Biography
Ann Vriend: Exquisite Folk/Pop Songstress
“With her soaring vocals, impressive songwriting ability, and multi-instrumental prowess, Vriend is truly an all-in-one package.” --Obscure Sound
Whether at the International Leonard Cohen Festival in Berlin, the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, or at her hometown Edmonton Folk Music Festival, Ann Vriend mesmerizes audiences around the world. Her vulnerable yet exquisite voice is often the first thing which turns heads, while her songs maintain a natural knack for melody. Her lyrics reveal a literary depth which stand as poetry on their own, and Ann’s stage presence, balanced perfectly between breathtaking, heartbreaking songs and charming, witty humor, make for a completely engaging show. Ann’s albums have sold over 10,000 copies to date, independently.
Ann was born in Vancouver, BC, but moved to Edmonton, Alberta at age 5. Early on her parents discovered their 3-yr-old could pick out nursery songs on a Fisher Price xylophone. Ann’s musical talent developed from there to the violin, but eventually she settled on the piano at age 9, which she chose in order to accompany herself singing. In her teens Ann was persuaded by her school principal to perform her original songs at a high school talent show. Encouraged by the success of this performance, she began singing in public more often, performing and co-writing in local bands. Ann then completed a 2-year music program at Grant MacEwan College in Edmonton.
Within 7 months of graduating, Ann was recording at Sony Studios in NYC, with complimentary tickets to a concert of Paul Simon, her favorite of her parents’ vinyl collection. That same year she released an astonishingly popular demo, which garnered her immediate radio play on local stations across Alberta. Her debut full-length album, "Soul Unravelling", was released in 2003, and is now in its 5th pressing. “Waterfront,” a romantic piano ballad from this album, was placed on the DVD release of the hit US TV series “Party of Five”.
Ann’s writing reveals melodic and lyrical influences of ‘70s singer/songwriters such as Simon, Leonard Cohen, and Cat Stevens, combined in some songs with piano styles of contemporary pop artists such as Sufjan Stevens and Coldplay; in others tunes Ann borrows from jazz, blues, and soul music. Ann’s dynamic vocals are a stunning combination of old-school soul influences such as Aretha Franklin, and the honest, heartbreaking delivery of traditional folk/country singers such as Dolly Parton. Ann’s overall sound has roughly likened her to innovators such as Kate Bush and Joni Mitchell, but, as noted by a number of critics, “Vriend stands out from the crowd” (Drum Media, 2007); “Her style is her own" (South Australian Independent Weekly).
Ann's 2nd album, "Modes of Transport", (produced by Paul Brill in New York City, 2005) garnered rave reviews in Canada, Germany, Sweden, and Australia, and charted in radio stations across Germany and Canada, including receiving commercial radio play in Ann’s hometown of Edmonton with the cabaret single, “Feelin’ Fine.”
Ann spent 2005 and 2006 touring North America, Western Europe, and Australia, and also received songwriting commissions, including for the 2006 Commonwealth Games (Melbourne). She also was invited to perform at speeches made by honored humanitarians such as Romeo D’Allaire and Stephen Lewis.
In June, 2007, Ann released The Clandestine EP”: a signed, limited edition, 5 song disk containing 2 live tracks and upcoming material from her next upcoming full-length album. The EP received commercial radio play, charted in the Top 30 on Toronto’s CIUT radio, and received 4/5 stars in Toronto’s NOW Magazine.
March 2008 saw the release of Ann’s 3rd full-length album, “When We Were Spies”, produced by Juno Nominated producer Douglas Romanow. The album tells the tale of the treacherous, clandestine love affair of “former agent Ann Vriend” and an agent from “the other side”. In less than 2 months the album sold 1,000 copies. AnE Magazine rated the album 4.5 stars out of 5, while Drum Media (Australia) stated simply:
“When it comes to women with pianos, there are endless comparisons to make, but Vriend stands out from the crowd.”
Ann spent 2008 – early 2009 touring Canada, Australia, and America in support of “When We Were Spies”. Her next studio album is to be released May 2010. Prior to this Ann will release a live album of her concert at The Basement, recorded this past January in Sydney, Australia.
David Ritz, author of many biographies such Aretha Frankin and Marvin Gaye’s, writes:
"Once every generation... a singer-songwriter emerges with the creative fire to set the music world ablaze. Ann Vriend has the fire."
Song by song Ann Vriend is doing just that.
WWW.ANNVRIEND.COM
FESTIVAL PERFORMANCES
Headliner at Toowoomba Leonard Cohen Event, QL, Australia (2007)
Headliner at Holzminden Jazz Festival, Germany (2007)
Port Fairy Folk Music Festival, VIC, Australia (2006)
Headliner at Cobargo Folk Music Festival, NSW, Australia (2006)
International Leonard Cohen Festival, Berlin, Germany (2006)
Calgary Folk Music Festival, AB, Canada (2003)
North American Folk Alliance Conference, Nashville, USA, February, (2002)
Edmonton Folk Music Festival, AB, Canada (2001)
SONGWRITING ACHIEVEMENTS
Publishing Agreement with Origin Music (Australia/ New Zealand), 2007
"Waterfront" (from debut album, Soul Unravelling) featured in DVD release of the US hit TV series Party of Five, 2006
Song commissioned for Canadian athletes at the 2006 Commonwealth Games (Melbourne), 2006
Song commissioned for Edmonton Rotary Club Centennial Anniversary celebration, 2004, later performed by Ann, ProCoro, and the McDades at the Winspear Centre for Music
Song commissioned for Canadian Paraplegic Society promotional video, July, 2004
1st place Winner of Sidetrack Cafe Beta Sound Recorders Songwriting Contest, 2002, which took Ann to Nashville to perform
PRESS/QUOTES
"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
"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
"When it comes to women and pianos there are endless comparrisons to make, but Vriend stands out from the crowd." -- Drum Media (Australia)
"Vriend constructs pop songs that are well delivered and express a mature artistry reminiscent of Tom Waits and Joni Mitchell, but only in their qualities. Her style is her own."
--South Australian Independent Weekly
"Ann Vriend is soulful and dynamic performer who quickly establishes an excellent rapport with her audience. She certainly captivated us here In Toowoomba with her wonderful voice, her keyboard skills and the charming delivery of her show. From an organizational perspective, she is also a delight to deal with!" Andrew Darbyshire, Toowoomba (Australia) Festival Director.
"The Yuin Folk Club enthusiastically recommends Ann Vriend as a talented musician and performer.
Her performance at our Cobargo Folk Festival in 2006 was outstanding. She has a great voice, a truly professional attention to detail, and is a credit to the group of touring Canadian singers that visit our Australian folk music festivals." -- Graeme Fryer,
Festival Director, Cobargo (Australia) Folk Festival
Instrumentation
Ann Vriend, Solo: Piano (or Keyboard) plus Vocals
Duo option: Ann Vriend and second keyboardist (organ, synth) with harmony vocals
Full band available upon request
Discography
When We Were Spies - March 11, 2008
The Clandestine EP - May 2007
Modes of Transport - 2005
Soul Unravelling - 2003