Anja McCloskey

I am a half-German, half-American singer and accordionist. Ever since my grandpa started playing his accordion to me as a little child I have wanted to play it too. I just love the deep and full sounds and the little quirky noises the accordion makes and I don’t know any other instrument that can be so versatile and expressive. Having played in various bands (The Irrepressibles, Haunted Stereo, Moneytree) and worked with solo artists (Katy Carr, Jake Flowers, Helen McCookerybook, Ana Silvera), I decided to start my own project in 2010. The “Turn-Turn-Turn” EP was released on UK label Sotones Records in September that year and in February 2011 we toured the work in the USA. 2012 saw the release of my debut album “An Estimation” on Sotones Records with four supporting singles – And Her Head (September 2011), A Kiss (January 2012), Italian Song (May 2012) and Instigate It (August 2012). After tours in the US and in Canada in 2013 and 2014, I am now preparing the release of my second album “Quincy Who Waits” on Sotones Records in July 2014. The first single “Too Many Words” will be released on the same label in June 2014. “Sultry folk, like a Romany gypsy cabaret show.” (Q Music) “A New Orleans funeral dirge, and that is not a slight.” (Music News) “Vocals that will set your world ablaze.” (Train Wreck’d Society) “Anja’s vocals soar with feeling as the mood is extricated by the music.” (For Folks Sake) “Wonderfully off kilter arrangements add a gravitas and there’s a superb organic feel to the production.” (Tasty Fanzine) “Anja’s ethereal vocals merge with the rich and full-bodied sound of the accordion to give an eerie, mournful impression that will stay with you long after you’ve taken the headphones off.” (Stereoboard) “…reminds me of the experience of hearing Joanna Newsom for the first time. Certainly, their musical styles diverge, but there is a passion in both Newsom’s and McCloskey’s performances that underscores the passion felt for their off-beat choice of instruments.” (Shh Music) “I’m utterly blown away by her” (405 Blog) Purchase mp3s at http://sotones.greedbag.com/anja-mccloskey, physical CDs at www.anjamccloskey.co.uk/shop.html