Gretchen Anderson
Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2006 | INDIE
Music
Press
"Gretchen Anderson is an original. Her music and her stage persona snap with attitude and grit, without the pointless anger that hobbles many of today's 'edgy' performers. Through her music and performances, Gretchen offers the listener a glimpse through a wonderfully quirky lens that looks at the world with an affectionately critical eye and a bemused sense of what we're all going through here on the third stone from the sun. Comparisons to Patty Larkin will be inevitable, but Gretchen has her own voice, and it's a strong, wise one. Give her a listen-she deserves your attention." - Eric Garrison, coordinator Contemporary Folk Week at the Swannanoa Gathering, producer/engineer and
"...unique guitar playing...lyrics draw you further into the music and her vocals take the lyrics to another level. Her songwriting is inspired and fresh." - Michael Gaines, director Hannibal Arts Council, editor of Entertainment Weekly, Hannibal Courier Pos
"Gretchen Anderson is an original. Her music and her stage persona snap with attitude and grit, without the pointless anger that hobbles many of today's 'edgy' performers. Through her music and performances, Gretchen offers the listener a glimpse through a wonderfully quirky lens that looks at the world with an affectionately critical eye and a bemused sense of what we're all going through here on the third stone from the sun. Comparisons to Patty Larkin will be inevitable, but Gretchen has her own voice, and it's a strong, wise one. Give her a listen-she deserves your attention." - Eric Garrison, coordinator Contemporary Folk Week at the Swannanoa Gathering, producer/engineer and
"Her songs make you think and her topics are as expansive as her vocal range...In an ever-increasing culture of senseless noise and excess, Gretchen Anderson comes across as an honest musical alternative..." - Rodney Hart, entertainment and arts editor, Quincy Herald-Whig
"(Her) songwriting is creative, moving, and original...superb vocals,complimentary to the flow and direction of each composition...appealing to a wide variety of listeners...a tremendous gift with lyrics." - Craig Buck, director HHS jazz ensemble
"Her songs make you think and her topics are as expansive as her vocal range...In an ever-increasing culture of senseless noise and excess, Gretchen Anderson comes across as an honest musical alternative..." - Rodney Hart, entertainment and arts editor, Quincy Herald-Whig
Discography
Looking Glass---tracks are available on CD baby website http:// www.cdbaby.com/cd/gretchena
Photos
Bio
Gretchen was born to people with music flowing from their hearts. Soon she was singing as the third generation at family gatherings. Trained in classical piano since age 3, she also absorbed guitar technique and traditional music from her family. Gretchen's upbringing was diverse and unconventional: she was fascinated by Latin rhythms from her mother's old records (a former dance instructor) and native american music from her father's collection (a music teacher who grew up among Chippewa friends in Wisconsin).
Gretchen turned to guitar and banjo in high school, listening to everything from Bob Dylan to Joan Armatrading, and began writing her own songs. 10 years off to settle in a medical career and she was inspired to return to music, focusing on guitar, vocals, and writing.
Influences?--depends when you ask---Patty Larkin, David Wilcox, Don Ross, Cass Elliott, Eva Cassidy, Steven Fromholtz, Townes Van Zandt, Most recently, Gretchen has been shaking things up a bit by doing a few covers, for instance Pink Floyd's "Wish you were here", with a haunting rendition on the banjo. Midwestern, Mississippi River Roots, recently relocated to the rural Southwest.
Band Members
Links