ANDRA Cilliers

The Namibian singer/songwriter ANDRA, is quickly establishing herself as a vital and singular musical force. The emotional depth of her song-writing combined with her fluid, soulful singing emphasizes her eloquent lyrics, expressive voice and openhearted sense of simplicity and directness. Think Eddie Vedder having coffee with Alanis Morisette as Jeff Buckley interrupts to introduce a young Marianne Faithful.

ANDRA is quickly establishing herself as a vital and singular musical force. The emotional depth and of her song-writing combined with her fluid, soulful singing emphasizes her eloquent lyrics, expressive voice and openhearted sense of simplicity and directness. She has an immense voice. Think Eddie Vedder having coffee with Alanis Morisette as Jeff Buckley interrupts to introduce the young Marianne Faithful.

Born in Namibia and raised in Swakopmund a desert down on the west coast of Africa, ANDRA has been exposed to music since childhood, and at the tender age of nine was inspired by Bruce Springsteen to pick up a tennis racket and start playing air guitar. Luckily, her dad passed on his guitar, and after six years of classical training she decided to focus on her own style or, as she calls it: “stories and sounds”.

In 2007 she took her life savings, packed her guitar and percolator and moved to South Africa. Once in Pretoria, she met up with producer Ludwig Bouwer. Four Months later, ANDRA’s debut album, the acclaimed “Secrets and Skeletons... Notes from a Desert Cafe” was released, an album drawing immense attention from around the country and the world. The album consists of 12 tracks, all written and composed by ANDRA.

“I don’t see myself as a singer I am only and totally in love with music, and I love making it.” The songs on the album are treated with a beguilingly simple modesty. Now and then the odd sitar or Indian tabla drum sneaks in. However, saying it is ‘simple’ does not for one moment hint at the album’s collective power or prepares one for the deep impression she will no doubt leave on the listener.

True to nature, she underplays the effect of her music and sound. “Luckily, I grew up in a very open-minded environment. I was prompted to ‘create, not imitate’ something which will always stick with me.”

It is clear that ANDRA’s songs maintain a level of clarity and insight. The deeply felt performances contribute to the album’s organic feel. What’s even better, the 23-year old steps up to the plate when performing live. Her performances are intense and the lyrics, prolific. Her husky voice and formidable guitar playing on stage has won ANDRA critical acclaim from her peers and a steadily expanding audience. Audiences at the 2008 Aardklop, Hartsfees and Strab Festivals will vouch for that. In addition, she is also confirmed to perform at every major South African music festival in 2009, including Up The Creek, The Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees, Splashy Fen, Oppikoppi, Strab, InniBos, the White Mountain Folk Festival and Aardklop.

“My favourite place is any space with enough room for me and my guitar. I love Kevin Johansen and Jeff Buckley, great people to share that space with. THAT is music.” As for the moment, she is “just here”, observing. What about the future? She shrugs. “Hopefully more of the same...”

I perform live on a very regular basis and have toured South Africa and my home country of Namibia on an extensive level. I enjoy intimate settings when performing live - the connection with the audience is always great.

Jeff Buckley, Bruce Springsteen, Eddie Vedder, Nirvana, Marianne Faithful, Lucinda Williams, solitude, people and places.

SM58 Mic and my Takamine acoustic guitar thru a DI box. If the occasion calls for it I might also do a three piece set-up with additional drums and bass.

“Love the ANDRA project nice croak in the voice very Dylan!”

Michael Stavrou, (Producer/engineer for John Williams, The Pretenders, T Rex, The Beatles, Elton John , Cat Stevens and Siouxsie and the Banshees)

“She has a really great voice and makes a statement when she sings not everyone does... Also the production is really classy on it...”

Bill Shanley (Guitarist/Producer for artists such as Ray Davies, Sinead O’Connor, Roger Taylor, Ronan Keating and Van Morrison)