03/09/09: Anne was featured as a musical guest on NPR's "Here and Now." Check it out at http://tinyurl.com/c3am3x
1/7/09: Anne played The Sundance Film Festival Jan 22nd, 2009: http://palestra.net/videos/play/20719
12/10/08: Anne is the Featured Artist of the Week on The New York Times Pop Music Podcast:
http://podcasts.nytimes.com/podcasts/2008/12/10/10musicreview.mp3
Critics say:
"Stunning" - PASTE
"Absolutely gorgeous" - New York Times Podcast
"Lush, introspective, elegant" - Boston Globe
"Strong, emotive and slightly haunted" - Boston Herald
"Tender, barbed and spiritual"- Washington Post
"Thoughtful, emotionally intense" - Sound and Vision
"[Heaton's] compelling piano melodies and clearly articulated phrasing remind me of Carole King" - -Naomi Arenberg, "Folk on WGBH" NPR
AWARDS
~NewSong Mountainstage Finalist, 2008
~Falcon Ridge Emerging Artists Showcase, 2008
~Rocky Mountain Folks Festival Honorable Mention, 2008
~Finalist, John Lennon Songwriting Competition, 2006
~Featured, PBS Television Special "Portrait of an Artist," 2006
~Top Female Artist finalist, (IndieAcoustic Magazine), 2006
~Top DIY Pick, Black Notebook, Performing Songwriter Magazine
BRIEF BIO
Boston-based singer-songwriter/piano-player Anne Heaton releases her thoughtful and delicate new collection of pop music, Blazing Red, March 3, 2009. Heaton grew up in Chicago, lived in New York and now lives in Somerville, MA, the home of Q Division Studios, which -- only a bike ride away from her home -- is where she recorded Blazing Red (co-produced by Gary Maurer of HEM) as well as her critically acclaimed second release Give In. With her joyous spirit, warm voice and spacious piano playing, Heaton has been called "more of a storyteller than Norah Jones and definitely in the same category as far as talent and vocal range" (Newspapertaxi.com).
Known for the infectious energy of her live performances -- "a natural performer [with] a rich, soaring voice" (The Seattle Times), Heaton tours nationally, playing acoustic venues, coffeehouses, outdoor theaters, rock clubs, and festivals throughout the US. Her music has charted on CMJ and her independent release "Black Notebook" was selected as a Top DIY Pick in Performing Songwriter Magazine. After winning Soul City Cafe -- a national songwriting and live performance competition -- Anne was invited to tour the west coast with major label recording artist Jewel. She has also shared the stage with Melissa Ferrick, HEM, Jill Sobule, and Jonatha Brooke.
UPCOMING RELEASE
"The title 'Blazing Red' comes from the very first song I wrote for the album. The idea that ultimately, you are your soul and not the roles you play and therefore when you want to make changes in your life, you can connect to this power. The image of a setting sun came to mind. Like your soul, the sun is always there, constant, whether it's night time or cloudy, it is there and you can connect to its power for strength."
Recorded mostly live-in-the-studio, Heaton's new record maps personal themes with organic vocals, pop melodies and piano-led arrangements. Heaton expresses feelings of loss and connection, from the desire to, one day, be a good mom, to letting go of past relationships. Co-produced with Gary Maurer (of HEM), the music is at times lush and whimsical -- Heaton is often backed by a string quartet- and alternately intimate, she sings and plays piano only. What is created is a soulful record that gently urges the listener to both take risks and take comfort.
Look for Anne Heaton this year in support of her new release Blazing Red, a beautiful, simple and mature collection of songs.
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