Encinitas, California
Singer-Songwriter, Vocalist

writer profile >

"Sweetheart of Americana"

BIOGRAPHY

Nena Anderson's debut album "Beyond The Lights" is already earning comparisons to early Lucinda Williams, Rickie Lee Jones and Bob Dylan with its accessible and deceptively uncomplicated lyrics and bluesy, Americana/ Alt. Country sound. Produced by Mike Butler (Lynda Kay, Low Volts), the record showcases 10 original songs that are so familiar and warm, you will think that you have heard them before, and you will want to listen to them over and over again. From the moody, minor-keyed, driving swamp blues of "Daggers," the rollicking 60's piano soul groove of "Roses & Kisses," to the catchy heartache of "I Fall In Love Too Fast," Nena proves she can write timeless songs for a modern audience.

Her distinctive, bourbon smooth voice stops you in your tracks and compels you to hang on every word. "On the stage, Anderson exudes the enviable self-assurance of someone who's exactly where she's supposed to be."- Kelly Davis, San Diego Citybeat

“Just home from a hard days work? Trying to make it through that mid-afternoon drain? Speeding down the highway watching the exits fly by? These are all made better with each passing song from Beyond the Lights. Nena takes a small town sound and turns it into a stadium-ready romp with… a very appealing vocal quality and impeccable, yet soulful, backing music” - J. Beach, Amazon.com review

Nena's current backing band, The Mules, are: Mike Butler, guitar (the Boxmasters), Patrick McClory, bass (Alex Woodard band), and Brian "Nucci" Cantrell, drums (Jack Tempchin). The album also features pedal steel player David Berzansky (Hacienda Brothers) and Mike Feldman (Freddy & Francine) on organ and piano.

“The first thing that comes to mind when I hear you sing is your lovely vocal stylings, I went right to Google and pulled up names and voices I had heard in my childhood – Billie Holiday, Bessie Smith, Sarah Vaughan, Ethel Waters, Rosemary Clooney all such amazing voices and talents. Your voice is in that good company and your blusey original songs give a big nod to those that came before you.” - Ken Lehnig, San Diego Acoustic

A captivating live performer, Nena has shared stages as support for such artists as Raul Malo, Dave Alvin, Switchfoot, Charlie Musselwhite, Tommy Castro, Jimmy Vaughan, Candye Kane, The Subdudes, Tim Easton, and Dr. John. She recently spent the first 6 months of 2011 touring as June Carter with Johnny Cash tribute band, Cash'd Out.

In addition to releasing several tracks in Europe and Asia over the last few years, Nena has earned 7 San Diego Music Award Nominations for her various musical projects.

LEVEL

professional

GENRES

Americana/Roots, Rock , Country

PUBLISHING COMPANY

Nena Anderson / Antique Rodeo BMI, I own my own publishing

Contact

Publishing: American Rodeo, BMI
Label: The Kalinda Record Co.
Booking: booking@nenaanderson.com

P.R.O.

BMI

INSTRUMENTS

acoustic guitar / electric guitar / vocals

INFLUENCES

LIFE, LOVE & LOSS King Cole Trio Billie Holiday Dinah Washington Louvin Brothers Ryan Adams Hank Williams George Jones Pretenders Candi Stanton The Byrds Dave Alvin Lucinda Williams X Lightnin' Hopkins Big Mama Thornton BB King Ray Charles

DAY JOB

bosslady @dungbeetlecreative.com

I AM INTERESTED IN

in co writing online
in co writing in person
in networking with songwriters
in pitching songs to artist
in pitching songs to tv
in getting a record deal

I WRITE:

For a living

I Also Write:
by myself
with others
for myself
for others

I Prefer To Write:
lyrics
melody
music

experience >

SONG CUTS

Performed and written by Nena Anderson, Say You'll Be Mine, bossa nova song for Sony BMG Poland jazz compilation "In Love with Jazz" released feb 2008.

SONG PLACEMENTS

Webisode 2 for Keep A Breast & Ford's People's Fleet at Country Throwdown Tour http://youtu.be/EJ-nvxXGeUs Featured song: One More Sundance indie film entry 2011 "Heartbreak in ? Cuts" by Teri Carson. Featured song: Daggers

AWARDS & ACCOLADES

San Diego Music Award Nominee, best jazz: 2009, 2010, 2011 San Diego Music Award Nominee, best country (Brawley) : 2010, 2011 San Diego Music Award Nominee, best new artist (The Neverout) : 2010 San Diego Music Award Nominee, best acoustic : 2008 2008 San Diego HAT Award Nominee, best vocalist 1998 Belly Up Tavern Battle of the Bands, 1st place

OTHER SONG OR ALBUM CREDITS

backing vocals: - Freddy & Francine, "The Forest & The Sea" - Jesse Nova (upcoming release) - Midnight Rivals (upcoming release) - Johnny Viau, "Live at Dizzy's" - For The Sender (upcoming release)

>>

Robbie Robertson

As a member of The Band, Robbie Robertson changed the course or rock music history, hipping the genre to a more old-timey sound with songs like “The Weight,” “Up On Cripple Creek,” and “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.” His latest solo album, How To Become Clairvoyant, reflects on his rock and roll past.

>>

Taylor Swift: The Garden In The Machine

“Country music is truly music for everyone,” said Tim McGraw, as he and his wife Faith Hill prepared to announce the Country Music Association’s 2009 “Entertainer of the Year” award. “And that’s never been more apparent than with the diversity of tonight’s nominees.”

>>

Alison Krauss: The Golden Girl

These days, many Nashville-based artists co-write their own material with big name songwriters so they can share a piece of the royalty pie in times of declining CD sales. But the truth is, a lot of those co-writes can’t match the work of people whose calling in life is to create high-quality songs above anything else.

>>

Jessica Lea Mayfield: Look At Miss Ohio

“Things are starting to get weird.”

Jessica Lea Mayfield, whose Nonesuch Records debut Tell Me is in stores now, is on the phone from her home in Ohio and we’re having a good laugh over her recent success. It’s beer o’clock on both ends of the phone, the last interview in a long week of talking to complete strangers for the two of us.