Although he was born by the sea, it wasn’t until he moved to the desert that Nels Andrews began writing songs. He sang them alone in a house constructed of mud and tires on the sage-brushed mesas of Taos, New Mexico where he spent his 20’s, airing them occasionally around campfires. Eventually he found his voice as a crooner of literary narratives and increasingly impressionistic story songs.

Nels has toured nationally and internationally since 2002 and has won prestigious songwriting awards from Kerrville, Telluride, and Mountain Stage. His international travels include sessions with the BBC’s Bob Harris, who named Nels’ debut one of the best of that year.

Folk Radio UK says: “(Nels) combines deft storytelling with a warmth of tone and gentleness of pace .. awash with layers, metaphors and echoes woven into subtle, contemplative contemporary song. Like finding a seashell at the back of a dusty cupboard, putting it to your ear and hearing the ocean.”

Now, happily stationed by the sea again in Santa Cruz, Andrews has gracefully woven the morning fog, redwoods, and oceanside into his forthcoming record Pigeon and The Crow, produced by traditional Irish flutist Nuala Kennedy (Gerry O’Conner, Will Oldham). A songwriter’s record in the spirit of ’s Veedon Fleece with a breath of the texture, rhythm, and longing of Milton Nascimento’s Club De Esquina , Pigeon and The Crow brims with literary wordplay, mixed with some sway, some shimmer, and some sand between your toes.

“Where has this guy been hiding? In the library maybe.” JIM BLUM, NPR'S FOLK ALLEY

“Dramatic tension songs of America, you really should check out Nels!” - PETER CASE

“Nels Andrews proves that he deserves a spot in the ranks of today's Americana heroes.” - AMERICAN SONGWRITER

“Deft storytelling with a warmth of tone and gentleness of pace..awash with layers, metaphors and echoes woven into subtle, contemplative contemporary song. Like finding a seashell at the back of a dusty cupboard, putting it to your ear and hearing the ocean". - FOLK RADIO UK

“Nels is a master carver, an artist patient and obsessed enough to turn a whale of an idea into something delicate and beautiful from any angle.” Anais Mitchell

“He has the rare ability to conjure entire vistas and characters in no more than a couple of lines. His songs are music as landscape, timeless tales that instantly take root in your mind as though they've been there forever. In fact, if Annie Proulx wrote songs she would sound like Nels Andrews." - AMERICANA UK

Seamless smoke rings of atmospheric campfire reflection, tempered with heady, tumbling slow-roots melodies and a restless wisdom. . At the moment, there are few others in Americana who carry his rugged presence. For Nels Andrews is that much sought-after treasure in music. He’s the real deal.” – Maverick

“While his sound may remind some listeners of other talented young minstrels such as Amos Lee and Andrew Bird, Andrews, paints with a more delicate touch. His canvas may suggest large Southwestern landscapes or a vast desert of yearnings, yet the beauty of his work is in the tiny details." - CHICAGO SUN TIMES

“Nels Andrews proves that he deserves a spot in the ranks of today's Americana heroes.” - AMERICAN SONGWRITER

4/5 stars - The London Telegraph, UK

314 younglove ave Santa Cruz, Ca E:[email protected] www.nelsandrews.com

"A true wellspring of 21st century music." album of the week - Iain Anderson, BBC Scotland

"Literate, melancholic songs of life passing" (4/5 stars) - The Irish Times, UK

“The rhythm of the ocean... and light and shade dynamics reminiscent of . As great singers do, Andrews has the gift of making the ‘La- La-La’ coda sound as profound as ancient philosophy” (4/5 stars) - Rock’n Reel Magazine, UK

“Elegantly sparse, subtlely ethereal, and ferociously intelligent songs.. reaffirms your faith in music and threatens to wear out from repeated plays.. Sunday Shoes is) word perfect from endless listens and a strong contender for album of the year.” -Americana UK

“ “Sparsly arranged, slyly intelligent country-folk stuffed with juniper winds, Juarez jails and long women in short dresses.” 8/10 UNCUT magazine

Awards

Kerrville Newfolk winner Telluride Troubador Winner Mountain Stage NewSong Winner 2018 SC Arts Grant “Pigeon And The Crow” Graphic Novella

Best of / Year end Critic’s polls :

NPR Folk Alley, Americana UK Critic’s Poll, Daily Telegraph , UK, WFUV, WFDU, Heaven magazine NL, OOR magazine, NL,

Venues of note/ Festiv als:

Paradiso, Amsterdam, VRPO @ Bimhuis , Amsterdam, Vredenburg, Netherlands, Queens Hall, Edinburgh, UK , Oran Moor, Glasgow, Perth Concert Hall, UK, Borderline, London, Kerrville Folk Festival, Rocky Mountain Folks Fest, FalconRidge, TakeRoot, Festival NL, Southern Fried Festival, Belladrum Festival, UK