Performs solo, or in duo (upright bass/piano) or trio (upright bass/piano/drums). In Australia as duo with drummer. Also collaboration with singer/songwriter Matt Epp.
Full band (drums, bass, guitar, piano organ/synth, BGs vocals) available upon request. Tour/show formation depends on venue offers, budgets, and tour routing.
Influences
Reviewers and audiences have compared me to a hellova lot of people: Immogen Heap, Katie Melua, Sarah Blasco, Kate Bush, Regina Spektor, Sarah Slean, Damien Rice, Fiona Apple, Sufjan Stevens, Joni Mitchell, the list goes on, and quite obviously has a lot of variety in it! It's possible I am psychophrenic (and a bad speller). Really it is much better to LISTEN to the music rather than describe, compare, or do that "so and so meets so and so and had a lovechild" blah blah thing.... It's right here, on Myspace!!! Make your own assessment and let me know.
My childhood influences were '70s songwriters such as Paul Simon, Cat Stevens, and Gordon Lightfoot, because I wasn't allowed to listen to commercial radio, or watch TV, and only had my parents' record collections to listen to. My current favorites are (in no particular order): Jeff Buckley, Beck, Sigur Ros, Patrick Watson, Goldfrapp, Royal Wood, Alternate Routes, Coldplay, Radiohead, Sarah Slean, Nina Simone, Ida Maria, Martin Sexton, Wilco, Leonard Cohen, Athlete, Scissor Sisters, Tom Waits, Sufjan Stevens, Simon and Garfunkel, Arcade Fire, Kris Kristofferson, Josh Ritter, Bob Dylan, Bill Evans, Jakob Dylan, Morcheeba, Amos Tobin, Queen, Bob Dylan, and lots and lots and lots of other people. My favorite singers are: Aretha Frankin, Martin Sexton, Michael Jackson (pre nineties and esp in Jackson 5 era), Miriam Mekeba, Otis Redding, Freddie Mercury, George Michael, and Billie Holiday. Don't even get me started about my favorite lyricists...
Press quotes:
"Edmonton's own piano pop laureate of emotional conflict, [Ann Vriend delivers] a lean, literate black and blue Tapestry for a new generation."
--Ottawa Express
"Ann Vriend sings with the heart-stopping intensity of Aretha Franklin, plays piano with the ease of Norah Jones and writes songs as powerful in their simplicity as those of Paul Simon and Leonard Cohen."
--Elle Magazine
Photos of Ann Vriend in the background and in the profile pic are taken from a video directed by Steve Ashworth and shot by Brett Manaluck, used with permission.
New Live Album, "Closer Encounters", now available by clicking HERE. Buy directly from AV and receive a personalized signed copy, option to buy with signed poster too!!
VISIT THESE LINKS TO BUY ANN'S CDs or MP3s ON CD BABY
WHEN WE WERE SPIES
Featuring "Hallowe'en", "St. Paul", and "(If We Are Not) Spies"
MODES OF TRANSPORT
Featuring "Feelin' Fine", "Backseat Driver", and "Where My Heart Lies"
SOUL UNRAVELLING
Featuring "Waterfront", "The Only Girl Living In New York", and "Still Life 7"
Ann Vriend: Piano Folk/Pop Songstress
“With her soaring vocals, impressive song-writing ability, and instrumental prowess, Vriend is truly an all-in-one package." --Obscure Sound
Ann Vriend (pronounced Vreend) was born in Vancouver, BC. When her parents discovered their 3-year-old could play nursery songs on a Fisher Price xylophone, they encouraged her musical development by enrolling her in violin lessons. At the age of nine, when Vriend sought to accompany herself as a songwriter, she took piano lessons from an elderly woman down the street who charged $5 per visit. In high school, Vriend reluctantly performed 3 of her compositions (meant to be sung by friend instead of her) at a talent show. Accolades from her fellow students evolved into various projects with older students in bands, and eventually into praise from critics, the media, and fans around the world.
Vriend's vulnerable yet exquisite voice is often the first thing that turns heads; it has been described as an enchanting cross between Dolly Parton and a young Aretha Franklin. Vriend's songs maintain a natural knack for melody, garnering her local hits on both independent and commercial radio.
From composition to composition Vriend’s genre varies between indie folk, college pop, and jazz influenced numbers, yet she maintains a consistency of sound in her immediately recognizable vocal and lyrical approach. Vriend’s quirkiness and self-taught piano stylings draw comparisons to Regina Spektor, Kate Bush, and Katie Melua, but, to quote Drum Media (Australia):
"When it comes to women with pianos, there are endless comparisons to make, but Vriend stands out from the crowd."
Vriend's story-like but often enigmatic lyrics reveal her lauded literary depth; her stage presence, balanced perfectly between breathtaking, heartbreaking songs and charming, witty humor, make for a wholly engaging show, resulting in over 10,000 album sales to date as an independent artist, sold almost entirely from off the stage. It is common for people to cry during her performances. (And laugh!).
Ann Vriend tours regularly in Europe, Australia, and across North America. She has headlined at international festivals, her music has been featured in a television show DVD release, and she was commissioned to write a song for the 2006 Commonwealth Games. She is as comfortable performing in the humble setting of a house concert as she is on stage at famous venues, and is a fine collaborator and innovator, appearing on many albums as a guest of her own singer-songwriter peers.
Known in her current hometown province of Alberta (Canada) as the"piano-pop laureate of emotional conflict," Vriend continues to make loyal fans wherever she goes. David Ritz, author of many biographies (Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye) writes:
"Once every generation... a singer-songwriter emerges with the creative fire to set the music world ablaze. Ann Vriend has the fire."
Now, with the release of her upcoming live album Closer Encounters (recorded at live performances around the world from 2008 –2009), Ann Vriend's music is soaring into more and more concert halls, airwaves, eardrums, and hearts.
Ann Vriend - On Your Street - Live at Café Martini in Holland
Grime Studios video for (If We Are Not) Spies (released May 22, 2008):
TV video for "Backseat Driver", filmed in Sydney, AU on the "Mornings With Keri Anne" show:
Ann performing "St. Paul" .. TV, promoting "Homefest" (fundraiser for Edmonton's homeless crisis):
Bio:
For more bio info please visit http://www.annvriend.com.
We are glad to inform you that the new "Life's Decay - Dysrieuses" album has just been released ! You can listen to 3 mp3 from this release on our myspace page. You can visit www.lifesdecay.com for more info and/or order the album at www.abstraktsens.com
We hope that you will appreciate the new release ! Thank you for reading and for your support ! All the best.
Just wanted to say Ann, that the CD Release concert was totally awesome at Festival Place, and that your voice and Matt's blended really well...thanks for asking me to be a myspace friend otherwise I'd never have had the opportunity to have see you. PS from one Edmontonian to another, yes the Oiler's Rock...keep the dream alive. David
Entries are now open for the 2010 Angry Film Festival Entries are now open for the 2010 Angry Film Festival.
For more details go to www.angryproductions.org and download an entry form. There is an early bird deadline until the end of November 2009 for all Australian entries of $15. After November it will go up to $25. The only criteria is that films must be under 15 minutes.
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 162 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): TEES TO TYNE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS - SUMMER 2001
Where traditions are not so rare; Sea, country and works scent the air; A multitude of monuments, Planted tubs and patterned pavements.
The longish pedestrian malls; The remnants of defensive walls; Historic buildings are a gauge Of the respect for heritage.
Wheat, rape and pines in the fields; Estuaries guarded by shields; Long sandy beaches and wide scenes; Romantic-ruin go-betweens.
Rivers in parts licked by trees, Or fringed by boat clubs, wharfs, gantries, And crossed by practical delights - Varied spans, forming pleasing sights.
Fine churches headed at Durham; Football kits ad infinitum; Kept castles - one for study; Masonry behind masonry.
And, with moulding-works out that way, It’s somewhere for a longer stay..?
Hi Ann,how are you champ? i have been listening to your sweet heartwarming music and really makes you feel all warm inside and happy.I would love to know if you will be getting down to Western Australia to perform,it is lovelyy here in the summer and you would get a good following over here in the land down under.How are all the family and friends going? I hope all are well and i send my warmest wishes to you all.Have a lovelyy weekend and have a happy halloween and hope u get some lollies.Have a goood one champ all the best from your aussie pal geoff :)
Darn...missed you Sunday in Toronto. I need to check here more often. I was sitting home twiddling my thumbs. If only I had known...well, next time. I loved your show when I saw you once at Mitzi's Sister. Now I keep missing you!
Hi Ann how are you?What have you been up to?Its sooo nice to have you as my freind & someone who lives in the same city lol....can you please tell me about yourself Please?...Hugsss...Come by my Page & Check out my drawings & Pics your most wellcome ok byeeee....
Ann Why no dates in Grande Prairie AB? Be great to see you again. Its been close to a year since we met in Nashville. Glad to see things are going great for you! Take care Porter
Hi! new friend Thanks for the add plz check out my vids and tell your friends to add earnis! Sleep & fast to stay healthy & young, read & run, get fun, live open-minded...
have a great week….
EARNIS! pop rock soul rnb groove&dance, jazz, Motown, raggae…
I love your 'baroque pop music'. And I'd love to hit up a show. I'll keep watching for dates... I just wish I knew about the show you were presenting today.
Thanks for the request, Blaspheme
PS. Do you ever go to West Edmonton Mall often? Your picture looks familiar, and so I've probably seen you there before.
Hey what's up there and how's it going?!? Just stopping by to say what's up and show some love to your page. When you get the chance, please drop by and check out the OFFICIAL music page of "ANGELO KNOX" at www.myspace.com/guiltypleasurez. Come and check for new and constant updates on songs, shows, tours, etc. Be sure to leave your mark and show your boy ANGELO KNOX some love and support too!!! Thanks for your time and take the best of care ALWAYS. ~PEACE, LOVE, UNITY, RESPECT~
Hi Ann thx for the friendship. Have fun (and great audiences) on tour. We will see you in one of the smallest venues you may ever have seen! (Norderstedt) - Take care Markus
Hey Ann; Great to see you again Tuesday nite @ Hermann's! Matt was great too, and we really enjoyed the duets together. Have an excellent tour, and we'll see ya next time you're in Victoria! Mark & Diana.
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