New Orleans-based singer-songwriter Tom Andes sets the stories of the lonely, the brokenhearted, and the downwardly mobile to rowdy, up-tempo traditional American music that feels so good, you forget the bad times. His songs run the gamut from finger-picked acoustic blues to country, from his secular take on gospel to tunes that might have sounded at home on the indie rock charts in the late 90s. In early 2022, Tom released his debut EP, “Static on Every Station.” In a favorable review, writing for Offbeat, Dan Willging called the title track “infectious with charge-ahead energy spearheaded by Andes’ searing guitar tones.” 

Tom was born and raised in New Hampshire. A visit to New Orleans when he was 18 changed his life. It ignited his love of American roots music, especially the country blues that had inspired the classic rock musicians he’d grown up listening to. It also started his love affair with the city he calls home and the music that has most influenced him.

Currently, Tom gigs around New Orleans playing both solo acoustic and with a band. As well as his own songs, he plays covers by the artists who have inspired him, everyone from Johnny Cash to REM, from Prince to Dolly Parton. His band has featured a variety of accomplished New Orleans musicians including Stoo Odom, Beau Bishop, Marc Allen Linam, Hannah Kreiger-Benson, Glenn Grass, and M.X. Turner. The band has played well-received shows at Carnaval Lounge, The Den at Howlin’ Wolf, Saturn Bar, Carrollton Station, Portside Lounge, and The Domino. One of Tom’s songs, “Uptown Blues,” was included in Dear Rowdy, an Aldora Britain Records compilation of Americana artists, and he was also interviewed for the ABR e-zine, giving him international exposure.

Tom is currently in the studio working on a follow up record.

Check out Tom’s Bandcamp and stream songs from the EP here.

Watch footage of recent band and solo acoustic performances on Tom’s YouTube page here.

And find upcoming dates here.