mp3: "Fire" - Anna St. Louis

If you haven't yet been introduced to the magic of Kevin Morby's label Mare, this release is one to put on your radar. Working with Woodsist, Morby recently released the magical Living Water from Shannon Lay and is following that up with First Songs from Anna St. Louis out 11/13. A hushed but persistent guitar line backs St. Louis, her vocals exuding warmth and welcoming. The track moves at a languid pace, urging you to listen in and embrace the peace. There's something about this particular piece that provides you a brief escape from the constant feeling of having to rush, and instead you're able to just enjoy the music of St. Louis and step into this world of mystery. 

ANNA ST. LOUIS FIRST SONGS woodsist092 / mare002 release date: November 3, 2017 Despite her last name, Anna St. Louis was born and raised in Kansas City. She grew up a painter and singing in punk bands, eventually leaving her hometown to attend art school in Philadelphia. After graduating she made the move to Los Angeles where she began teaching herself guitar, writing songs and recording them on her own in her bedroom. First Songs is the sound of someone discovering their talent in real time - a peak into the collage of a wonderful mind that is absorbing their new surroundings and using new tools to put them into the room. Listening to this collection you can feel the sun coming in through the window - Anna on the foot of the bed with a guitar on her knee, finding her voice. St. Louis wears her influences well - think Patsy Cline singing over John Fahey - but has a style all her own. And while you can take the artist out of the midwest, you can't take the midwest out of the artist - so let this be known; this is Midwestern music ran through a California filter. I believe Anna will have many more releases in her lifetime, but let it all begin here - First Songs.