Andy Skellam

Bio

Andy is a Bristol based, alt-folk musician with over twenty years of experience writing and performing in the UK and beyond. His main instruments are guitar and vocals with influences from 60’s finger-style folk musicians such as Nick Drake, Leonard Cohen and Joni Mitchell, to English Psychedelia and American Indie such as The Silver Jews.

Background

Andy grew up in rural Herefordshire in a large crumbling ruin, which his parents renovated. He spent his childhood immersed in nature, playing in disused buildings, striding across fields singing, and fishing. He went on to study fine art at the University of Portsmouth, where he would spend as much time writing songs as painting pictures. With a grey, concrete view from his bedroom window, Andy felt the profound impact that our environment can have on the psyche, and the dangers of our disconnect from nature. Andy’s bucolic childhood, coupled with this realisation, has bled into his songwriting. Music became his way of transcending the physical and reconnecting with the spiritual. Although not rooted in one particular tradition, Andy’s music borrows elements from multiple genres. His songwriting is an attempt to make sense of the world and our place in it, and he thrives on the connection felt during a live performance. His music has been described as intimate, organic and visual, with evocative lyrics painting soundscapes rooted in field and sea.

Career Highlights

Andy has toured Europe, South America and the UK with Bristol contemporaries Rachael Dadd and This is the Kit, supporting This Is The Kit at sold out shows at The Deaf Institute, The Brudenell Social club, and The Zephyr Lounge. He has also supported Diane Cluck, Spiro and Alastair Roberts, and been called up as a guest vocalist with The Fantasy Orchestra. The title track of his previous LP ‘Green Moat’ was arranged and played by a 30 piece orchestra (The Fantasy Orchestra) which he performed with them for the ‘Green Moat’ album launch at the Cube Microplex in Bristol.

Photos

Music Videos

Music

Latest Release

Andy’s third full length album ‘Brighten Up The Place’ was recorded in Bristol, UK, using largely analogue equipment and techniques. During this time Andy became a father, and although the album was recorded mainly at J and J studios in Bristol, he felt that the more stripped down songs could only be truly captured in the intimacy of his loft studio during the small hours whilst everyone slept. Inspired by contradicting themes of realist uncertainty and escapist play, it covers topics from loss and eco-anxiety, to sleep deprived new parenthood and romantic escapism. It is a work of strange and layered beauty.

The album features Jim Barr; Bass (Portishead, Get the Blessing), Jamie WC Coles; Drums (This Is The Kit, Rozi Plain), Alice Lacey; Keys (AL Lacey), Rachael Dadd; Backing vocals. Beth Porter; Cello/Backing Vox (The Bookshop Band/Marshes).

‘Brighten Up The Place’ is available on vinyl and in digital format on his website at www.andyskellam.uk

Quotes

“Andy Skellam’s Brighten Up the Place (Pear O’Legs) is a lovely, somnambulist set of songs about wayward hearts, bluebirds and bloodhounds, made intimate in every soft squeak of its chord changes, the whispery husk of Skellam’s voice, and the drawing bows of a cello.” – The Guardian

“Andy creates intimate worlds, inviting the listener in with the warmth of his baritone voice” – Folk Radio UK

“Something new and rather good” – Gideon Coe, BBC Radio 6

“Love this…Beautiful” – BBC Bristol

“You don’t get more soothing than the sound of Andy Skellam’s voice… Such a unique guitarist and a pleasure to hear and see. This album is a marvellous balm” Kate Stables – This Is The Kit

Contact Information

Email: me@andyskellam.uk