For over 20 years singer songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Karen Lee Andrews has built a career
which has seen her travel Australia with her band as well as supporting iconic groups such as Cold
Chisel. An artist that crosses boundaries and melds influences into an earthy, rich and dynamic
sound, her music feels like it could come from the Soulful Blues and Gospel-tinged Delta of the
Mississippi, from the steamy Country bayous of Tennessee or the Rock highway of blue-collar
Philadelphia. Throw in her Polynesian heritage and what fans have discovered is a tapestry of stories
that paint pictures that will captivate the spirit and the mind.
Karen has that husky, raw element underpinning her voice which lends it an emotional balance
rarely found in artists these days. It drips with the poignant context and history of a brown girl
growing up in the industrial city of Wollongong South of Sydney.
Her Polynesian culture itself is a musical story. From the Church to the family, it is not merely
entertainment; it is deeply intertwined with identity, spirituality, and community. It serves as a
repository for oral history, preserving traditions and stories passed down through generations. The
communal aspect of music-making reinforces bonds among families and communities, making it a
shared, unifying experience. With those fundamental undercurrents flowing through her veins, it is
hardly surprising that she has made a place for herself in the music industry.
Releasing numerous singles, EPs and an album, Karen is entering 2025 with another album which is
set to drop. Titled Survival, she continues her musical relationship with producer Benjamin Rodgers
who has worked with Jimmy Barnes, Guy Sebastian, Emma Donovan, and Cold Chisel. Having
previously collaborated on her Edin EP, the partnership shows an enduring devotion to a sound that
has entertained crowds all over the country. From the Woodford Folk Festival, WOMAD, Queenscliff
Music Festival and the Bello Winter Music to a recent 3-month tour with Cold Chisel. Karen will soon
sing to International audiences as she begins her European tour in May. Followed by a performance
at NXNW in Canada and then a tour in Brazil.
Already releasing the lead single from the album, I’m Yours, the collection promises to elevate her
career to the next level as she navigates the world around her. Blues itself has a rich tradition of
female performers who made the game their own. Her music references those undeniable touches
of Gospel and the original spirituals. The cadence and harmonies all sit perfectly around her guitar
playing as she lets the music speak for her and to her loyal fans.
The story of Karen Lee Andrews is not one of Survival but one of triumph.
FESTIVALS & HEADLINE ACT
• Bluesfestival Baden, Switzerland
• NXNE, Canada
• WOMADelaide, Australia
• Woodford Folk Festival, Australia
• Queenscliff Music Festival, Australia
• Bluesfest Melbourne, Australia
• Blues on Broadbeach, Australia
• The Gumball, Australia
• Gympie Music Muster, Australia
• Wangaratta Jazz & Blues, Australia
• Dashville Skyline, Australia
• Bello Winter Music Festival
• Wollombi Music Festival, Australia
• Blues at the Briars, Australia
• Marysville Jazz & Blues Festival, Australia
• Bendigo Blues Festival, Australia
• Inland Sea of Sound Festival, Australia
• National Multicultural Festival, Australia
• Mitchell Creek Rock n Blues Fest, Australia
• Thredbo Blues Festival, Australia
• November Nights, Australia
• Festival of Sails, Australia
• Beyond Festival, Australia
• Summer Sounds, Australia
• AFL ANZAC Day, Australia
• Melbourne Fashion Week, Australia
• NYE at the House, Australia
• Sounds by the Yarra, Australia
• Australian World Media Expo, Australia
• AFL ANZAC Day Match, New Zealand
• City of Sydney Festival, Australia
SUPPORT ACT & CORPORATES
• Three-month tour with Cold Chisel
• Marc Broussard
• Ricky Martin National Tour
• Icehouse
• Jimmy Barnes
• Gregory Porter
• Jessica Mauboy
• Twilight Sessions, Melbourne Zoo
• Australian Open
• Brambank, Melbourne
• Australian Business Awards, Sydney
• Murdoch Children’s Research Institute
• Compassion Australia
• Soulfest Easter Coast Tour
REVIEWS / TESTIMONIALS
“One of the most original and dignified talents to emerge in Australian Entertainment in a long time. She manages to be both imperial yet vulnerable.”
Paul Sheehan, Sydney Morning Herald
“Andrews is on an inspiring and passionate musical journey. A must see.”
Beat Magazine
“Commanding and brilliant.”
Daily Telegraph
“Soulful and bluesy, with so much heart and pain, delivered with so much class.”
Sound of Oz
“Karen Lee Andrews doesn’t need a band behind her to fill a room with music. Her voice is big enough on its own.”
The Australian
“Karen Lee Andrews has a vocal tone that is undeniably powerful.”
Earmilk