Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Lyn.
Andrea, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
One of my favorite quotes is one by Charles E. Hudson: “Life will always throw you curveballs. Some of them you duck and some you cannot. Accept life for what it is, yet realize some of those balls you had to get hit with in order for you to learn, hurt, heal and grow,”
From the beginning, life has been a beautiful complexity of winding roads. I think it is like that for everyone, but those who can learn how to lean into the curve can see the beautify of it, and come out more resilient for the next surprise. For that attribute to adapt, I am grateful. Music has been a big part of that…
For me, music is not a choice; it is an intrinsic part of life—a foundational part of my existence that began the moment I wrote my first song at the age of ten.
When I was about eight, I started plonking on my parents old, out of tune upright piano in the basement. I taught myself how to play and sometime between that and the age of ten, I wrote my first song. Fast forward a bit to third grade, I had the fortune of a fantastic, unconventional music teacher who taught me structure and discipline, allowing me to absorb and integrate everything from the storytelling of Folk and Country to the intensity of Rock and Hard Rock.
The most profound catalyst for my evolution as a songwriter was the abrupt loss of my father. The night that he passed, I was tasked with trying to save him. that not only taught me to be more grounded in crisis, and hard moments, but it also taught me that life is fleeting, and not something to be wasted.
That heartbreak also created an undeniable spark, forcing me to channel raw, real-life emotion into my writing. It was in navigating that grief that my artistry truly solidified. Shockingly, and perhaps providentially, that period of intense, honest creation culminated in winning the State Fair talent contest the very next year. That victory wasn’t just a validation of talent; it affirmed that my commitment to deeply personal, relatable lyrics resonated with the masses.
Today, as I continue to merge those eclectic influences into the Roots-Rock sound heard on my latest album, The Wolves, my mission remains the same: to create unforgettable experiences by sharing the unfiltered truth of life through song.”
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
That is a question I get asked often, and the short answer is absolutely not. Music is never a straight path. While the passion started early—at ten years old—the industry landscape has shifted dramatically over the decades, presenting continuous hurdles. This is especially true with the onset of streaming platforms, social channels and navigating the new ways that people digest music, in a saturated market.
I have found that it is essential to find those loyal fans, and hold on tight. Find those people that you can truly connect with and touch with your music, and revel in that effect!
If you don’t focus on those people, the pressure to constantly create content and compete for digital attention can become derailing from the core of an artist.
Rewind a bit, COVID put a squeeze on live performance, and writers block ensued. The creative and financial momentum vanished overnight. This interruption had a monumental effect on the core of my work: the third album, was set to start production right when COVID hit, so took an almost 5 year pause to be released finally in July of 2024. In retrospect, it was a blessing in disguise, as this album would not have been nearly as robust had it gone into production five years prior, but again, at the time felt like a massive setback.
Ultimately, music is always something that will reside in my life, but yes, the setbacks of trying to pursue such a unique “calling” is never easy. It requires constant resilience, and a deep, sometimes painful, commitment to pushing through years of stagnation just to reach the next finish line.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
When reflecting on my journey through music, I would have to say that the most impactful element lately has been shifting my focus from the general performance sphere to fostering true, individualized connections with my listeners. This is best exemplified by the incredible opportunity I’ve had to write custom songs for people’s special occasions.
Having now penned over 15 original pieces—for everything from joyous weddings and anniversaries to moments of profound bereavement, and even ‘just because’—I feel I am engaging with the core humanity of relationships, which feels like an often-lost art in today’s fast-paced world.
These personalized songs serve as heartfelt, melodic testimonies to life’s most significant milestones. Beyond these custom projects, the general reward of this career is immeasurable; from the warmth and surprise listeners express when they first hear my music, to the long-lasting friendships and dedicated followers that stem directly from my performances, the ability to connect authentically through song makes every effort supremely rewarding.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
“If I had to sum up my childhood, I was a spitfire—independent, driven, and perhaps a little unstoppable. Even at a young age, the need to write and perform was an intense, internal fuel. I remember sitting at my parents’ old piano in the basement, teaching myself to play entirely by ear. To this day, I don’t read a note of music, but that raw connection to melody became the foundation of everything I do. At the core, I was always writing, trying to find ways to craft relatable themes into song. I think even then, it was about connecting—reaching out with words, hoping someone else would hear their own story in mine. It was an early sense of wanting to do good, to make a positive impact through what I naturally loved to do.
This artistic drive found direction during my college years. My roommates were focused on parties, and after issues with my bedroom door and difficulties focusing on my education, I made a spontaneous decision. I loaded everything I owned into my 1990 Honda Accord and drove to Utah to spend two weeks with my best friend. That road trip was transformative. Listening to artists like Indigo Girls and Sarah McLachlan, something shifted. I started writing deeper songs, realizing the power music had to explore life’s complexities and offer comfort or understanding. It cemented my resolve to teach myself guitar, driven by a growing belief that these melodies and words could truly matter to people.
Life, however, had its detours. My music ambition was sidelined as I took on a career opening businesses and having a family. But even through that, I learned about people, about different communities, and the importance of integrity. The universe, though, has a way of guiding us back. It was during a six-month stint in a hotel in Winona, while opening a business, that I finally dedicated myself to teaching guitar late into the evenings. It felt like doing the right thing for myself, and coming back to the roots from which I started. From there, the process was unstoppable. Playing coffee shops, open mics, joining a band—we played over 82 gigs that year. It all reinforced this idea: music is how I connect.
Now, performing in a duo, it’s the most creatively fulfilling part of my journey. Every show, engaging with young listeners to the elderly, every performance is a chance to reach someone, to share a moment of understanding, or simply bring joy. It’s about more than just music; it’s about using my passion to care, to communicate, and to reflect the right kind of energy into the world. We’re always growing, and music remains my unwavering guide in that journey.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.andrealyn.com/digitalalbum
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrealynmusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alynmusic/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@andrealynsongs
- Other: http://andrealyn.com/specialoccassions
