DYCP - Round 20
Anna Anise & Cornish Traditional Music
Examples of my work…
These videos exemplify my folk singer/songwriter style of folding traditional folk instrumental tunes into my original songwriting, and how I draw upon the details of specific locations to colour my lyricism.
In the We Are Wild Sessions video of my song ‘In Your Head’, you’ll hear the tune Dunmore Lasses aka Morrison’s Reel, perhaps named for flute player Tom Morrison (1889–1958) from County Galway who first recorded the tune on a 78 RPM in New York in 1927.
This is a song about finding solace in nature in times of mental health crisis and existential angst.
This second song is title track from my upcoming EP release, Awakening. This song uses the tune Inisheer which is traditionally played up in the key of G as an ‘air’ which is a lament or ‘listening piece’ and usually played by a soloist rather than as a collective of tune players.
My song Servant’s Child contains the tune The Musical Priest, also known as An Sagart Ceolmhar, The New Bridge Of Eden/ The New Bridge Of Erin, and which comes up in both Irish and Scottish archives.
It is an ode to all the same sex couples throughout history, whose stories we’ll never know. It tells the tale of two young women who fall in love across a class divide.
Finally, this song is titled ‘Perranporth’ and was written in the very same seaside town in Cornwall, using the beach and iconic sand dunes to set the scene in this song about the illusions of love.
I have been accepted into May ‘24 cohort of Music Patron (like Patreon, for composers where patrons can make a regular supportive donation).
This will not bring me considerable income to start with, but it is my intention to use this space for behind the scenes content about my journey into Cornish Trad Folk, which this development year would greatly support.
I’m dedicated to keeping patrons informed and excited, and taking them on the journey with me as I enrich my practice. It is my aim that by the time I’ve completed this development year the patrons I’ve gained through the Music Patron platform can support me to continue this work after the DYCP activity is complete.
I would then use the funds gained from Music Patron to support the creation of a new album, complete with release and tour plan that would showcase the depth of progress and research that I’d have completed through this DYCP grant.
Music Patron
This is my Introduction video for new patrons on my Music Patron page, and expresses my motivation and passion for this chapter of my career.
More on the Year Ahead…
As well as two tours this spring, I am supporting prog-folk trio Hands of the Heron on a confirmed 20-date UK tour in October 2024 so I’ll have an opportunity to continue to build my fanbase (and potential patrons) over the course of the next year. I’ll utilise this opportunity to build a receptive audience when the time comes for sharing new works in the future, through mailing lists, merch and a consistent online presence.
I’ve also been awarded a Brisons Veor Residency, in Cape Cornwall this year. I will use this fortnight to collaborate with local musicians and work on my craft, but what exactly the activity entails will be emergent from what the first section of my development brings. It will likely include learning Cornish folk tunes, composing new works practising my instruments and working through recommended reading that has come up from my research.
I am committed to an active online presence that exemplifies my development and continues to connect my work with new and existing audiences. This is an example of my recent instagram feed.
“Lovely DIY folk sound, lovely vocals, just brilliant”
Adam Crowther, BBC Radio
“Anna is a singer of the soul. She puts extraordinary meaning in ordinary words.”
Satish Kumar (Public Figure)
“The arrangements sound fresh and yet the listener feels connected to old-school roots.”
Higher Plain Music (Blog)
“Truly great modern folk music.”
FATEA Magazine
Over the course of the year long development period I intend to read the following books to deepen my understanding of Cornish history to enrich my compositions with these influences. I will be borrowing from Cornish libraries where possible.
Bibliography
Folklore of Cornwall by Tony Deane
Cornish Folklore by Robert Hunt
The Word and the Shaping of Cornwall by Michelle P. Brown
Cornwall’s First Golden Age by Bernard Deacon
The Promontory People by Craig Weatherhill
+ more as reading is recommend by my tutors and mentors.
Tutors, Collaborators & Partners
I have been in email contact with those I’d like to work with and started to join facebook/whatsapp groups/mailing lists for relevant events. Through the networking time and relationships built with these contacts I will expand my network further into the Cornish Trad scene over the course of the year. From my first steps into these networks, I’ve noticed that there is a lack of women working in this field and I’d like to be part of a more diverse representation.
I have confirmed the following people and organisations to support my development period…
Brisons Veor
Residency location in Cape Cornwall
Jowdy Davy
Cornish Language Lead, Cornwall Council
Archie Moss
Award winning folk and session Musician
Crean Folk Camp
Networking and Cornish Trad development
Daniel Woodfield
PhD researcher for Cornish Trad Music & partner at Lowender
Ruairi Edwards
Nationally renowned conductor, vocal coach
