Scenic City Roots' Jill Andrews sharing her life story in song - Nov. 14

Saturday, November 9, 2013

photo Jill Andrews used to be part of The Everybodyfields, but has been a solo act since 2009. She will appear tonight at Track 29 as part of this month's Scenic City Roots show.

IF YOU GO:* What: Scenic City Roots featuring Lou Wamp & Bluetastic Fangrass, Great Peacock, Jill Andrews and John Cowan Band* When: 7 p.m. today, Nov. 14* Where: Track 29, 1400 Market St.* Admission: $10* Phone: 423-521-2929

Writing music is a deeply personal thing for Jill Andrews, so even she is a little surprised at how much she has enjoyed partnering with writers since moving to Nashville two years ago.

"It's been so much fun for me," she says. "I write all the time.

"It's really crazy and, honestly, if I think about, it doesn't make sense that I would even [write with someone else]. I've held my music so closely for so long, but what I find is when I sit down with a complete stranger I tell my entire life story and they do the same, and by the end we've written this great song."

She says she has learned a lot about the craft by working with others, especially the importance of editing.

Formerly a member of Johnson City, Tenn., folk/country band The Everybodyfields, Andrews says she and former bandmate Sam Quinn decided to pursue solo careers in 2009.

"It's allowed me the freedom to focus on the parts of it that I really, really love. I've kind of focused on songwriting more, and moving to Nashville has been great since there is such a huge songwriting community here."

She has been working on a new record for about a year and announced a Kickstarter campaign this week to help her fund its completion. She says she has been spending a good deal of time in the studio experimenting with different sounds, especially with her vocals.

"I wouldn't say it is too produced," she says. "That has a negative connotation. We've just been trying so many different things."

One of her newer songs, "Gold and Rust," was recently featured on an episode of "Grey's Anatomy," which made her "very, very happy."

"I've watched it since the beginning, so for my song to be on there is phenomenal. It was a beautiful moment for me. We had a party and watched it, then rewound it and watched it again and then rewound it and watched it again."

She says writing songs for television and movies is not only something she enjoys but a good way to make money.

"It's a way to be heard, and music is such a huge part of building and telling a story in that arena. It's a symbiotic relationship, and some of the most beautiful moments are carried by songs."

Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfree press.com or 423-757-6354.