”Blues music means everything to me. I met my best friends, my wife, did all my world traveling all while singin the blues. I listen to blues music all the time. Recently going back to Little Walter. Still so much to hear and study.”

Andrew Duncanson: Chicago via California

From 2003 to 2022, Andrew Duncanson released albums with his band, Kilborn Alley Blues Band, the recipient of three Blues Music Award nominations, followed by releases with Dig3 in 2022 and 2023. His singing has drawn comparisons to legendary artists like Howlin’ Wolf, Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Junior Wells, and Van Morrison. Kilborn Alley alone has played in thirty-seven states, eight not-USA nations, one international territory, and out to sea. Andrew currently plays with Kilborn Alley, Dig3, duets and band shows with Gerry Hundt, as Andy Duncanson and his Acoustic Friends, and with the new Andrew Duncanson and the Take a Ride Band to support the California Trap album. California Trap (2025) is Duncanson’s first solo album, and he’s paired here with co-producer Michael Peloquin, who also contributes his talents as a horn arranger, songwriter, and harmonica player. Since recording California Trap Andy has done shows with Kid Andersen and the Greaseland All Stars in Switzerland and California.

(Photo: Andrew Duncanson)

When it comes to songwriting, Duncanson takes pride in having over one hundred of his original songs recorded. Fans can be assured that his well of inspiration has not yet dried up. In 2019, following the tragic passing of Michael Ledbetter, Andrew was hand-picked to join guitarist Mike Welch & The Connection on the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise. During the cruise, he reconnected with Michael Peloquin, a talented arranger, saxophone & harmonica player with a shared hometown of Champaign, Illinois. Their conversations led to plans of making a record with renowned producer, Kid Andersen at Greaseland Studios in California. Andrew gave Michael a call in 2022 to turn the idea into reality.

Interview by Michael Limnios                      Archive: The Dig-3, 2022 Interview

Special Thanks: Betsie Brown (Blind Raccoon)

What do you learn about yourself from the blues and what does the blues mean to you? 

Blues music means everything to me. I met my best friends, my wife, did all my world traveling all while singin the blues. I listen to blues music all the time. Recently going back to Little Walter. Still so much to hear and study. 

When I was starting out I learned to go out and kick ass, let loose, use the music and musicians that created the art form to guide me. 20 some years later I’m learning  to slow down. Focus on your own tones. Go for your own sound and nothing short of it. 

How do you describe your sound, music philosophy and songbook? Where does your creative drive come from?

I’m a Chicago style blues musician by trade. That’s mostly what I get paid to do. So the lumpty lump is in my bones deep. The Muddy slow blues, Hooker boogie, Magic Sam minor key grooves all will be with me forever. 

I must say now in 2025 all music forms  are on the table! I just cut a tune that I believe sounds a bit like John Prine! That’s where the drive comes from. Write em up. Match em with what music  that fits best and hope you put the puzzle together correctly.

”I have no great revelations on how to keep the blues alive. I just know that every generation loves the blues. Some kid right now on pick a continent is discovering the blues. That kid might be saying to themselves I’m gonna try to do this myself and if they do we will all watch with tremendous satisfaction.” (Photo: Andrew Duncanson, his singing has drawn comparisons to legendary artists like Howlin’ Wolf, Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Junior Wells, and Van Morrison)

How do you think that you have grown as an artist since you first started making music? What has remained the same about your music-making process?

I’m still very much the same. Can’t remember lyrics I don’t write. Don’t shred the guitar. Don’t like to play to loud. Like songs short and sweet. And like to have very little pressure up on that stage. In other words keep it simple. Then the music can flow out better. 

I’m definitely  more open to new things then when I started. I’ve also devolved a songwriting process that fits me good. That took a long time. 

What moment changed your music life the most? What´s been the highlights in your life and career so far?

When I was 18 and Kilborn Alley played our first bar gig a local blues promoter was in the crowd. None of us had plans to make music a full time thing or stick around town for that matter. So when Ike Mapson owner of a couple local blues bars and Champaign County Blues Fest promoter told us he loved us and invited us to play fest. That changed everything. 

Being able to record 10 full records is a huge blessing. Having the time and space to be creative is a huge thing. Being onstage with people you trust more than anyone in the world that’s powerful. Also being on the Bobby Blue Bland tribute show at BB Kings in Memphis was awesome. 

Currently you’ve your first solo release. How did that idea come about? Do you have any interesting stories about the making of “California Trap”?

California Trap came from a conversation with Michael Peloquin on the 2019 Blues cruise. He lived in the Bay Area but he was originally from Champaign Illinois where I’m from. He said we should make a record. So I bugged him a few times and we made it happen. I flew out to Greasland a few times, Kid Andersen put some magic on it and Michael made the horns sound so damn good. 

I would also like to say that Derrick D’Mar  Martin is one great musician. He deserves all the love he gets. So much positive energy in The studio and absolutely on top of the songs and arrangements.

”I’m a Chicago style  blues musician by trade. That’s mostly what I get paid to do. So the lumpty lump is in my bones deep. The Muddy slow blues, Hooker boogie, Magic Sam minor key grooves all will be with me forever.” (Photo: Andrew Duncanson, his passionate vocals sing with authenticity in a musical style where authenticity is the blues standard)

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

I’m just going to stay the course. I have no great revelations on how to keep the blues alive. I just know that every generation loves the blues. Some kid right now on pick a continent is discovering the blues. That kid might be saying to themselves I’m gonna try to do this myself and if they do we will all watch with tremendous satisfaction. 

Life is more than just music, is there any other field that has influence on your life and music?

Food!! Listen to how many of my songs sing about good food and drink. 

Let’s take a trip with a time machine, so where and why would you really want to go for a whole day?

I’m sentimental I guess. I’d like to go back a dozen years or so to a late night scene. The band just kicking back after a great show drinking some beers having some laughs. The late Abraham Johnson and Dave Fauble would be there cutting up and talking shit. We’d end up getting some burgers about 4am and do it all over again the next day. That would be cool.

Andrew Duncanson - Home

(Photo: Andrew Duncanson)