Beyond The Lights has been restocked!

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"My album "Beyond The Lights" is back in stock, just in time for the holidays! Get 'em online, at Lou's, Spin, or M-theory "

Nena performs on KPBS TV's new series "Live at The Belly Up"

Are you a fan of Austin City Limits?  If so..."Live at The Belly Up" is a new KPBS series featuring live performances by San Diego's top bands. Every friday night @10pm.

I was lucky enough to be included in the first season of this show with my band Brawley. The episode aired January 25, 2103 and also features hip-hop/world music band, Vokab Kompany.

Episodes are now available to stream online at Live at The Belly Up

Brawley starts at 34 minutes.  Enjoy!

Watch Live at the Belly Up: Vokab Kompany and Brawley on PBS. See more from Live at the Belly Up.

Cd Gift Package

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"Give a Nena Anderson CD! Signed with bonus decal in a handmade felt package. $15. Pick one up tonight at @sodabarsd"

KPBS-FM Interviews Nena Anderson

Via KPBS.org site: "KPBS Midday Edition speaks with Nena Anderson about her creative process, her first record and the challenges of being a musician today. 

Whether she's playing solo shows or fronting her band, The Mules, Anderson is known around town for her lush, bluesy country-and-jazz-tinged vocals (think Neko Case meets Billie Holiday) and commanding stage presence. Last fall, Anderson released her debut record, "Beyond The Lights," which showcases her infectious blend of the blues, jazz, country and Americana. It's thoroughly modern music with lots of vintage charm."

Thanks to Host, Maureen Cavanaugh and Production Asst. extraordinaire, Claire Caraska for a great interview! 

LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW HERE or read the transcript

Promises & Daggers Featured in Americana Rock Mix

Go HERE to download and listen to this week's Episode 137 of Americana Rock Mix.

This week's mix includes my songs Daggers and Promises. (towards the end of the show)  I'm thrilled to have a couple of songs in this killer mix that also features artists Jack White, Alabama Shakes, The Lumineers and more!

SD Troubadour Reviews "Beyond The Lights"

March 2012 

 

NENA ANDERSON: Beyond the Lights

By Frank Kocher 

 

 

 

Nena Anderson has been part of San Diego’s music scene since the early 1990s, singing in blues bands, jazz combos, rock and country bands – a partial list includes Brawley, 47Combo, Billy Watson, Blue Largo, and her own band the Mules. Anderson has been the rare Americana singer/songwriter with the versatility to sing on award-nominated local jazz projects with local performers like Johnny Viau and Gilbert Castellanos, while also doing shows singing June Carter’s parts with the Johnny Cash tribute band Cash’d Out.
Beyond the Lights is her debut solo CD, and her ten originals draw from this depth of styles and experience while highlighting a warm, bright voice capable of digging deep and bouncing high. Anderson is backed on the disc by Mule members, including guitarist Mike Butler, who produced and did the sharp work on the boards to create an ace alt-country/pop shimmer on tune after tune. He also takes a lot of solos, but is good enough that these add to rather than distract from the songs.
Anderson starts with “I Fall In Love Too Fast,” locking in her easy vocal authority on a slick pop melody, a good song that sets high expectations for what is to follow. “Daggers” doesn’t disappoint. A bluesy gloom drives the standout cut as Anderson sings a soaring tale about the betraying lover who has driven her away with his evil stare, with a killer lap steel solo by Butler adding a crowning touch. Slowing things down, “Sink or Swim” stays with minor chords and heartbreak. “I smile to keep from crying/Lest I drown in my own tears,” a catchy mid-tempo country tune with haunting pedal steel by David Berzansky (Hacienda Brothers).
The message on “Roses and Kisses” is clear, “They can’t take the place/Of a love that’s gone again.” Anderson is again right in the pocket on a brisk honkey-tonk rocker, and another Butler solo break catches the ear. There is a lot of blues guitar bottom for “Promises” and Anderson’s days belting out jazz and hard blues help her match the band’s intensity; the result is a disc highlight. “One More” is one of those tunes that comes close to being filler, except for an undeniable hook that lifts it.
There are several country ballads on the album, the best being “Hush,” a mother’s lullaby to her child about life and regrets. It is simple, catchy, and lays its story out in three minutes of layered guitars. The title tune wraps the disc, a blues song that has all the smoke and soul of a live performance. Anderson is telling the listener that all she cares about is immersing herself in her music, escaping her life and responsibilities to one that doesn’t extend past the “first few rows.” It’s another winner.
Beyond the Lights gives the listener a rich glimpse of Nena Anderson, songwriter and singer. It’s good, solid Americana music, no clunkers, and a satisfying look at someone who has been on the scene for so long.

"Beyond The Lights" : Best Album of 2011

I'm honored and grateful to be included in this list of the Top 5 records of 2011 (by SD RockNRoll) alongside Roy Ruiz Clayton, Blackout Party, Low Volts and  Little Hurricane. Here is an excerpt of the article. You can read the whole thing HERE

"Beyond The Lights by Nena Anderson -- A complete, well-rounded ear full of Americana music that features the sultry, understated vocals and songwriting ability of Nena Anderson. Anderson uses her soulful approach to pull you into her world of lost love laments with delightful ease. The songs are so well crafted, and with the help of her solid backing band, make up a gorgeous collection of material. It’s a record that I seem to keep going back to over the course of last year and I am sure, because of its depth and staying power, I will be spinning it for years to come."

It's no mystery that my guitarist, Mike Butler, also produced and engineered three of the albums on this list as well. Top notch!

ThreeBzine Reviews "Beyond The Lights"

Beyond the Lights: Falling in Love with Nena Anderson

Posted by ThreeBZine on September 14th, 2011

“I Fall in Love Too Fast” is the new single from Nena Anderson’s debut album, Beyond the Lights, but it might as well refer to how quickly you’ll become enamored with her on first listen. Recently released to unanimous praise, the Encinitas native has fashioned a solid collection of gorgeous songs that sound like they’ve been spinning on turntables since the 60’s. And if the lead-off single somehow doesn’t do the trick, songs like “Sink or Swim” and “Daggers” will have you hopelessly hooked.
Maybe it’s the melodies that seem instantly familiar; or maybe it’s her voice – a sweet, tender, yet strong and soulful instrument full of both melancholy and resiliency. In an age of bombastic, belting wannabe-divas, it’s refreshing to hear a charming, understated and tasteful singer like Nena. Her new album could rightfully take it’s place as soundtrack de facto for the poor, broken-hearted souls... continue to read the review and interview HERE

Music Video Premier - "I Fall In Love Too Fast"

Official Music Video for "I Fall In Love Too Fast" the first single from Nena Anderson's debut album BEYOND THE LIGHTS. All shot on location in Los Angeles.
Nena Anderson: vocals/guitar, Mike Butler: guitar, Patrick McClory: bass, Brian Cantrell: drums, David Berzansky: pedal steel
Cd or digital download available on Itunes, Amazon and CdBaby.
Directed by D. David Morin http://www.ddavidmorin.com
Produced by Lofty Films http://www.loftyfilms.net
I Fall In Love Too Fast ©2010 Nena Anderson, Antique Rodeo BMI
©2011 Nena Anderson & D. David Morin/Lofty Films

Preview Songs at Lastfm

My full album preview was a huge success... nearly 1500 plays in one and a half days! If you missed out, you can preview the record at LastFM. 30 sec clips will give you a little taste.

You can pre-order the digital release at my STORE page, or wait for the physical cd on June 30!
Digital pre-orders get an immediate mp3 of "I Fall In Love Too Fast" as well as 2 hidden bonus tracks!

Beyond The Lights releases June 30, 2011

click on the photo or go HERE to pre-order the digital release

listen to tracks on my facebook page or myspace!

Recording the Album - Session 1

2 days at White Horse Recorders, San Diego CA. we managed to nail down rhythm tracks for 14 songs, scratch vocals and guitars, drink 2 bottles of bourbon, and give the album a cohesive flavor. in the studio with us on day 2, photographer Andrew Reilly patiently waited while demolished an indian food feast, then snapped these photos...thanks Andrew!

want to get your own limited edition copy of the CD before the general release? hit my Kickstarter project and pledge to help me reach my $ goal. all the money will fund the making of this album! I only have 6 days left to reach $3000. if i don't reach or pass that amount...i get nothing! crazy i know...but what a fun and exciting way to participate in my project? check it out HERE. http://kck.st/cPGQOb

'One More' Live at Belly Up Tavern

Pre-Order my upcoming Debut CD!

Pre-order my upcoming release and be a part of the process with exclusive thank you gifts, including limited edition tracks, homemade cookies, or a private house concert!

Go to KICKSTARTER

Beyond The Lights, Home at Belly Up Tavern

Photos by Philip DeFalco

Last Sunday night I played my first solo show at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach, CA. I opened for the talented singer/songwriter of Maverick's fame, Raul Malo. It was an strange experience for me...lonely and liberating all at once!

Belly Up is my home stage. I played my first show there in 1996 and since that time have shared the stage there with Dr. John, Candye Kane, and Tommy Castro, among others, as well as won a "battle of the bands" competition there in the late 90's. As a bandleader, I have always been accustomed to the company of my bandmates at a show. Their drama. Their problems. Their support and encouragement. Their laughter. Like a family. And on stage there is safety in numbers. Confidence and security and comfort in that cloud of sound surrounding me with the band...not to mention the interaction and creative challenges we spark within each other. I found myself backstage before my set feeling oddly lonely. It was quiet, too quiet, despite my friends and goings on before my set. Where was my family? My comfort zone, my home?

Once I hit the stage, however, the show was on, and I was in my element...band or not. Peering beyond the lights into the audience was a sight I'd never seen at the Belly Up. The usual rowdy, dancing, nightclub patrons were replaced tonight by a listening crowd. I don't know what was scarier...the fact that I was to play solo or the fact that everyone in the audience was seated and their attention was focused on me! The entire dance floor was lined with rows of chairs and as far as I could see, the bleachers, the upper balcony, and the floor were full. A few nervous strums, a deep breath, a swig off my bourbon, and I was ready.

I stumbled a bit through the first song. Tentative. Unsure what to expect from this crowd. From myself. I launched myself fully into song number 2 "Beyond The Lights" -- I told myself to get over it and bring on the SHOW. And so I did. I had the audience laughing in between my sad love songs. I sold out of my EP's. I didn't even drink the cocktail (thanks Gabs!) that I thought I really needed. I was home.

Exclusive Download. Click here to start download  Beyond The Lights

Roses & Kisses Video