Some of us have “coming out stories” and some of us have “coming out as an artist” stories. (You know…you practiced and practiced that one Alicia Keys song in your room, SLAYED your seventh grade audition, and dreamed of the big stage ever since?) Anyway, in getting to know Chicago singer/ songwriter, ANDIE, I learned that she has both versions of “coming out” stories, and both have played quintessential roles in Andie’s empowering and vulnerable musical persona.

With lyrics that paint modern womxnhood in the boldest colors, Andie’s voice can only be compared to the finest truffle- breakable yet never breaking. Andie is a bisexual femme, virgo stoner, and patriarchal smasher (Literally. More to come on that.) When I asked her who she made music for, she said first, for herself, and second, for the Queer community.  Andie felt like she had a hetero-normative strain hovering over her for much of her young life and wished she had a queer artist to look up to. But in continuing to sing her truth with visuals that are equal parts modern and provoking, Andie proves she’s up for rising to the occasion and being that inspirational voice that was missing for her.

Andie was always destined for the stage. She joined the church choir at the age of 6, but by her teen years, traded her cross (lol, just kidding) for a band T and eye liner, fan-girling over The Arctic Monkeys, the Stones, and Franz Ferdinand. When she got her first ukulele at age 13, fate was sealed. She wrote down her first set of chords with the intent to write music and fast forward to current day, Andie is now a jazz- trained pistol with a voice eloquent as it is edgy. Some of her biggest accomplishments have been winning Biggest Mouth, Columbia College’s annual vocal competition, and releasing “Divine Feminity,” her latest single and music video. With two of her fabulous  pals by her side, the three shatter images of patriarchal symbols and entities, like Donald Trump, with hammers and boots. Andie’s sultry voice taunts the historical definitions of femininity that have more to do with silencing our voices, policing our bodies, and preserving “our innocence.” Getting right in the face of the camera with her pixie cut, chipped tooth, and glittery eyes swept in frustration, Andie denounces those definitions, boxes, and labels. With some shots that are soft and reflective and others that are angry and inflamed, the video illustrates femininity in it’s day time and night time look. Andie’s music is often oiled and greased with hot guitar solos and freestyles and scats reminiscent of Amy Winehouse. She really knows how to hit the sweet parts of your soul with the perfect amount of rasp and control.

As a new graduate, Andie has a lot going on! She is offering singing and songwriting lessons and is in a new band, Pesto Western, who will be releasing their first single on January 15th. Be sure to follow her on Instagram and check out Divine Feminity in all its cathartic glory HERE.