Ann Vriend’s “When We Were Spies” - available!

February 9th, 2008 by Pawel in General, The Artists

Ann’s new album, “When We Were Spies”, is now for sale online, right here, for a discount price before it goes into stores on March 11! Get your copy before everyone else, and for $3 less than retail price!!

To buy Ann’s albums:
Go to:  http://www.myspace.com/annvriend
Click on the icons of the albums and purchase securely online right now with your credit card (no account necessary / PayPal).

Or just click on the album cover (below):

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New videos from Ann Vriend

January 20th, 2008 by Pawel in General, The Artists

Ann performing “St. Paul” and “Halloween” on Help TV, promoting “Homefest” (fundraiser for Edmonton homeless crisis):


Ann Vriend peforms Halloween from “When We Were Spies” live on HelpTv. Homefest - November 2007


Ann Vriend performs St Paul live on Help TV during Homefest!

Ann’s upcoming album, “When We Were Spies” will be released March 11, 2008. It has already presold 800 copies. “St. Paul”, a single from this album is currently in heavy rotation on commercial radio in Ann’s hometown of Edmonton, “(If We Are Not) Spies” was added the week of January 20, 2008. Ann’s EP containing live tracks and singles from her upcoming album (released June, 2007) has garnered 4 star reviews in NOW Magazine, and charting in the Top 30 on Toronto’s CIUT radio.

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Ann Vriend

November 3rd, 2007 by Pawel in The Artists
Ann Vriend sings with the heart-stopping intensity of Aretha Franklin, plays piano with the ease of Norah Jones and writes songs as powerful in their simplicity as those of Paul Simon and Leonard Cohen

Elle Magazine

Ann VriendUpon hearing Ann Vriend’s heartbreaking and exquisite voice people of all demographics stop in their tracks.

After which point the content and production of Ann’s writing breathlessly captivates until the very end, of both her stunning live shows and her cinematic, sophisticated pop albums. Her uncompromisingly fresh style has garnered comparisons to eccentrics such as Fiona Apple or Kate Bush, soaring pop epics such as David Gray or Katie Melua, fresh young piano divas such Gavin DeGraw and Sarah Slean, and alternately joyous and heartbreaking as icons such as Emmylou Harris and Paul Simon.

She passionately performs her music around the world, from New York to Berlin, Melbourne to Paris, and in her home and native land of Canada.

Writes American Music Biographer David Ritz:

“Once every generation a singer-songwriter emerges with the creative fire to set the music world ablaze. Ann Vriend has that fire.”

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Toowoomba LC Event - Report

October 22nd, 2007 by Pawel in Other Events

15th Leonard Cohen Birthday Celebration

22nd & 23rd September, 2007

Our 15th Leonard Cohen birthday celebration night in Toowoomba was one that we all had high expectations of, as our small group here in Toowoomba had invested more effort and time into making sure it was a good one, and indeed it was to be the first one where we had international guests and performers! Henning Franz (Germany) had been teed up well in advance and discussions around the participation of Ann Vriend (Canada) had also taken place early in the piece, though it was more involved to organise for Ann to perform, particularly with the challenging travel logistics relating to her being in Berlin just a couple of days beforehand!

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Toowoomba Event 2007

September 24th, 2007 by Pawel in Other Events

The event went really well in terms of the wonderful spirit of the occasion. Everyone I spoke to enjoyed the program and it was great to meet new people again this year. It was especially nice to have one of our LC Forum members (Blonde Madonna), who lives in Victoria, drop in for yesterday’s program!
Henning did his usual sensitive and beautiful performance of Leonard’s poetry to music and this was well received. Ann Vriend had to battle with a bad head cold and was jet-lagged and tired, but delighted the audience. Despite her unwell condition, she performed well beyond expectations and was a big hit with everyone, many of whom purchased her CDs.

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15th Toowoomba Leonard Cohen Celebration

August 29th, 2007 by Pawel in Other Events
SAT, 22nd & SUN, 23rd SEPTEMBER, 2007
(SPONSORED BY “THE DANCING BEAR” IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE ICON CINEMA)
Hi there friends!
Believe it or not, we are embarking on our 15th Leonard Cohen birthday celebration event in Toowoomba this year and we would really appreciate it if you were to come along to enjoy this special occasion with us! As regulars know, throughout the course of this unique spring celebration in Toowoomba we will be indulging ourselves in the work and spirit of this inspiring and statuesque artist who has, with a certain singularity, forged a unique musical style - one that continues to be discovered by the current generation of discerning musicians and music fans. Tributes to Cohen’s work abound, such as Lian Lunson’s “Leonard Cohen: I’m Your Man” movie (which will be screened during our event) and our own Aussie one, the just released Monsieur Camembert’s “Famous Blue Cheese” tribute show double CD album. Such homage to the man, whose song writing talent is indisputable, will undoubtedly continue to grow over time!