percussion elements and finding ways to integrate them into my sound. One of the biggest eye-catchers so far is my foot-operated washboard, which creates syncopated rhythms that, together with the kick drum, hi-hat, and snare, swing like a real drummer.

I think it’s important to keep roots music alive because it’s real, handmade music. You can’t truly reproduce it with a computer—and it needs to be played live to capture its real feeling. We need every spark of human soul and emotion in todays world...

“The Blues in particular made me dive deep into the afroamerican history and culture. I think the moment that changed my life the most was when I decided to become a professional musician and discovered busking as a daily form of practice.” (Photo: Andi Unter, aka Lonesome Andy)

Why do you think that the German Blues Scene continues to generate such a devoted following?

Even in Germany, things are becoming more and more challenging for live music, but the blues scene is still alive altough it's getting old and there's a lack of younger generations that can keep on.

What do you miss most nowadays from the music of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?

I honestly don't know a lot about modern music,  I'm feeling quite comfortably in my bubble of old time music... It seems that mainstream music is getting more and more soulless (but anyway always did) and I hope not too many people will loose their ability to connect with the positive and healing energy of music.

Are there any specific memories or highlights of your career that you would like to tell us about?! 

Too many crazy things happened....

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?

Most important lesson was that I am not important and I should not take myself too serious. 

What are you doing to keep your music relevant today, to develop it and present it to the new generation?

I’m touring regularly, roughly every couple of months, and in between I play in bars around my home in southern Italy.

Beyond that, I continue studying the old masters and share that process by posting one of my song studies each week as a full one-man-band video on my YouTube channel.

I also release two EPs every year with my original songs and offer them as free downloads on Bandcamp, which helps me reach new listeners and keep the music accessible to a wider audience.

Lonesome Andy & His One Man Band - Home

(Photo: Andi Unter, aka Lonesome Andy)