Andy Penkow is a singer- songwriter with a unique sound, chocolate smooth but powerful voice, steeped in honesty.
Andy has had 10 top 20 singles on the “Country Songs Top 40 Australian Airplay charts’’
and the “Australian Country Radio Charts”. Including the number one hits “Fallen Snow”, “Before I Go” and “1993”
A regular on CMT: Australia and Kix Fm, Triple M and ABC, Andy won the 2022 Australian country music “Peoples Choice Award” for Most Promising future star, also winning Most Popular New Male Artist at the 2021 “Independent Country Music Association Awards”
Andy was nominated for the 2020 “APRA AMCOS TSA-NEW SONGWRITER” of the YEAR AWARD. He Also won judge’s pick at the 2019 “Australian Busking Championships“ at Gundagai.
Andy performs acoustic solo shows in Sydney and all over Australia, and has regular spots on Captain Cook Cruses, Ophir Hotel, Sandbar Huskisson, Shellharbour Club, to name a few. He has also performed at multiple festivals and many private events.
In July 2022, Andy released the album “Love, Lies & Dirty Dishes”. It showcases fourteen tracks all highlighting his undeniable vocal and songwriting talents.
Recorded at Tracking Dog Studios with producer, Rod Motbey, the 10-track digital release and 14-track CD features songs written by Andy along with a handful of co-writes with first class collaborators including Allan Caswell, David Carter and Rip-Van Parks to name just a few. The album also includes a show-stopping cover of the Wilson Phillips classic, “Hold On” and the brand new single, “Fireflies”.
“I wanted to create an album where I could pour out my heart and soul and be truly proud”, says Andy.
“I feel the album is an honest and raw reflection of who I am and I tried to forget about all the white noise and just focus on the music”.
“Every song is special to me and I wanted to treat every song with the respect it deserved and I was so blessed to be able to do this with the incredibly talented Rod Motbey. You can hear my 90’s influences here along with hints of blues and soul, yet it’s still country and still very me”.
The album includes “Fallen Snow” which showcases another side of this diverse singer-songwriter. Co-written with friend and fellow songwriter, Rip-Van Parks, “Fallen Snow”, is about not giving up on your dreams despite all the obstacles.
Andy says…
“Throughout life there will be those that doubt you or feel the need to tear you down. It’s amazing where there is that
someone special, whether it’s a family member, partner or friend, that shows you their unconditional love and support. That’s what we need to focus on – the light that guides you through the shadows.
I feel that ‘Fallen Snow’ is a song that everyone can relate to. If you’ve ever been rejected or told that you’re not good enough, lost someone you love, miss someone that’s no longer around – the world can be a pretty dark place. There is always someone, some being or something that never leads your side and gives you strength and hope to carry on and keep fighting – that’s all you’ll ever need”.
Released simultaneously with the album, “Fireflies” was written with Christine M Kerr after hitting it off at a songwriters retreat.
“Christine showed me some lyrics she was working on and I immediately gravitated towards them. She is extremely talented and I understood where she was coming from with the lyrics of this song”, says Andy. “Fireflies is a song written about the end of a relationship, reflecting on what you did wrong and how sometimes sorry isn’t enough. For me, it’s wishing that you could change the bad stuff you did and hoping that something magically could take you back and fix the relationship that you screwed up”.
In Ghostly Gums, Andy pays tribute to the farmers who have struggled and are still struggling. Andy describes them as the backbone of the great nation of Australia. The song is written by Kath Stewart, David Carter and Angela Bristow-Baohm
In October 2023, Andy released the single “Heavy On Me”. The song is about the importance of mental health, understanding the symptoms, and knowing when to reach out to friends, family or even strangers in times of need.
Andy says, What a lot of people don’t know about me is that despite my sometimes confident and strong exterior on the road performing at event after event, I have had to manage anxiety and self–doubt my entire life. ‘Heavy On Me’ is an empowering song about removing the stigma and shame around mental health and the importance of asking for help and acknowledging when you’re down.”
Andy wrote “Heavy On Me” with Shawn Moore and Doug Falkins. It will be included on the album “Shades On Me” due to be released in May 2024.
