Tell us about yourself and your music
I’m Anne of the Wolves from Melbourne, Australia and with my band, we have just released our first full-length album: Triffids & Trees.
Http://anneofthewolves.bandcamp.com/album/triffids-trees
This was produced via Indie-Go-Go with help from some generous pledgers who helped us raise over $4000!
Together with my band of wonderful musicians, we have created a sound we are calling melodramatic gypsy-folk jazz-noir, using piano, clarinet, double-bass, drums and violin.
Talk to us more about your latest release
“Triffids And Trees” is one big musical story of the many emotional paths traveled through these last few years of my struggle – a particularly rough time when a nearly decade long relationship was failing.
The hopeful highs and absolutely crushing lows, the trauma that I’m still battling to this day, can all be heard expressed in this album. Yet, it’s not all dark and depressing! Some of the songs are quite uplifting and downright fun! The gypsy-honky-tonk number, “Louisiana Swamp Stomp” says to get moving and just be yourself and to hell with those who want to quash your spirit! And the acoustic pop number, “Over & Done With” is the feeling of sheer relief that comes after the end of an anxious or depressive period.
I am very proud of this album.
What inspired you to write this release?
Triffids & Trees is about living with mental illness, the impact it can have on relationships, and how life changes and experiences can have a more devastating impact upon sufferers.
I have suffered anxiety and depression since I was 14 years old and have been bullied a lot. Writing songs on the piano became my way of expressing the overwhelming sadness, livid black anger or intense illogical fear that can come without warning to anyone struggling with anxiety or living with depression.
Writing this album really helped me to cope with mine and I’m hoping maybe it can help others going through the same thing. So many of us are suffering from mental health issues these days.
Any plans to release a video?
Yes, video planning is now underway. In the meantime you can catch a fan’s sneaky video of a live gig here:
Any plans to hit the road?
Unfortunately, some ongoing vocal problems means this will have to wait. However, we luckily recorded the band’s lastest gig, which you can listen to here:
https://anneofthewolves.bandcamp.com/album/live-at-the-cherry-bar
As an indie artist, how do you brand yourself and your music to stand out from the rest of the artists out there?
Versatility. A lot of artists fall into the trap of their songs sounding the same. There are multiple facets encompassed by our music. Individual songs can be enjoyed alone, but it’s the sum of the many genres, linked together by that underlying melancholia, which makes us unique. It also makes us widely accessible.
Who have you been listening to lately?
I sing backing vocals for two bands, so have been listening to them a lot to go over parts:-
Damian Cowell’s Disco Machine is ex-TISM frontman, Damian Cowell’s satirical dance attack www.damiancowell.com ; and Rich Davies and the Low Road is Bruce Springsteen meets The Pogues www.richdaviesmusic.com.
Polar opposite music, both bands are the biggest fun to be in – and watch! – check these guys out – you will not be disappointed.
Tell us about your passions
Comedy, cats and crime. I write jingles and radio plays. I watch true crime documentaries, fantasise about operating a cat shelter and try to win the heart of my utter bastard of a cat, Winston. He seems to be coming around.
What else is happening next in your world?
Unfortunately, my voice gave out last year from illness, overuse and stress. I will be working with a speech therapist, getting the voice back to it’s full potential.
Luckily, I’m able to gently sing backing vocals for Damian and Rich, but I can’t handle full sets of solo singing. That’s put a pause on performing as Anne of the Wolves for awhile.
Losing my voice was devastating and I felt myself going down into that darkness again which is difficult sometimes to handle, but through releasing Triffids & Trees, I’ve realised that if something so beautiful can come out of depression, then I can and WILL keep living with it. And gladly! And use it as an opportunity (not a burden) to create more beauty in the future. As my Grandma Chapman says, “Buck up, and don’t let the bastards get you down.”
She’s a wise one, my Gran.
Thanks for an awesome interview, Bek!
Connect with Anne of the Wolves
Website: http://www.anneofthewolves.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anneofthewolves
YouTube: http://www.anneofthewolves.com/youtube.html
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/anneofthewolves
Reverbnation: https://www.reverbnation.com/anneofthewolves
