This will be my home

...my new home on the world-wide web. I'm really excited to have this new site up and running. It allows me a lot more control and I can give you updates & media as I go with ease. Please don't hesitate to let me know if there's anything I can do to make this site even better. 

In other news...

I've begun recording my 2nd album with the wonderful Frank Hoier at his studio in Red Hook, Brooklyn. It's been almost two years since my last record and I couldn't be more ready to have the next one under way. We're recording on a reel-to-reel (as oppose to digital, giving it a more warm & natural sound) and we're producing a more pared down version of my music. A lot of you have asked me for a recording more similar to how I perform live and I am very much in a place where I would love to give you just that! I hope for these recordings to be minimalist, yet intriguing with hints of cello, electric bass, trumpet, slide guitar and harmonies throughout. I don't yet have a release date for you, but it's looking like it may be April. I'll keep you posted.

In March I'll be heading to Europe again on tour with touring buddy, Alexa Woodward. I'll be playing France, Belgium, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. Dates are almost all booked (!), so stay tuned for the official tour schedule coming soon. 

In a few weeks I'll be heading down to Memphis for the International Folk Alliance Conference. I have a few shows booked on the way down and a number of showcases booked while there. If you're attending, please be sure to stop by one!

Sun 2/13 - House Concert in Richmond, VA

Mon 2/14 - Valentine's Day House Concert in Knoxville, TN

Folk Alliance Showcases in Memphis, TN-

Wed 2/16

• Constant Clip Records Presents, 10:30PM - 12:00AM, Room # tba

In the round w/ Elam Blackman, J Wagner & Annie Crane

Thurs 2/17

• Andrew Pressman on the BASS Presents, 11:00 - 11:25PM, Room # tba

In the round w/ Annie Crane, Elam Blackman & Alexa Woodard

Fri 2/18

• Constant Clip Records Presents - “Burning Heart: Songs for the Gulf”, 2:00 - 4:00PM, Room # tba

In the round w/ Hunter Paye, Raina Rose, Annie Crane, J Wagner, Alexa Woodward & Elam Blackman (artists featured on the Burning Heart compilation CD)

• Constant Clip Records Presents, 12:00 - 12:25AM, Room # tba

Song share with Annie Crane & Shanon Wurst

• James Moors Presents, 2:30 - 2:45AM, Room #1916

Annie Crane solo

Sat 2/19

• Wine & Nut Records Presents, 2:00 - 2:30PM, Room #1910

Annie Crane solo

• Constant Clip Records Presents, 1:30 - 1:45AM, Room # tba

In the round w/ Annie Crane, Gabrielle Papillon & Alexa Woodward

Thank you for visiting my new home! 

Please, make it your own and take a look around.

Thank you Canada and the Northeast

Thanks to everyone who came out to my shows in NY, MA, ME, QC & ON in November! You are all amazing. Here are some pictures from the road. To view the whole album, go HERE. Enjoy!

ALSO, I thought I had accidentally canceled my YouTube account, But No! It is still alive. I’ve uploaded a bunch of videos from recent tours. Go HERE to watch “Copenhagen Heart” performed in Peterborough, Canada (Alexa, Erin Lang, Mona Varichon and I had fun making some low-fi, home-spun videos). Also recently uploaded to YouTube: “Looking Out” performed at the Sofa Session Concert Series in Berlin Germany and a slew of new songs performed on WDVX’s “Blue Plate Special” Live Radio show in Knoxville USA this past October.

FINALLY, I am currently trying to figure out how to better my web presence. I’ll be changing things around in the upcoming weeks. I hope to make it easier for you to find show schedules, videos, press, and other media!

I Love You All and thanks as always for your support.

Annie.

Montreal, QC

w/ Erin Lang and her foundling, Mona Varichon

bought these sweet coats in Toronto's Kensington Market

playing my hometown, Rochester, NY

somewhere dramatic in upstate NY

NE USA / Eastern Canada Tour

November 11 – 22, 2010

with Alexa Woodward

Thursday 11/11 @ Banjo Jim’s; Tour Kick-off Show “GIMME INDIE FOLK” w/ Jordan Levinson, The Bowmans, Hunter Paye & Frank Hoier – Free! 

700 East 9th Street,

 NYC

Friday 11/12, 13 & 14 @ The Northeast Regional Folk Alliance Conference

Sunday 11/14 @ The Burren Sunday Night Music Series – 8:00pm

The Burren Music Pub

247 Elm St.

Somerville, MA

Monday 11/15 @ The Newcastle Publick House – 6:30pm

Newcastle Publick

52 Main St.

Newcastle, ME

Tuesday 11/16 @ Cafe Campus w/ Gabrielle Papllion – 8:00pm – $10 / $8 student

Café Campus

57 Prince Arthur Est

Montréal, QC H2X 1B4

LIVE RADIO Performance & Interview on Trent Radio, CFFF 92.7 FM – 6:00pm – www.trentu.ca/org/trentradio

Peterborough, ON

Wednesday 11/17 @ The Spill w/ Erin Lang & The Foundlings – 8:00pm – Suggested donation of $5

414 George Street North

Peterborough, ON K9H 3R4

Thursday 11/18 @ The Sleeping Goat w/ Erin Lang & The Foundlings – 8:00pm

The Sleeping Goat

91 Princess St

Kingston ON, K7L 1A6

LIVE RADIO Performance & Interview on “Univers Folk” w/ host Mama Jo, CHOQ FM – 3:30pm – www.choq.fm/universfolk.html

Montreal, QC

Friday 11/19 @ Centre St. Ambroise w/ Erin Lang & The Foundlings & Fraser Gielen – 8:00pm – $10

Centre St. Ambroise at McAuslan Brewing

5080 St-Ambroise

Montréal, QC H4C 2G1

Saturday 11/20 @ The Cameron House – 10:30pm – $10

The Cameron House

408 Queen St West

Toronto, ON M5V 2A7

Sunday 11/21 @ The Pearl Company – 8:00pm – $15 / $10 student

The Pearl Company Arts Centre

16 Steven Street

Hamilton, ON L8L 5N2

Monday 11/22 @ Boulder Coffee Co. – 8:00pm – Suggested donation of $5

Boulder Coffee Co. Music Club & Cafe

100 Alexander Street

Rochester, NY 14620

LIVE RADIO Performance & Interview on “Open Tunings” w/ host Scott Regan, WRUR 88.5 FM – 11:00am - www.wxxi.org/radio/wrur/ot

Rochester, NY

Rave Review in XRoads Magazine, France

I had a really wonderful review in France’s XRoads Magazine and thanks to my older sister, we have a lovely translation of it (below)! Here are a few clips from the review.

“…one of the most pure talents from the real New York scene”.

“Ten catchy and melodic songs, whose text speak of life, that deal with places or persons, a voice original and melodious, there is nothing to fault with one of the most engaging records of the moment”.

Anne Crane

Through the Farmlands & The Cities

New urban folk has arrived

This New York native has always carried within her stories of immigrant grandparents, of cold and ice in February, flowers that grow on the summits of northern hills, loves and losses, from Toronto to Brooklyn. Add to this the influence of traditional Ireland ballads, of records by Paul Simon or contemporary pop music and you will get one of the most pure talents from the real New York scene. From 13 years of age, she was passionate for classic folk of the 1960s and, after classical vocal training, this is close to the genre that she comes back to, without forgetting to modernise when she begins to compose. Given this, it is not surprising that we dream of Judy Collins (for the voice) or Joni Mitchell (for the quality of compositions) when we listen to Annie sing. Named after the self-produced album, Through the Farmlands and the Cities is the first “long-playing” (?) of this young lady who will come to perform in France (Dijon and Paris) in April. Ten catchy and melodic songs, whose text speak of life, that deal with places or persons, a voice original and melodious, there is nothing to fault with one of the most engaging records of the moment. It is an enchanting walk in various places: “Seneca Falls”, “Pennsylvania”, “Southern Town”; it is also a meeting with people we get the impression we know: “Our Families”, “Song for Dolly”, “Martha & Richard”. The accompaniment is minimal, resting essentially with an acoustic guitar or a piano, with sometimes a violin (like in the two last titles cited) which just underline the richness of the compositions. The record concludes with the traditional “Foggy Dew”, sung a cappella, which leaves you wanting more. - written by Sam Pierre

(originally posted on old website on May 5, 2010)

Tour Kick Off Show! Nov. 11th

I’ll be heading out on tour again in a few weeks, this time to Northeastern USA & Eastern Canada with touring buddy, Alexa Woodward. I’ve set up an amazing night at Banjo Jim’s in Manhattan as a tour kick off bonanza! The line-up is stellar, the cost is free & the beer is good.

Thursday, Nov. 11th, GIMMIE INDIE FOLK! @ Banjo Jim’s, 700 East 9th St @ Ave. C, NYC, Free. 7pm Jordan Levinson, 8pm The Bowmans, 9pm Hunter Paye, 10pm Annie Crane, 11pm Frank Hoier

(originally posted on old website on October 27, 2010)

Review in the Collegiate Times, Blacksburg VA

Annie Crane to play last show of tour in Blacksburg

Monday, October, 4, 2010

by Mika Maloney, features reporter

Singer and songwriter Annie Crane has been rocking the international stage since the release of her debut album “Through Farmlands & the Cities.”

She combines her Americana and Indie folk blend for a sweet southern flavor that is reminiscent of Gillian Welch or Lucinda Williams.

The Collegiate Times spoke with Crane in anticipation of her upcoming show at Gillie’s Saturday, Oct. 9, at 7 p.m., which will be her last stop on her southeastern tour.

COLLEGIATE TIMES: You have been credited with refashioning folk music in a modernist and urbane guise, can you elaborate on this to describe your sound?

ANNIE CRANE: When you say to someone you’re a folk musician, they often think of the 1960s, which does influence me. I’m very influenced by Joni Mitchell; Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, but also by music from my own generation, which really plays a role in how my sound comes out.

I’m influenced by live music in New York. A lot of my friends are musicians, and I wouldn’t be where I am now if I didn’t live in New York.

CT: You have toured extensively and internationally since the 2008 debut of your album “Through the Farmlands & the Cities.” What is your favorite place you have played?

CRANE: My favorite place was in France in this little town (called) Bescom. I played a show there in April. It wasn’t the biggest venue ever, but it was in this really old medieval French village in the southeast of France. The scenery was breathtaking and the people who ran the venue were so great.

CT: You have shared the stage with some of folk music’s biggest legends, such as Emmylou Harris. What was your experience playing alongside some of the industry’s biggest names?

CRANE: It was awesome. I was so excited. I remember being really giddy, but I really wanted to make a point of enjoying every minute and drinking it all in, because who knows when you (will) get a chance to do that again.

Looking back on it, I’m surprised I wasn’t more nervous. I was just really happy to be there.

CT: As a writer and a musician, where do you find inspiration for both your lyrics and your sound?

CRANE: For my lyrics, the environment around me. In (New York) City it comes from the architecture, the mood of the day, the weather, people’s stories and interpersonal relationships.

For sound, going out and hearing live music is the biggest inspiration. There’s something about live performances.

CT: What are your hopes for the future of your music?

CRANE: To be able to keep doing it. Hopefully, for what I do now, to grow and more people to get interested. To do it in a way that always makes me feel good and allows me to have a happy balance in life.

October Tour: PA, WV, VA, DC, NC & TN

– Help make every show a success! –

Share these dates with all your family & friends who live in or near these towns. I’d love to see them, and you!, at a show.

TOUR DATES:

Thurs. 09/30: Bryn Mawr, PA, MILKBOY ACOUSTIC STAGE, 7:30pm (824 W. Lancaster Ave., www.milkboycoffee.com)

Fri. 10/1: Thomas, WV, THE PURPLE FIDDLE w/ Enter the Haggis, 8pm (21 East Ave., www.purplefiddle.com)

Sun. 10/3: Arington, VA, IOTA CLUB & CAFE w/ Gillian Grassie & Pygmylush, 8pm (2832 Wilson Blvd., www.iotaclubandcafe.com)

Mon. 10/4: Black Mountain, NC, THE TOWN PUMP, 8:30pm (135 Cherry St., www.myspace.com/townpumptavernnc)

Wed. 10/6: Johnson City, TN, THE ACOUSTIC COFFEE HOUSE, 8pm (415 W. Walnut St., www.acousticcoffeehouse.net)

Thurs. 10/7: Knoxville, TN, WDVX “BLUE PLATE SPECIAL”, Radio, Noon (Knoxville Visitor Center, Gay St./Summit Hill Ave., www.wdvx.com)

Fri. 10/8: Knoxville, TN, THE BIRDHOUSE w/ Elam Blackman, 8pm (800 N. 4th Ave., www.knoxvillebirdhouse.com)

Sat. 10/9: Blacksburg, VA, GILLIE’S LATE NIGHT, 7:30pm (153 College Ave., www.gilliesrestaurant.net)


(originally posted on old website on Sept 28, 2010)

BusyLizzy

It’s been a busy summer of tour planning, song writing, NYC show playing, and becoming wed to my honey! There’s lots coming up in the fall so please stay tuned for updates regarding…

Benefit Compilation for the Gulf Oil Spill, “Burning Heart”. My label Constant Clip Records is releasing a benefit CD on which a song I wrote about the oil spill will be featured. All proceeds will go to Zion Travelers Cooperative Center in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. Please go to their website and read about what they’ve done for their community beginning in 2005 with Hurricane Katrina and continuing during the devastation of the recent Oil Spill. In order to help ZTCC, please help us make this compilation possible! We’re currently trying raise funds for CD production and duplication. Click DONATE to help out.

TOUR Southeastern US: September 29 – October 10. I’ll be traveling through the southeastern corridor once again and am excited to hit some tried and true cities as well as a whole bunch of new ones. I’ll be sharing the bill in Thomas, WV with Toronto’s Celtic band Enter the Haggis, in Knoxville with Elam Blackman, and many more. So check in again in a few weeks for the full tour schedule.

Northeast Regional Folk Alliance Conference: November 12, 13 & 14. I’ll be attending NERFA for the first time this year. I’m excited to see what it’s all about, meet some new people, see my friends The Good Lovelies perform in a featured showcase and play two showcases myself over the course of the weekend.

TOUR Northeastern US / Eastern Canada: November 14 – November 23. I’m touring again with the lovely and talented Alexa Woodward. Things went so well this past spring in Europe that we figured we do it again state side. This will also be my first time touring Canada and, as a Canadian citizen and former long-time resident of Toronto, ON, I’m ecstatic. I’ll have the full sched up in a month or so.


(originally posted on old website on Sept 8, 2010)

Annie Crane joins Constant Clip Records

I am thrilled to announce that I have recently joined Knoxville, TN based record label, Constant Clip Records, home to many other outstanding songwriters from across the USA. I can’t wait to see this relationship evolve!

Go to: www.constantclip.com 


(originally posted on old website on June 14, 2010)

Pics from Europe

Go HERE to see more pics from my April 2010 European Tour. Here are few. Thanks to all who helped us out along the way, who came to the shows and made us smile, and to the volcano Eyjafjallajokull who kept us in Europe for a few extra days!

(originally posted on old website on April 25, 2010)