Artist description Singer-songwriter, composer who tries to combine old-fashioned melody of pop/rock with electronics.

Music Style Europop

Musical Influences Uriah Heep, Tangerine Dream, ABBA, Beatles

Similar Artists Pet Shop Boys, A-ha, Coldplay, Depeche Mode

Artist History Andrei Hauk was born in September 1959, in Daugavpils, Latvia (former Soviet Union republic in the Baltics), Andrei now resides in the USA, and is an American permanent resident. He is also a Latvian citizen. In 1973 Andrei's family moved to Parnu, Estonia, where, at the tender age of 14, Andrei's interest in 'rock' music blossomed. Andrei's elder brother first introduced him to 'western' rock and roll, to which Andrei felt immediately attracted, despite (or perhaps, because of) the Soviet State's propaganda, portraying such music as "vulgar, empty and wild". In 1975 Andrei wrote his first song in English, without the help of an instrument. Later that year, he graduated from high school in Narva, Estonia, and began to perform in his first rock and roll band, 'Embryo'. In contrast to the popular misconception the there was absolute repression of 'western culture' by the Soviet regime, there was tremendous exposure to international music (mostly European) in the Baltic Republics - notably in the rock and jazz genres. One early influence upon Andrei, both in his inspiration to sing, and in finding his style of vocalization, was Robertino Loretti, an Italian 'boy star' in the 1970's. Many other influences, native and foreign, found their way into Andrei's music, as it evolved. His collection of music includes French, Italian, Russian, Latvian, Estonian, German, Polish, Hungerian and English songs, among others. In 1983 Andrei landed a position as a cook on a commercial fishing vessel, which he saw as a vehicle to freedom. He defected from the U.S.S.R, in 1984, while on the shore leave in Canary Islands, Spain (his first 'Western' port of call). In Spain, Andrei played some gigs with a local band, "Crisis". A few months later he found himself living in Brooklyn, New York. Andrei participated in numerous original bands, and performed in nightclubs and restaurants. Due to creative differences with band members, and the grueling lifestyle of a club singer, Andrei decided to retire from his performance career, a couple of years later. He went through a few job changes before eventually embarking upon a successful career as a computer programmer. Though he was no longer working as a performer, he never stopped writing music. Andrei has 'come back to music' - his great passion - and is now applying his energies toward landing music publishing contract. Although most of Andrei's body of work was written for the hard/pop rock genre, he touched upon other styles as well, such as dance, pop and country music. Andrei writes, primarily, in English, but he has also composed a few songs in Russian, Latvian, Estonian and Spanish. Right now he is concentrating on writing new material for the pop/dance market, but he would write in other styles if requested to do so.

Instruments Keyboards, guitar

Location Bensalem, PA - USA

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