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Anne Marie Almedal, the extraordinary Norwegian vocalist / singer-songwriter and songwriter returns with a stunning, hypnotic and life-affirming new single, "We Dance Alone."
Not just written and recorded in the days of isolation during the pandemic, "We Dance Alone" is a testament to Anne Marie's own harrowing process of breast cancer discovery, treatment, and recovery. It's a massive comeback single, in the true sense of the word.
Moving away from the confusing folk-pop of her previous albums, the crystalline prisms of disco lights now shine on Anne Marie's brooding universe.
With echoes and references to the throbbing indie synth-pop of the 80s, the house of the 90s and the current failures of Jon Hopkins, recalling mermaids like Meredith Monk, Marianne Faithful, Kate Bush, "We Dance Alone" is unmistakably feminine, full of longing and most importantly an existential love song to survive, delivered by an artist in her prime unadulterated.
Produced by film composer and partner Nicholas Sillitoe, the master of chill-step EvenS, and kindly mixed by Tim Bran (London Grammar / Primal Scream / Dreadzone), "We Dance Alone" is the first calling card of their new album. , which will be released before 2022.
We have had the pleasure of talking to her, and this has been the result of her.
Can you tell us a little about your experience? Where are you from / how did you get into music?
Seasoned singer/songwriter from the southern coast of Norway! Once a singer in a dream-pop/indie band ”Velvet Belly”, soon releasing my fifth solo-album ”We Dance Alone”. It’s been a long, eventful journey!
How is your sound evolving? What artists and genres do you enjoy mixing right now?
Everything from shoegaze guitars, post-classical pianos, glitchy chill-step beats, saturated tape hiss, you name it! The lyrics and melodies always come first, the rest is making the right, emotional decisions to capture the essence of the songs. Influences – female artist/vocal pioneers like Kate Bush, Elizabeth Fraser, Goldfrapp to name but a few!
How do you feel that your music influences or impacts your listeners?
I’ve always focused on the intimate, and that magic blend of melancholy and hope. Perhaps it’s the influence of living in Norway, with long, dark winter days and endless summer nights.Over the years, I´ve also worked closely with my husband, film-composer Nicholas Sillitoe, who adds a touch of the ”cinematic” to my songs.
What projects are you working on right now? What can you tell us about your last job?
My new album ”We Dance Alone” is coming out early 2022, so all hands on deck with the first single, video, and getting ready to perform live again. This album has been quite an intense journey, as I had to not only deal with the confines of the pandemic, but also deal with the discovery of having breast-cancer, going through treatment, and recovery...all during the writing/recording process. Thankfully, this wasn’t a swan song, it’s an album full of life, love, and survival!
Has that sound changed a lot in recent years? What is your musical criteria?
My previous solo-albums have all been fairly folksy, acoustic, and dreamy, with the electronic elements just there as small gems in the mix. The intense, personal journey I have been through is this time mirrored by the more abrasive sounds of synths, pulsing drum machines, and guitar feedback.These elements felt true to who, and where I have been in this process, like rays of light in the dark.
Do you feel safe now to play a more experimental sound?
Oh yes! The outer-limits of pop have no boundaries. The lyrics and delivery can still be emotional, and intimate, but I´ve allowed myself to go in a more electronic state of mind this time. In the production, I was very much inspired by the impact EvenS (chillstep producer) brought to the table, and of course Tim Bran (London Grammar/ The Verve/ Primal Scream) added his wise magic to the proceedings. A wonderful bunch of musicians prepared to take risks, but never diluting the pure message of the songs.
We all know that the digital revolution has affected sales, but has it affected creativity?
Far from it. Studio/Music technology allows us to record at home, do remote mixing, and develop our songwriting and soundscapes without excessive recording studio costs. Streaming, whether we like it or not, is here to stay, and vinyl is thankfully there as the essential document to the music. And live, well we still have to perform!
Can you tell us what your present and future projects are?
Now the carnival begins, press/promo, preparing for live performances. I can’t wait to get the music out again, dance again, believe again!
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