Wellington based singer and electronic musician, Nicole Andrews, is set to release her second and highly anticipated album, A Stranger, on May 4th followed by a national album tour.

Her music is described as “Simple, stripped back, yet incredibly solid” by NZ Musician Magazine; and The Listener Magazine have said “for those who like their femininity fierce and fearless.” Now with the release of,  A Stranger , on the horizon, Andrews delves into the realm of electronic music, pairing with Rhombus producer, Thomas Voyce, for production.

Drawing on influences such as Bjork, Goldfrapp and Massive Attack, Andrews is diversifying from her previous ‘piano songs’ moniker, establishing her as a unique musician with a diverse range of skill. A Stranger, is a collection of 11 melancholic songs, centred around industrial beats, eerie synths, and raw confessional lyrics, the result is a gritty and dark album.

Written in just three months, Nicole explains that she went through a period of condensed focus and inspiration; “I had a lot to say at that time.” A Stranger reveals a landscape of love and loss, and what feels like the breakdown of walls for a singer-songwriter who has taken a turn down a path of musical self exploration.  

Originally from Portland Oregon, where it rains 9 months out of the year, Nicole, spent her formative years locked away in her bedroom listening to music and jotting down song lyrics. “I lived in a rural area just outside of the city, so most of the time I was trapped in the middle of nowhere on a rainy day and had to find things to do. So I did music.”

The self-taught pianist was raised by a family of artists and music fanatics who encouraged her passion for music. Although she never took music lessons and shied away from the spotlight - dropping out of choir twice when forced to perform solos - Nicole pursued music on her own terms and by the age of 16 was playing live at ‘festivals’ in high school.

Andrews’ 2015, critically acclaimed album, In the Shallows, was recorded at the famed Surgery Studios with the support of Creative New Zealand and guest musicians such as David Long (The Mutton Birds) and Andrew Bain (Fur Patrol). The release attracted interest both within New Zealand as well as overseas. Andrews recalls, “I even found this website in Spain doing a series of articles about strong women in music, all because of my song Just Another Female Vocalist.”

As with her first album, Nicole intends to tour A Stranger overseas following the scheduled New Zealand tour. A Stranger is available on iTunes, Bandcamp and Spotify on the 4th of May.

Nicole Andrews

10th May:  Wellington: Meow

18th May:  Lyttelton/Chch, Wunderbar

19th May:  Queenstown, Sherwood

25th May:  Auckland, The Wine Cellar

Tour supported by Creative New Zealand

Tickets for all tour dates available on Eventfinda and Under the Radar.