Often just little old me, although I love collaborating with my talented musical friends as well. I'd like to thank the following people who have played with me live and/or on recordings: Annie Pilgrem (cello), Matt Tweed (bass), Chris Ross (bass), Ryo Ishikawa (violin), Phil Daniels (percussion), Adrian Holden (guitar), Gethin Webster (violin), Al Gow (guitar), Andy Clegg (mandolin). This list is set to grow soon, as the album recordings progress!
I would especially like to thank the wonderful band All Things Considered for the loan of various members (Gethin, Adrian & Phil) at various times. Check out their fantastic music at www.myspace.com/atcuk
I would also particularly like to thank Matt Tweed at Pond Life Studios, Glastonbury, for his warm welcome, skill and patience while I recorded for 3 days with him in August 2008. Check out the rough mixes posted here - there is more still to add, but Matt & I made a great start.
And now I'm continuing the album recordings with Al Heslop at Creative Control Studios, South Hill Park Arts Centre, Bracknell. Huge thanks to Al for his welcoming and professional service, and also for a bit of guitar playing on the album!
I also perform with my husband Matt and our friends Jim & Francis in The Blonde Vipers - www.myspace.com/theblondevipers
Influences
Wildly varied, but here's a selection... Nick Cave, PJ Harvey, Duke Spirit, Ginger, Dresden Dolls, Eva Cassidy, Karine Polwart, Martha Tilston, Anna Tabbush, Beth Orton, Joni Mitchell, Velvet Underground... that's just a small selection of the many artists that have moved and influenced me. What I listen to depends very much on my mood. As a saxophonist I also love music with a jazz or blues flavour, and any music where the sax is played beautifully. In an artist I look for emotional honesty, beauty, desperation, openess, passion, and energy - and I hope these are the qualities that come across in my own song-writing and performance.
Sounds Like
I don't know the answer to this one - but hopefully distinctively me!
COME ALONG TO THE ACOUSTIC & OPEN MIC NIGHT I CO-RUN - GOOD INTENTIONS - ON 2ND MONDAY OF EACH MONTH AT THE GOOD INTENT PUB, PUTTENHAM, SURREY
Below is my standard "blurb" - but feel free to make e-friends with me and find out more! Always like to meet people at gigs too, so come and have a chat!
"Anthea Neads has been singing as long as she can remember, songwriting for about 14 years and gigging for the last 3 years.
Her style ranges from gentle folk to quirky alternative, visiting laid-back and jazzy on the way. She writes and performs on both the piano and guitar, and her influences are varied.
Anthea also enjoys collaborating with other musicians, and can sometimes be seen gigging with various musical friends. She is in the middle of recording her debut album, on which many of them will feature.
Visit Anthea on myspace, and at www.reverbnation.com/antheaneads - where you can register as a fan, hear tracks, find out gig details and join her mailing list.
Anthea also sings with rock n' roll band The Blonde Vipers - find them at www.myspace.com/theblondevipers."
Here are some extracts from reviews of my songs on www.slicethepie.com:
Castle Town:
"The vocalist is talented and the lyrics had me wanting the rest of the story. She captured my attention from the beginning. Great Song . HIT! 10/10"
"the vocals are simply breath taking very professional, alot of potential and exactly what you want for a nice mellow acoustic song. 8/10"
"The vision that you glorify in your mind, the ideal that you enthrone in your heart - this you will build your life by, and this you will become. 8/10"
Simple Pleasures:
"I really enjoyed listening to this song, its ample and angelical, pure and great. 9/10"
"her vocals are so tender & beautiful. overall: a good song by a talented performer. 8/10"
Please stop by and check out the myspace page of my band, The Blonde Vipers
Hi Anthea, many thanks for writing back to me. I've sort of given up guitar playing now! I'm getting worse in my old age, and it's far easier to have loops recored by someone else! lol It's best to keep the songs simple though, and you have a great voice, so no good having a Slash type solo over it! lol I listened to your other songs on the link you posted. I absolutely love "Afraid!" Excellent song! I'm also on your mailing list. Good luck with recording the album, or two! :)
Hi Anthea, many thanks for the friendship and comment. A bit about myself? It's not my eye in my profile pic! ;) I'm a poor guitarist, who now does music using other peoples loops on a computer. The idea is to have it all sounding like a real band, which I am not! lol
Your 2 songs are great that you have up, but can we please have some more?! You're not being fair on us! lol
Take care, and all the best in what you are doing :) Andy x
Hey Anthea, my exam week is over, I only have a few more exams, and they're scattered about the next term, so I can do more gigs now! If I could do some over the summer, that would be really good, I'd love that. And, as you can see, I finally got some photos up! x
Hey Anthea, I listened to some of the radio show that you were on last night. Really good!
Anyway, about the 23rd of May which you were talking about, like, ages ago. I'm not even going to ask to be able to do it, simply because it is slap bang in the middle of my exams - so I'll naturally be exausted and stressed out! Thanks for the offer, though.
would jus like to say thank you for the freindship (YOU are my favarote freind!..lol)
i apologise for spamming
the album - No Take Twos - will be avalible to download on itunes, amazon and all major download sites from the 1st of May. I will post a link for my page on release day.
hi anthea, how ya doing ? good i hope. looking forward to the 'good intentions' gigs on 24th may and 8th june, and looking forward to playing woking with you on 18th june too.... meanwhile, we've just uploaded the 4 tracks from our brand new ep "with something amiss". have a good ol' listen and let us know what you think. hope you're well. sid. brassneck.
Hi ! Just popping by to have a browse at your page! Lovin' it! Hope everythings good with you. My myspace has been re-vamped, please check out my new recording and new pictures..there's more to come! Any feedback would be appreiciated =)
Hey, I really enjoyed all your songs yesterday, especially Castle Town, I really like that one. I had a fantastic night, and I'm sorry I couldn't see all of it, but my dad wanted to shoot off before it got too late. See you on Weds :D x
Hey Anthea, I can't wait until the gig. My dad says it's fine for me to stay until the end, which was a bit of a surprise, so I will be staying after I've performed. My mum, if she manages to get there on time from where she's working today, wants to film it. Is that ok? Phoebe(:
Aww you are a special lady- you have an amazing ability to encourage me! Thank you so much. fading like this is my favourite song I've written- it's about my mum. As it happens, I played the violin on He waits- hence the dodgy notes all the way through haha! I used to play really well but haven't practiced for about 10 years so was totally thrown by the whole experience. Nevermind! I was just listening to your page again- I can't believe how much your voice has grown and changed since I first met you- it's amazing! Talk to you soon xx
