Meet Andy Samberg’s wife: The talented musician Joanna Newsom

Andy Samberg and musician Joanna Newsom tied the knot in September 2013. The American harpist, pianist, and singer-songwriter Joanna Newsom has released a number of albums, including “The Milk-Eyed Mender,” “Ys,” and “Divers.” Newsom is well known for her original and complex musical style.

Outlook International Desk

Updated on: 17 August 2023 10:22 pm

Joanna Newsom performing her new songs as a surprise opener for Fleet Foxes, March 2023

Newsom was interested in music since childhood
Born in 1982, Newsom was raised in the Nevada City of California. Newsom was not allowed to watch television as a child. Since her parents, who are both doctors are also musicians , raised her in a musical environment.

At the tender age of 4, Newsom started taking piano lessons. At 8 years old, she started learning the harp. She also began penning her own songs, acting and singing in regional theater performances.

After spending her early years singing, performing, and writing songs, Newsom enrolled at Mills College in Oakland, California. Here, she pursued musical composition and creative writing. However, she dropped out to focus on her music.

Newsom’s rise to fame
Newsom rose to fame as a singer and harpist noted for her literary lyrics and distinctive style of music. She signed with the record company Drag City after releasing her first EPs in 2002. In 2004, she published her debut album, The Milk-Eyed Mender. Drag City also published her second album, Ys, in November 2006. Have One on Me, Newsom's third studio album, was released in North America on February 23, 2010. Divers, Newsom's fourth studio album, was released in 2015.

Newsom is also an actor, frequent collaborator with other musicians
In addition to her musical achievements, Newsom has appeared on film and television. Newsom also made a brief cameo in the season finale of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, with husband Andy Samberg. She appeared in MGMT’s music video of Kids and on Smog's album A River Ain't Too Much To Love. In 2002–03, she also appeared as a guest musician on Nervous Cop's self-titled collaboration album.

Marriage with Andy Samberg
At one of her gigs in 2006, Newsom met American actor Andy Samberg. The news of Newsom and Samberg's engagement was made public in February 2013 by his agent. On September 21, 2013, they got hitched in Big Sur, California. On August 8, 2017, Newsom and Samberg announced that they had welcomed a daughter as their first child.

Joanna Newsom has clearly carved out her own path and avoided being pigeonholed as just Andy Samberg's wife. She has continuously displayed her talents as an actress and musician throughout the years. National Public Radio (NPR) called Newsom as “the 21st century’s timeless voice.”