Artist Glimpse - Andy Colonico
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Andy Colonico, born in Welland, Ontario, first made his mark as frontman of Revive the Rose before shifting into country music, blending rock energy with heartfelt storytelling. His debut single "HELL YEAH" (2024) quickly gained traction, celebrating small-town pride with anthemic spirit. In 2025, he expanded his sound with "All Roads Lead to You," a collaboration with guitarist Peter Alexander. Now, with his new EP "The Turbo" (October 24, 2025) and a vinyl release party coming up on December 6, Andy continues to capture the camaraderie and traditions of small-town life while solidifying his place in Canadian country music.
Rob Aguiar - Your latest single “All Roads Lead to You” began as a rock track before you realized it belonged in country. How did you decide this song’s identity would benefit from a shift in genre, and what does that creative transformation look like for you?
Andy Colonico - Right from the start it just had a southern rock / cowboy feel to it, I always felt. Peter agreed. We were under the impression all these years that maybe it would go in “The Sheepdogs” direction but once we started planning the writing session in Nashville with Dave Thompson, I knew right away that this was the riff to bring to the table. We always circled back to this riff once a year and finally the light bulb went off.
RA - In “HELL YEAH”, you sing: “The pond water's flowing, yeah, the beer stays cold / 'Cause down at the pond you never grow old.” What inspired this lyric, and how does it reflect your connection to Welland and the sense of timeless community you wanted to capture?
AC - Funny enough, that specific lyrics was referencing our awesome hometown baseball team The Welland Jackfish. They reference their home turf as “The Pond”. They also have their own beer called “Pond Water”. I cleverly disguised it all in with talking about my love for a good ol’ small-town bush party. I just wanted a cheeky reference in there that true Wellander’s would catch, as the song was being debuted for the Welland Jackfish 2024 season theme song.
RA - With “The Turbo” now out and a vinyl release party on the horizon, what does this project represent for you creatively? Why was it important to press this EP on vinyl and celebrate it with fans in person?
AC - This record means the world to me. I wrote it to capture the memories I’ve had over the last decade in my 20s, and this was a beautiful way to reflect on all of that now that I was turning 30. I wanted a record made for my friends. Something for the most important people in my life to have for the rest of our lives, and it’s super cool that I have an opportunity as a musician to share these moments with my fanbase in general. If I died tomorrow, I’d be ok knowing that this record exists. The vinyl kind of sealed it all together and my circle had been begging me for a vinyl release, so I thought this was the right opportunity. I also dedicated it to the bar we spent the most time at, Handlebar Hanks. We practically lived there.
RA - If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would be your dream collaboration and what kind of song would you imagine creating together?
AC - There’s many I’d love to collaborate with, but I think it would be really awesome to chop a tune with the Zac Brown Band. I feel like we share a lot of similarities when it comes to our influences and our love of genre bending. I’m a huge fan of Zac’s lyrics as well. He just knows how to hit home a bit differently.
RA - Transitioning from fronting a rock band to launching a solo country career is a bold move. How do you balance authenticity and vulnerability in your writing while ensuring your songs resonate with both longtime fans and new listeners?
AC - What’s great about “Andy Colonico” is that it’s just me. It’s a little more personal, versus the band as a collective - which I also love. We’re brothers at the end of the day and we pretty much found ourselves as people through being in a band together. And the band is such a big part of my coming of age years - it’s almost impossible to not embed some of that into my solo music. So, with that being said - I think it’s easy for long time fans and new listeners to hop in. Lots of stories and emotions to express, that I think we’ve all been through whether as individuals or being with our closest friends.
RA - Looking ahead, what lies in the journey for you? What stories or sounds are you most excited to explore as you continue to grow as an artist?
AC - This past year has reassured me that what I’m putting out there is resonating with people. I have TikTok to really thank for that, along with my live shows. People have told me to keep doing whatever it is I’m doing, and I plan to have fun with each new song to come! I really want to explore all genres and bring them into the yeehaw universe. It’s a lot of fun. I love bringing my rock roots into this world of music, and look forward to evolving my live shows as the stages keep coming! I love being different and I want to explore all of it.
Andy Colonico’s journey reminds us that music thrives at the intersection of roots and reinvention. From rock stages to country radio, his work embodies both authentic hometown pride and a willingness to explore new creative landscapes. As he continues to release music that blends vulnerability with energy, Andy offers listeners not just songs, but stories that celebrate identity, collaboration, and transformation.
