Former Interior resident, Vancouver Island musician and songwriter Andrea Smith has been busy as of late wrangling day jobs, night jobs, gigs, kayaks and gardens.
Born and raised in the Kamloops-Shuswap region, Smith has had a few careers as a guide outfitter and farrier, a registered massage therapist and a music teacher, all while playing music.
She also loves to put on her wandering shoes and head back to her roots every summer, where she shares her music with friends, family and fans, old and new.
Her latest tour brings her to Ashton Creek to perform at Lorenzo’s Café Friday, June 24..
Smith has played in rock and roll bar bands to jazz quartets and big bands.
She started writing songs 20 years ago that attracted some known players and producers and she has since shared the stage and studio with many of them.
Her songwriting is said to be a soulful blend of southern fried blues, jazz and country rock.
Smith has independently produced three albums of original material, including First Tracks in 2001 and Sweet Embrace in 2006.
Her latest album, Transition, was released in 2014, and received two nominations at the Vancouver Island Music Awards (VIMAs), including video of the year for her songMoonlight Shine.
In 2007, Smith won a VIMA for Female Songwriter of the Year, while her album Sweet Embrace also took home producer (Pat Coleman) and engineer (Rick Salt) of the year.
In 2005, she won first place in the songwriting category at the Shuswap International Writers Festival.
With a radio campaign in the fall of 2014, Smith’s music is heard and requested on radio stations across Canada.
Her show at Lorenzo’s (901 Mabel Lake Rd. east of Enderby) takes place Friday, June 24 at 8 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m and seats can be reserved by calling 250-838-6700.