Human Nature singer Andrew Tierney talks faith, family and music

Singer Andrew Tierney is about to finish an amazing run of shows with the iconic Human Nature – and says it’s been quite a ride.

Andrew Tierney explains faith, family and health are so important to him, and how he will follow-up the end of Human Nature’s national tour as a duo act with brother Mike.

ANDREW TIERNEY

Age: 50

City: Las Vegas

Andrew Tierney from Human Nature. Picture: Christian Gilles

What do you have coming up?

I am just about to finish an amazing run of shows with Human Nature, celebrating 20 years since we released our album Reach Out: The Motown Record … closing out in Sydney at the ICC Arena will be amazing. Then my brother Mike and I get ready to do some solo shows as the Tierney Brothers in Vegas, Sydney and Melbourne to play our new album, Soundtrack Of My Life – our first ever as a duo … it’s a super creative first half of the year for sure.

Andrew and Mike Tierney, who will perform as the Tierney Brothers. Picture: Richard Dobson

How would you describe yourself?

I am an acquired taste, I think. I have been blessed to be mostly in control of my career, I guess, and also never had a real job, so to speak – so that has led to me having a strong initial opinion on things. I am super focused on things that inspire me … but kinda loose on organisation. Thank God my wife is amazing at being organised. I tend to lead with my emotions, which is great creatively but not so helpful in a conflict. I’m not easily embarrassed but take feedback and criticism to heart – hopefully in a good way.

What is most important to you?

My faith, my family and my health. There was a time when I felt everything was in my control and I thrived on that. I have mellowed and my perspective on what’s important has really crystallised for me. I love that there is a great plan for my life – greater than I could imagine, and that helps me love my family more and cherish my health and wellness more
too.

Human Nature, (from left) Mike Tierney, Phil Burton, Toby Allen and Andrew Tierney.

What is the last thing you read, watched, ate, listened to?

I have been watching Succession – such a wild ride but so well acted and written. I just ate a great Acai bowl in Melbourne from a place on Chapel St called Green Cup, and I have been listening to and rewatching Key and Peele comedy sketches as they pop up in my Insta feed.

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be Indiana Jones – or a forensic detective. I loved music but something about the roguishness and adventure of Indy fascinated me. It wasn’t until later in high school that I thought being a pop singer could be cool. Although being a singer at my school was far from cool. I just always loved music though, and also the idea of songwriting and composing seemed so awesome to me, so I started playing around with that.

A youthful Human Nature in 1997.

What has been the biggest obstacle you have overcome or hardest hurdle in your life?

Healing myself and my marriage from my drinking problem. I think many factors lead to me having a problem with alcohol. I liked the buzz way too much, but an anxiety around performing a certain song led me to trying to treat the anxiety by attacking it with drink. Looking back, this was definitely part of the reason things got out of hand. It was a song I was singing every night of the week. To be honest, though, I also liked how fun and free I felt drinking, but then it became a daily thing that I was hiding from my wife (or I thought I was) and I started lying about it. People were worried about me. One night Heather confronted me and I realised I needed help. It was the journey from there to her trusting me again, me finding help by my surrendering to therapy, to admitting I had a problem and ultimately to my faith in a higher power getting me through, that has been the biggest life obstacle I’ve had to face.

Andrew Tierney, wife Heather and their daughter Violette in 2021.

What has been your proudest moment?

Seeing how much my daughter loves me. I am completely myself around my little girl Violette – we sing, I do stupid things, I’m sarcastic and dumb, but she adores me and it warms my heart and makes me so proud to have that relationship with her.

What has been your toughest period?

Working through my drinking problem and then realising it’s a life of adjusting and forgiveness. Knowing that I will always have the temptation and ability to indulge again but just praying to make good decisions has been quite the period for me.

Andrew Tierney said his toughest period was working through his drinking problem. Picture: Instagram

What do you wish we could do more about?

Gun control in the States … it blows my mind. The US is my home now and the obsession and righteousness the culture has about gun freedom makes no sense to me. America is so huge and the love for guns is quite confronting. I really struggle with it.

If you had a superpower, what would it be?

Mind reading. I think knowing truthfully what other people are thinking could help me be a better person in many situations.

Toby, Mike, Phil and Andrew. The final show of Human Nature’s national tour will be in Sydney on April 11.

What is the kindest thing anyone has ever said to you?

That they value and enjoy my friendship. I don’t think you need a lot of friends – just ones that you feel unjudged by and that wish you well no matter what. I wish that for myself and am grateful when someone feels that they have that in me.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I am quite the smart arse … I wish the first thing that leapt into my mind wasn’t so often a wisecrack. Sometimes it’s funny but I have to control myself – I’m getting better at keeping the inside voice inside! I’m working at being more kind in all situations.

Human Nature’s final show of their national tour will be held at ICC Sydney Theatre on Friday, April 11