We chatted with exciting country-pop artist Black Sands and found out a bit more about the project following his new single ‘Down The Road’
An artist armed with a compelling modern country-pop sound that is packed full of heart, emotional resonance, and a cinematic sense of scope and appeal that captures the essence of scenic journeys and immersive storytelling, Black Sands has that indelible sense of personality and charm that singer-songwriters tend to either love or die by, and his output so far has showcased a wide and varied appeal that is packed full of charismatic appeal and substance to match.
The artist’s latest single ‘Down The Road’ continues the artist’s dive into vulnerable, emotionally rich territory, teaming up with Brandon Chase to carve a story of ambition, faith, and chasing the connections and experiences that come by keeping moving and pushing forward in life. It is a track that typifies everything that makes Black Sands feel so authentic and rewarding as an artist, and is packed full of thoughtful imagery and a nostalgic country sound. We love the new release, and had a chat with Andrew Balfour, the brains behind the project, to find out a bit more about his journey, the new single, and what plans he has for the future.
Who TF is Black Sands?
Black Sands is my creative project where I blend all the parts of who I am — the emotion, the storytelling, and the cinematic side of my brain — into an evolving music collaboration with artists from around the world. I’m not the singer; I’m the one writing, shaping, and composing the songs, the direction, and the world around them. Each track is a way for me to process real experiences and create something honest and immersive, while exploring different sonic ideas that all tie back to a familiar pop foundation.
And most literally, it’s a group of musicians I collaborate with to bring these songs to life. For “Down The Road,” that included myself, singer Brandon Chase (formerly of The Voice, Team Blake), producer/engineer Davide Russo (The Chainsmokers, Marshmello), drummer Dan Konopka (OK Go), pianist Ruslan Sirota (Grammy winner, Josh Groban), and guitarist Giacomo Pasquali.
How long have you been making music?
I’ve been making music since I was a teenager. I spent about a decade playing in rock bands and touring across the US and Canada before stepping away to focus on my career in entertainment, tech, and creative leadership. About five years ago, I felt the pull to make music again — but in a way that was completely different from my old band days. That spark became Black Sands: a space where I could build something new but still familiar, and collaborate with musicians who wanted to experiment, push genres, and step outside their usual lanes. Five years in, I finally feel grounded in the sound and direction that define the next era of the project.
Why do you make music?
Music has always been the safest place for the things I don’t say out loud. It’s how I process change, heartbreak, and everything that feels too big to sit with. Before I started Black Sands, my sister passed away, and it completely shook my world. I didn’t know how to process that grief, and writing music became the one thing that helped me move through it. It was cathartic and grounding, and it opened a space for me to start healing. That’s still why I make music — to turn something difficult into something meaningful, and hopefully make other people feel understood along the way.
What are your biggest influences?
I pull inspiration from a lot of places — film, TV, photography, design, architecture, nature, and real life moments both big and small. Musically, I’m drawn to artists who bring cinematic storytelling into their work, like Bruce Springsteen, The 1975, Zach Bryan, Shaboozey, and Johnny Cash — people who can make a single moment feel like an entire lifetime. Even though there’s a strong Americana and folk thread in what I connect with, I genuinely love all genres. Nine Inch Nails, The Weeknd, Smashing Pumpkins — it all shows up in some way. Visually and emotionally, I’m influenced by film and the feel of Americana landscapes. I want my songs to feel like open highways, old memories, and a touch of bittersweet.
What would you say has been your best moment so far?
This year has been a big one — two Hollywood Independent Music Award nominations, placing second in the Unsigned Only Music Competition, and landing on Spotify’s All New Country playlist. I’ve also loved working closely with the collaborators who help bring these songs to life. I learn a lot from them, and they push me to be better. But honestly, seeing “Down The Road” connect so quickly has been the most rewarding part. It felt like the first song of this new era where people immediately resonated with the emotion and the story behind it.
How would you describe your sound to somebody unfamiliar with it?
I’d describe it as cinematic country-pop with a bit of modern rock and a lot of heart. It’s nostalgic, emotional, wide-screen music — the kind of songs you play on a long drive when you’re thinking about someone you miss or someone you love.
What’s your dream “I’ve made it” moment?
I had someone cover one of my songs in German, and that was a pretty incredible moment. I spent five years living in Amsterdam and I love traveling, so seeing my music connect with people around the world means a lot to me. A real “I’ve made it” moment would be hearing one of my songs in a film or TV show, or getting the chance to work with creatives I admire like Rick Rubin, Trent Reznor, or Finneas. That would be surreal.
We love your new single ‘Down The Road’, what more can you tell us about it?
“Down The Road” is a chapter-closing, chapter-opening kind of song for me. I wrote it during a period of major transition and uncertainty, and you can feel that in the production — the longing, the hope, and the ache. It’s about the moments that shape you and the things you carry with you even when you’re trying to move forward. The timing of the release made it even more personal; I received some hard news that same week, and it really forced me to take stock of what was ending and what was beginning. The song helped me reset and focus on one of the mantras I come back to often: “always forward, never backward.”
What else do you have planned for the near future?
A lot. I’m releasing a steady run of singles that lead into the first full Black Sands album in 2026, all within this new sonic world of cinematic Americana and emotional storytelling. There will be more visuals, more studio content, more collaborations, and a few songs I think could be the biggest I’ve released yet. I also love hearing directly from people who listen, so if anyone reading this has ideas or things they want to hear next, I’m always open to that. Connecting with listeners is one of my favorite parts of this whole process.
And finally, who is your biggest fan right now?
Definitely the people who’ve been DMing me since day one, telling me the songs have helped them through something or that they genuinely connect with the music. I don’t take any of that for granted. Those are the people I’m hoping these songs continue to reach.
