For over 20 years singer songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Karen Lee Andrews has built a career which has seen her travel Australia, Europe, Canada and Brazil with her band. As 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 and powerful 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 Polynesian 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.
Having released numerous singles, EPs, and an album, Karen heads into 2025 with another album on the way. 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, WOMADelaide, and Queenscliff Music Festival to Blues at Broadbeach and a three-month tour with Cold Chisel, Karen has captivated audiences across Australia. In May and June 2025, she takes her voice to the world, starting with a European tour, followed by NXNW in Canada and a tour in Brazil.
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.
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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