You might have heard of Andrew Gower; from watching his phenomenal involvement in critically acclaimed projects such as BLACK MIRROR, OUTLANDER, Netflix's YOU, and CARNIVAL ROW to hearing his sensational artistry and vocal abilities through his band Gustaffson; Gower never fails to impress. 

Andrew Gower recently joined ReVamp to talk about Gustaffson's brand-new track "Flowers", the creative process behind his music, his experience as Prince Charles Stuart on OUTLANDER as well as appreciation for the fandom, what we can expect from his recent portrayal as 'DS Harper' in Channel 5's new drama offering "ELLIS", his collaboration with iconic music composer Bear McCreary, Gustaffson's ongoing 'Black and White Movie' tour, and much more! 

Hi there Andrew. Thank you for joining us on ReVamp! Now that we are almost at the end of 2024, how did this year personally go for you?

I’ve learnt alot this year. Patience and conviction of thought in life and art. Taking risks and learning from mistakes of 2023. If you fail, then next time fail better. 

Before delving into your wonderful professional journey, I'd love to know what it was that brought you closer to the landscape of entertainment? 

Escapism and language. As an actor I aspire to transform & I love language. How people use it and share it. Don’t ever take a script for granted. The same with a lyric from a song. I’ve huge admiration for wordsmiths. 

What brought me closer - I guess drama school. Before drama school I knew nothing of 'the craft'. It was everything for me at 18 years old. 

Besides your impeccable acting range, you also showcased your vocal skills and artistry through your musical group Gustaffson. Talk to me more about this specific creative endeavour. 

How did you decide music was also something you wanted to pursue professionally apart from acting? 

I’ve written music since I was 15 years old. I grew up around it at home and was in a  band before drama school. It was during covid I made the decision to a make music again.  Having been an actor for hire for over a decade, I decided I wanted to tell stories of my own. To be apart of my band Gustaffson and have lyrical ownership is the dream. 

I feel audiences are slightly disillusioned these days with modern algorithmic music … I want to offer up some timeless tales & stories: with Gustaffson being a home for them. 

You recently released 'On Broadway'; the first single off your album "Black and White Movie"; which definitely made me feel as if I was lured into the classic, vintage, and mysterious dreamscape of cinema. It is such a beautiful song. 

What was the initial inspiration behind this emotionally powerful track and are you enjoying the reception you're currently garnering on "On Broadway"?  

Loving the reception from the audience. It’s all for them.

The initial inspiration behind the track was a poem. About the harsh surprise of a New York winter ‘the snow in New York’. No matter how much we prepare for this, the harshness takes your breath away and always takes you by surprise.

I mirrored this with the lifestyle and the fragile glamour of a Broadway show. 

You are also all set to launch Gustaffson's upcoming track 'Flowers' on 15th November accompanied by a brilliant new Music Video featuring the talented composer Bear McCreary! 

What can you tell us about this track as well as this unexpected collaboration and how is this anticipation period going for you? 

Flowers is our second single from our upcoming debut album 'Black & White' movie. Produced by Craig Potter from Elbow. It’s a tale of the everyday gesture of buying someone Flowers. Whether that’s for grief, young love, guilt (the list is endless) … whatever the intention or emotion behind the gesture, it can grow or wither just like the flowers themselves. There's a real beautiful tragedy in this everday act.

I still pinch myself Gustaffson have collaborated with Bear McCreary. A true genius of his craft and someone I’ve admired for years (way before we worked together on Outlander). 

Gustaffson perfectly amalgamates so many diverse elements through their artistry. But I'm very curious to know if you could describe the style and vibe of Gustaffson, how would you define it in your own words? 

In its simplest form: we are a band who like to tell stories. The lyrics and music will dictate the feel or style of the track. Whether thats: Blues, Soul, Rock, Folk, a ballad, Americana (the list goes on). This album is called ‘Black & White Movie’. We’d love our audience to treat each track like it’s own little film. To find their own connection/meaning within each song. 

We use the phrase ‘don’t kill the mystery’ ALOT in the band. If I tell you who we are,  it can diminish and take away from who you think we are. Or what it means to you.

I think I will be disappointing a lot of OUTLANDER fans if I don't ask you a few questions about your outstanding portrayal in the project. (Prince Charles Stuart was definitely one of my favourite characters!) 

Since we are almost on the verge of this project wrapping up and premiering its final season, do you remember what your experience was like joining this wonderful cast and series? 

I never realised the sheer strength & power of a shows fan base before Outlander. They’ve supported my career way beyond the show. Whether that’s in theatre, music or even other TV shows. 

I think for any TV series to run 8 seasons with over 100 episodes is an incredible achievement. 

Your fans can also witness your exciting involvement in the new drama series "ELLIS"; currently streaming on Channel 5. 

What can you tell us about your character 'DS Chet Harper' and the overall plotline of this project? 

Ellis is a new Channel 5 series that follows DCI Ellis (the incredible Sharon D Clarke) and DS Harper (myself) in some gritty Northern Peak District complex cases. The beauty of the project is that it’s they Three x 2 hour episodes (I’d say there films).  The cases are rooted in truth and thrilling, BUT I think the main draw is you get to sit with two detectives for a lot of time on screen & watch a new crime duo develop. 

I’ve admired Sharon D Clarke from a far in our ‘industry’, so it was such a joy to be part of a project with her at the helm. To reinvent the British detective wheel is a really exciting thing for me to do as an actor. 

How has your experience been like with your ongoing "Black and White Movie" music tour? 

It’s been incredible starting up in Glasgow (our first Scottish gig) and then returning home to a sold out Liverpool show at the iconic Jacaranda Club. We can see our audience’s growing and we feel Gustaffson our ‘tribe’ connecting with our new music.

I love immediacy of playing live in venues that all have their own history. It’s another reason why I wanted to be part of a band. 

The setlist for our headline Manchester gig (The Deaf Institute - 15th Nov) and sold out London show (Servant Jazz Quarters Dalston 4th Dec) will all be tracks from the album. Catered slightly as to which city we are playing in.

Anything you can reveal pertaining to your setlist/performance in the upcoming Manchester tour? (which will coincidentally also be on the same day as the 'Flowers' premiere so hopefully a live performance of the brand-new track?) 

We will 100% be playing Flowers at our Manchester show. It’s magic that the single lands on the same day as the gig. Having recorded it down the road at Blueprint Studios. 

Ending Note:- (Thank you for joining me on this lovely interview, Andrew! Wishing you lots of luck on your upcoming tour and projects!)

Lastly, I'd love to know what's next for you, Andrew? And if there's any message that you wish to convey to your fans and supporters currently reading this interview? 

Next up Manchester & London gigs to finish the year. We’ll then release our third single in January 2025. Followed by the Thirteen track album (Black & White Movie) in March 2025. There are plans in place for an in store record tour when the album drops. This would take us to Liverpool, Manchester, Brighton, Oxford & finishing in London. There will be a one off special gig which we’ll label our ‘album launch’. We want to make this a unique night to remember. A ticket that everyone will want to get their hands on (with plenty of mystery attached).

I’d love any readers to take a moment listen to Gustaffson or even better come & see us live. IF it’s something you respond to … then simply just share our stories. We've made music videos to accompany each single so people can sit friends & family down and introduce them to Gustaffson. It's exactly what my two older brothers have always done with me.

I also star as co lead in brand new drama ELLIS on AcornTV in the US and C5 in the UK. Opposite the incredible Sharon D Clarke. It’s three x 2 hour episodes (films) and centred around the relationship of a new detective duo DCI Ellis & DS Harper. A hard hitting drama that deals with complex cases of race, police corruption and internet crime - with the beautiful back drop of the Peak District.