Last Gig of 2010!

Hi everyone,

To finish off a rather fab year I'll be playing at a brand new music night in conjunction with Brooklands fm, this Thursday 23rd December at The Ship in Weybridge. The evening will be called 'Live Lounge at The Ship', and will consist of 5 acts, each lasting 30 minutes and best of all it's free! Come on down for some great music, some new songs (from me) and one or two 'dodgy covers' including something new I've been working on! Oh and there may be a sneak preview of the 'new look' aswell......

More details can be found here: www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=167064586659567



Anna x

December lurgy & a new album

Hi everyone,

December's been a bit of a nightmare recently with gig cancellations due to an on going bout of severe tonsillitis which has been 'keeping me company' since the end of November. Apologies to any of you who have made it to any of the last two London shows. I am now resting (as much as you can with a two year old!) in the hope of clearing it up for the excellent new music night starting in Weybridge on the 23rd December.

I do however have some good news in the shape of a new album! Ever since I've come back from the south of Italy I've felt re-inspired to write and have collected what I think is some of my best material to date. The album will have an ancient world/Roman theme seeing as the source of my inspiration lay in visiting such amazing sites as Pompeii, Stabia and Herculaneum. We have already confirmed the photo shoot in a very special location and I'm currently arranging the new songs while of course writing new ones when the spirit moves me! I'll have a Pledge Music campaign up and running in the new year which will help with the recording costs and have ideas of how you can all be a part of this new project. If you're as excited as am and can't wait for any more details then please feel free to join the mailing list where they'll be more news to follow and some exclusive behind the scenes footage.

Anna x

Tonight @ the Thames Sessions, Nirvana Lounge

I've had to cancel tonights show folks for the Thames Sessions at the Nirvana Lounge Apologies but this is one not very well bunny at the moment. :(
We'll be re-arranging the date very soon, next show is 5th December in Chiswick.
x

Live internet broadcsat from exclusive, sold out house gig!

Toight I'll be doing a special live internet broadcast from an exclusive house gig! The gig is sold out so the only way you can watch it will be here from 9pm:
http://justin.tv/annaneale
Anna x

Lightbox Tonight

Tonight I'll be playing at the Lightbox Gallery in Woking complete with special Halloween songs and props, you know me and my love of dressing up! ;)
It's always a lovely warm, intimate evening with great food. Music starts at 7.30pm and entrance is free.
Anna x

Live broadcast on Justin TV

Hi everyone,
I've started doing a live session from home on my new Justin TV channel! I'm aiming to do one every two weeks, circumstances permitting, showcasing new songs for a possible second album and a few favourites! I'm also taking request so the more weird and wonderful they are the better ;). If you missed the first one you can catch it again here:http://justin.tv/annaneale/b/272718725
Anna x

Oxjam today, the Guildford takeover

Hi all, I'll be on the fahrenheit world stage at roughly 4 pm and at the royal oak folk stage about 7pm. See you all there! X

The new video is here!

Here you go everyone, the new video, hope you all enjoy! x

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dn1hvuASM0I

Oxjam Guildford

Hi everyone,

I'm currently beavering away writing some new songs that I have to say I'm really pleased with! I look forward to playing them all to you over the next couple of weeks but first of all I'm just blogging to let you know that I'll be playing as part of this years Guildford Oxjam takeover!

Oxjam is a fantastic event that helps raise money and awareness for various causes at home and around the world.

The Guildford Oxjam will be happening at various venues around the town on Saturday 23rd October. I'll be onstage at Fahrenheit 55 at 3pm and The Royal Oak at 7pm.

For more info and to help spread the word check out the Facebook event page here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=154804581226717


Anna x

R2 Rock 'n' Reel Magazine Review

Hi everyone,

Here's a rather fab review from R" Rock 'n' Reel Magazine, in stores now! Thanks to Trevor for this:

ANNA NEALE
Touch

Hailing from deepest Surrey, Anna Neale’s songs reflect the suburban/rural contradiction of her surroundings. The music treads the fine line between a rootsy palette and sophisticated acoustic pop. Driven forward by Neale’s equally powerful voice and acoustic guitar rhythms the title track sounds direct and stripped back yet still luxuriates in a rich bed of electric guitar and vocal harmonies. On ‘Keep Coming Again’ the acoustic opening - restricted to vocals, guitar and djembe - perfectly reflects the confessional nature of the lyrics. However, imperceptibly the arrangements broaden out to provide richer, darker textures. Lovely.

Honing her craft over the years at acoustic clubs, singing lead female vocals in “The Commitments” touring band and playing summer festivals, the quality of the singing, songwriting and arrangement is assured. The sound itself is warmly summery too. Instantly likeable, it subtly wheedles its way into your subconscious - a reflection of Neale’s concentration on strong melody and attractive harmonies. ‘Waterloo Bridge’ may not reach the heady heights of The Kinks’ paean to the station but it still tugs a heartstring as the singer strolls the South Bank musing on lost love. A great collection of tunes with an open and honest heart.

Trevor Raggatt

Sim Singhl

Photos are now up from the photo shoot on Wednesday with Tomodo Photography for Sim Singhl. I'll be doing lots more work with this new fashion brand in the future. If you'd like more info and to have a look at some of their other clothes you can here: www.simsinghl.com

Maia Fall Fashion Show

Hi everyone,

It's been a really busy week for me this week with photo shoots, fashion shows and startng my new role as a lecturer at Brooklands College!

Below is a photo taken from the Maia fashion show I modelled for this Monday at the Ambasadors Theatre in Woking. Maia is a fab little botique specialising in unique ethnic clothing and evening wear. I often go there to find jewllery as everything is hand made and a one off!

If you're ever in Woking do go and have a look round the shop, it's very cose to the station and well worth a visit.

More photos to follow soon!




http://www.maiaenterpriseltd.com

Weyfest, Recharged Radio, New Videos & Some Modelling!

Hi everyone,

September update is below:

Weyfest:

This Sunday (5th) the band and I will be headlining on the Rustic Stage at Weyfest! It was a fantastic show for us last year so we'll be paying a longer set with new songs! Look forward to seeing you there! www.weyfest.co.uk
If you missed out on Weyfest tickets I'll be doing a special show at The Barn in Farnham on the 11th September.

Music Video:

If any of you are about this coming Monday (6th) morning between 9am and 10am, the band and I will be filming a new surprise video in the High Street. It promises to be quite spectacular.............

Recharged Radio Live Session

We’ve also just come from recording a 'live lounge' session at the 'Church of Steve Honest' for the Night of the Artisans show on Recharged Radio! The three songs we recorded will be showcased this coming Thursday between 7pm and 9pm on: www.rechargedradio.com

Sim Singhl Clothing:

On a last note I've started working with a new up and coming fashion label based in the UK called Sim Singhl. There'll be some new pictures of me modelling (yes, me!!) some clothes for them coming soon as well as some other exciting opportunities!

Anna x

Recharged Radio - The Church of Steve Honest

Today the band and I are doing a 'live lounge' session at the 'Church of Steve Honest' for the Night of the Artisans show on Recharged Radio! We'll be showcasing the new tune 'Fire Fire' ahead of our Weyfest appearance this Sunday, as well as a couple of favourites which will be broadcast sometime next week (details to follow). It also means we'll have a couple of new songs 'in the bag' for your listening pleasure very soon!

There's lots more coming up ahead, September is looking like a very exciting month for us! All will be revealed soon,

www.rechargedradio.com

Anna x

Pepsi Max It Legends

The video for 'Control' has made it to the Pepsi Max site and is currently battling it out in the third round! Thanks to 'Slice the Pie' for entering it.

You can have a little look here and if the mood takes you vote (again, more voting!)

http://www.maxitlegends.com/#/gallery/?vid=H9ZSMtHfzP8

Post Op

Hi everyone,

It's been just over a week since I went in for surgery, and considering what I've had done I feel pretty amazing already (minus a few aches and pains here and there but that could just be a sign of getting old!!)! It seems to be ground breaking surgery as I'm told I'm only the second woman in the country to have this procedure done! I'd really like to thank Peter and his team at the Royal Surrey for all their care and commitment, they did a fantastic job. If you'd like to find out more about this wonderful 'Da Vinci' robot and what they're up to, there's an article here about the difference it's making to people's lives locally:

http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/s/2062109_da_vinci_robot_arrives_at_royal_surrey_county_hospital



Anna x

Anywhere

Anywhere is now out and available to download (although you have to search for it!!)!

http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/anywhere/id383138025

:)

Pre-Op

Hi everyone,
I'm sure not all of you are aware but I've been suffering from alot of shall we say female stomach trouble the last 6 months or so for which I'm due to go into surgery next week (yikes!!). It's set to be a fairly inivassive procedure but it does mean that I'll be out of action for a little bit and so this week will be my last set of shows for the next 4-6 weeks! I'll update with how it all went (I'm sure they'll be a catolougue or moans and groans about various pains.......that or I'll be so drugged up I won't notice, could be an interesting blog either way!!),
Anna x

Anywhere, Anyhow?

The new single 'Anywhere' will be available for download from all the usual download stores (iTunes, Amazon, Napster, Spotify, Nokia, emusic etc) from the 20th July 2010.

Bookmark it and go get that bad boy! :)

x

Samsung Thanks

Hi everyone,
I just wanted to thank you for spending a few minutes voting for us in the Samsung Monte Battle of the Bands. I understand alot of you had problems casting your vote which was a real shame :( .
Anyhow, lots of exciting things in the pipeline coming up, will be in touch soon!
x

Samsung Live

Hi everyone,

Today is your last chance to vote for us in the Samsung Live event, if you haven't already!

http://www.samsung.com/uk/mobilelive/monte/judge-for-yourself.html#miltonkeynesanchor

This is part of a show we recently did for Samsung at the MK centre in Milton Keynes and we need your help to help us collect enough cash to start working on a new video and a new album!

Thank you, you are all wonderful! x

Anna Neale - Monte Battle of the Bands

Here we go! The live footage from our Samsung show! Don't forget to vote!




http://www.samsung.com/uk/mobilelive/monte/judge-for-yourself.html#miltonkeynesanchor

Lovely Samsung, new shows and a new single!

Hi all,

We had a completely mad month in May which saw us playing in Oxford, at the Great Escape in Brighton, auditioning for Sky 1 and playing as guests of Samsung in the MK centre as well as various festivals and shows! We also managed to finish off a brand new single for you, details of which are below!

Samsung Monte:

Last month we were honoured to play as guests of Samsung mobile in Milton Keynes as part of their Battle of the Bands roadshow. As I dragged a couple of the band down with me (after a very long promo for Sky!!) we thought we'd have a go in the actual competition as it would fund our next album! There's live footage and an interview with Russ and I up on their site now, and of course you can vote for us there:

http://www.samsung.com/uk/mobilelive/monte/judge-for-yourself.html#miltonkeynesanchor

There will be more Samsung related shows coming up over the next few months so I'll keep you all up to date! Including some shows in Europe!

Upcoming shows:

There are only two shows this month, one as part of Discovery Talent in London at the Troy Bar in Shoreditch, London on the 17th June, and the other at Peter Parkers Hall of Rock 'n' Roll on Denmark Street, Tottenham Court Road, London on the 22nd June. We'll be returning to GI on July 12th as well as a few last minute festival dates here and there.

Anywhere:

We've now finished and received the final master for the brand new single / bonus track for 'Touch' called 'Anywhere'. It's a fantastic song which we're all very proud of! For those of you who have already bought the CD you can send an e-mail to info@annaneale.net

with the barcode number on the back to receive a very high quality mp3 version. Date of the official online release will be announced soon, you can have a listen on the My Space and Facebook site.

That's all for now, I'm off to find some chocolate...........

x

www.annaneale.net

www.facebook.com/annanealemusic

www.twitter.com/annanealemusic

www.myspace.com/annanealeacousticrock

Sat 29th May: Sky TV, Samsung Gig & the Lazy Bishop Festival!

Hi all!
First thing tomorrow we've been asked to audition for Sky 1's 'Must be the Music' in London, from where we'll be rushing off to play at the:

Samsung Monte Battle of the Bands Roadshow at thecentre:mk, Central Milton Keynes, Bucks MK9 3ES at 11.30am!

It's free so if you're in the area come down and say hi!

If you're South based I'll be heading back down to Surrey to play at the wonderful Lazy Bishop Festival in Farnham (Library Gardens) at 5pm. Tickets are selling fast so do try and purchase one online, it's set to be a fantastic day of live music!

If you're about on Sunday you can catch me at the Good Intentions Beer Festival in Puttenham at 3pm, followed by a show at The Goat in Clapham at 9pm!

After that I think I'll be having a rest! ;)

x

Great Escape & a Free Download!

May 2010

Hi everyone,

Firstly a big hello to anyone who's new to this mail out, and a big thank you for joining! We'll be sending you news and goodies once a month with special exclusives just for you! Please feel free to get in touch with any feedback/ideas, if you wish to unsubcribe at anytime you can from the above link. Quite a few things happening this merry May, including some work for Sky at the end of the month, more of which will be in the next mail out.

The Great Escape:

Russ, Pete and I will be showcasing as part of the 'Night of the Artisans' showcase at the Great Escape in Brighton this Thursday (13th) at Northern Lights (just behind Queens Hotel) in Brighton! We'll be sharing the stage with the wonderful Tom Copson and Nathan Watson between 2 - 4pm. Entrance is free so if you're in the area it would be lovely to see you!

Free Track!

We've been busy working away in the studio, and as a thank you to all of you we've recorded a special secret cover that you can download for free! Feel free to e-mail it to anyone and everyone, we're hoping to create a viral campaign to help raise our profile, and hopefully attract more listeners so we can keep entertaining you! You can also have a listen on the My Space and Last FM site. I hope you enjoy it:

https://fan.musicglue.com/sale/promoproducts.aspx?productid=51b5a939-3eeb-4347-bfce-b2516e7512ed

Facebook Group

The Facebook group is now officially up and running, if you've not found us already you can now at:

http://www.facebook.com/annanealemusic

Lazy Bishop Festival:

We have lots of shows coming up, one will be on the 29th May at the Lazy Bishop Festival in Farnham. This is a great festival supporting local talent and a good cause! Tickets are selling very fast, if you'd like one you can purchase them from here:

http://www.lazybishopsfestival.ticketsource.co.uk/

That's all for now folks!

Anna x

Facebook Page

The Facebook music page is now up and running properly, go and find us at: http://www.facebook.com/annanealemusic

Oxford Mail

Hi all,
There's a lovely article in 'The Guide' from this weeks Oxford Mail, huge thank you to the lovely Tim Hughes (who remembered me from many moons ago!):

http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/leisure/musics/music/8127637.Anna_Neale_pays_tribute_to_Oxford_crowds/

We will of course be heading to Oxford this May bank holiday Sunday for a special show at the 15 Minute Club, The Living Room, Oxford Castle at 9pm. It will be great to catch up with some of the old Brookes alumni and lecturers (as well as current students!). Entrance is free, hope to see you down there,
Anna x

Free Download!

Hi everyone,

The band and I have just come from the lovely Skyline Studios where we've recorded another two brand new tracks for you, one of which you can download for free here!

https://fan.musicglue.com/sale/promoproducts.aspx?productid=51b5a939-3eeb-4347-bfce-b2516e7512ed

It's a special cover version, so I hope you enjoy it! Do let me know what you think. If you'd like to just have a listen to can do so here on the My Space page:

http://www.myspace.com/annanealeacousticrock

and on the Last FM page here:

http://www.last.fm/music/Anna+Neale

Anna x
www.musicglue.com/annaneale

Storm the Charts Campaign, Oxford & The Great Escape 2010

April 2010

Storm the Charts Campaign, Oxford & The Great Escape 2010

Hi everyone,

A huge month coming up for all of us, details of what's coming up below!

Storm the Charts:

Voting has opened for Storm the Charts: storm vote now

http://bit.ly/stormvote
This is a great campaign to help get 40 unsigned artists/bands into the UK charts. We are Poll #140 so please, if you have 5 seconds the spare (it's really quick) go and vote for us and check out some other great artists while you're there,

Oxford Castle:

The band are I will be heading back to Oxford for a special one off show to tie in with Oxford Brookes' 30 years of music celebration! This will be an exclusive chance to hear some new tracks that we're busy working on in the studio and is obviously a great chance to catch up before our other big dates this summer! We'll be playing at the Living Room in Oxford Castle on Sunday 2nd May from 8.30pm. Entrance is free. Keep an eye out in the Oxford Mail and on the Brookes Alumni site for some exclusive interviews ahead of the show!

The Great Escape:

I'm very proud to announce that I've been asked to play as part of the 'Night of the Artisans' show for The Great Escape in Brighton this year. Great Escape is fast becoming the biggest UK music conference and is a great chance to showcase the new album. I'll be playing at Northern Lights on Thursday 13th May between 2-4pm.

Other news:

The band are I are working on a couple of new, and surprise tracks for your listening pleasure, one of which we'll be offering as an exclusive download for the mailing list. Spread the word!

Anna x

Storm the Charts: Voting Open!

Voting has opened for Storm the Charts: storm vote now http://bit.ly/stormvote
http://bit.ly/stormvote
This is a great campaign to help get 40 unsigned artists/bands into the UK charts. We are Poll #140 so please go and vote and check out some other great artists while you're there,
Anna x

Zoxsy

Hi everyone,

I'm a member of 'Zoxsy' which is a website that helps songwriters like me get our music placed on TV shows (such as Greys Anatomy, Hollyoaks etc) and I need your help, or rather votes and comments, on the songs placed on my area of the site from the new album 'Touch'. If you get five minutes and can vote it would be very much appreciated and possibly help fund the next album/project I have in mind!

Voting and comments can be placed here:
http://www.zoxsy.com/annaneale


Anna x

Radio Gets Wild

This Wednesday (7th April) we'll be broadcast at 8pm UK time on the wonderful Dee Chapmans show on 'Radio Gets Wild'! Memembership is free and there are various listening and chat room links so sign up for some more great unsigned music!

Radio Gets Wild
www.radiogetswild.com

Storm the Charts

If you haven't seen the news lately there's a new campaign (from the guys that brought you Rage Against the Machine for #1) to help get unsigned artists in the charts called 'Storm the Charts'. It's a great campaign with some fantastic artists, including us! If you're a member of Facebook please help us by joining the group and voting for us here, it would be a fantastic opportunity for us! We're entry 179:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=231943888357

You can also listen to us and all the other entries at:

http://stormthecharts.livejournal.com/

Anna x

Josaka Review

Another review form Berkshire's Josaka:

"Touch" the triumphant new album from captivating singer/songwriter Anna Neale.
Often when an artist revisits material that's been gathering dust for many a long year it's a futile attempt to bottle the lightening of past successes once more. Many a burning of the reputation and ego has resulted.

Fortunately for Anna Neale and the music-appreciating public the revisitation of unfinished home-recorded material from the last 6 years has proved to be the genesis for her triumphant new album "Touch". Each of the twelve tracks is a highly-polished production resplendently layered at various points with multiple and varied backing instrumentation, including cajón, guitar, violin and double bass.

Anna's strong and captivating voice entrances you with the more ballad-like tales of St Peter's tomb in Rome in "St Peter", strolling along London's South Bank near "Waterloo Bridge", and the dawning of a new year of promise with "January". Faster tunes to get the blood, feet and fingers moving aren't neglected, with "Control" (the first single from the album) and the title track "Touch" leading the way in this respect.

Granted not all the tracks are up to the grade of their fellows on the album with "Keep Coming Again" and "Emotional Baggage" failing to entice me into their aural realm in the same manner as the rest of the album. But what I perceive as misses are likely to be classed as the opposite by other reviewers and the buying public. It's all about perception and the best way to decide is to check out the album yourself.

Overall we should be extremely grateful that Anna Neale decided to review what being an artist in this day and age means and went into the past to extract the 12 songs that now comprise "Touch". If you enjoy material of varying paces with quality production values and performances to match investing in this album will not be a disappointment.

We gave this album 8/10.

© Ian Sadler 2010

http://www.josaka.com/news/252/52/Touch-from-Anna-Neale/

The Musician Review

Here's the latest review from 'The Musician', the national magazine of the Musicians Union in the UK.
Many Thanks to Keith Aimes for this:

The Musician - Spring 2010

Anna Neale - Touch

"Words of wisdom from the impassioned singer-songwriter.

Anna enjoys a deservedly high reputation for her strong vocals and vibrant material. Her latest release, 'Touch', features 12 tracks of moving folk/pop that builds upon this standing by featuring her best recordings to date. The stand out track, 'Emotional Baggage', shows why it won't be long before she steps into the mainstream."

Keith Aimes

Album Thanks

I just wanted to thank all those who came down to and were involved with the launch! A great night was had by all and when we premiered the video for 'Touch', you could (under the music) hear a pin drop!
There are press clippings from some of the recent coverage for 'Touch' available online on the My Space and Facebook Music pages.
For all those who digitally downloaded the album, below is a list of those who were involved with the making of the album. I'll soon be writing a little note on each song so keep an eye on the blog for more:

The Musicians:

Anna Neale - Vocals, Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Djemebe & Bass
Pete Robbins - Cajon & Percussion
Russell Carr - Double Bass & Bass
Katherine Clarke - Viola
Ed Clarke - Violin (& string arrangements)
Phil 'the beard' Lockeheart - Morcoon Bongos & Tribal drum.
Jason Marshall - Ebow

Jez Larder @ Skyline Studios - Co-Producer and Keys

Neil Reed @ Shameless Talent - Mastering

John Milton - Photography & Design (and co-label)

Henry Coleman @ Flickerhead Films - Music video for 'Control'.

More great stuff.....it's all going on!

Hi everyone,

We've all had a very busy month including our fabulous launch at the BED Bar, thank you to all who came down, here's the latest!

'Touch':

If didn't know already, the new album 'Touch' is now availible from various digital music stores for the around the bargin price of £5! You can download it from iTunes here:

http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/touch/id352484166

or Amazon here:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Touch/dp/B0036AI0NK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dmusic&qid=1267697408&sr=8-1

You can also find it on Spotify, Nokia for Music and eMusic. It'll also soon be up on 7Digital and Music Glue.

For anyone who would like one of the special edition CD's available at £8 including p/p or one of the limited edition CD/DVD's at £10 including p/p then drop me a line. I've only got a few left now!

Recharged Radio:

If you missed the interview and live performance I did for the wonderful Recharged Radio.com you can now download it here for free!

http://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/night-the-artisans-radio-hour/id355166274

There's lots of radio promo coming up, we've been playlisted on a few student stations so keep your eyes/ears open, you never know!

Shows Coming up!:

Only a couple this month. One solo show tomorrow, 5th March, for Bed Springs at the Zenith Bar in Islington at 9pm and one local show with Russ at the lovely Fahrenheit 55 in Guildford on the 10th March. See the website for more details: www.annaneale.net

Touch is out today!

And it's on all good music stores for just £5.49!

Find it here on iTunes:
http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/touch/id352484166

Or on Amazon for £3.99!!:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0036AI0NK/ref=dm_sp_alb?ie=UTF8&qid=1266826513&sr=8-3

New album, 'Touch', is out tomorrow!

The new album 'Touch' is finally out.....tomorrow!!

It's been six years in the making, and finally, tomorrow, 22nd February, 'Touch' will unleashed to the world! You'll be able to find it on Amazon, iTunes, Spotify, Nokia, Napster and all good digital music stores around the world! It's a completely organic project and one I have to say I'm incredibly proud of! I hope you all enjoy it too.

For those who prefer listening to CD's we have very limited edition copies of the album which include the DVD of the video for 'Control' plus outtakes not available anywhere else, for £10.50 or if you'd just like the music there are copies of the album available for £8.50, both including postage and packaging, please get in contact with your information for one: info@annaneale.net

Music Video for 'Control' is up!

Speaking of Videos you can now view the music video for the new single 'Control', filmed by Flickerhead Films at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ga8qZ-4zaeQ

Annaneale.net

I'm also excited to reveal the new web site at: www.annaneale.net

It's constantly being updated so keep an eye out for news, thoughts and new gigs, also behind the scenes and info on the album!

I'll leave you all with that barrage of information for now, as always let me know your thoughts and feelings on the new album/video

Anna x

Party time tonight!

Yes it's finally time to kick off our heels (OK, maybe not heels for the boys......although judging by tonight's attire you never know!) and let loose as it's party time at the BED bar in Woking tonight! The album launch and video premier is finally here and I have to say I'm looking forward to catching up and winding down, after our storming set that is!
Entrance is free with music starting at around 8pm with the lovely Anthea Neads, who's filling in for New Rising (get well soon Adam), Tom Copson and of course the full band!
Limited edition copies of the new album featuring a DVD of the music video for 'Control' are available ahead of the release on Monday to buy at just £10, £8 for the standard version. They'll also be a few other little bits just to celebrate our hard work!
Hope to see you down there,
Anna x

Album Launch & Video Premier

Album Launch & Video Premier Party!
Friday 19th February 2010, 8pm
BED Bar, Church Path, Woking
Free Entry
www.annaneale.net

The official album launch and video premier party! The band and I will be hosting and playing a special show to celebrate the release of 'Touch' and the premier of the video for 'Control' with the lovely Tom Copson and New Rising!
There will be new tunes, old tunes, and a few covers just to get the party going. Come along for a 'glam fest' and celebration of new music!
Music runs 8pm to 10.30pm with a DJ afterwards. Entrance is free!

The noughties, a closing of a decade......

I have to admit that I'm normally rubbish at 'blogging' anything that isn't an update, but as we're at the closing of a decade (and I'm stranded in bed with Tonsillitis) I'd thought I'd share a few insights and thoughts about the last year and more! Feel free to post your thoughts and forgive me if my grammar and or spelling is out, my concentration has 'gone sideways' today!
The last year couple of years have been pretty eventful and by the end of the decade everything had changed. On the good side, I married my long term friend and soul mate in Italy after years of searching, I had my little boy, I achieved countless accolades and exposure in my music career, and grew as a writer and a person.
On the not so good side, I found the pregnancy difficult and challenging and it's taking me a long time to level with that. I also lost two close members of my family to Alzheimer's (my dear nan) and stomach cancer (my granddad), as we'll as a former friend and colleague under mysterious circumstances.
At the moment I'm having a little time out before the album is released, by the end of 09 I felt like the world was spinning so fast that I couldn't keep up and I crashed. I'm obviously not the only one, I've read countless tales of people 'dropping out' of society, and in one newspaper I read that anyone over 21 now feels old before their time and out of touch, at 'the grand old age' of 28 I find this incredibly worrying.
I'm also find that I'm starting to become sick of society's obsession with youth. When you're in your teens/early 20's you have no experience of anything, the world is new and open. How can an artist at 18 be better than one at say 33? There is no character or expression, there can't be (unless of course that person has had trauma growing up). I always remember what Phil Jupitus said about some of my old stuff back in 2003, at the time I took offense, now of course I understand.
I think as an artist I've discovered that we need time to just enjoy the simple small things, or there becomes no point. It's probably one of the reasons that I've gone back to basics with this new album, to allow the songs (and the listener) the space they need to breath. Commuting in and out of London brings this home more than anything else. London is a fantastic and vibrant city but to work in and travel in during the rush hour it's pure hell, all the jubilee line is missing is the visual flames.
So, hopefully this year will bring success, space, time to process, a personal settling down, and a taking off, there are probably some contradictions there but I think that's all part of being a musician.
Red x