Andrea Wild

Andrea Wild is a singer, producer and emcee from Liverpool, UK currently residing in Portland. Andrea created and manages the high energy Celtic band, The Stomptowners, the Welsh-driven Andrea Wild & The Bad Wolves and Three Pound Note. She also produces a unique monthly live music event, Global Folk Club.

Born in Liverpool, England, Andrea was raised with the sibling singing tradition emphasizing harmony and a capella performance. Andrea’s mother was born in Pwllheli, Wales, and moved to Liverpool with Andrea’s grandmother and grandfather (Nain and Taid).  So, Andrea and her brother, Straford grew up in a Welsh speaking household with an Irish uncle and a father who insisted they support Leeds United. Quite a challenge to anyone growing up in the midst of Liverpool Football Club and only the strong survive. They sang in folk clubs throughout the North of England and Andrea was a regular at Liverpool’s Irish Centre. Their love of traditional folk music and a quest for adventure took them from Penzance to the Isle of Skye learning new material and performing along the way.

After moving to the United States, Andrea continued to sing with her brother, Straford. They collaborated with Oregon Symphony cellist, Jim Smith in the band Both Wild and performed at folk festivals and music venues throughout the US.  Both Wild released a CD recording in 2002 Just Say Nevoth.

In addition to the endeavor of Both Wild, Andrea pursued a variety of solo opportunities. She produced and hosted Irish, world folk and soul music programs on Portland’s independent KBOO radio. Her native wit and clear articulation earned her a go-to position within the community for emceeing all manner of music, cultural, and fundraising events.  Andrea joined PSU Chorale and earned a longed-for opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall.

In 2011, Andrea teamed up with Sean Nos dancer, Maldon Meehan with a goal to merge traditional forms of percussive dance and song for stage performance (and their own enjoyment). And thus was the birth of The Stomptowners, a project which continues to grow and please crowds from Portland to beyond.  The Stomptowners released a CD Knocking the Ditches Down in 2015.

Andrea’s drive to build a bridge back to her Welsh roots has generated Andrea Wild & The Bad Wolves and this project is gaining attention from Welsh societies across the US. She has emceed and performed at Noson Lawen events (Welsh night of music) and other Welsh celebrations in Oregon, Washington, Massachusetts and Vancouver, BC. Andrea is a dedicated member of the Welsh Society of Oregon and also sings with Oregon’s Welsh Dragon Choir.