Playing to the wind and the trees in the hills that hold me.
“Harsell's strength is that she sings like a Bon Scott or a Joan Jett or a Janis Joplin, tending to the gritty elements of rock and roll, but she doesn't just rely on stylistic sheen. Her songs have a kind of genuine live-in depth that can't be faked.” - Erika Frederickson
— Missoula Independent
“Andrea Harsell, Missoula guitarist and songwriter melts the turntable with gritty, sensuous vocals...The musician’s raw emotional delivery, in a seasoned, malleable alto that’s worldly-wise yet warm and sweet, endows her songs with honesty. She sings of heartache and loss, finding love and losing it, and just plain “don’t tread on me” sassiness....Influences have given Harsell’s voice many facets. What comes out is pure Andrea. ” - The Lively Times
— The Lively Times
“She ROCKED it completely. We had a chef's dinner with Sunny in the bunkhouse prior, so we ran even later, getting over to the Bull Barn about 9:40. She started playing the moment we walked in the door. She had a list of songs she wanted to / was willing to cover. She worked in a few originals, but when I say she rocked it, what I mean is she was totally committed to a great evening...She was high energy. . . you couldn't tell if there were 6 in the audience or 600, her energy was the same. She's soulful - she feels the music,...she never sat down. She played for 3.5 hours. She was friendly and spoke with all of us at points along the show, but totally within the flow of the show. ” - - Paws Up Guest
BIOGRAPHY
From her home base in the beautiful mountains of Western Montana to the pacific isles, Andrea Harsell has been bringing her vibrant performing style and exceptional songwriting to audiences around the globe for over two decades. With a powerful, supple voice and a passel of outstanding original songs, Andrea is more than just a major talent—she’s a force of nature.
Ms. Harsell’s fourth release since 2000's 'Nine Pound Hammer', her latest album, 'Something For the Pain" (Sept. 2017) is comprised of 12 Harsell penned original songs spanning American roots music from jazz to country. Andrea’s magnetic stage presence and unique songwriting is supported on this effort by Luna Roja, stalwarts who know their craft with larger than life personalities of their own. Filled with songs about the human experience, social issues, love and love lost, the show is high energy and feels good. Come on and feel good!
"…..a terrific assortment of rock styles spotlighting searing guitar solos, crisp percussion, and lock-tight rhythms. The musician’s raw emotional delivery, in a seasoned, malleable alto that’s worldly-wise yet warm and sweet, endows her songs with honesty. She sings of heartache and loss, finding love and losing it, and just plain “don’t tread on me” sassiness.” - Mariss McTucker, The Lively Times
"I don't think there's a weak track on this record, but highlights include the boisterous BR549-flavored opener "Don't Do It" and "Hearts Were Made to Mend," which has a little bit of an Old 97's feel (Harsell opened for the 97's at the Top Hat recently). Something for the Pain definitely contains some pain mixed in with all the swagger. Harsell's strength is that she sings like a Bon Scott or a Joan Jett or a Janis Joplin, tending to the gritty elements of rock and roll, but she doesn't just rely on stylistic sheen. Her songs have a kind of genuine live-in depth that can't be faked.” - Erika Frederickson, The Missoula Independent
With a 2017 nomination for Best Blues Band and Best CD (Group) in the LA Music Critic Awards, the album is gaining traction on multiple radio formats.
Notable Events and Venues Played:
Telluride Bluegrass Festival (2nd Place in Band Competition 2000)
paws up resort - greenough, mt
Wilma Theater - Missoula, MT
Top Hat Lounge - Missoula, MT
Date Event Center - Hokkaido, Japan
Anna Bananas - Honolulu, HI
The Lava Shack - Pahoa, HI
The New Daisy Theater - Memphis, TN
Silver Cloud Campout Festival - Haugen, MT
Aber Day Kegger Festival - Polson, MT
Flathead Lake Blues Festival - Polson, MT
Hot Springs Blues Festival - Hot Springs, MT
Love Your Mother Earth Festival - Montana
Missoula Hempfest - Missoula, MT
Notable Artists Andrea Has Shared the Stage With:
Big Brother and the Holding Company • Jackson Browne • Michelle Shocked • Tim O’Brien & Darrell Scott • Tony Furtado • Peter Rowan and Crucial Country • Susan Tedeschi • David Grisman Quintet • Béla Fleck & the Flecktones • John Cowan Band • Nickel Creek • Lonesome River Band • Bruce Hornsby and Béla Fleck • The Jerry Douglas Band • Longview • Tim O’Brien and the Crossing • The Sam Bush Band • Leftover Salmon • Churchstreet • Yonder Mountain String Band • Seldom Scene • Jesse Winchester • Natalie Merchant • Mary Chapin Carpenter • Bruce Hornsby • Bonnie Raitt • Backbone (Bill Kreutzmann of the Grateful Dead) • Steven Inglis (Slacking on Dylan & Cut the Dead Some Slack) • Old 97’s • The Wailers • Hal Ketchum • Fishbone • Avett Brothers • Koffin Kats • The Lil’ Smokies • The Shook Twins • Papa Mali • Warsaw Poland Bros • Mission Mountain Wood Band
Andrea is focused on songwriting; exploring new genres, and pushing boundaries with a renewed sense of self and the world around her. As art imitates life, the best is yet to come.
Band Members: Louie Bond, colin scott, antonio alvarez, mike henderson, nicklaus hamburg, leia sky, ric parnell, ryan maynes, matt nord, joe nickell, michael gabriel
Links:
Give It Up Or Let Me Go (Cover) LIVE