Andrew Thomson

What is your relationship to Norfolk? How did you come to be here?
I have lived most of my life in Norfolk with excursions during my college and military years, graduating from Botelle in 2000 and Northwestern Regional 7 in 2006. In addition to being the unofficial percussionist in residence, I’ve also established myself in the bartending circuit, working functions from the Norfolk Country Club to private events. I have since stepped away from bartending to focus more on my music but still enjoy many of the social connections that I’ve formed over the years. 

What do you do? What’s the best part of your work?
As someone who works in the arts, I’ve long held the somewhat tongue in cheek adage that there is a difference between what I do for a living and how I make a living, and this town has supported me in my endeavors. My formal training is in music, both as a multi-instrumentalist (you pay it, I’ll play it) and composer. I spend much of my time writing and performing around the Northwest Corner. When not performing, I work in a variety of fields, such as audio/video engineering, woodworking, cooking, landscaping and a variety of handyman jobs. No doubt we’ve run into each other. If you want to know more, visit www.pipemanstudios.com.

What do you like most? The least?
After living here for 30-plus years, I think one of my favorite things about Norfolk has been the balance between “rural getaway” and “city adjacent.” I enjoy the quiet of living in the proverbial woods but am thankful that we are close enough to more metropolitan areas that a day trip to the city is quite doable. This is a delicate balance, though, and I have noticed quite a bit of change over the last decade. Housing is becoming less attainable for my generation and the small businesses that bring life to the town are not supported by the whole community or even given the chance to establish.

Do you have favorite seasons or places?
Spring is probably my favorite season. Winters here can be difficult for many people, and as much as I enjoy the crunch of boots in fresh snow, I feel most alive when the birds return and Norfolk comes back to life. I don’t think I can call any one place in Norfolk my favorite, because a community like Norfolk isn’t just a place, it’s a people. I have enjoyed countless mornings at the Berkshire Country Store and Icebox Cafe, and numerous evenings at Norbrook and The Norfolk Pub. Okay, well,
that and Great Mountain Forest; great place to walk and write.

What do you hope for in the future?
We live in a time of change and evolution; much of it good, but just as much uncertain. Norfolk is a Connecticut jewel and worthy of a weekend vacation, but a museum without a docent is just a caption on a placard. It is my sincere hope to see another generation grow up in a town I’m proud to call home.

Anything you want to add?
Norfolk’s neighbors are what make Norfolk, well… Norfolk. Go buy coffee at Icebox, then lunch at Berkshire, then a pint at the Pub. Get to know them.

— Interview by Michael Cobb