Take Five: Andy Biggs
Arizona Republican did music and sound for video game
Freshman Rep. Andy Biggs, 58, an Arizona Republican, talks about his love of music, old movies, and friendships in the Freedom Caucus.
Q: What has surprised you about being in Congress so far?
A: It’s pretty much like I thought it would be, to be honest with you: same legislative dynamics that you have in any self-governing or legislative body. I think that it’s somewhat more chaotic, since it’s so big. So I guess that would be the thing that’s surprised me, it’s a little bit more chaotic than I thought it would be.
[Take Five: Rep. Francis Rooney]
Q: Tell me about your love of music. [Editor’s note: Biggs plays the piano.]
A: I had a music project studio. I did music and sound for a nationally distributed — though not nationally sold — computer game. That’s important. I don’t even know how they sound anymore, I’d have to go back and listen to the sound. I was essentially classically trained and for a period of 10 years, I didn’t play at all. I’m not very serious about [my playing] anymore at all. I’ll sit down and play what I feel, play some jazz-type stuff, that’s what I do.
Q: What do you like to do when you find downtime in D.C.?
A: I play the piano and music and so on. Music’s a hobby. I read a lot, so reading’s a hobby. And I like old movies. We really like “Nacho Libre” [laughs]; “North by Northwest” is a big one; “The ’Burbs” — I can’t believe nobody has seen “The ’Burbs.” Tom Hanks and Carrie Fisher, for Pete’s sakes. Bruce Dern’s in “The ’Burbs,” even. Nobody’s seen “The ’Burbs” and it’s kind of a classic.
Q: You won the American Family Publishers sweepstakes, netting the $10 million jackpot, in 1993. What was the first thing you bought?
[Take Five: Lisa Blunt Rochester]
A: I think we took our family to Disney World is what we did. I don’t do lotteries [anymore]. My wife sometimes enters Publishers Clearing House or something like that. But no, I don’t.
Q: How did you learn how to speak Japanese?
A: I served a church mission in Japan for two years and I used to be pretty good, but it’s real rusty now. I’ve been back to Japan a few times. When I’ve gone back, it comes back, but right now, it’s real rusty.
Quick hits
Last book you read: “The Continental Op,” by Dashiell Hammett
Last movies you saw: “North by Northwest” is probably my favorite movie. [Last movie seen: “Sahara” on the plane.]
Favorite song of all time: Classical, I would say, Chopin’s “Revolutionary Etude.” Jazz, virtually anything by Duke Ellington.
Role model: Religiously, Jesus Christ. Politically, James Madison.
Closest to in Congress: Reps. Dave Brat, R-Va., Ken Buck, R-Colo., Mike Johnson, R-La., Ted Budd, R-N.C., Jodey C. Arrington, R-Texas. Freedom Caucus guys, those would be my guys. The Arizona delegation are the people I talk to the most. I talk to Kyrsten [Sinema, D-Ariz.] every day.
