Eric H. Andersen

Eric Henry Andersen’s signature emotive tenor voice and award-winning songwriting has captured the hearts of audiences for over a decade. As co-lead singer/songwriter of pop/rock group, The Novelists, Andersen has toured all over the nation sharing festival bills with and opening for artists such as Train, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Glenn Philips (Toad the Wet Sprocket) and Daryl Stuermer (Genesis/Phil Collins Band).

Despite a global pandemic and a complete cancellation of live performances, 2020 was a busy year for Andersen. In May he was commissioned by the city of Reno, Artown and The Reno Philharmonic Orchestra to write and produce a song and music video on behalf of Reno in conjunction with a national city song project through the U.S. Conference of Mayors. With the help of long-time collaborators and dear friends Tom Gordon (recording/mixing/mastering/co-production) and Bryon Evans (filming/directing/editing), “Heartbeat to Heartbeat, Eye to Eye (From Reno with Love)” was born to the world on August 18, 2020. The song and video is a citywide collaboration featuring over 50 performing artists from around Reno. “We wanted to address the legitimate frustrations that are on all our minds right now, while simultaneously encouraging a message of strength, love and unity,” said Andersen of the project. “Working with such an eclectic, talented and enthusiastic cast of artists provided more than enough inspiration to deliver on that mission. Producing this song has truly been the honor of a lifetime.” Please visit artown.org to view “Heartbeat to Heartbeat, Eye to Eye (From Reno with Love)” and to give generously to the “From Reno with Love Artist Fund” inspired by the song and created to assist Reno performing artists impacted by the pandemic.

Andersen also released his first solo project since 2012 earlier this year. “Holding Space” is a collection of songs about love, loss and transition. “It’s about owning your truth and realizing the beauty of impermanence,” Andersen says. The self-produced five song EP is rich with the melodic hooks we’ve grown to expect from Andersen and fans will find it to be his most cohesive and heartbreakingly sincere work yet. “Holding Space” reveals a new level of maturity in both emotional and artistic expression.

Born and raised in Wisconsin, Andersen began playing the viola at the age of ten. As a member of the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra he experienced the brilliance of Beethoven, Bach and Grieg first hand, providing a strong foundation for his future songwriting. At 14 he discovered piano rockers, Ben Folds, Billy Joel, and Elton John and his life changed forever. He soon began penning his own songs while incessantly consuming the music of Pink Floyd, Genesis, The Beatles, Kostia, Bruce Hornsby, Dave Mathews and so many others. “During high school I’d spend hours in the choir room playing the piano and ditching class. My friends thought I was crazy. I was obsessed,” says Andersen.

In 2008, Eric moved to Reno, NV on a whim to accept a spot on the University of Nevada alpine ski racing team. Andersen’s devotion to music, however, soon eclipsed his commitment to ski racing and he decided to pursue a full-time career in music, quickly gaining a loyal following. During this time, he met many of the people who would become life-long friends and musical collaborators. The following year, he joined The Novelists as co-lead singer and songwriter. Over the past decade, his musical career has continued to evolve as a solo artist, member of The Novelists, TV music songwriter and session musician credited on dozens of projects.

Andersen is best known for his catchy, melodic and lyrically driven songs. To quote singer/songwriter Kate Cotter, “Eric Andersen’s strong tenor voice is captivating. His grasp of technique, coupled with the nuance of raw emotion, rivals the best I’ve heard among any artist in the industry.” While Andersen’s music draws from themes of self-discovery, unwavering faith in the human spirit and overcoming adversity, his deadpan comedic stage presence never fails to draw a laugh from the audience.

When Eric isn’t touring with The Novelists, he performs regularly throughout the greater Reno/Tahoe area as a solo artist and in various other ensembles, including acoustic duos with Joel Ackerson (The Novelists Acoustic Duo/Andersen Ackerson) and singer/songwriter Kate Cotter. Andersen also performs occasionally with the Daryl Stuermer band as a guest lead vocalist.

** Eric is available to perform for private events as a soloist or as a member of any of the ensembles listed above. Please send an E-mail to: ericandersenmusic@gmail.com to inquire **