Local singer-songerwriter Andy Zipf calls himself "a mood pop artist who sings songs for the lonely," but with his popularity on the rise, we can't imagine he'll stay solitary for too long. Zipf took the time to chat with DCist about his music, taping a segment with the Today Show, and what the hell "pod-jacking" is.

VITALS:
Full Name: Andrew Zipf
Age: 24
Hometown: Indianapolis
How long have you lived in Washington: 4 or 5 years
Occupation: Musician/part time copy aide
Why did you move to D.C.?: I was tired of living in the sticks.

You were recently taped and interview by the "Today" show. Can you tell us a little bit about that experience and how it got set up?

The interview I did for the Today Show was for a piece they are doing on satellite radio. XM radio has been very supportive of my music. The Loft, channel 50 for you XM listeners, plays my stuff and it's given me fantastic exposure as an independent artist. I met with one of the producers of the show, after a nice person at XM suggested they interview me. It went very well, I think. A camera crew came out later that night and shot some live footage of my show at The Knitting Factory too. The piece was supposed to air twice and has been bumped twice. My manager tells me this is how T.V. works. I think the soccer moms of America just care about Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie more than space age technology right now. When it's going to air, they'll let me know.

You're currently doing an "artists in residence" series at the Rockwood Music Hall in New York City. Can you tell us a bit about that experience? Have you ever considered moving from D.C. to NYC to further your career or do you not think that's necessary?

I just got back from NYC and the first night of my residency sponsored by BMI, of which I am a member. I discovered Rockwood Music Hall a few months ago, and I have been playing there almost exclusively since. It's a smaller listening room, and has fast become one of my favorite places to play in the city. Since I normally perform solo, with a laptop, guitar and other gadgets, the venue is just the right size for me. I feel very comfortable there. I have considered moving to New York a few times. Although it would be a good place to be for "the industry" side of things, I decided against it because I do not believe it is necessary for me right now. With the D.C. area as my home, I can tour the east coast, midwest, fly out to the west coast, etc, very easily. I think the idea that you have to move to New York or L.A. to have a career is kind of a myth. Those cities are the hub of the movers and shakers, and I play in those cities to get in front of those people. However, record companies, huge management agencies, lawyers, and television producers can not give you what the most important thing is as an artist: fans. I mean real fans. The ones you play for in the middle of nowhere Wisconsin that come back to hear you every time you roll into town. A&R reps in hip towns with crossed arms are a dime a dozen, but you cannot replace real people who are just there to experience the music. Will I ever move to New York? Maybe, but only if it makes sense.

Give us some of your musical influences.

Well, I could be strategic here and list off a few names to sound cool -- but I will just be honest and say what I really grew up with. The Beach Boys (my dad), folk music (my mom), old U2, The Cure, The Smiths(my older brother), Jeff Buckley and The Bends/OK Computer-Radiohead (even though frat boys have those teethy cartoon stickers on their SUVs now). I should also mention that I am listening to Ray Lamontagne at the moment.

What do you think of the singer-songwriter scene in D.C., or the music scene in general?

Obviously, there is a musical heritage in Washington, D.C. and I respect it. That goes without saying. As far as the singer-songwriter scene, I think it's still growing.

Favorite local bands?

Rose, Meredith Bragg and The Gena Rowlands Band.

We noticed on your web site that you keep a blog, which we think is great. Have you embraced any other forms of technology to get the word out about your music?

I have done a lot of things to get the word out. MySpace, Purevolume, Sonicbids, and some other sites. You have to do a lot more to get noticed these days. I have used an iPod and an old transistor radio to do this thing called pod-jacking. I'll walk to a crowded area and start playing prerecorded messages from the iPod (using I-trip) through the radio. "Hi, my name's Andy Zipf. May I have a moment of your time? Would you like to hear one of my songs? You have beautiful eyes." Stuff like that. Most people stick around to see what I'm doing, and they hear a song or two. I've gotten some people in traffic to turn their radio stations to hear what I have on my iPod. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn't. But it is still promotion -- shameless self-promotion.

Do you think music downloading hurts or helps self-made singer-songwriters like yourself?

Downloading music has helped me in most cases, especially when the songs are downloaded from I-tunes or some other site that charges a buck. Your music is more accessible to more people that way too. This is how most people I know get their music and it's not going to change anytime soon. So, I'm learning to adapt to the system. I am surviving.

You're playing a benefit show for Miriam's Garden at the Black Cat June 18th. What can people expect when they go to see you in concert?

I'm glad you asked me about the benefit show. Ris Paul Ric (Chris from Q and Not U), Martin Royle (Washington Social Club), The Gena Rowlands Band and myself will be performing. We are raising money for Miriam's House, a home for women with AIDS/HIV and their children. All proceeds will go towards a garden project for the home, and other necessities. You can expect the concert to be good, because those artists and bands are good. It's a great bill, actually. I'm looking forward to it.

Finally, a few questions about D.C. ...

Favorite restaurant/watering hole? I have to go with The Red Room at The Black Cat.
Washington Post or Washington Times? The Washington Post.
Favorite monument? Abraham Lincoln memorial. I was obsessed with him when I was in 5th grade.
Favorite thing about D.C.? Its diversity and the fact that it has its own identity. I like all the weird conspiracy theories too.
Least favorite thing about D.C.? Conspiracy.
If you could change one thing about D.C., what would it be? I have no idea. That's a tough one. I could say something political here, but that is not really my bag. I'd decree more peace and more love. How's that?

Andy Zipf plays the Black Cat on June 18th. You can listen to some of his music at PureVolume.