Nels Andrews

b. USA. Americana guitarist and singer-songwriter Andrews had an itinerant childhood and this wanderlust continued in his adult years. He spent time working in menial jobs in places as far afield as Alaska and New Mexico, experiences that would fuel his nascent songwriting talent. Andrews’ early apprenticeship as a performer was in blues clubs before gaining wider recognition in 2002 when he won the New Folk Songwriting Contest at the Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas. His gritty real life tales and moody delivery attracted positive notices among the country folk music community, with his 2005 debut, Sunday Shoes, enjoying notable success in Europe. Andrews moved to New York City to work with producer Todd Sickafoose on material for the follow-up, Off Track Betting. This 2008 release employed a fuller sound than its predecessor but remained rooted in a folk context.