After a decade spent at the height of the music industry, touring solo and with large pop bands, Courtney Marie Andrews realized her desire for a place to come home to. She found that in a small rural town in the deep forests of Washington State. There, she posted up at a local bar, slinging drinks, basking in the simplicity and reflection it allowed. She has emerged in 2016 with a new fire on Honest Life, melding indie-folk and Americana with a rebellious country flavor reminiscent of her Southwestern roots.

Releasing August 19th through Mama Bird Recording Co. (US/World) and Loose Music (Europe), Honest Life touches on personal coming-of-age stories (“Rookie Dreaming”), the stunning beauty of resiliency (“How Quickly Your Heart Mends”), take-no-shit self-determination anthems (“Irene”), and thoughts on how to accept emotions like loneliness and vulnerability in your life (“Table for One)”.

In addition to her musical talent (she recently toured as lead guitarist with Damien Jurado’s band) Andrews’ heart-wrenching songwriting and crystal-clear vocal style are as captivating as they are invigorating. True to her own vision, Andrews produced the entire record herself and recorded it at Litho Studios in Seattle with recording engineer Floyd Reitsma, whose recent credits include Noah Gundersen and Pearl Jam.

Beyond her songwriting and production, Andrews’ classic voice–one part Judy Collins, one part Neko Case–contains a deep yearning, a reaching for something that may or may not have ever truly been, something that may yet still come to pass, a hope for something larger than ourselves: an ideal.

The album is Courtney Marie Andrews’ ode to, and constant search for, this unadulterated archetype. It is a personal journey wrapped in the fading red, white and blue of lost days and lost innocence. A newfound light in that darkness, Honest Life is both forward facing and confident, while genuinely reverent

1. Describe your musical style. 

A little folk, a little country, a little americana, a little roots, and a little singer/songwriter. 

2. How did you get your start as a touring singer/songwriter/musician?

I got my start playing around Phoenix, AZ, where I was born and raised. I’ve always been attracted to the road and booked my first tour up the west coast when I was 16. I’ve been touring and playing ever since.

3. Tell us about your new album Honest Life? What themes or messages does it convey?

“Honest Life” is a coming of age album. When writing the songs for the record, I was going through my first big growing pains as a woman; my first true heartbreak, and some time living on my own in Belgium. “Honest Life” is an album about realizing values, and trying to live a life that’s most true to me. I feel like that’s a concept most people can relate to.

4. Who does your music typically attract and what is your hope for expanding your audience?

My greatest hope is that my music reaches every kind of person. I try and write filter free, and I hope that comes across to people.  “Expanding my audience” is a nice dream, but sometimes that’s not always in my control. All I can do is write good songs, make good records, play good shows, work hard, and hope that someday it will pay off, if not in audience numbers, than at least in life experiences and good times.  

5. What are your immediate goals as an indie artist?

My immediate goals are to release this record, hop in my RV and tour around for the next year, and to keep writing and dreaming up ideas.  

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To learn more about Courtney Marie Andrews or to catch an upcoming show on her tour, visit CourtneyMarieAndrews.com and check out the tour schedule below:

August 13th – Portland, OR – Doug Fir Lounge

August 14th – Cottage Grove, OR – Axe and Fiddle

August 16th – Los Angeles, CA – Bootleg Theater

August 17th – San Diego, CA – Soda Bar

August 20th – Landers, CA –  Lander’s Brewing Co.

August 21st – Phoenix, AZ – Valley Bar

August 23rd – Dallas, TX – Small Brewpub

August 24th – Memphis, TN – Lafayette’s Music Room

August 25th – Atlanta, GA – Eddie’s Attic

August 26th – Nashville, TN – The Basement

September 1st – Denver, CO – Lion’s Lair

September 2nd – St. George, UT – George Streetfest

September 3rd – Sonora, CA – Bourbon and Barrel