Born and raised in the deep southern military town of Enterprise, Alabama, I was instilled with strong values and a hard work ethic. However, I was always a misfit, being a uniquely weird kid more interested in art, computers, and unconventional creative pursuits than traditional southern ideology.
My thirst for independence and high test scores led my way to the Alabama School of Math and Science, a public magnet boarding school in the gulf city of Mobile. Although I loved math, I discovered that my greatest skills lay in the art department.
After graduating high school with an advanced diploma with a distinction in Art, my portfolio in AP Art earned me a scholarship to the University of Montevallo where I would study Painting and New Media. Outside of art and school, I loved live music and organized local shows at coffee shops and houses to bring more events to our town.
About Andrea
After graduating with my BFA in four years, I moved to Birmingham, Alabama. I spent my time making art, seeing live music, and working odd jobs. I spent a couple of years in art-related retail, such as helping customers at an art supply shop, teaching elementary art classes, and painting signs at a Trader Joe's.
Eventually, my New Media skills and love of computer programs led me to my career in video and design. I was scouted by a producer at Time Inc and hired as a video editor for my talent and college portfolio. I began doing graphic design freelance and art on the side of my day job.
After two years, Time Inc turned to DotDash Meredith, and I left the corporate world to work full-time as a video and graphic design freelancer. I worked with multiple brands and businesses, until Alabama Media Group became one of my regular clients. After executing many projects for them, I took a full time position for their comedy entertainment brand It’s a Southern Thing as a Video Producer/Editor for over 5+ years.
In 2020 I was looking for a pandemic lockdown hobby, and decided to combine my love of music and technology by learning DJing. I fell in love with the craft, and by 2021 it was no longer just a hobby. After booking my first show as Andea Really, the gigs kept rolling in, and I have been playing regular shows around Alabama and the United States for the past three years.
Through DJing I found more community, more life, and more creative work. I began making friends with other musicians and event promoters, and have helped organize some of Birmingham’s biggest electronic music events. I am a strong advocate for sober and intentional dance culture.
My music and design career go hand in hand. I regularly use my video skills for social media event promotion and graphic design skills for show posters. The audio and production skills I have learned through music have aided my video work as well!
You can follow my music project Andrea Really on instagram
When I’m not so busy with all my creative projects, I enjoy hanging out with my dog and my friends, lounging outside and camping, playing video games, finding new music, and trying new coffee shops :~)