Anne Marie Almedal, the extraordinary Norwegian vocalist / singer-songwriter and songwriter returns with a stunning, hypnotic and life-affirming new single, «We Dance Alone.»
Not just written and recorded in the days of isolation during the pandemic, «We Dance Alone» is a testament to Anne Marie’s own harrowing process of breast cancer discovery, treatment, and recovery. It’s a massive comeback single, in the true sense of the word.
Moving away from the confusing folk-pop of her previous albums, the crystalline prisms of disco lights now shine on Anne Marie’s brooding universe.
With echoes and references to the throbbing indie synth-pop of the 80s, the house of the 90s and the current failures of Jon Hopkins, recalling mermaids like Meredith Monk, Marianne Faithful, Kate Bush, «We Dance Alone» is unmistakably feminine, full of longing and most importantly an existential love song to survive, delivered by an artist in her prime unadulterated.
Produced by film composer and partner Nicholas Sillitoe, the master of chill-step EvenS, and kindly mixed by Tim Bran (London Grammar / Primal Scream / Dreadzone), «We Dance Alone» is the first calling card of their new album. , which will be released before 2022.
We have had the pleasure of talking to her, and this has been the result of her.
Can you tell us a little about your experience? Where are you from / how did you get into music? Was it all internet based?
From the rugged southern coast of Norway, over the years I´ve been the vocalist in the indie/dreampop band ”Velvet Belly”, and then went on to being a solo artist, with four albums over the last decade… with elements of folk-pop, ambient, film-music, all main elements in my music universe. I´ve been on the scene fairly long now, and I suppose have come full circle with my latest single, ”We Dance Alone”, from the forthcoming album of the same name.
Who have been your main inspirations (both musical and in «life»)? And how have they affected your sound?
Female pioneers will always come first, Kate Bush, Meredith Monk, Alison Goldfrapp, Elizabeth Fraser etc – but growing up listening to Talk Talk, New Order, Depeche… so much inspiration gets absorbed into your songwriting. Music to bring both tears to your eyes, and at the same time get you seriously uplifted! Working with my production team of Nicholas Sillitoe (film-composer), EvenS (”chillstep” maestro), and Tim Bran (producer/mixer for London Grammar/La Roux) on my latest album has been also a major turning point for me, getting the songs (and sound) where I want them to be!
How would you define your sound?
Nordic, no doubt. Melancholy, but with rays of light to contrast the darkness. Intimate vocals, wide-screen synths, dreamy guitars, and suggestive beats.
How has your sound evolved so far?
From my indie-pop beginnings, I have always looked for the emotional landscapes in my lyrics and vocal delivery, and have experimented over the years with a fairly ”cinematic” backdrop sound. This latest album has hints of moody 80’s synth, 90’s shoegaze, but is far from just a retro-fetish expression. I found solace in some of these references, but carried them through to a refreshingly new place, with the production always serving the songs.
What can you tell us about your last job? What inspired you? What do you want to convey?
After my last album ”Lightshadow” and touring with it, I did some small guest appearances (Mr. Top Hat – ”Dusk to Dawn”, super trippy electronica album btw!)…and just as I calmly started the writing process with new material, I had the huge life-changing experience of discovering I had breast cancer. To deal with the anxiety, the treatment, and the whole process of recovery, the recording studio became my sacred space. When faced with the prospect of ”maybe this is the last music you may ever make”… me and my small production team put our heart and souls in to the music, with the belief that things would work out well. Thankfully they did.
What can you tell us about each song that makes up your latest work? What is hidden behind?
”We Dance Alone” is of course related to my own heavy experiences this last year. But instead of fear and darkness, I think what I went through gave me an intense feeling of self-empowerment. We Dance Alone is truly feminine, a nurturing, fighting spirit, and probably one of the most up- tempo tracks I have done in years! It’s a song abut longing, yes, but a celebration, that even in the hardest times, we dance alone, but can get through it all! I think the video for the new single ”We Dance Alone”, beautifully directed by Zyna & Ola Røyseland, gives a strong indication of what I, and so many women go through every day!
How are you living the current situation because of COVID? Has your work affected you a lot? Do you think there is hope?
Strange for me, but the pandemic meant I could just hide away, and bury myself in the studio with my husband at home, and give me time to properly recover from my illness. Now that things have finally begun to open up again, post-COVID, I can´t wait to get my music out, perform again, and celebrate just being alive and kicking!
The album ”We Dance Alone” will be out spring 2022. Can’t wait!
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