Anni Rossi - Rockwell

I've written about Anni Rossi before because, well, I went to high school with her and I've always thought she was exceptionally talented. Turns out she's finally getting noticed. She's even playing at SXSW this year (Central Presbyterian Church, March 18th, 8pm). Her new album, "Rockwell" came out yesterday, and it is pleasantly sparse. Anni often performs with just herself and her viola, and her album reflects this simplicity. While many of the tracks were also on previous self-releases, there are also some new tracks that I really like. I have to say, I absolutely love the cover of Ace of Base song Living in Danger.

One thing I really like is that Anni doesn't feel the need to densely orchestrate her songs even though she has the talent to do so because she can do so much with so little. She plays her viola and sings so expressively - sometimes dramatic, sometimes fanciful, sometimes melancholy. It is so impressive that she can get our attention with a viola, percussion and often very few other instruments. Although I do have to say, I miss her piano playing (that was her main instrument that she performed her original songs with at our high school performances). She is a very talented pianist. I guess maybe she didn't want to be thought of as "the next Regina Spektor" but rather as her own unique sound and so she chose a route that would bring fewer of those comparisons? That's totally speculation on my part. And with either instrument she's very talented. Here are her tour dates for the next few months:

Mar 18 Austin, TX Ms. Beas (Todd P day party @ NOON)
Mar 18 Austin, TX Peckerhead's ( Hype Machine & Music Slut Opening Day Party @ 6:30p)
Mar 18 Austin, TX Central Presbyterian Church (SXSW Showcase @ 8p)
Mar 19 Austin, TX Premium Recording Service (Radio K Session @ 3p)
Mar 21 Austin, TX Canvas Bar (Lose Control Party @ NOON)
Mar 21 Austin, TX San Jose Hotel (High Road party @ 2p)
Mar 25 New York, NY Mercury Lounge (w/ Camera Obscura)
Mar 26 Washington, DC Black Cat (w/ Say Hi)
Mar 27 Brooklyn, NY Union Pool
Mar 28 Philadelphia, PA M Room
Apr 3 Chicago, IL The Hideout
Apr 18 San Francisco, CA The Independent*
Apr 20 Portland, Oregon Doug Fir Lounge*
Apr 21 Seattle, WA Chop Suey*
Apr 24 Minneapolis, MN 7th Street Entry*
Apr 25 Chicago, IL Empty Bottle*
Apr 26 Detriot, Michigan The Magic Bag*
Apr 27 Toronto, ONT Mod Club Theatre*
Apr 28 Toronto, ONT Les Saints*
Apr 29 Boston, MA Paradise Rock Club*
May 1 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom*
May 2 Washington, DC Black Cat*

*w/ Noah and The Whale and Ferraby Lionheart

Ecology [mp3] (iTunes)