Defying expectations — and conventional logic — musician/producer and former townie Andrew W.K. (born Andrew Wilkes-Krier) has managed to remain relevant since 2001, when his unstoppably energetic hits "Party Hard" and "She Is Beautiful" made him a household name (or something like it). He's released a handful more albums and pursued alternate career paths as a TV host and a motivational speaker —a surprisingly natural progression, considering the positive nature of his music.

With three different projects under his belt this summer, AWK is busier than ever. He composed music for and hosts "Destroy Build Destroy", in which teams of teenagers take turns constructing and blowing up each others' creations. The live-action show for the Cartoon Network premiered last month.

Watch a video about "Destroy Build Destroy":

And just last week, Andrew was the keynote speaker at Tulsa, Oklahoma's DFest Music Conference & Festival, where he addressed such topics as censorship, risk-taking, and trusting your instincts. He also took the time to stop by the local news station to give an interview — and the weather report — as only he could.

But above all, Andrew W.K. is a musician. Drawing on his experience as a youth studying music at the University of Michigan and Community High School, his next sonic venture is a solo piano album called "55 Cadillac." The record, slated for an early September release, is available for preorder at Cargo Records in the UK but will also be available stateside on the Ecstatic Peace label.

Chrysta Cherrie is the entertainment producer/copy editor for AnnArbor.com. She can be reached at chrystacherrie@annarbor.com.