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When asked when she first realized she could sing, Andrea de Boer paused for a second, and then chuckled softly. "Probably last year." For those who already know the singer/songwriters' work through blueVenus, the band she founded over a decade ago, her humorous self-deprecation is going to come as a bit of a shock.

Onstage, she glides around with the confidence of a seasoned veteran performer but for Andrea, her experiences, gained through both successes and personal tribulations have not only made her appreciate her unique talents, but acknowledge that her hard work and determination can only make her a stronger performer. Despite the recent difficult life experiences she has endured, Andrea is honest and open is eager to find the beauty and solace within those wounds.

After garnering a positive review from CBC Radio for their 2004 self-titled debut, Germany's Gitarre & Bass magazine describing it as "one of the best albums I have heard in a long time... perfect," and receiving an honorable mention in the 2005 Billboard Song Contest for the single, "Get it Now," blueVenus released their first full-length, Grin in 2009, a musical anthology of personal, yet richly textured songs about enduring but thriving through difficult situations. "You just have to keep smiling and keep on going," Andrea says, describing the album. "There is no time to waste, and you must seize the moment. You can't spin your wheels and let the bad times take you over."

Andrea has thrived both personally and professionally since the bands' debut and listeners of Grin know that. Throughout her career, Andrea has defied the rules and avoided the pitfalls that many young female singers experience while navigating a career in a world that prefers them to be complacent. Perhaps it is the strength of her voice, described as "hypnotic and impressive" by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) Germany's national newspaper, and is just as chamelonlike as the music. The band's sound, a unique blend of Indie Pop/Rock with Jazz and Latin influences, seems to be just as organic and heartfelt as the messages within her lyrics.

After meeting producer Matt DeMatteo at an exclusive writers' retreat, the Juno Award-winning producer (Danko Jones, Esthero, Mobile, Big Wreck) worked closely with blueVenus on Grin, refining their sound and taking their music to new heights. In addition, Andrea has received many acknowledgments for her singing and songwriting talents, such as "Best Acoustic Act" and "Best Female Fronted Band" nominations at the Toronto Independent Music Awards.

Musical appearances include touring Germany and appearing at Turkey's Rocklstanbul Festival along with Garbage and Megadeth, and performing at Canadian and US festivals such as NXNE, CMW and NMW-New Music West. Despite the challenges many independent artists face, blueVenus has garnered critical acclaim based on the strength of their music, songwriting skills and their dynamic live performances.

The future also looks bright for the band. After an appearance this fall at the MidPoint Music Festival as one of the very few international acts invited to the unique three-day event in Cincinnati, Ohio, blueVenus will be working on material for the follow-up to Grin, and Andrea tells her fans to look forward to a flurry of live dates in the near future. When asked for a sneak peek into what she is currently writing, she is coy but says that she is just as pregnant with songs as she was with her daughter, who was in utero during the recording of Grin and subsequent live performances. "I don't tend to write linear stories like a storyteller would, but I get this intense feeling that something magical is going to come out," she explains.

Her experiences as the founder and front woman for blueVenus and the recent changes within her professional and personal life, including the departure of collaborator Devrim Eldelekli, have taken her down a challenging road with lots of twists and curves in its path, but despite the struggles, she remains optimistic. "I have really doubted myself a lot, but I think this is the best year of singing I have ever done," she smiles. Despite her humbleness, we, the listeners have benefited from her positive spirit through the clarity of her voice and her charismatic, inspiring stage presence.

"Life happens to you and sometimes you don't know what it means," she grins. "It takes a long time to find your path... But I think I've found it."

- Laina Dawes

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