Andy Hull on arvau

Wikipedia / Andy Hull

John Andrew Hull (born November 7, 1986) is an American singer, musician and songwriter. He serves as the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and primary songwriter of the indie rock band Manchester Orchestra. He also has a side project, Right Away, Great Captain!, and co-founded another project with his friend and folk musician Kevin Devine by the name of Bad Books. Hull is also co-president of Manchester Orchestra's label, Favorite Gentlemen.

Early life

Hull was born in Atlanta, Georgia. Hull lived in Richmond Hill, Ontario with his family for seven years before returning to Atlanta when he was 14 years old. His parents bought him a guitar which he taught himself to play. A year later, he began writing and performing songs with a friend who played bass guitar. After that group disbanded, he started another with Manchester Orchestra's keyboard player, Chris Freeman, on drums.

Career

Hull initially intended Manchester Orchestra to be a solo project, with guest appearances by his friends. "I was listening to a lot of Morrissey and The Smiths," said Hull, "So the city of Manchester really fascinated me, as did the idea of being the leader of an orchestra and having all my friends come in to play."

Feeling increasingly alienated at his "small-town-Georgia, Christian high school", Providence Christian Academy, in suburban Atlanta, Hull spent his senior high school year studying at home. He wrote and recorded his first full-length album in 2004 during the same school year.

Hull and Manchester Orchestra guitarist Robert McDowell wrote music for the 2016 film Swiss Army Man. Hull also had a cameo in the film.