From Nyack, NY, comes a new sound that testifies. Andrew “Ace” Greenspan is a 33-year-old pop-rock artist whose journey hits deeper than most. Diagnosed on the autism spectrum and in recovery from addiction since early 2024, Andrew has been pouring decades of talent and a year of hard-won sobriety into his latest work. His album Livin’ Rough, Hangin’ Tough isn’t just music, it’s medicine.
Born from battles with addiction, chronic pain, and the shadows of mental health struggles, each song is a step toward the light. In 2024 and 2025, Ace locked in, channeled his healing into songwriting, and spent eight intense months in the studio bringing it all to life. Now, he’s turning his pain into purpose, creating music that uplifts, empowers, and works to reach anyone who knows what it feels like to fight. With every lyric, Ace reminds us that through hope and persistence, you really can live rough and hang tough.
The Interview
Photobombshell: Hi, Andrew! Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview for Photobombshell.media. I already know you are a pop/rock artist from New York. What else do you think that fans and future fans should know about you?
Andrew Ace Greenspan: I am a pop-rock artist from Nyack, NY, on the autism spectrum, celebrating one year of sobriety. I’ve been playing the piano and singing since I was four years old. I was classically trained on the piano for 13 years, as well as some jazz, blues, and theory at a music conservatory; however, today I still struggle to read sheet music.
Everything I do is by ear and with perfect pitch. I have come a long way in overcoming addiction, mental health, developmental challenges, and neurological chronic pain. In 2023, I survived an overdose that I was not supposed to recover from. Narcan saved my life and that is why I am still here today. I’m doing everything I can to give back to organizations and communities, spreading powerful positive messages of hope and recovery through my new album, Livin’ Rough, Hangin’ Tough, that you can learn to live rough and hang tough.
Getting Started Early
Photobombshell: You started in music so young! What got you started with making music at this level, and why does rock appeal to you the most?
Andrew Ace Greenspan: My mom had a piano at the house that was handed down from the family. When I was four years old, I sat down and started playing Mozart. From that moment on, my mom knew I was born with a gift. I would spend 4 to 8 hours a day on the piano, running off from stickball games in the neighborhood to take piano breaks.
Pop and rock music influences have been the most recent in my life. Classical influences started out such as Mozart and Beethoven. As I got older, I got into Elton John and Billy Joel, who are my two biggest influences today. The third group that I got into was Imagine Dragons, who helped get me sober. My new album, Livin’ Rough, Hangin’ Tough, has a lot of familiar themes of Imagine Dragons. They are known for their positive lyrics and uplifting music. My voice and piano style of playing have a lot of Elton John/Billy Joel roots, and the Imagine Dragons’ positive self-hope and recovery come from their influence.
Live Rough and Hang Tough
Photobombshell: You share a lot of yourself through your music, specifically on themes of autism, addiction, recovery, and mental health. If you could choose one banner phrase that represents you as an artist, what would that be and why?
Andrew Ace Greenspan: You can learn to “Live Rough and Hang Tough”. Recovery is possible. There is so much support out there. People want to help you in hard times. You just have to let them. Talk to a guidance counselor, a doctor, a friend, or a family member. If you’re struggling with addiction or mental health, join a program. Seeking help does not make you weak. It makes you weak if you don’t seek help because then the people around you are suffering, watching you struggle. No one deserves to go through something alone. You can find hope in hard times.
ASD and Addiction
Photobombshell: As an artist with ASD, do you feel a need to speak out or advocate for others with autism who experience addiction?
Andrew Ace Greenspan: I believe it is important to speak about the connection between autism and addiction. To be very clear, I am not stating that if you have autism, you have addiction. What I am saying is that autism has certain qualities and behaviors, which can lead to addictive qualities and addictive patterns, which is what happened to me.
Challenges and Triumphs
Photobombshell: What has been your greatest challenge as an independent artist, and how are you, or how have you navigated that?
Andrew Ace Greenspan: I used to say being a jack of all trades was great. I believe that mastering one instrument and being incredible at it can separate you from the rest. While I enjoy playing guitar, drums, bass, and other instruments I pick up, I’ll always be a pianist first. I’d also say that in today’s day of the music industry, being your own content creator, booking agent, PR and social media promoter, recording engineer, mixing and mastering engineer, publisher, graphic designer, etc. the list goes on and on, and all independent artists understand this all too well. It’s great to have the talent and skill set for these things. I am fortunate to have a team behind me that believes in me and my music to assist me with some of these things.
About the Music
Photobombshell: You’ve mentioned it a few times before, but let’s get into it and really break things down. Tell me more about your latest album, Livin’ Rough, Hangin’ Tough. Why is this project special to you?
Andrew Ace Greenspan: “Livin’ Rough, Hangin’ Tough” is so important to me because within seven songs, I am telling my recovery story through my lyrics and music. I spent eight months in the studio recording all of the instruments, mixing, and mastering to give people the most dynamic, highest quality sound that I could produce, so that the music will take you into a hopeful state when you go through hard times.
Photobombshell: What is your favorite song from this project and why?
Andrew Ace Greenspan: “Livin’ Rough, Hangin’ Tough,” the title track, is my favorite song I’ve ever done because it is the anthem for hope, resilience, and recovery. It teaches you that you can be your best friend. It’s a catchy, positive, upbeat song that will brighten your day. “Livin’ Rough, Hangin’ Tough” is medicine. It’s healing to me when I perform it. I feel blessed to be able to play it at any opportunity to heal others struggling.
Career Highlights
Photobombshell: You’ve done some incredible things as an artist and in your recovery. What has been the highlight of your career thus far?
Andrew Ace Greenspan: The highlight of my music career so far would be putting out my new recovery album, “Livin’ Rough, Hangin’ Tough,” and performing it for mental health, substance abuse, and addiction communities, as well as organizations such as Autism Speaks. I very much enjoy being on stage under lighting, through the smoke and the haze. However, my first love and highlight has been to be in the room with people at these mental health fairs, where if I can help one person in the room through my original music, then I feel like I have achieved and accomplished my goals. I feel that after surviving the overdose in 2023, I am still here with a purpose of helping other people see that recovery is possible.
A Dream Collaboration
Photobombshell: That’s incredibly powerful. I love that you’re taking the opportunity to share your message, arguably where it can be best heard and understood. That’s awesome. As you continue to make music and inspire others, who would you choose to collaborate with on an upcoming project if you could choose any artist?
Andrew Ace Greenspan: I would love to collaborate with my positive musical influences: Elton John, Billy Joel, Imagine Dragons, as well as Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars, Coldplay, and My Chemical Romance!
A Bit of Advice from Ace
Photobombshell: That makes a lot of sense! Being that you’ve seen some things and lived so many experiences in this life so far, what top piece of advice would you share with independent artists who are just getting started?
Andrew Ace Greenspan: Stay original. Be you. Be yourself. Don’t try to sound like someone else. Make your own style and take lessons from your musical influences without taking their product. Don’t rush. Sometimes it takes time to make great music.
2025 Plans
Photobombshell: What can listeners, readers, and fans look forward to from you in 2025?
Andrew Ace Greenspan: For the rest of 2025, I will be focused on performing events for organizations related to mental health and wellness, disabilities, and addiction, as well as traditional venues and performances. I have begun recording the next single that will be coming out for a future date. I have also begun preparing the tracks that I have written already for my next album. I very much appreciate everyone’s support out there. I truly hope that my message resonates with you, for when you are struggling you will find hope in hard times.
Connect with Andrew Ace Greenspan
Photobombshell: How can people connect with you on social media, and where can they listen to more music?
Andrew Ace Greenspan: My album is now available on Apple Music, Spotify, and Amazon. Head to https://andrewace.irmbooking.com/home to hear more about my story, watch lyric videos, listen to new music, and view organizations I have worked with.
Photobombshell: Thank you, Andrew, for sharing your story and your music with us here at Photobombshell Media. Listeners and readers interested in connecting on social media can find Andrew Ace Greenspan on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, too! For more independent music news, music reviews, and interviews, subscribe and stay tuned!
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