Mahalia Barnes + The Soul Mates at Low 302

For over 20 years singer songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Karen Lee Andrews has built a career which has seen her travel Australia with her band as well as supporting iconic groups such as Cold Chisel. An artist that crosses boundaries and melds influences into an earthy, rich and dynamic sound, her music feels like it could come from the Soulful Blues and Gospel-tinged Delta of the Mississippi, from the steamy Country bayous of Tennessee or the Rock highway of blue-collar Philadelphia. Throw in her Polynesian heritage and what fans have discovered is a tapestry of stories that paint pictures that will captivate the spirit and the mind. Karen has that husky, raw element underpinning her voice which lends it an emotional balance rarely found in artists these days. It drips with the poignant context and history of a brown girl growing up in the industrial city of Wollongong South of Sydney. Her Polynesian culture itself is a musical story. From the Church to the family, it is not merely entertainment; it is deeply intertwined with identity, spirituality, and community. It serves as a repository for oral history, preserving traditions and stories passed down through generations. The communal aspect of music-making reinforces bonds among families and communities, making it a shared, unifying experience. With those fundamental undercurrents flowing through her veins, it is hardly surprising that she has made a place for herself in the music industry. Releasing numerous singles, EPs and an album, Karen is entering 2025 with another album which is set to drop. Titled Survival, she continues her musical relationship with producer Benjamin Rodgers who has worked with Jimmy Barnes, Guy Sebastian, Emma Donovan, and Cold Chisel. Having previously collaborated on her Edin EP, the partnership shows an enduring devotion to a sound that has entertained crowds all over the country. From the Woodford Folk Festival, WOMAD, Queenscliff Music Festival and the Bello Winter Music to a recent 3-month tour with Cold Chisel. Karen will soon sing to International audiences as she begins her European tour in May. Followed by a performance at NXNW in Canada. Already releasing the lead single from the album, I’m Yours, the collection promises to elevate her career to the next level as she navigates the world around her. Blues itself has a rich tradition of female performers who made the game their own. Her music references those undeniable touches of Gospel and the original spirituals. The cadence and harmonies all sit perfectly around her guitar playing as she lets the music speak for her and to her loyal fans. The story of Karen Lee Andrews is not one of Survival but one of triumph.