For over 20 years singer songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Karen Lee Andrews has built a career which has seen her travel Australia, Europe and Canada with her band. As an artist that crosses boundaries and melds influences into an earthy, rich and dynamic sound, her music feels like it could come from the soulful blues and gospel-tinged Delta of the Mississippi, from the steamy Country bayous of Tennessee or the rock highway of blue-collar Philadelphia. Throw in her Polynesian heritage and what fans have discovered is a tapestry of stories that paint pictures that will captivate the spirit and the mind.

Karen has that husky, raw and powerful element underpinning her voice which lends it an emotional balance rarely found in artists these days. It drips with the poignant context and history of a Polynesian girl growing up in the industrial city of Wollongong South of Sydney.

Her Polynesian culture itself is a musical story. From the church to the family, it is not merely entertainment; it is deeply intertwined with identity, spirituality, and community. It serves as a repository for oral history, preserving traditions and stories passed down through generations. The communal aspect of music-making reinforces bonds among families and communities, making it a shared, unifying experience. With those fundamental undercurrents flowing through her veins, it is hardly surprising that she has made a place for herself in the music industry.

Having released numerous singles, EPs, and an album, Karen has spent 2025 touring her latest record Survival to audiences across the country. The album has already struck a powerful chord with listeners, cementing her reputation as an artist whose sound connects deeply and energises crowds nationwide.

From the Woodford Folk Festival, WOMADelaide, and Queenscliff Music Festival to Blues at Broadbeach and a three-month tour with Cold Chisel, Karen has captivated audiences across Australia. In 2025 Karen also completed a tour of Europe and Canada to rave reviews.

Blues itself has a rich tradition of female performers who made the game their own. Karen’s music references those undeniable touches of gospel and the original spirituals. The cadence and harmonies all sit perfectly around her guitar playing as she lets the music speak for her and to her loyal fans.

The story of Karen Lee Andrews is not one of Survival but one of triumph.