Annagail

They’ve always defied and stretched genres, equal parts singer/songwriters and rock band.  Thinking man's Americana.  Pop for philosophers?  Country for the curious? Rock for the recluse?  Whatever you need to call them, Annagail weave heartache and hope for the disillusioned.  If  'Folk-Rock' never made sense before, it will now.  "Its not uncommon for me to listen to The Cure and Steve Earl back to back...before breakfast," Jared has said of their fluid style.

8 albums deep, a blend of courage and frailty are embraced and they’re proud of both.   2021 brought the release of two albums, 'Home' and "Baby, It's You," as the world entered the surreal advent of the pandemic.  Annagail embraced the dread of the unknown and paradox of solace afforded by quarantine.  From lush strings, pianos, searing guitar solos and vocals fit to weep over - to a lonely harmonica accompanied by delicate fingerpicking and accordion.


A spring 2022 studio album is already underway and they're mixing a live album, recorded at the famed listening room, Seven Steps Up.  While managing enough headspace to edit and produce a 40 minute mini-documentary chronicling their last decade as a band and the making of the album 'Home' in the midst of a pandemic, reeling from the abduction (and fortunate recovery) of their daughter, debilitating chronic illness and the icing on an already awful cake with a house fire that took their home and studio in 2016.  "I can think of few bands or artists that have endured the sort of pain and travails that Annagail have experienced, and come out of it creating beautifully compelling music with a hopeful air," says John Sinkevics of localspins.com.

This intense season led them to lay music down.  Annagail went silent. "We had a hiatus of the soul, you could say," Jared half jokes.  "Sometimes you have more questions than answers and it takes a lot of space to work through them and see what you're made of on the other side," Jennifer aptly states.   Music came back.  It’s a story worth asking them to tell… if you bring a good bottle of whiskey.

Lyrically they've always framed the journey of hope and renewal.  Now poignantly understood after coming face to face with surrendering the passion of the heart.  "I would never recommend it," Jennifer says. "It leads to a fairly immediate identity crisis."   Ironic that songs birthed from grieving and longing got Nashville calling.  "Apparently there was something endearing about reaching that artistic breaking point. It's been a wild season but we're surviving somehow," agrees Jared.  "...a mix of holy ghost and whiskey."


Their EP, The Cabin Sessions, produced and recorded in Nashville with hit-maker Keith Follese’ (Lady Antebellum, Faith Hill, Katy Perry, Emerson Drive) is a glimpse into the influences of their songs. Electronic flourishes meet undeniable rootsy hooks.  On numerous compilations and even a feature film soundtrack ('Decision' starring CCM vocalist Natalie Grant and country artist, Billy Dean) they’re an established act.  Opening for Plumb, Pillar, Bleach, Superhero, Jason Ingram, Satellite Soul, The Appleseed Cast, Christopher Williams, Jennifer Knapp, Ellery, VOTA, Valentiger and many others.

Brad Allen, owner of ALL Entertainment and COO of Midas Music along with Follese’ was quick to connect with Annagail.  Working with Keith and Chuck Howard was an especially meaningful time for the band, Jared says. "I'll never forget when I was on the phone with Keith and he said we were great writers and had some hits on our hands.  A surreal, humbling moment."

Playing colleges, bars, coffeehouses, listening rooms, festivals and theaters, they’ve honed their craft from their midwest roots and beyond.  Criss-crossing the U.S, (in their 'Vanagail') Europe and South Africa are evidence of that.

Waterdeep’s Don Chaffer produced  ‘Linger In Bloom’ and the previous ‘Slightly Certain,’ album, which featured Lori Chaffer on ‘The Enemy and the Avenger.’  “They're the real deal,” raved Levi Perkins of ‘Crossroads Radio.'  "They say what many of us want to about life - but fear the rejection of saying it.”

Annagail desire to create meaningful moments. "The gig doesn't validate us," says Jennifer. "Sharing what we're compelled to do and what makes us feel alive is the motivation...Music can't be touched, but can touch."