Irish singer-songwriter Andy White carries a 12-string guitar under his arm and wears his particular brand of Irish magic and charm on his sleeve. He has the political edge of the young Bob Dylan, the romance of David Gray and the Celtic influences and lyricism of the Waterboys.
Andy has ten critically-acclaimed studio albums to his name. He has won Ireland’s top rock and songwriting awards, toured the world working with the likes of Mary Black and Van Morrison, and written with Peter Gabriel and Neil and Tim Finn (Crowded House).
Andy’s latest album is Songwriter (Floating World). His new book is an ‘on the road’ journal, 21st Century Troubadour, published (Lagan Press).
The UK autumn tour will mix readings from the book with songs from his catalogue, and Andy will be joined onstage by virtuoso pianist Radoslav Lorkovic and special guests for selected dates will include Rod McVey, Glenn Patterson and Andy’s sisters Ali and Cathy White.
The Album
Songwriter was recorded live in the studio in Vancouver, Canada, with members of Po' Girl, the Be Good Tanyas, and Neko Case's band. It’s a new, rootsier musical direction for Andy, and reflects writing collaborations he has been working on for the past few years.
There are songs co-written with Canadians Allison Russell (Po' Girl) and Stephen Fearing, Brisbane-based Australian writer Sean Sennett and Scottish producer Stuart Crichton.
How to hang on to the wide-eyed wonder of youth without getting stuck in the groove? Andy White seems to have perfected this art … Songwriter oozes messy storylines and insistent guitar chords that drill a hole into your subconscious … It's classic White terrain, a place where singalong-ability is to be celebrated rather than sneered at; and where guest vocals from Allison Russell chafe beautifully against Andy's Belfast-by-way-of-Melbourne curlicued diphthongs. A recession- beating slice of (wary) optimism.
Siobhan Long, IRISH TIMES
The Book
People are fascinated by the world of rock music, and 21st Century Troubadour was written in its hidden corners — backstage areas, hotel rooms and airport departure lounges. In its 300 pages you’ll meet depressive promoters, crazed club owners and diva superstars. There are lists, poems, and advice on topics such as how to how to avoid excess baggage fees, which hand signals to employ when driving in Italy, and what to do when you’re mistaken as one of U2.
“Andy’s book is not only immensely readable and funny, but one that is intensely honest. Not just about the successes or highs of the creative life but also about its lows and failures, and illustrates, or illuminates, the profound truths of the artistic life — that sometimes things are created as much out of ennui, boredom and frustration as out of insight and joy. For that alone, 21st Century Troubadour is a remarkable and some would say fearless book. But that is all high falutin' stuff. It's a laugh out loud, funny book, free in spirit and a great read.” – Pat Ramsey, Lagan Press
Andy’s History
It’s been twenty years since Andy burst onto the UK music scene with his first single ‘Religious Persuasion’ — a slap in the face for bible-bashers everywhere — and debut album Rave On.
“Yer Man’s Brilliant!” proclaimed the Melody Maker review headline, and the singer the UK press called ‘Belfast’s Bob Dylan’ or ‘Ireland’s Billy Bragg’ was born.
Since then, Andy has become very much his own man, and his lyric-driven acoustic rock, which owes as much to the Waterboys or David Gray as Dylan or Bragg, has become more engaging — and his social commentary more relevant — each year.
Cover star of UK mag Folk Roots, member of the Irish HQ Hall of Fame, Andy has toured the world many times over, playing rock and folk festivals from Glastonbury to Port Fairy and WOMAD events in eight different countries. He has co-written with Neil and Tim Finn, Angela McCluskey and Kieran Kane.
Lead track from Peter Gabriel’s latest album Big Blue Ball was ‘Whole Thing’, a co-write with Andy.
Andy co-wrote ‘Coz I’m Free’ with Christine Anu for Cathy Freeman. Christine went on to sing it at the Paralympics opening ceremony and it has become Cathy’s theme song.
His first book of poetry is ‘The Music Of What Happens’ (Lagan Press, 1999).
When not on tour, Andy is based in Melbourne, Australia.
Andy has ten critically-acclaimed studio albums to his name. He has won Ireland’s top rock and songwriting awards, toured the world working with the likes of Mary Black and Van Morrison, and written with Peter Gabriel and Neil and Tim Finn (Crowded House).
Andy’s latest album is Songwriter (Floating World). His new book is an ‘on the road’ journal, 21st Century Troubadour, published (Lagan Press).
The UK autumn tour will mix readings from the book with songs from his catalogue, and Andy will be joined onstage by virtuoso pianist Radoslav Lorkovic and special guests for selected dates will include Rod McVey, Glenn Patterson and Andy’s sisters Ali and Cathy White.
The Album
Songwriter was recorded live in the studio in Vancouver, Canada, with members of Po' Girl, the Be Good Tanyas, and Neko Case's band. It’s a new, rootsier musical direction for Andy, and reflects writing collaborations he has been working on for the past few years.
There are songs co-written with Canadians Allison Russell (Po' Girl) and Stephen Fearing, Brisbane-based Australian writer Sean Sennett and Scottish producer Stuart Crichton.
How to hang on to the wide-eyed wonder of youth without getting stuck in the groove? Andy White seems to have perfected this art … Songwriter oozes messy storylines and insistent guitar chords that drill a hole into your subconscious … It's classic White terrain, a place where singalong-ability is to be celebrated rather than sneered at; and where guest vocals from Allison Russell chafe beautifully against Andy's Belfast-by-way-of-Melbourne curlicued diphthongs. A recession- beating slice of (wary) optimism.
Siobhan Long, IRISH TIMES
The Book
People are fascinated by the world of rock music, and 21st Century Troubadour was written in its hidden corners — backstage areas, hotel rooms and airport departure lounges. In its 300 pages you’ll meet depressive promoters, crazed club owners and diva superstars. There are lists, poems, and advice on topics such as how to how to avoid excess baggage fees, which hand signals to employ when driving in Italy, and what to do when you’re mistaken as one of U2.
“Andy’s book is not only immensely readable and funny, but one that is intensely honest. Not just about the successes or highs of the creative life but also about its lows and failures, and illustrates, or illuminates, the profound truths of the artistic life — that sometimes things are created as much out of ennui, boredom and frustration as out of insight and joy. For that alone, 21st Century Troubadour is a remarkable and some would say fearless book. But that is all high falutin' stuff. It's a laugh out loud, funny book, free in spirit and a great read.” – Pat Ramsey, Lagan Press
Andy’s History
It’s been twenty years since Andy burst onto the UK music scene with his first single ‘Religious Persuasion’ — a slap in the face for bible-bashers everywhere — and debut album Rave On.
“Yer Man’s Brilliant!” proclaimed the Melody Maker review headline, and the singer the UK press called ‘Belfast’s Bob Dylan’ or ‘Ireland’s Billy Bragg’ was born.
Since then, Andy has become very much his own man, and his lyric-driven acoustic rock, which owes as much to the Waterboys or David Gray as Dylan or Bragg, has become more engaging — and his social commentary more relevant — each year.
Cover star of UK mag Folk Roots, member of the Irish HQ Hall of Fame, Andy has toured the world many times over, playing rock and folk festivals from Glastonbury to Port Fairy and WOMAD events in eight different countries. He has co-written with Neil and Tim Finn, Angela McCluskey and Kieran Kane.
Lead track from Peter Gabriel’s latest album Big Blue Ball was ‘Whole Thing’, a co-write with Andy.
Andy co-wrote ‘Coz I’m Free’ with Christine Anu for Cathy Freeman. Christine went on to sing it at the Paralympics opening ceremony and it has become Cathy’s theme song.
His first book of poetry is ‘The Music Of What Happens’ (Lagan Press, 1999).
When not on tour, Andy is based in Melbourne, Australia.
