11
Dec 24
Euphoria – first reactions
Since ‘Euphoria’ hit the digital download and streaming sites a great deal has been going on. The album received its first – and very positive – review on the well respected Music Review World blog. You can find the whole review here – but here are some tasters:
“Every once in a while, in the world of music, you will come across an act that defies all of your current assumptions and thoughts about the flow of today’s music. They will blow you away, for good or for worse, in their own interpretation of what makes art ‘art’ itself. In today’s review, the act that’ll shatter your own preconceived notions shall grace you with a tapestry of music that I frankly have not heard synthesized in this manner before.”
“The whole album is quite strange to comprehend, because it captures the zeitgeist of a lost art scene and musical sensibility very well in this day and age without compromising any ounce of authenticity.”
“It is also very warm and polished in its execution, making me wonder if this was the missing soundtrack to a revivalist 80s/90s heartfelt movie.”
“The two vocalists’ voices also bear a very interesting contrast, as they possess very different vocal ranges and tone too. It’s an interesting mix of voices, that venture from determined to even slight Irish inflections at times.”
“Score/Excellent: Anam Danu returns with their newest release, titled ‘Euphoria’- an album sure to provide you with Euphoria. It is filled to the brim with serenity and character all in one, within a dynamic musical soundscape that stays true to its thematic origins and intent.
In further interesting developments tracks from the album have received a number of plays on Campus Radio stations across Canada and even a couple in the US. Some of these plays came about as a result of Anam Danu having signed up to Earshot.Distro – the digital distribution service set up specifically to help Canadian stations to source new Canadian music. Other plays, however, came about as a result of the radio presenters’ admirable diligence in seeking new material. I asked Johnathan Whitehorn at Western Radio how they came to play ‘Plant a Seed (and Watch it Grow)’ and he told me:
“I go through new Canadian releases on Bandcamp every 3 days. Around 300-600 releases. A few stick out. Like yours.”
25
Nov 24
Euphoria – released!
The fourth Anam Danu album – ‘Euphoria‘ – has been released and is now available on all major streaming and download sites.
You can read more about ‘Euphoria‘ and listen to previews of the songs on the music section of this site, where you will also find links to the album on Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Amazon Music, Bandcamp and YouTube.
4
Nov 24
Euphoria release date
Siobhan and Andy of Anam Danu have written, recorded, and self-released three original albums over the past five years. Back in 2023, they decided to focus on growing their creative partnership. They enjoy being in the studio, but like many musicians, they know that performing live is the true test of their music.
They realized that the music they create as a duo often needs more musicians to perform it live. Over the last year and a half, they searched for other artists who could help bring their ambitious work to life. In late 2023, they met Adrienne Dyer, whose beautiful soprano voice added a powerful element to their music. Together they started to create fresh tracks for a new album.
“Euphoria” explores what it means to be a mature adult in today’ s challenging times. It includes songs about storytelling and creativity, the value of long-term friendships, teaching and learning, the search for our roots, and the important choices we make as we grow older.
Most importantly, it highlights the need for joy.
Siobhan, Adrienne and Andy are particularly grateful to Mairéad for her gorgeous and striking cover art, which encapsulates the essence of the album perfectly.
“Euphoria” will be available for streaming and download from November 22nd.
28
Oct 24
Radio Western
‘Plant a Seed (and Watch it Grow)‘ – the first track from our forthcoming album – ‘Euphoria‘ – will be played tomorrow morning (October 29th) on Radio Western – the campus radio station at Western University, London Ontario. Many thanks to Jonathan Whitford for including the track in his show – ‘Coasting‘. 
6
Oct 24
The Long Haul
Progress continues toward the release of the new Anam Danu album – ‘Euphoria’.
The ten chosen tracks have been polished and given final mixes and the whole sent off to our mastering studio of choice – CPS Mastering in Vancouver. Brock McFarlane (who has mastered all of the Anam Danu albums thus far) has now sent us the first mastered copies and we are in the process of listening intensely in as many environments as we can – preparatory to signing off the album and sending it to our distributors and CD manufacturer.
We also now have the cover art for the release. Those who have followed Anam Danu’s exploits will know that we like to commission local artists to create the covers for each release. In this case the wonderful artwork that can be seen on this page is by Alberta artist – Mairéad – who has, in our view, captured the intent of the album perfectly.
Of Mairéad Siobhan writes:
“Mairéad is a multidisciplinary artist and designer based in Alberta, Canada. She expresses her art in paint and textiles. As a visual artist, she creates vibrant multi-media paintings and collage. Her love of detail, color and texture is evident in her one-of-a-kind unisex handbags, backpacks and wallets. She is an expert knitter whose cable-knit outerwear is beautiful and expertly made. Mairéad creates custom dog sweaters and jackets that are both stylish and playful. She is passionate about interior design and customizes existing pieces through upholstery, refinishing and fabric furnishings”.
Not long to wait now! The release dates for ‘Euphoria’ will be posted just as soon as they have been confirmed.
28
Jul 24
Action points
The recent lack of activity on this news feed should not be interpreted as a sign that nothing is happening. Anam Danu have been busy behind the scenes; with results that are already becoming apparent.
A quick glance around will reveal that the website itself has undergone a considerable face-lift. We like to think that it is now fresher, cleaner and somewhat easier to navigate. Do let us know what you think.
You will also observe that we three have recently done something that we had studiously avoided doing for the past four years – to wit: participating in a photo shoot. Such things do not come naturally to any of us, but we hope that you find the results helpful in gaining a clearer picture of who we are.
In our last news update – which revealed the arrival of our new member, vocalist Adrienne Dyer – we also announced that work was well underway on our fourth album, with an intended release date later in 2024.
Well – we are still on target for that release, having written and recorded ten tracks for the album. We are currently mixing and sequencing them, following which they will be sent for mastering. Cover artwork has been commissioned and the pace is picking up.
If you would like to be notified when the new album becomes available – which for subscribers will be in advance of the general release date – subscribe to the Anam Danu newsletter by using the link below.
29
Jan 24
Adrienne Dyer
Over the last five years Anam Danu has released – through online streaming and download services – three albums of original music and two singles. At the start of 2024 work on our fourth collection is well under way, with a release date penciled in for later this year.
Siobhan and Andy are keen to take this new music out of the studio and onto the stage and working to this end is one of our major projects for the year.
Reproducing our recorded music is quite a complex task and, though we are these days blessed with all manner of technology, we feel that there really is no substitute for real musicians playing live. This means that we are looking to expand our number.
Given the centrality of the voice to everything we do we decided that finding the right additional vocalist was a priority. We are delighted, therefore, to welcome to our number – Adrienne Dyer. Adrienne is already working with Siobhan and Andy on the new album and you will soon be able to hear the fruits of this extended collaboration.
Adrienne is hugely creative and brings a further wealth of experience to Anam Danu. Her biography may be found here:
19
Jun 23
The Journey Home
The second Anam Danu single of the year (following January’s release of “Perfect“) is “The Journey Home” – which was released to streaming and download sites on June 16th.
“The Journey home” is about three types of journey; The first considers the emigrant returned home to the land of his or her birth – the second refers to the rediscovery of one’s culture – the third to that part of a life that follows the turn for home.
The finest wisdom that we can offer is that each of these journeys is best accompanied by a friend!
The track is re-worked and extended version of the song that appeared on our first collection, “Winds of Change”. It features – for the first time on an Anam Danu recording – a musician other than Siobhan or Andy. In this case Victoria violinist Kate Rhodes does the honours on the fiddle.
27
Apr 23
The AB Independent Top 20
We are very excited to be featured in the the underground music chart provided by Aldora Britain Records from the UK.
To discover what the fuss is all about, head for the Aldora Britain Bandcamp page and, of course, check out our own Anam Danu Bandcamp page.
16
Apr 23
Anam Danu on Aldora Britain Records
Having been the subjects of an article in Tom Hilton’s Aldora Britain Records eZine just a little earlier in the year Anam Danu now feature on two releases from ABR.
‘A Different Ocean‘ is a song from Anam Danu’s first collection – ‘Winds of Change‘ that gets a welcome re-release here on a compilation of independent music from around the world under the title ‘Street Corner Jive‘. You can find the release here.
As Tom says: “As always, please download, listen loud, dig deeper with your discoveries, and support Aldora Britain Records and independent music”.
The other release is even more exciting for us; our first single release on Aldora Britain Records. This offering pairs our recent single – ‘Perfect‘ – with what will be our next – a reworking of an earlier song – ‘The Journey Home‘. Two great songs that, whilst quite different, complement each other well.
‘The Journey Home‘ is also interesting in that it features, for the first time, a musician on an Anam Danu recording other than Siobhan or Andy. In this case Victoria violinist Kate Rhodes does the honours on the fiddle part.