FIVE FAVOURITES: Anna B Savage

Inspired by her reflections on the human condition and all its idiosyncrasies and inconsistencies, Anna B Savage‘s latest album, In|FLUX, is a poetic, cathartic piece of songwriting. Finding peace in the grey areas of life and accepting that change is an inevitable part of it, the British musician has crafted an intricate and emotive collection of songs that compliment the raw honesty she expressed on her debut album, A Common Turn (2021).

We think one of the best ways to get to know an artist is by asking what music inspired them to write in the first place. We caught up with Anna to ask about her “Five Favourites” – five albums that have inspired her song-writing techniques. Check out her choices below and listen to her new album, in|FLUX, here.

 

1. Ella Fitzgerald – The Best of the Song Book
The best vocalist in the world, ever, bar none. I have listened to this album over a thousand times and tried to emulate every moment, every run, every breath. I have written a lot about how much I love Ella, and this album was the one for me. Also, Gershwins! They wrote the most perfect songs in the world.

2. Nat King Cole – Unforgettable
This is one of the most important albums to me because it reminds me of my family. I remember we would go to France each summer because my parents would be singing in a festival there – we’d listen to it on car journeys, and in the house we were staying in, and when we got home and… all the time. We each have a certain ‘moment’ we always do when listening, almost like the call-outs in Rocky Horror that those who’ve been in the crowd loads know, but for this album. One of my first memories is listening to this album and dancing around the kitchen.

3. The Beatles – Revolver
I saw a tweet the other day which said that people who say Revolver is their favourite Beatles album are try hards (or something- I’m paraphrasing terribly). It had a lot of likes. Well, whoops – I’ve outed myself again (see my writing about Coldplay’s Parachutes for more of me being resolutely not cool). This album is another important family album: with parents who mostly listen to classical music it was always such a joy when we got to listen to Revolver.

4. Notting Hill Soundtrack
I feel like the way I learned a lot of music when I was younger was through movie soundtracks. This was the first one that I obsessed over – finding a gateway in to Al Green and Bill Withers through this. I spent hours and hours listening to ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’ (the Bill Withers version) and trying to do the “I know” section in just one breath.

5. Bridget Jones’ Diary Soundtrack
Banger after banger on this, and again was my entry point to so many people especially huge female vocalists and musicians. Chaka Khan, Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Sheryl Crow, what an education!

Thanks to Anna for sharing her favourite albums with us.

Watch the video for her single ‘Pavlov’s Dog’ below.

Listen to in|FLUX on bandcamp or Spotify

Follow Anna B Savage on Twitter, Instagram & Facebook

 

Photo Credit: Katie Silvester

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Get In Her Ears @ Notting Hill Arts Club w/ ANNAVR 22.06.19

The sun was shining bright yesterday, but that didn’t deter us from venturing in to the basement of Notting Hill Arts Club to uncover the hypnotic electronica of three very different artists: ANNAVR, Zoey Lily & Death Hags.

The task of opening the night fell to LA based artist Death Hags, who delivered her dark, opulent, sci-fi inspired sounds beneath flickering stage lights. Her understated but confident delivery meant the obscurities of tracks such as ‘Oublie Moi’ and ‘Electrochemical Communication’ could be fully appreciated by listeners as she performed her one woman show.

Zoey Lily took to the stage next to perform her melancholy pop sounds. The London-based newcomer charmed listeners with her soft, elegant vocals and impressed them with renditions of her singles ‘I Wish I Had A Heart’ and ‘Hate You’. She looked especially pleased when the crowd participated in singing along to one of her tracks too.

Headlining the night and performing for her first time in London, Berlin-based producer ANNAVR melted us with her luscious electronic soundscapes. Originally a classically trained pianist, ANNAVR’s skills have transcend the pop barrier and have blossomed in to a mix of uplifting and distracting sounds. Between songs she spoke about how she relied on music whilst growing up in Berlin to express herself and to take her to new places, and we were proud to give her a platform to share her sounds and her stories.

Huge thanks to the bands, sound engineer and the staff at Notting Hill Arts Club for your help. Keep your eyes peeled for more gig announcements from us soon!

Follow the bands on Facebook for more updates: ANNAVR, Zoey Lily, Death Hags.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Get In Her Ears Live @ Notting Hill Arts Club w/ Foxgluvv 16.03.19

Get In Her Ears returned to Notting Hill Arts Club on Saturday night to host another successful evening of alternative and electronic music. Headliner Foxgluvv was joined by Party Fears and Grapefruit who performed their sounds to a buzzing, appreciative crowd.

First up were five piece Grapefruit, who delivered their dreamy and intoxicating blend of atmospheric guitar tunes with enviable intricacy. Frontwoman Angela’s captivating vocals were especially impressive on singles ‘Colder’ and the band’s latest release ‘Black and Blue’, but collectively the group were mesmerising to watch. Guitarist Grace broke a string but Party Fears came to her rescue….

The Berlin-based duo took to the stage afterwards and played a raucously enjoyable set filled with disco-punk bangers. Joined by their friend Sean on bass, Maggie (guitars & vocals) & Eilis (drums) played a knockout set which featured their latest single ‘Sun King II’, delivered with an energy and charisma that won over the crowd in a heartbeat.

Closing the night was “hungover pop” artist Foxgluvv, who was joined on stage by producer Scott. The pair clearly enjoyed playing and singing to every beat, as they danced away to their buoyant and infectious tunes. ‘Fries’ and ‘Expensive’ were definite set highlights – during ‘Expensive’ Foxgluvv even brandished her own personalised dollar bills and showered the crowd with them. Her soft vocals and sassy attitude worked perfectly together, cementing her as a firm Get In Her Ears favourite.

Huge thanks to the bands, sound engineer and staff at Notting Hill Arts Club. Keep your eyes peeled for more gig announcements from us soon!

Photo Credit: Jon Mo Photography

Kate Crudgington1 Comment