Andrew W.K. is one of rock and roll's deepest thinkers and most devout optimists.
Over the past 15-plus years, the singer has made it his mission and personal brand to share with others tips on how to find and enjoy happiness.
With the intension of a monk, Andrew W.K. has studied his actions, reactions and emotions—both positive and negative—and channeled his findings into motivational speeches, books, op-ed pieces, television and radio appearances and, of course, his music.
The day of his most recent visit with Q104.3 New York's "Out of the Box" with Jonathan Clarke, W.K. had just premiered his first new song in 8 years, "Music Is Worth Living For" from his new album You Are Not Alone, due out March 2.
W.K. described what if feels like to finally be able to release new music.
"I don't know how to describe the feeling," he said. "I'm sure many people can relate. It's a mixture of excitement, fear and a kind of indescribable almost nausea, but it's a good nausea if there ever was such a thing.
"It's butterflies that have anxiety, that are swimming around anxiously in my stomach. And it's fluttery, kind of pleasurable and tickly, but it's also a bit nauseating. But I'm going with it."
You Are Not Alone is 16 tracks, including three motivational speeches and one instrumental.
And with the recent rise in awareness of mental illness as something people should not be ashamed of, W.K. is more concerned than ever with spreading his message of empowerment and, yes, partying.
"Intoxication comes in many forms, and you can, as it's been said, you can be high on life. You can be high on music, and that's what 'Music Is Worth Living For' is about.'
Watch the full interview above!
Get Andrew W.K.'s tour dates here.
Be sure to keep up with him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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You can listen to Andrew W.K.'s new song "Music Is Worth Living For" here: