Andy Baxter (Penny and Sparrow)

My First Band is ending 2021 on a great note by interviewing Andy Baxter. As half of Penny and Sparrow, Baxter — the long-running duo's vocalist — has performed all over the country, shared the stage with some legendary musicians and released six albums that have been heard and enjoyed by millions of people. Not too bad for a guy who didn't really have any artistic aspirations until college!

Recently, in advance of Penny and Sparrow's seventh album (Olly Olly, which comes out Jan. 21), Baxter spoke with My First Band host Tyler Maas about the process of self-producing the record with his best friend/co-collaborator Kyle Jahnke and he also talked about what 2022 holds for the band. Over the course of the fun and lighthearted conversation, the accomplished singer discussed his musical outset, including chorus classes, imitating songs he heard on the radio in his bedroom and a chance meeting at the University of Texas that would change both his career trajectory and his life forever. Along the way, Baxter and Maas also chatted about Vince Young, baby jeans and their shared love of '90s pop radio.

My First Band is sponsored by Mystery Room Mastering and Lakefront Brewery. The show is edited by Jared Blohm. You can listen to My First Band on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify and wherever else you get podcasts. You can also listen to rebroadcasts of previous My First Band episodes on WMSE every Wednesday from noon to 12:30 p.m. CST. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Devils Teeth ("The Junction Street Eight Tigers") and Penny And Sparrow ("Alabama Haint").