Andrew McMahon Tells Us How New York Inspired His Latest Album ‘Zombies On Broadway’

For the past 17 years, Andrew McMahon has been gifting the world with his music. Whether it was as the lead singer of alternative-pop band, Something Corporate and Jack’s Mannequin or his solo projects as Andrew McMahon In The Wilderness, he never fails to put together a catchy, relevant and lyrically significant song.

Andrew McMahon’s new album, “Zombies On Broadway,” will be available on Feb. 10.  McMahon says he was inspired by the sounds and environment of New York City. “I recorded the majority of the album just outside of Times Square,” said McMahon.  McMahon makes this influence obvious on “Fire Escape,” the fun, foot-tapping first single on the album. The song mentions subways, city lights, taxis and vampires as a nod to the city that never sleeps.  Another New York influenced song is the drum-heavy “Brooklyn, You’re Killing Me.”

With songs like “So Close,” and “Don’t Speak For Me,” each track on “Zombies On Broadway” is meaningful. The skip button won’t be needed here! But McMahon’s favorite track on “Zombies On Broadway” is the sentimental, “Walking In My Sleep.” “[My career] requires me to travel considerably. I’m not with the people I love as often as I’d like to be,” said McMahon. “I wrote it after a tough couple of travel weeks of airports and hotel beds.” The album ends with the piano-driven “The Birthday Song,” which ends with the poignant line, “So blow out your candles, it’s better than letting them burn out.”

When asked how he manages to write incredible lyrics for every project, McMahon said, “It’s harder than people realize to fashion words into a three minute pop song. It’s what I focus my energy on.” He credits Paul Simon, Billy Joel and Adam Duritz of the Counting Crows as his inspirations.  “Those were the albums I fell in love with as a kid. You have a couple of those lines in there that are a gut punch,” said McMahon.

Like his idols, McMahon’s excellent songwriting makes it’s hard for fans to believe that he gets writer’s block. “I try to keep things very fresh. New scenery, new collaborators.  However, I am no stranger to writer’s block and beating my head against the piano,” said McMahon.

Andrew McMahon In The Wilderness will be celebrating the release of  “Zombies On Broadway” on Feb. 9 at Fingerprints in Long Beach. McMahon will kick off the “Zombies In America” tour March 12 in Anaheim, CA and will play NYC’s Webster Hall April 11.