Songwriting, Performance
Ratshin writes songs that are intriguing mixtures of social commentary and playful theatrics.” - The New York Times
Primarily known as a member of, and principal songwriter for, the group Uncle Bonsai, and for his solo performances/recordings as Electric Bonsai Band, (it’s not electric, it’s not a band), Andrew Ratshin has been called “completely inventive” (Performing Songwriter), an “absolute original” (Sing Out), and “one of the premier songwriters of his generation” (The Maverick Report). These are the reviews he chooses to believe!
"Ratshin writes songs that are intriguing mixtures of social commentary and playful theatrics.” - The New York Times
The son of an opera singer, Andrew started his music education at 4-years-old at The Mannes College of Music in New York City. He began violin lessons at age seven and, around that same time, learned to play guitar by listening to his older sister. He started writing songs in Junior High School and within just a couple of years was performing at coffee houses throughout the tri-state area. While in high school, he continued his classical training, including studying composition and theory at the Westchester Conservatory of Music and Marymount College.
Andrew graduated from Bennington College with a Music Composition degree and moved to Seattle where he met Arni Adler and Ashley O’Keeffe, also recent Bennington graduates -- though the three did not know each other on the campus of 500 people -- and formed the group Uncle Bonsai. Throughout the 80s, Uncle Bonsai was popular on the folk circuit, released three critically-acclaimed recordings, performed over 250 original songs, and toured regularly throughout North America. At the height of their popularity, the group decided to disband, finishing up in August 1989 with a final show, a benefit concert at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, in front of 8000 people.
“Like the finest artists, Ratshin captures with a few dark lines what others can’t find with the whole 64-piece box of Crayolas.” - Dirty Linen
In 1991, Andrew started performing and recording as Electric Bonsai Band: it’s not electric, it’s not a band. With the release of his debut recording, I Am Joe’s Eyes, Andrew began headlining at clubs and festivals across North America; with the release of the critically acclaimed, But I’m Happy Now, Andrew established himself as “one of the premier songwriters of his generation” (The Maverick Report). The release of Lounging In The Belly Of The Beast had Sing Out magazine proclaim that “there’s more than enough brilliance here to entice and seduce open minded listeners who appreciate exceptionally well written songs.” In addition to his 5 Electric Bonsai Band releases, the 11 Uncle Bonsai releases, and the one recording with his group, Mel Cooleys, Andrew can be found on a number of international folk compilations. Andrew continues to perform solo and, since the group started up again in 1998, with Uncle Bonsai. The trio recently performed Andrew’s all new 25-song song cycle, “Seven Sins, Seven Wonders, Seven Dwarfs”, and Andrew has begun recording his sixth Electric Bonsai Band release, The Other Glass.
“Fresh melodies intertwine with lyrics so completely inventive you’ll be shaking your head and laughing at the same time.” - Performing Songwriter
