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Gig next Tuesday, 15 March 2016

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Hey everyone! Just logged in to find with horror that I haven't posted anything yet this year - that can't be right can it?! You know how it is, you sit down to write an update and get halfway through and something happens that changes what you were going to update in the first place and... well I've been chasing my tail a bit. 

The good news is I have been busy doing more singing than ever before! I have new solo material coming through and am also delighted to let you in on what I've been working on as part of a duo with the amazing Rob Anderson (check out the Wayne Drury Project for more of his work). We've been having a great time collaborating and have our first proper gig coming up next Tuesday at the Library on Upper Street in Islington (click the photo for event details along with the event blurb that follows) - can't wait to share this with everyone. 

“Great night of live music featuring some of London best acoustic acts. Hosted by Rob Thom. Free Entry!

Anne Sumner and Rob Anderson
Two regulars on the open mic circuit have come together for what promises to be a long-lasting partnership, resulting in the unlikely but surprisingly successful merging of acoustic folk-pop and Americana hayseed. Anne has a catalogue of original poignant and heartwarming songs (as well as a highly regarded CD) and Rob brings genuine cowboy mystique with his collection of originals and little-known covers. This gig is the first official outing for the duo and signals many more.


Marcus Corbett
‘Marcus is certainly one-of-a-kind and almost transports you to a time and place that never existed, but should have.’
Rok Podgrajšek
http://www.therocktologist.com/corbett-marcus—-strung-deep.html

Julia Robinson
Julia’s tender songs of hope and desire silence rooms and quietly draw you in. Americana-infused songwriting fused with a keen insight into the human condition, her songs grab you attention from the first line and don’t let go.”
— https://www.facebook.com/events/476372429217026/
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Happy New Year!

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Happy New Year everyone! I love New Year, it's such a brilliant chance to take stock and look at the year ahead as a blank slate, and prepare for new adventures! 2015 took me on a journey I could never have anticipated and I would like to thank you all for being involved - it's been such a great experience and I can't wait to see what happens next; I'll be aiming to keep the music coming, the last tracks from 2015 are below. I hope you all have a great time seeing in the New Year tonight and I hope that 2016 has happiness in store for everyone xxx

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Happy Christmas!

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I just wanted to send my Christmas/holiday wishes and to say a big thank-you to everyone for your support and encouragement throughout the year. 

I've done a Christmas track for the first time! It's my version of It Came Upon The Midnight Clear - which is my favourite carol. I've been playing it quite a bit lately so if you've heard it and liked it, you can now download it for free via Reverbnation :) 

I'll be back in (musical) action from the 29th so hopefully see you then and in the meantime, I hope your festive season is full of love, joy and peace. 


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*TOMORROW NIGHT*

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Last gig before Christmas tomorrow night at the Library on Upper Street, Islington. I will never forget the first time I played there and how in awe I was of everyone else who played - it's a stunning venue and a massive privilege to have the opportunity to play a longer set there. If you can spare a couple of hours for a break from the Christmas rush, you won't be disappointed!

I am on first, from 8:15pm, followed by the awesomeness of Ivor Game and Kitty Day. I cannot stress strongly enough how excited I am and how much I would love for you all to be there! 

Doors from 7:15pm, free entry! Click the photo for more event info.... 



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From the Distillers, 30 September

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Yet again I'm in a debt of gratitude to Baz (check his page! so much amaze!) for awesome photographic capture of the joyful atmosphere on an excellent Acoustify night. 

Looking at this picture it really hit me how far I've come. I enjoyed that set so much, feel almost at ease playing live these days and really enjoy the whole experience. It'd be easy to forget the fear, the botched performances, and the near-uncontrollable nerves that have spattered the past 18 months but I'm well aware of how long a journey it's been. Someone said something that Wednesday that made me think, would I want it to be completely nerve-free and normal? Isn't that part of what makes it exciting? These days, I get nervous because I want every time I play every song to be heartfelt and unique. And that, really is just fun. 

My tagline on Instagram has always been this:  

I write songs and sing them.

It's such a simple thing that has felt so complicated all this time, but finally I can just do it without over-thinking it. I write songs, and sing them. That's all it is, and I love it. 

Not Sure

Played this song live for I think the first time last night - this was the first song I wrote for the Residual Emotion album back in 2008. I've been reviewing some of my old songs in the light of what I've been playing/writing recently and this worked pretty well live - especially at an Acoustify night where the sound is always great!

 

Lyrics

I know she hurt you

I know she left you feeling

Disappointed with love

But this is different

We have a shot here and I’m 

Finding it hard to give up

Now you’re here at my door 

There has to be a reason

Why do you come back for more

When you deny these feelings?

And you don’t see it 

And it’s crushing me to hear the words you say

 

But if you’re really not sure

Who am I to say this is destiny calling

My name and your name?

We’ve been here before

We both know we’re right

That it’s wrong that we’re back here

It has to lead somewhere

 

I know you told me

You don’t feel ready

And it’s all a little too soon to know

It’s way too early 

To fall in love but I am 

Finding it hard to let go

Now will you push me away?

It’s not worth even trying

You’re taking this the wrong way

I’m not afraid of what I feel

Don’t say you don’t feel anything

When you’re here in my arms

 

But if you’re really not sure

Who am I to say this is destiny calling

My name and your name?

We’ve been here before

We both know we’re right

That it’s wrong that we’re back here

It has to lead somewhere

 

I’m tired of having it 

Always almost working out

I’m tired of being the one

That nobody’s sure about

I’m tired of hearing I love you

But not quite enough...

 

But if you’re really not sure

Who am I to say this is destiny calling

My name and your name?

We’ve been here before

We both know we’re right

That it’s wrong that we’re back here

It has to lead somewhere

 

 

This Saturday!

As summer has now well and truly passed here I thought the festival season had too - but I'm overjoyed to find so many industrious people still running festivals so yay! I've got two sets this Saturday and they're both at festivals for great causes, in Surrey - I hope if you're local you can make one or the other (or be like me and do both! They both look too good to miss...!) 

I'll be playing over lunchtime (sometime between 12:30 and 2pm) at the Harvest Hope festival at Master Park, Oxted - there is SO MUCH planned for this day, please check their website for all the details. This is pretty close to where I grew up so I'll be keeping a special eye out for any friends from school - please come and say hi in the marquee if you're there!
Add yourself to the Facebook event here. 

Later on in the afternoon (5pm) I'll be playing at the SunSet festival at The Sun in Carshalton - a whole afternoon + evening packed with street food, pizza, mojitos, in aid of St. George's - more details on their Facebook page. 

*Tonight*!

Really thrilled to be playing at The Stage Door pub this evening along with The Lancashire Hustlers and The Midnight Recyclers! 

 

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The address is: 

 

28-30 Webber St

SE1 8QA London, United Kingdom

 (Find the Old Vic and keep walking down Webber Street, past the Stage Door lamp that's the actual stage dooe for the theatre, and the pub is at the bottom of the road at the junction!) 

And the Facebook event is here:  

https://www.facebook.com/events/730802813712190/

Gigs this weekend...

This weekend I'll be playing:

  • On Saturday night at The Brook in Wallington as part of their acoustic showcase Music at the Brook Presents along with Bellevue Days, Best of Enemies and Horizon's Tale. I was at the Brook last weekend and can't wait to play there again, it's going to be a brilliant night. Tickets are just £8 in advance, doors open at 7pm; check out the links above for details or call The Brook directly on 0203 620 5237 to book. 

:EDIT: I've just heard that Flavour Lounge is being Cancelled this Sunday due to the weather - it may be happening the following week but I'll let you know! 

 

 

Croydon Folk and Blues Festival *tomorrow* from midday

So excited to be playing at the 25th Folk and Blues festival tomorrow! 

Ruskin House is one of my favourite Croydon hangouts and they are raising money for restorations to keep this much-loved place in a functioning state. 

Rough schedule has me on sometime in the evening between 9:30 and 10pm but there is a whole LOAD of fun to be had before then! More details below: 

12                     Geoff, Garry, Jim & George

12.35                Luke Davey

1.10                  George Lloyd

1.45                  Scottish pipers – Schiehallion Pipers

2.20                  Champion Hillbillies – Matt Black & friends

3.05                  Dougie Field

3.40                  Denny Terrell

4.15                  Slavyanya Russian Children’s Choir

4.55                  Herbie Scones

5.30                  Dave Marshall

6.05                  Grant Perry & Friends martial arts display

6.30                  Famous Last Words - Dietrich & Dave

7.05                  Atacama – Cameron, Marco & Friends

7.40                  Dave Foster

8.05                  Alex Ostapiuk

8.40                  Peter Baldwin & Jim Smith

9.15                  Roger Fullilove

9.45                  Anne Sumner

10.15                Reuben Augustine

10.35                Anne Demidowicz & the jam

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Calling For Serenity #ENEP

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Over the winter I had the chance to record some vocals for Calling for Serenity, a project raising awareness of mental health issues. The songs are due to be released soon as an EP and you can check out the thinking behind them here. This is something I feel strongly about and anything that helps promote dialogue and acceptance is a good thing in my view. It was also great for me personally to have the opportunity to record in a completely different style to what I'd write myself, and work with musicians of different genres.  

I particularly like what Rob's written on the About page - 

We’d like to help contribute something towards a world where people who speak about mental health aren’t considered “brave”, but simply that being open about it is normal and accepted as something people can do freely and without judgement.

 

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Wallington Music Festival

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I had a great time at Wallington Music Festival on Saturday - here are some of my photos from the afternoon. If you've got any photos you can tweet me @annesumnermusic or post them to the Facebook page - 

BAR Willesden Green - 28 May 2015

Back at the end of May I had the chance to play a pop-up gig at the BAR Gallery in Willesden Green organised by St. Judd who had provided a "stage" complete with fairy lights, stool, and foot log - all a great acoustic night really needs ;) I played alongside Michael Soakell and Tom Blackwell - please check their links, you'll be glad you did! 

I had never been to the gallery (or Willesden Green for that matter) - it's a great space and a hive of activity supporting all kinds of creatives. When we were there they were between exhibitions so the walls were completely bare and that gave it a great, responsive sound - which meant I got the chance to change up the set list I'd been planning (given that I knew we'd be unamplified) for some more sensitive material. It was a beautiful sunny evening and such a great experience play live right up close with this who came to listen. 

Set-list in the end was: 

  • Solid Ground
  • Little Lost Souls
  • These Hours
  • River
  • Just a Story
  • Anywhere With You

- all available to preview here. 

I've put some photos below and there's a whole gallery by Beatrice McGuire to see on Facebook too. 

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