The Americana Music Association UK last night announced the winners of 2021’s UK Americana Awards at a glittering online ceremony hosted by Bob Harris and featuring guest appearances from Elvis Costello, Christine McVie, Mavis Staples and Steve Earle.

Acclaimed US singer, songwriter and musician Courtney Marie Andrews won the awards for Best International Artist and Best International Album for “Old Flowers”, beating off competition from the likes of Lucinda Williams, Jason Isbell, Margo Price and Gillian Welch. 

Produced by Andrew Sarlo (Bon Iver, Big Thief), Old Flowers was released to widespread critical acclaim in August 2020 via Loose/Fat Possum. The album is also nominated for Best Americana Album in the 2021 Grammy Awards. Created in the aftermath of a long-term relationship, Old Flowers features Andrews’ most vulnerable writing to date on ten new songs that chronicle her journey through heartbreak, loneliness and finding herself again after it all. In addition to Andrews (vocals, acoustic guitar, piano), the album features only two other musicians: Matthew Davidson (bass, celeste, mellotron, pedal steel, piano, pump organ, wurlitzer, background vocals) and Big Thief’s James Krivchenia (drums, percussion).

Of the album, Andrews shares, “Old Flowers is about heartbreak. There are a million records and songs about that, but I did not lie when writing these songs. This album is about loving and caring for the person you know you can’t be with. It’s about being afraid to be vulnerable after you’ve been hurt. It’s about a woman who is alone, but okay with that, if it means truth. This was my truth this year—my nine-year relationship ended and I’m a woman alone in the world, but happy to know herself.”

www.courtneymarieandrews.com

 

“bracingly and courageously unfiltered”

 Album Of The Week

THE SUNDAY TIMES

“devastatingly intimate and open-hearted”

 ★★★★

NME
 

“With the voice of Linda Ronstadt and the songwriting gifts of Joni Mitchell, there simply isn’t anything to dislike about Old Flowers”

★★★★

MOJO