New Music: interview with Annie Dressner
January 23, 2012
I naturally gravitate towards acoustic rock, so when I heard Annie Dressner's debut album Strangers who knew each other's names, I felt happy. Her quirky style and what I call "a smile in the voice" are just like a good honest talk with a friend. Perhaps, it is this conversational nature of her lyrics that goes so well with the back to basics folk rock. You can hear loneliness and vulnerability in her music which evokes a little bit of Joni Mitchell. Her voice also reminded me of Mazzy Star. I hear optimism in her music, a light at the end of the tunnel. Annie Dressner wrote the eleven original songs on this new album, and she admits they are autobiographical. Read my exclusive interview with this talented singer-songwriter below.
When did you write your first song? Please describe the experience.
The first song I wrote was when I was studying theatre at RADA in London for the summer between high school and college. I really missed one of my friends - a boy who I really did care for. I had never really told him in so many words, and I guess a song came out. As I had only been playing guitar for about a month at that point (I taught myself for the two weeks following high school graduation on a tiny guitar that had been in my house for most of my life), I wanted to impress myself and others with all that I had learned. So yeah - I basically told a boy I liked him over very many chords that may or may not have gone very well together. I do have the song written down in a notebook - who knows -- maybe it will emerge again.
What made you want to become a singer-songwriter?
To be honest, it never occurred to me that this was an option. Singing is and has always been my passion. I wanted to be an actor for my entire childhood and up until I was about 20. Music makes me happy and helps me deal with life in many ways. I kept writing songs (maybe one a year) for some years for myself. I did not share these with others. One day I was feeling brave and shared some songs with a friend. I only got through parts of them and got very shy about it. My friend told me that I should either not do it at all or take myself seriously. I guess I decided to take myself seriously and go for it full-force. (Thank you, friend!)
What was it like working on your album Strangers Who Knew Each Other's Names? Did it take time or did you write it all at once?
Strangers Who Knew Each Other's Names happened when I felt I had enough strong songs to make an album. I did not decide to make an album and then write the songs. All but two of the songs were written before the recording process began. They were also newer songs, written within a year of when I started to record. It took about ten months to record and I would say the whole thing took about a year from start to printing the record. I had fun!
What is the most personal song on your new album?
I don't really know how to answer this question, as my songs are all personal. I don't tend to write about made up situations, so they are all autobiographical. I think that the most vulnerable song on the album is How Am I Supposed To Be?
What are your biggest musical influences?
This question always confuses me, as I don't think of my "influences" when I write. I can tell you that I have probably spent more time listening to the following artists than others throughout my life: Simon & Garfunkel, Carly Simon, various show tunes, an array of jazz, Belle & Sebastian, Foo Fighters & Billy Joel.
What was the first and last record you bought?
The first tape I ever got was Billy Joel's "We Didn't Start The Fire" -- it was a present from my mother on my sixth birthday... it also came with my Walkman (which I still own). I think the last record that I bought was ..... um..... I cannot remember.
What's on your play list now?
Always Belle & Sebastian.
Which sounds more appealing: studio, concert or a small cafe/bar?
To perform in or watch? As I am in a cafe and I need coffee right now - I'll go with the later.
As far as the venue, I just like having an audience that I can reach, whatever the venue is. What I want to do is reach people - so if I can do it in a cafe, that is awesome. If I an do it on a stage, that is great too!
Are you interested in any collaborations? Who would you work with?
Absolutely - if it is with the right folks.
For example?
I'd like to play with Belle & Sebastian and Simon & Garfunkle.
Are you interested in writing songs for others? Whom would you write for?
Again, this is something I have not thought of. I guess I would write for someone who commissioned me, although to be honest, I think I get very close to my songs and would probably not love someone else's name going on my work.
How is life and music work different in London vs. New York?
I can't tell quite yet. I have been playing a lot in the past few weeks - but I have not been here long enough to compare.
What's next for you?
Hopefully a lot more playing, some tours and new songs. I wrote two last week! I guess when there are more, another record.
Learn more about Annie Dressner on her website, www.AnnieDressner.com and listen to her music at AnnieDressner.Bandcamp.com. Follow Annie on Facebook (Facebook.com/AnnieMakesMusic) to learn about her latest shows and more.
