Gigs this weekend

If you're around Saturday you can catch me at the St. Helier festival in Carshalton during the day (sometime between 12-5pm, I'll let you know if I get a more precise time!) More info on that here: 

http://www.hievents.co.uk/events/246713/st-helier-festival-2016

In the evening I'm going to be playing at the church hall in Warlingham for this gig with the amazing John Lazenby, raising money for the Lily Foundation. You'll need a ticket for this but there will be some on the door. Facebook event link is here: 

https://www.facebook.com/events/1046778958705932/?ti=cl

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Hope to see you! 

Wandle in the Park - videos

Saturday saw the inaugural Wandle In the Park folk jam at the beautifully restored bandstand in Wandle Park, Croydon. Lovely to see so many there, particularly to have the chance to catch up with so many Ruskin House regulars.  

I've posted a couple of videos and have some more to come - here are Swim Any Sea and Renegades (with helicopter accompaniment!)  

Got lots of these outdoors gigs coming up this summer, so if this looks like fun to you check out the Shows page for dates. 

Upcoming gig dates

Starting today I've got a string of weekend gigs for the next 7 weeks - several in and around Croydon, some with Rob Anderson, a lot are big days out involving heaps of other local musicians. There are more details via the shows page and I'll be keeping the Facebook page updated - that and Twitter are the best places to check for last-minute changes. 

Hope you can make it to some of these dates, they're all going to be great! 


- Sunday 29 May - Surrey Country Show, Lloyd Park, Croydon, 2pm
- Saturday 4 June - Wandle Park Bandstand (time TBC)
- Saturday 11 June - St Helier Music Festival (daytime TBC) 
- Saturday 11 June - Lily Charity Gig, Warlingham (7pm)
- Saturday 18 June - Stage Door, Waterloo (8pm)
- Saturday 25 June - Wallington Music Festival
- Friday 1 July - Hoodoo's Introducing, Croydon
- Saturday 9 July - Croydon Folk & Blues Club Festival, Ruskin House

Calling For Serenity - Endless Numbers EP

I'm really excited to announce the launch of the Endless Numbers EP. 

Back in the depths of last winter I contributed some vocals to a collection of very powerful songs written by Rob Knowles (from Audio287) under the guise of Calling For Serenity - a project combining gothic rock, trance synths and rap with the aim of raising awareness of mental health issues. Not having done anything like this before, at the time I was sold on the message of the songs and mostly just having a lot of fun experimenting in what was a totally new genre for me. It was only later that I began to understand the extent of Rob's vision for the project and the number of people it would reach. 

Mental health awareness is an issue really close to my heart, and the aim of Calling For Serenity is to encourage discussion and empathy for the silent suffering that is so widespread. I have first-hand experience of how mental and emotional health issues can make life unbearable, and can also attest to the difference it can make to get the right help and support, and how this can turn a life around. If you don't suffer from a mental health issue yourself, it's extremely likely someone you know does. There is still so much stigma around mental health and these experiences are difficult enough to describe as it is - and the isolation and difficulties of communicating how it feels to be unwell only make matters worse. Having just one person who listens openly to what you're going through can change a situation dramatically and even be life-saving. Creating a space and a culture where mental health can be discussed openly is vital, and something we can all contribute to. 

The EP is being released on Monday 16 May and you can pre-order it now on iTunes for just £1.99!

There's also going to be a launch event in Richmond on Saturday 21 May - if you would like to come along or know someone who would, please get in touch via the Calling For Serenity website.

Please, please, please, check out the EP, find out more about the project, and share the links! 

Going Live, snotty colds and other events

Been an interesting couple of weeks here! A nasty cold in the middle slowed me down (and stopped me singing)(which made me very grumpy!) but I was just enough better to sing at Hoodoo's on Tuesday - live streamed on Facebook for the first time - and at The Brook on Thursday, which was a smashing night packed with great local talent as always. Good to catch up with folks and put a few more names to faces. 

The Sumner+Anderson project is still going from strength to strength; after a wave of inaugural gigs, we've started to record some of our songs - including some of Rob's yet-to-be-released material, and new versions of Anywhere With You and Solid Ground. I can't wait to share these songs as it feels like we're on to something really special.

A couple of other projects I sang on are in the process of making their way out into the world, including the forthcoming release of the Calling For Serenity Endless Numbers EP. Rob and I will be playing at the launch event on 21 May - watch this space for more details. 

There's been a little bit of songwriting going on around the edges, and a whole lot of rehearsing, designing and planning. Too many projects to keep everything going equally at once, but the main thing I wanted for this year was to be singing, gigging and recording more than ever before, and that's certainly happening. So all's well!

Couple of pictures from our gig at Ruskin House (Croydon Folk and Blues Club) on the 3rd: 

 

 

New lyric video: Just A Story

I've just added this to the Videos page - here are the lyrics to Just a Story. 

It's not something I really believe, although I do love singing this song and it's one of my personal favourites. I wrote it for a friend who was having trouble at the time with the way that relationships come and go and felt like giving up on love because it was always going to end. 

There are a lot of things I believe about love and the nature of love, and one of those things is that you can experience a momentary love connection that has an eternal impact: it's never gone, it's here and it's now, and it's all that you need to know. Relationships may end but some love, if not all love, lasts forever. 

Swim Any Sea

This is almost the newest song I have: Swim Any Sea. 

I have played this a few times live and people have been great about learning the chorus so they can join in! There is every chance I'll be asking people to sing along in future so if you want to swot up beforehand, here are the lyrics: 

 

Woah, you're part of my soul
As if somebody out there was waiting for me
I'd move any mountain to bring you back home
Oh my love, for to find you, I'd swim any sea.
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Gig next Tuesday, 15 March 2016

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Hey everyone! Just logged in to find with horror that I haven't posted anything yet this year - that can't be right can it?! You know how it is, you sit down to write an update and get halfway through and something happens that changes what you were going to update in the first place and... well I've been chasing my tail a bit. 

The good news is I have been busy doing more singing than ever before! I have new solo material coming through and am also delighted to let you in on what I've been working on as part of a duo with the amazing Rob Anderson (check out the Wayne Drury Project for more of his work). We've been having a great time collaborating and have our first proper gig coming up next Tuesday at the Library on Upper Street in Islington (click the photo for event details along with the event blurb that follows) - can't wait to share this with everyone. 

“Great night of live music featuring some of London best acoustic acts. Hosted by Rob Thom. Free Entry!

Anne Sumner and Rob Anderson
Two regulars on the open mic circuit have come together for what promises to be a long-lasting partnership, resulting in the unlikely but surprisingly successful merging of acoustic folk-pop and Americana hayseed. Anne has a catalogue of original poignant and heartwarming songs (as well as a highly regarded CD) and Rob brings genuine cowboy mystique with his collection of originals and little-known covers. This gig is the first official outing for the duo and signals many more.


Marcus Corbett
‘Marcus is certainly one-of-a-kind and almost transports you to a time and place that never existed, but should have.’
Rok Podgrajšek
http://www.therocktologist.com/corbett-marcus—-strung-deep.html

Julia Robinson
Julia’s tender songs of hope and desire silence rooms and quietly draw you in. Americana-infused songwriting fused with a keen insight into the human condition, her songs grab you attention from the first line and don’t let go.”
— https://www.facebook.com/events/476372429217026/
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Happy New Year!

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Happy New Year everyone! I love New Year, it's such a brilliant chance to take stock and look at the year ahead as a blank slate, and prepare for new adventures! 2015 took me on a journey I could never have anticipated and I would like to thank you all for being involved - it's been such a great experience and I can't wait to see what happens next; I'll be aiming to keep the music coming, the last tracks from 2015 are below. I hope you all have a great time seeing in the New Year tonight and I hope that 2016 has happiness in store for everyone xxx

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Happy Christmas!

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I just wanted to send my Christmas/holiday wishes and to say a big thank-you to everyone for your support and encouragement throughout the year. 

I've done a Christmas track for the first time! It's my version of It Came Upon The Midnight Clear - which is my favourite carol. I've been playing it quite a bit lately so if you've heard it and liked it, you can now download it for free via Reverbnation :) 

I'll be back in (musical) action from the 29th so hopefully see you then and in the meantime, I hope your festive season is full of love, joy and peace. 


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*TOMORROW NIGHT*

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Last gig before Christmas tomorrow night at the Library on Upper Street, Islington. I will never forget the first time I played there and how in awe I was of everyone else who played - it's a stunning venue and a massive privilege to have the opportunity to play a longer set there. If you can spare a couple of hours for a break from the Christmas rush, you won't be disappointed!

I am on first, from 8:15pm, followed by the awesomeness of Ivor Game and Kitty Day. I cannot stress strongly enough how excited I am and how much I would love for you all to be there! 

Doors from 7:15pm, free entry! Click the photo for more event info.... 



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From the Distillers, 30 September

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Yet again I'm in a debt of gratitude to Baz (check his page! so much amaze!) for awesome photographic capture of the joyful atmosphere on an excellent Acoustify night. 

Looking at this picture it really hit me how far I've come. I enjoyed that set so much, feel almost at ease playing live these days and really enjoy the whole experience. It'd be easy to forget the fear, the botched performances, and the near-uncontrollable nerves that have spattered the past 18 months but I'm well aware of how long a journey it's been. Someone said something that Wednesday that made me think, would I want it to be completely nerve-free and normal? Isn't that part of what makes it exciting? These days, I get nervous because I want every time I play every song to be heartfelt and unique. And that, really is just fun. 

My tagline on Instagram has always been this:  

I write songs and sing them.

It's such a simple thing that has felt so complicated all this time, but finally I can just do it without over-thinking it. I write songs, and sing them. That's all it is, and I love it. 

Not Sure

Played this song live for I think the first time last night - this was the first song I wrote for the Residual Emotion album back in 2008. I've been reviewing some of my old songs in the light of what I've been playing/writing recently and this worked pretty well live - especially at an Acoustify night where the sound is always great!

 

Lyrics

I know she hurt you

I know she left you feeling

Disappointed with love

But this is different

We have a shot here and I’m 

Finding it hard to give up

Now you’re here at my door 

There has to be a reason

Why do you come back for more

When you deny these feelings?

And you don’t see it 

And it’s crushing me to hear the words you say

 

But if you’re really not sure

Who am I to say this is destiny calling

My name and your name?

We’ve been here before

We both know we’re right

That it’s wrong that we’re back here

It has to lead somewhere

 

I know you told me

You don’t feel ready

And it’s all a little too soon to know

It’s way too early 

To fall in love but I am 

Finding it hard to let go

Now will you push me away?

It’s not worth even trying

You’re taking this the wrong way

I’m not afraid of what I feel

Don’t say you don’t feel anything

When you’re here in my arms

 

But if you’re really not sure

Who am I to say this is destiny calling

My name and your name?

We’ve been here before

We both know we’re right

That it’s wrong that we’re back here

It has to lead somewhere

 

I’m tired of having it 

Always almost working out

I’m tired of being the one

That nobody’s sure about

I’m tired of hearing I love you

But not quite enough...

 

But if you’re really not sure

Who am I to say this is destiny calling

My name and your name?

We’ve been here before

We both know we’re right

That it’s wrong that we’re back here

It has to lead somewhere

 

 

This Saturday!

As summer has now well and truly passed here I thought the festival season had too - but I'm overjoyed to find so many industrious people still running festivals so yay! I've got two sets this Saturday and they're both at festivals for great causes, in Surrey - I hope if you're local you can make one or the other (or be like me and do both! They both look too good to miss...!) 

I'll be playing over lunchtime (sometime between 12:30 and 2pm) at the Harvest Hope festival at Master Park, Oxted - there is SO MUCH planned for this day, please check their website for all the details. This is pretty close to where I grew up so I'll be keeping a special eye out for any friends from school - please come and say hi in the marquee if you're there!
Add yourself to the Facebook event here. 

Later on in the afternoon (5pm) I'll be playing at the SunSet festival at The Sun in Carshalton - a whole afternoon + evening packed with street food, pizza, mojitos, in aid of St. George's - more details on their Facebook page. 

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