Java Joe's 6/17 Special Show + Alive SD video

This Saturday's Java Joe's show will be a quiet, intimate acoustic night, showcasing vocals, songwriting and the artists/songs that have influenced my music over the last 20 years.  Featuring guitarist, Deane Cote, we will perform a set of my original songs from the first that I wrote to more recent explorations, followed by a set of songs that have provided me endless inspiration. 

I'm really looking forward to sharing them with you!

And, if you didn't know, the NEW Java Joe's has a summery outdoor stage

in the heart of Old Town, San Diego. All Ages.

I was honored to be the first artist featured on Listen Local Radio's 

Alive in San Diego program's new location at San Dieguito Heritage Park in Encinitas, CA.

Watch the interview by Cathryn Beeks below with a live cut of "Kiss You Goodnight."

Pacific Magazine Feature: A look at Nena Anderson, a local musician that’s worth tuning into now

Photo courtesy Pacific Magazine SD

Check out the article here: 

http://www.pacificsandiego.com/local-entertainment/music/san-diego-music-nena-anderson/

Next Show:

April 22, 2017 

Casbah, San Diego CA

I'll be playing the late set, after Cindy Lee Berryhill

tickets: 

http://www.casbahmusic.com/event/1444619-cindy-lee-berryhill-record-san-diego/

What's Up at the Belly Up Podcast Feature

Via "What's Up at The BUT": 

New Episode out!! Don't mess with Nena Anderson!

A singer songwriter, honky tonk, blues and Americana chick that suggested we drank whiskey in the mid-afternoon. We tell the truth on what can happen if you drink too much carrot juice, talk about turning fan letters into songs and compare Damian to a giraffe that looks like Prince. We drank Bulleit Rye with Bundaberg Ginger Beer. 

Catch the podcast here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/bellyup/Episode201320-20Nena20Anderson.mp3

Featuring 2 live in-studio tracks, I Fall In Love Too Fast and Kiss You Goodnight

Featured Interview : Pizicato.com

Check out this interview by Pizicato!

 Click here to read the article

Casbah Monday

view full image

"Monday night @casbahsandiego with @thesteelwells. Thanks @sdreader! #NenaAnderson & The Mules are on at 10:30pm"

NBC San Diego interviews Nena Anderson

View more videos at: http://nbcsandiego.com.

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!

SD Rock N Roll Reviews "Beyond The Lights"

Album Review by SD Rock N Roll

Nena Anderson’s Beyond The Lights – Album Review
Written on October 24, 2011 by Rick in San Diego Rock News

Nena Anderson’s new album Beyond The Lights is a handful of honky tonk lost love laments. The album’s ten songs focus on Anderson’s alluringly smooth vocals with the sturdy starter “I Fall In Love Too Fast” setting the table. Nena’s subtle vocal approach grabs your ear before its slow and sultry pace moves into a soft, swinging dance. She establishes her ability to tug at the heart strings early on, using an unassuming vocal style that lulls you into a comfortable listening place.
The second song “Daggers” starts to ever-so-slightly raise the vocal stakes as Anderson opens up and begins to push her range. It doesn’t hurt that she can lean on the fine playing of pedal steel guitarist David Berzansky as he creates a moody back drop. The rollicking “Daggers” also features the first of many of the album’s extremely tasty guitar solos from producer and guitarist Mike Butler.
In the third song “Sink or Swim,” Anderson wades through a bluesy shuffle with Butler dropping a quaint, jazzy flurry before the song fades into a whisper.
A few songs pass before the album finds its groove again, though song five “Long Goodbye” sounds like it can fit comfortably on any good Cowboy Junkies album. However, it’s “Promises” that cracks the whip and sets the album back on pace as the band jumps into a strong groove with Anderson pleading “Easy baby you don’t have to throw stones my way.”
It’s halfway through track number 8, “One More,” that I’m convinced of Anderson’s ability to craft multiple styles of music. Be it the heart-grabbing emotion she uses on the slower waltzes, or the punch she delivers to the up-tempo jumping jukes, Nena Anderson has a firm grasp on songwriting. She ends Beyond The Lights in style with a slow blues walk. The album closer starts with a sparse acapella before she and the boys use a slow, stinging blues pace to bring the title track home. Anderson’s ten song affair is a compelling alt country ride that casts a spotlight on a vocal and songwriting ability that is sure to last.

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

San Diego Troubadour Features Nena Anderson

A few weeks ago I had a nice chat with musician and writer, Paul Hormick, for the San Diego Troubadour magazine. I'm excited to see that his feature ran in the same issue that has my pal (and occasional musical co-hort) Billy Watson on the cover! Read the entire article HERE

Citybeat San Diego - Dec 25, 2010

Read the full article, Mixing It Up

Down The Rabbit Hole...

photos courtesy of http://www.discoversd.com

We played a fun, grand opening party at Syrah Wine Parlor last week. Finally, a Gaslamp venue with excellent style, atmosphere, and service! Be sure to check it out. Underground...below Dakota Grill...