Andrew Joslyn: What Winning A Grammy Meant To Me

By: Andrew Joslyn — reflecting on my Grammy experience

So I’m considered a contributing Grammy award winning composer for my work on Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ record, The Heist. It was an incredible feeling being at the Staples Center when they announced all the Grammy wins for the record during the 56th Grammy celebration, however they were all in categories that I wasn’t eligible for, or wasn’t able to receive an award in, since I was a contributing songwriter and musician on the record, and not a main feature. The only category that really mattered to me was ‘album of the year’, since I would be able to walk away with a physical gold trophy. I remember being on the floor, waiting for them to announce the album of the year, and feeling such a sense of loss when the award went to Daft Punk’s Random Access Memories. I didn’t get to walk away with a trophy that year, but I would love to have a chance again sometime in my life.

Since then, I’ve been heavily involved with the Grammy PNW chapter, but much more in artist advocacy, and promoting music education, as opposed to worrying about the awards ceremony. I think being a part of such an impactful record like, The Heist, has elevated my credibility as an artist, and given me access to work with a whole different tier of musicians, producers, and connections. Hopefully my newest record, Awake at the Bottom of the Ocean, has the potential to be considered in the Grammys for next year.

~ANDREW JOSLYN