Goodbye 2011......

.....and good riddance? From talking to the majority of my friends and indeed family, 2011 has been an incredibly challenging year which most of us are glad to see the back of! It always saddens me to hear and/or say things like this myself. I try to view every year as a gift with new horizons and opportunities. By the time I'd reached July in a state of absolute mental and physical exhaustion, I'd had enough, and that was before the enforced incarceration due to various pregnancy complications! However saying all that, there have been some rather brilliant musical highlights which I thought I'd share with you.

One of my favourite highlights was the photo shoot John (Milton - long suffering friend and photographer/designer) and I completed at the Roman Baths, in Bath, earlier in the year. We came out with some stunning images for the new album and felt truly honoured to be able to photograph in such a beautiful location. I'd spent the previous months researching Roman fashion and finding the props to re create an image from the Villa d'Arianna in Stabia, near Pompeii and I'm so pleased with the results. The album won't be out until later in 2012 (gives me a chance to have a baby, get it mixed, mastered, oh and write a book!!!) but I thought I'd post one of the images up here so you can get a taste of what's to come in 2012. It's all change, in a by good way!

I was also lucky enough to go back and play the first ever unplugged modern day singer/songwriter gig at the Baths in April and to be able to film it. That footage is now up on You Tube if you haven't seen it already and features a couple of tracks from the forthcoming album, all be it acoustically. The acoustics at the Bath, despite the pouring rain, were amazing, I've never had such good sound!

From late May to July the band and I start work on the songs for the album, running through ideas and initial arrangements. We also had a chance to run through our set for Guilfest which was an incredibly fun gig. It was so nice to be back after a long break and the crowd was great.

Then it was 14 days straight in the studio for the new album with some of the most talented musicians I've ever had the pleasure of working with. Luckily they were also good at helping me retain my sanity, especially when I discovered I was expecting baby #2!! It was an exhausting, but very productive time, and I got to work with Patch Hannan, the drummer from one of my all time favourite bands 'The Sundays'!

Pregnancy complications meant that from the end of July I've been on enforced rest, but in retrospect, it's actually been good to have a bit of a break and to go back over what we recorded in July. In December I was able, with a little help, to make a few days back in the studio to review and do some more recording which has been fantastic. Jez and I have revamped quite a few songs and it's sounding better than ever. We also welcomed the wonderful Jali Fily Cissokho in to the studio to put some Kora on a few tracks. All very good stuff.

So with a pretty eventual year over, what's next? Baby #2 should be making an appearance in March so they'll be a little settling down time, but 2012 will see the new album finished, mixed and mastered, ready to unleash on the world late September, early October. The artwork is ready and I'm in the middle of writing the book to accompany it while trying to rest. There will of course also be a tour, but a very different kind of tour....I shall leave you with that thought....Here's to 2012!

Anna x

An inspirational meeting......

Hi all,

I thought I'd share this with you about the recording session with Jali Fily Cissokho last week. It was a wonderful and inspirational experience and I can't wait for you to hear the tracks we've worked on together! A huge thank you to Fily and his manager Chris for taking the time to be part of these recordings. There should, fingers crossed, be some live shows coming up together mid 2012. :)

Anna x


www.kaira-arts.co.uk

Thanks to Anna and Jezz skyline studios. An inspirational meeting. I listened to Fily working on Anna's tracks in Oxford. He had changed to the traditional tuning Tomora and Silaba.. Afterwards he played and sang a beautiful track FILY SUSSO YA DE YA DE KA that he had composed as a small boy age 6 whilst jamming with his family. "I haven't played this track for years. Anna has taken me back to when I was a small boy in Senegal" Fily said. "I was surprised to hear it being played on the local radio one day in Casamance. Apparently my Uncle had had seen me singing and dancing to my new composition and loved it so much that he had gone to record it at our local radio station. The track was very popular. Uncle playing it on the kora at localceremonies. On one occasion he called me to come and dance and sing the track with him. I was very happy at this young age as the local people gave me money for my performance! I'm working on a new traditional CD and it's as if this track is saying don't leave me. I think I will now claim the track back and work on it again.." The recording session also inspired me to play Kelefaba . My first traditional melody and song that my father the late Jali Kemo Cissokho taught me to play. It seemed to fuse perfectly with Anna's western compostion." We are looking forward to 2012 with great thanks to Anna and her beautiful compositions~ More cultural exchange to come! Chris Lord

Jali Fily Cissokho

This week we had the wonderful Fily in session down at Skyline studios. What an amazing session and what a lovely guy! I felt very blessed at having such a talented musician being part of this project. It was also lovely to hear how some of the songs reminded him on the songs he first played on the Kora with his father. Be prepared to see him on stage with us at some point in the future, in the mean time here he is getting ready to 'do his thing.
A huge thank you to Fily and his manager Chris for taking the time to come down and play for us!

Is very pleased to announce......

Jali Fily Cissokho, The world renowned virtuoso Kora player and singer from Ziguinchor, Southern Senegal, will be heading to Skyline Studios this week to play on the new album! I'm so excited about this, he's a phenomenal musician and I can't wait to hear some of his beautiful playing and singing on the tracks we have lined up. It's all shaping up so well, this is one very proud lady! :)

Check out this video of him on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yG9gfE9XAUg&feature=youtube_gdata_player


Anna x

Album update

Morning all,

After a five month break, this week sees a return to recording and finally finishing the new album! Jez and I hope to get all the recording side of things completed by the end of January, before I get incarcerated in a certain Guildford hospital for the rest of this pregnancy from hell!

As you know things have been very difficult, and I won't bore you with all the many and varied complications, but I've managed to get some of the sickess under control. Sadly though I'm still not well enough to get back on stage yet. On a postive note I'm very pleased to announce that as well as Patch from The Sundays, we have a couple more special guests 'guesting' on the album. I'm very excited and will reveal all once everything is confirmed. Fingers crossed I can get through this last bit!

After the recording is finished Jez will be locking himself away and mixing everything while I have this baby! Plans are then to go to mastering, once we've lived with the mixes for a bit, and then, a video for the title track 'River Man', providing all is well! :)

It's been a long journey so far but one that will be well worth it in the end, the recordings are my best to date, as is the concept and artwork. I'm truly proud of everything we've achieved so far and couldn't have done it without yours, the musicians, family and friends support. Roll on September 2012!

Anna x

Bandcamp

Hi folks,

My album 'Touch' and EP 'Handle With Care' are now on Bandcamp as 'pay what you like'. All cd copies of 'Handle With Care' have now sold out so go and grab a bargain!

Touch:
http://annaneale.bandcamp.com/album/touch

Handle With Care:
http://annaneale.bandcamp.com/album/handle-with-care

Anna x

The Modern Day Cost of Music

Back in 2005/2006, I was pretty up with all the MySpaces and the-then new Facebooks, now I struggle to get around to updating 140 characters on Twitter! I do, however, try to make the time to read what is going on in the world of Twitter. It's a stream of international consciousness, which once you get your head around it, is pretty fascinating for a songwriter. It's also, in my opinion, one of the most important sources of information for an independent/DIY artist.


During my morning 'pilgrimage' to Twitterland I've discovered quite a few blogs by other artists and even national newspapers about the real cost of being a DIY artist. Of course any record company knows the real cost of nurturing an artist and releasing an album, it's why they often don't anymore! The thing that I found most interesting is that these artists are now willing to disclose what it truly costs us to make music.


I've found it really refreshing to read that others are in the same boat and that they're willing to be so honest. There was a time when you wouldn't dare reveal what your sales figures were, unless they were amazing (a feat only usually achieved with a PR company on board). In this day and age when the humble CD and even MP3s are slipping further away from being an essential part of daily life for the masses, recorded music is making less and less impact. The biggest selling artist of 2011 is currently Adele, and she hasn't sold anywhere near the same amount as Leona Lewis' second single did in 2007.



In a way that's sad, but it's always been difficult to make money from music (look at Mozart). Becoming rich and famous is only a recent phenomenon and is something I think we should all remember. I love creating music and playing with new ideas. The recording studio will always be my second home. It costs me a fortune but it's been a sacrifice I'm always been willing to make. If one person out there is willing to listen to my next mad idea and like it, well then it's worth all the hard work. Even if music now is "more like a scented candle"
(Jarvis Cocker - Guardian http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/oct/16/jarvis-cocker-interview?CMP=twt_gu),
there are still those out there who value music and the art of songwriting. I personally am still fascinated by the art of songwriting.

If you'd like to follow in my footsteps these last couple of days this blog by 'DIY' artist 'She Makes War' is one that I've found particularly enlightening and informative.

http://shemakeswar.com/blog/2011/10/15/diy-music-how-much/

Update on Gigs - Sep 2011

Regrettably I've had to postpone all remaining gigs for the foreseeable future due to continuing HG (Hyperemesis Gravidarum). I've been having good and bad days and have been hoping for it to pass but at the moment it shows no signs of letting up. I don't want to risk having to cancel another show at the last minute like last nights Lightbox gig.
It's an incredibly hard thing for me to do and at the moment I can't say when or if things are going to improve. Worst comes to the worst I shall be back on stage about June 2012, but lets hope it doesn't come to that!
Anna x

If you've been wondering why things have seemed a little quiet lately......

Hi guys,
I just thought I'd give you a little personal update to let you know why things may have seemed a little quite this end! August has been a really difficult month and has meant quite a few gig cancellations. I thought it might be time to let you know that this is because I'm expecting baby #2! Usually very exciting news but unfortunaley I've been struck down with the same Hyperemesis I suffered with while expecting my son back in 2008. Needless to say it's been a very challenging time but fingers crossed, I'm nearly 10 weeks now and should be facing the end soon.
The baby will be due in March, all being well, and so we're looking at a September release date for the new album. This should give us plenty of time to get some new videos done (before I turn into a whale) and promotion. It should also give me time to get some kind of figure back! I'll keep you posted!
Anna x

Pledging towards the new album

Hi everyone,

For those who are continuing with their pledges towards the new album, you can send any pledging payments through to Pay Pal at this address: me@annaneale.net
If you'd still like to Pledge towards the album and get exclusive e-mails updating you on the progress, there's plenty of time, below is a list of options you can pledge towards.
Signed CD
Signed CD & Your Name in the Credits
Signed CD & 4 A4 Prints
Signed CD & Videos
Signed CD & Making Of Book & Name in the Credits
Signed CD, Handmade Scrapbook & Name in Credits
Signed CD, Original Acoustic Demos & Name in Credits
Signed CD, Making Of Book, Scrapbook & Name in Credits
Signed CD, Book, Name in Credits & Exclusive House Gig
Signed CD, Book, Videos, Credits & Skype Gig
Signed CD, Name in Credits & Studio Time.
Signed CD, Book, Scrapbook, Videos, Acoustic CD, House Gig
Signed CD, Book, Name in Credits & Gig at Your Home.

Anna x

In the st st studio!

Well folks,
I'm about 3/4's of the way through putting down the main elements of the new album 'Eunomia'. It's been pretty hard work but it's all starting to sound fab now. We had a real break through moment yesterday, and I'm really pleased to announce that we have a couple of special guests who are going to come and play for us (I am ridiculously excited!). I am loving the sound we are creating, and I'm especially enjoying harking back to the 90's! It's like being 13 again! So start digging out your Sundays/Cranberries albums!
Anna x

Guilfest thanks

Hi all,
We had a great show on Friday at Guilfest. Three of us played in the back of a black cab just before our set for eFestivals so look out for that footage online very soon. A huge thank you to Adam Aggiss, Harrison Peck, Katherine Clarke and Ed Clarke for playing so fabulously despite the odd sound issue! Also a big thank you to you if you came down to watch us (and shelter from the rain). The crowd were absolutely fab and easily joined in with us, I even saw the odd Brooklands graduate in the audience! I still hold that the acoustic stage is the best stage for live music at Guifest with some of the best local talent. Trevor and James, well done on a good job.
Anna x

Guilfest

Don't forget, the band and I will be playing on the Acoustic Stage at Guilfest this coming Friday, 15th July, at 8.15pm.
We've been working on new songs and arragments, and have a special surprise cover for you, so if you're there, don't forget to come along and see us. It's going to be one hell of a show.
Anna x

Anna Neale is.......

In the studio! Yes, we're on day 2 at Skyline Studios, recording the songs for the new album 'Eunomia'!
The last week we've been in rehearsals working out arrangements and bouncing idea around under a bridge at Waterloo station. So far we've come up with some great stuff which I'm really excited about!
It's feel a bit like we're climbing a mountain at the moment studio wise but it's all positive so far. Adam's in today laying down more drum tracks for us. Pete was in yesterday doing one or two drums tracks, and I'm drinking lots of green tea and eating far too much sugar to keep my brain going (and corrupting Jez into helping me with the sweets!). Tomorrow will be more of the same, and I might even sneak in a moment to visit the new, super guitar warehouse in Epsom........ ;)
Anna x

Lazy Bishop - Cancelled Set

The Lazy Bishop festival is a lovely local music festival and the team have put a lot of work into expanding this into something more far reaching. I appreciate that the weather took an awful turn for the worse and had a devastating effect on the numbers of attendees, and the main stage, resulting in it being closed down. What I don’t appreciate is having already completed two shows this weekend and getting my percussionist, who travelled down from Cambridge, to play, only to find we’d being bumped from the line up an hour before we were due to go on.

I apologise if this sounds like a rant/moan, I’m not usually one to do this, but having invested time in helping promote the festival I find it embarrassing and insulting to not even be allowed to play 2/3 songs in the half hour spaces left between each act. I’m used to festivals changing line ups, cutting set times, moving things around, and that’s fine. However I’m pretty sure that having advertised an act it would have been better to find a way of accommodating the last 3 to 4 acts, even if it was only for half of the original set.

If you went to the Lazy Bishop Festival only to find we were not on I can only apologise.

Lazy Bishop Festival

This Sunday Pete (Cajon) and I will be playing at the new and improved Lazy Bishop Festival! If you're looking for a great priced, fun filled family festival this weekend then this it is! The festival starts tomorrow at the Bishop's Meadow, Farnham with weekend tickets at £30. Line up includes Mungo Jerry, Two Fingers of Firewater and Charley Farley Sunday Four.
We're on the Acoustic Stage at 7pm on Sunday 12th, previewing new tracks and a few old favourites.
Hope to see you there!

Recharged Radio @ The Alt Escape Podcast Online

Hi all,

I've just come back from a great show in Edinburgh, I can't believe it's been so long since I've played in Scotland, and I'll definitely be back very soon! I have the bug again!

One another note, if you missed the wonderful Recharged Radio show at the Great Escape in Brighton a few weeks ago, you can now listen to the show online for free, and if you like it, download it! There are pod casts of all the sets and there are also reviews and links to all of the acts who played!

The link to the page is: http://www.rechargedradio.com/altescape/index.html


Head over, have a listen, spread the word!

A 'Best of the Alt Escape' podcast will also be available very soon.

Anna x

Whistlebinkies, Edinburgh, this Tuesday!

Hi all,

I'll be heading back up to Edinburgh to do a very special show at Whistlebinkies this coming Tuesday, 31st May at 11pm! This will be my first show in Scotland for 5 years, so of course I'm very excited and can't wait to get back up there and play (ash cloud permitting!)! Entry is free with special drinks offers and it looks like a fab night of live music, featuring the Lesley Young Duo from Canada.

More details can be found here: http://www.facebook.com/annanealemusic#!/event.php?eid=106539722769153

....and here: www.whistlebinkies.com

I'll be previweing new materail from the forthcoming album, and from the last album 'Touch' and the 'Handle With Care' ep, can't wait!

Anna x

Videos from the gig at the Roman Baths are now live!

Hi all,
A couple of the videos Tom and I of Tomodo Photography shot of my live gig at the Roman Baths are now up on You Tube and one the video page of the website! They look wonderful in HD. They're a nice preview of what's to come on the new album 'Eunomia'. Have a look and let me know your thoughts!

Fire Fire: http://youtu.be/1y1Gm0wcoUU?hd=1">

All of This (Gone):http://youtu.be/eGDQsRjLjXo?hd=1">

www.youtube.com/annaneale

Anna x

Recharged Radio at The Alternativ​e Escape

This coming Thursday (12th May) I'll be heading down to The Great Escape in Brighton to play as part of Recharged Radio's showcase at the Latest Bar! There are 19 great acts lined up and it's FREE ENTRY!

I'm on at 1.35pm complete with band. The whole event will be aired live on www.rechargedradio.com!

More info is below, if you're in Brighton, make sure you come along!

The line-up is:

Tom Moriarty, 1.00pm - 1.25pm
Anna Neale, 1.35pm - 2.00pm
Jake Morley, 2.10pm - 2.35pm
Brother & Bones, 2.45pm - 3.10pm
Black Circles, 3.20pm - 3.45pm
Model Society, 3.55pm - 4.20pm
The Awe Kids, 4.30pm - 4.55pm
missdavinalee, 5.05pm - 5.30pm
The Dash, 5.40pm - 6.05pm
Three Minute Tease w/ Anton Barbeau, 6.15pm - 6.40pm
The Little Philistines, 6.50pm - 7.15pm
Look, Stranger!, 7.25pm - 7.50pm
The Corner Laughers, 8.00pm - 8.25pm
Tom Copson, 8.35pm - 9.00pm
The Last Dinosaur, 9.10pm - 9.35pm
The Furbelows, 9.55pm - 10.20pm
50Ft Woman, 10.30pm - 10.55pm
Beau & The Arrows, 11.05pm - 11.30pm
The Scratch, 11.40pm - 12.05pm

See you there!

The Latest Music Bar, 14 – 17 Manchester Street, Brighton

Pledge Music is Live!

Hi all,

The Pledge Music Campaign is now officially live! Please do have a look at what's on offer, I'm currently working on a book to compliment the release which will be available exclusively to Pledge Music, as well as videos, studio days and house gigs being up for grabs!
To view the campaign: http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/annaneale



Anna x

STEViE - Anna Neale - Kamla - Lazy Bishops Music Night Triple Bill 27/4/11

Hi everyone,

I'll be playing at the wonderful Lazy Bishop music night in Farnham tomorrow at Cafe Piccolo with Stevie and Kamla from 7.30pm (complete with cough mixture of some sort!!). The gig is featured in this weeks Surrey Advertiser (if you're Surrey/Hampshire based!) and looks like a good one! Entrance is £6 either on the door or you can buy in advance from:

www.lazybishopsfestival.ticketsource.co.uk

Full address is: Caffe Piccolo, 84 West Street, Farnham GU9 7EN

See you there!

x

Another rainy night in Bath.....

Hi all,
Last night Tom (Tomodo) and I completed a set of live music videos at the Great Bath in Bath for the new album. We got some beautiful footage in HD and the acoustics were spectacular. It was wonderful to be able to play as such a lovely (but unusual!) venue, even though it was freezing cold and chucking it down with rain (this was one very cold goddess....)!!
The videos will be appearing on You Tube at some point, some of them will be kept exclusively for the Pledge Music campaign. Again I'd like to thank the staff at the Baths again for being great, and for being very patient at listening to the same song over and over again!
Anna x

Info on the Pledge Music Campaign

Hi everyone,

The Pledge Music Campaign is almost live for the new album 'Eunomia'. You should be able to start having a look at some of the goddies on offer before we recieve permission to go live. 10% of the proceeds will go towards the 'Soprintendenza archeologica di Pompei' who maintain the site for future generations. http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/3192

Anna x

BBC Introducing thanks

Hi all,

Last night went pretty well on the BBC Introducing: The South demo panel. It was nice to have some of the artists/musicians and producers I grew up listening to review our song, they mainly seemed to like 'Control'. I just wanted to thank them and Phil Jackson for their contructive comments, I think we'll 'hit it on the head' with the new album. ;)

If you missed it you can catch the show again here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p001d7kh

Anna x

BBC Introducing demo panel, Sunday April 3rd

Hi all,

Tonight "Control" is being featured as part of the BBC Introducing: The South Demo Panel at approximately 8:10pm.

The panel are made up of industry professionals who review each of the tracks from across Surrey, Sussesx, Hampshire and Dorest. During the panel the track will be featured along with two tracks of a similar sort. All will then be evaluated by the panel.

You can contribute by text and e-mail so listen in and tell me what you think, it's ever so slightly nerve wracking......I shall be listening with a large glass of wine in hand!!

Details of how to listen in are below, Anna x

BBC Introducing: The South
7-9pm Sunday evenings
BBC Sussex and BBC Surrey & BBC Radio Solent
Listen in Brighton on 95.3 FM
Listen in Sussex & Surrey 104-104.8 FM
Listen in Solent & Hampshire on 96.1 FM
Listen in Dorset on 103.8 FM
Listen on-line www.bbc.co.uk/sussex
Listen on-line www.bbc.co.uk/surrey
Listen on-line www.bbc.co.uk/hampshire
Listen on-line www.bbc.co.uk/dorset

Eunomia, Proud & Guilfest

March 2011

Hi everyone, update below!

Proud, Camden Town:

This Monday, 21st March, I'll be showcasing at Proud Stables in Camden, London. Entrance is free if you mention my name and promises to be an excellent night of new music. The night is being run by a company called 'Hot Vox' who showcase up and coming singer/songwriters and band. For more details:

http://www.facebook.com/annanealemusic#!/event.php?eid=169376146440667

Or you can access Hot Vox's website here: http://www.hotvox.co.uk/index.php?option=com_jevents&task=icalrepeat.detail&evid=207&Itemid=8&year=2011&month=03&day=21&uid=daa52ede895b4364a10ed327c35bcc2e



Eunomia:

In February we completed the photoshoot for the new album at the Roman Baths in Bath. We got some stunning shots which we're really proud off, and shall be previewing to the mailing list very soon! Dates for recording have been booked for July and I'll have lots of special exclusive goodies for the Pledge Music Campaign which I'll be launching in April. It's al sounding fantastic so far (and that's just in it's basic acoustic form!) so I'm really excited about this new album! There's a little blog up below about John and mines adventures in Bath!



Guilfest:

I'm very pleased to announce that the band and I will be playing at Guilfest this year on the Friday, 15th July at 8.15pm! We'll be in the middle of recording so it will be the first chance to hear some of the new finished material! We have a set of discounted tickets available for anyone who would like to go and save some money!

www.guilfest.co.uk

That's all for now, I'll be setting up a Flickr page just for the mailing list and Pledge Music so you can view our travels and progress through our photos, I have some great behind the scenes photos from the Bath photoshoot,

Anna x

Discounted Guilfest Tickets

Hi all,

As we're playing at Guilfest this year on the Friday 15th July, we've been offered a limited number of discounted tickets for the festival. Every little helps in these testing times, and as an added bonus you also avoid paying the extra £4.50 booking fee by buying them stright from us!


Here's a list of ticket prices, including your discounted price:


Adult Weekend with Camping Full-£120 Discount-£110

Adult Weekend Full-£110 Discount-£100

Adult Friday Full-£44 Discount-£39

Adult Saturday Full-£49 Discount-£44

Adult Sunday Full-£49 Discount-£44

Under 16 Weekend with camping Full-£70 Discount-£65

Under 16 Weekend Full-£60 Discount-£55

Under 16 Friday Full-£34 Discount-£30

Under 16 Saturday Full-£34 Discount-£30

Under 16 Sunday Full-£34 Discount-£30

Campervan Full-£60 No discount


Let me know if any of you would like tickets. The festival is on between the 15th - 17th July. So far the headline acts are confirmed as Razorlight and James Blunt.

Should be a good, especially if the sun is shinning on us again this year! :)

Anna x

Guilfest 2011

Hi everyone
The band and I have been confirmed for Guilfest 2011! We will be playing on the Acoustic Stage, Friday 15th July at 8.15pm. I will have some amazing discounted day and weekend tickets in the next couple of weeks for anyone who would like to go! Drop me a line! x

Splashing about - Photoshoot in Bath

We had a fabulous shoot at the Roman Baths yesterday in Bath. The staff who supervised us (Vicky & Barbra, I should also say a special thank you the lady who looked after us after the shoot and lent me her coat!!) were fantastic and let us stretch our artistic wings to the limit! All being well we should have some stunning photos for you all! I have to say it was very surreal and quite humbling walking around the Roman complex in full Roman dress by myself, in the dark, with steam swirling all around! There was a video being played on one of the walls of actors in Roman 'towels' splashing around which did slightly unnerve me at one point before I realised what it was!! Anyhow, I've included a couple of pictures of the Bath that I took while we were packing up so you can get an idea of what it was like, it was very ethereal!!
Anna x

Photoshoot tomorrow at the Roman Baths

Tomorrow we'll be doing the photo shoot for the new album at the Roman Baths! It's all very exciting and, providing the rain can hold off, promises to be a stunning shoot. If any of you are about, you might just catch Flora (or Primavera, the goddess of Spring) roaming the streets of Woking, Bath or the M4 corridor!
Anna x

New photos from Tomodo & Live Night of the Artisans Podcast

Hi everyone,

I've had a fabulous couple of shows in Cambridge for Night of the Artisans and at the lovely Fahrenheit 55 in Guildford.

The Cambridge NOTA show was broadcast on Recharged Radio live for the first time! If you missed it you will be able to download the podcast soon and listen to some wonderful music featuring myself, Tom Copson, Jespa and Josh Bray. It was a great night of live music and one of the best gigs I've been to for a while! You can subscribe to the Night of the Artisans podcasts for free here: http://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/night-the-artisans-radio-hour/id355166274

Last night I headlined at Fahrenheit 55 in Guildford previewing some new material from the forthcoming album. Tomodo was there taking some photos which you can see here:http://tomodo.net/livemusic/f55-anna/

Thanks to everyone who came down, the next show will be in Andover supporting Dave Mcphearson from InMe on the 26th February.

Anna x

New album update

Hi everyone,

I thought I'd let you know what's happening this year in terms of the new album!Despite being a little quiet online I've been very busy behind the scenes co-ordinating things. I have a great batch of new songs and am still writing. It's turning out to be a very interesting collection of songs and quite an ambitious project!

As you know the album is based on 'Roman antiquity for the modern world', and is inspired and set in and around the Pompeii area. That's not to say this will be an historical album as such, more that I'm taking the lives and examples from 2000 years ago and comparing them to us now (with a bit of artistic license!). In 2000 years not much has changed! We all still have the same hopes and fears, the same questions, and experience love in similar ways. Of course there will be songs on other themes such as experiences and the usual 'boy meets girl' just to break things up (or as one friend put it " "boy meets girl...volcano erupts over them...found 2000 years later in a final embrace"). ;) I'll be previewing new songs at various shows I have coming up and on my Justin TV channel.

In February I have a photo shoot at the wonderful Roman Baths in Bath (the budget wouldn't quite stretch to southern Italy!), Bath & Somerset council have been wonderful in allowing us to use this location. I'm currently having the dress made for me to re-create an image found at Stabia. So far it's all looking really good and as you know I love dressing up in period costume (Bad Romance......what have I started??!!)!!

I'll also be launching a Pledge Music campaign in February to help with recording costs. As you know recording an album can be pretty expensive and I'd really like to have you all involved and to be part of it. They'll be exclusive footage, blogs, scrapbooks, photos, gig opportunities, and various other goodies on offer. It will also be a chance for you to 'own' part of the album and see your name in print!

More details to follow, time for a cup of tea now!

Anna x

Proud, Camden 21/3/11

Hi everyone,

I have a couple of big shows coming up in 2011, one of which is a gig at the wonderful Proud Galleries in London.

Proud is a fab and very unusual venue (it used to be a hospital of some description, can't escape them!!), with three stages showcasing various different acts. I'll be performing at 'The Stables' (which really is a stable) acoustically with some other brilliant names and my new toy, the stomp box. The best bit is it's free entrance if you mention my name!

If you'd like some more info you can add yourself here for updates:


http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=169376146440667&num_event_invites=0

Anna x

Myro - The Smallest Plane in the World!

Back in August, just after the big op, I recorded some vocals for a brand new children's series called 'Myro', a new series of picture books for children aged 3+.

I've just recieved the books and the CD and I have to say it's absolutely stunning and something I'm very proud of being involved with! If any of you have children (or are just a big kid yourselves) I urge you to have a look at the web site here:

www.myro.com


Happy New Year!
Anna x