Andy White

Education

He attended Methodist College Belfast. He studied English Literature at Robinson College, Cambridge University, graduating in 1984.

Career

He started writing poetry and music early, penning a poem called "Riots" aged nine. He released his first European Parliament Religious Persuasion in 1985 on Stiff Records, and his first album Rave on Andy White in 1986. Since then he has released eleven solo albums plus numerous compilations and live albums, and collaborated with many other artists including Peter Gabriel, Sinéad O"Connor and English producer John Leckie.

In 1995 he released an album (Altitude) with Tim Finn (of Split Enz) and Liam Ó Maonlaí (of Hothouse Flowers).

The trio recorded as Alternative. His most recent studio albums are and a double Civil Defense collection, based around the book of the same name. In 1999 a book of lyrics and poems (The Music Of What Happens) was published by Belfast-based Lagan Press.

In 2009 his first work of prose (21st Century Troubadour) was published, also by Lagan, with a second volume of poetry (Stolen Moments) (Another Lost Shark Press, Brisbane) following in 2011. After his first two albums with Decca/Master of Computer Applications, a long relationship with roots label Cooking Vinyl, and a live performance album for Real World Records/WOMAD, White currently records for Alternative Recordings licensed through United Kingdom label Floating World in Europe, and independently elsewhere.

White tours often. He has performed live at Glastonbury Festival and many international rock festivals including WOMAD United Kingdom (where he hosted the gala finale in 2005), performing at and MCing the main stage at the Fleadh in London, WOMAD festivals in South Africa, United States of America, Italy, Cacares, Madrid, Singapore and Womadelaide, international folk festivals including Cambridge (United Kingdom).

Calgary, Winnipeg, Vancouver (Canada). Portuguese Fairy and Woodford (Australia). White is best known for songs (such as Religious Persuasion, James Joyce"s Grave, Street Scenes From My Heart, Italian Girls on Mopeds), and noted for the political and literary content of his work.

The duo released their second album "Tea And Confidences" in March, 2014.

Achievements

• White won Ireland"s Hot Press Songwriter of the Year Award in 1993.