Andrew W.K. is the American Association Of Suicidology's "person of the year"

February 21, 2018

The American Association Of Suicidology (AAS) has named Andrew W.K. their first-ever “person of the year” in honor of “his life-affirming music and message.”

The award's purpose is to recognize the person's impact in suicide prevention and the mental health community.

According to a statement released by the AAS, W.K. will receive the award “due to his consistent and powerful use of positivity to improve the lives of those who read his writings, attend his lectures and hear his music.”

“I'm grateful to the American Association Of Suicidology for the incredibly valuable work they've done for so long, and continue to do now, when it's needed more than ever,” W.K. responded to the nomination. “My story is a familiar one: From a young age, I felt consistently uneasy in the world, and thus began an ongoing search for something to quell the sense of wrongness inside of me.”

“In my mission to find joyful meaning in life, I never imagined my rock 'n' roll destiny would become a source of inspiration for those who also dwelled in the shadows,” the musician continued.

“I'd like to humbly accept this award on behalf of all the people who work every day at forging this sacred human bond. I'd like to accept this award on behalf of music itself, and on behalf of the mysterious life-force feeling I simply call 'partying.' I'd like to accept this award on behalf of every person who has struggled and overcome, and struggled and fallen—for I have been both. I'd also like to accept this honor on behalf of every person who's lost someone—or lost themselves—to seemingly insurmountable darkness.”

“If any of our work can contribute to this vast emergency—this crisis of joy—then may the Party Gods grant us ever more strength, so we may all help make the world a partier place,” W.K. resumed.

The 2018 award will be presented at the AAS Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. AAS was founded in 1968 and addresses every aspect of suicide and suicide prevention.

Andrew W.K. has recently shared tracks “Ever Again” and “Music Is Worth Living For” from his new album, You're Not Alone, out March 2. He also announced a tour, which kicks off March 14 in Texas and wraps up May 25 in Oklahoma. Check out the dates below:

03/14 – Austin, TX @ SXSW
03/21 – Boise, ID @ Treefort Music Fest
04/13 – Cardiff, Wales @ Great Hall
04/14 – London, England @ O2 Forum Kentish Town
04/15 – Birmingham, England @ O2 Academy
04/18 – Norwich, England @ Waterfront
04/19 – Portsmouth, England @ Wedgewood Rooms
04/20 – Manchester, England @ O2 Ritz
04/21 – Glasgow, Scotland @ Garage
04/28 – Jacksonville, FL @ Welcome To Rockville
04/29 – Tampa, FL @ The Orpheum Theatre
05/01 – Pensacola, FL @ Vinyl Music Hall
05/03 – Birmingham, AL @ Saturn
05/04 – Concord, NC @ Carolina Rebellion
05/05 – Atlanta, GA @ Shaky Knees Fest
05/08 – Louisville, KY @ Diamond Pub
05/09 – Indianapolis, IN @ Hi-Fi Lounge
05/10 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Pyramid Scheme
05/11 – Maquoketa, IA @ Codfish Hollow
05/12 – Chicago, IL @ The Vic
05/13 – Somerset, WI @ Northern Invasion
05/15 – Rochester, NY @ Montage Music Hall
05/16 – Toronto, ON @ Opera House
05/17 – Boston, MA @ Paradise
05/18 – New York, NY @ Irving Plaza
05/19 – Columbus, OH @ Rock On The Range
05/20 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
05/21 – Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
05/22 – Millvale, PA @ Mr. Smalls
05/24 – St. Louis, MO @ Delmar Hall
05/25 – Pryor, OK @ Rocklahoma