What’s the Best Thing I’ve Heard in 2018?

2018 has seen a raft of local talent performing live, with some artists cutting new musical paths for themselves such as Amy Viola and Kelly O’Donnell and others whom are emerging; James Rutten, Liv Mirrington and Gabbi Bolt to name but a few.

There have also been some great releases this year the majority of which have been recorded right here in and around the Orange Region of either originals or covers. Some are Corrugated Iron’s Rock of the Ages, Polyculture’s Entropy, Matt Arthur’s On Their Shoulders, Darren Smith Dive into You and Smith and Jones Tribute Collaboration with Michael Carpenter Petty.

Standing out from all these with an EP consisting of only 4 songs is the debut EP of the bearded troubadour Andy Nelson. After only performing in public for two years, Andy has turned in a classic of an EP, showing a lot of depth in his writing. Musically the style would delight anyone who enjoys acoustic based tunes wrapped in tasteful understated sways of Americana. The subject matter in the songs shift from the wonderment that comes from watching your child, looking into the future and hoping for only the best which he totally nails on the opening track Little Sweet. Changing track quickly with the atmospheric arrangements on Batches whose lyrics take you down a different path with every listener. There’s a bit of self-realisation within the lines of Only You, whilst on Ivan he encapsulates the devastation and loss that occurred during the Sir Ivan bushfires including that of his mother’s family home.

Andy has already become an in demand performer around the Central West as well as at a number of venues in the inner city. 2019 will see him performing at some big festivals including a number of shows at Tamworth. Take any opportunity you can to see him perform live while you can. Many are looking forward to a full long player by this talented troubadour, but until then we’ll have to keep feasting on the EP.

You can check out more about Andy and buy the EP via www.andynelson.com.au/music