Anna Hawkins releases an album of uplifting quality and depth in a time when the healing power of music is sorely needed.
"For those partial to female folk singers, Anna Hawkins is a real deal homegrown talent." (Keeping Up With NZ) Known for her expressive tone "with a voice that has the power to uplift - irrespective of the song being sung” (NZ Musician) Anna’s music has been described as captivating and ethereal. Dreamer is no exception.
Appealing to fans of 60s folk singer-songwriters Joan Baez and Judy Collins Anna has also been described as the daughter of folk singer Loreena McKennitt. In a clever combination Dreamer captures an authentic folk style while showcasing Anna's colourful range and haunting voice.
The musical landscape and lyrical content of Anna's original songs evoke feelings of exploration, playfulness and calm seeing Anna embrace her New Zealand upbringing and Irish heritage to serve up her most original work to date. The catchy title track Dreamer hints at her country music roots in an anthem to the dreamers of society with lyrics "I'm on the run, always looking ahead, dreaming of a brighter sun" relating her own story. Wide Open Spaces follows, composed while living in London, Anna recorded the demo with UK artist Roo Panes during a songwriting retreat to the English countryside. Feeling reminiscent of folk songs of old are single I Am, a beautiful ode to nature and Sophia, partly recorded in Israel, which speaks of wisdom personified in female form calling out in the streets. Anna shares intimately in I Knew which chronicles her marriage to her childhood sweetheart and again in Where Do Dreams Go To Die composed in lockdown, this time exploring the frailty of our humanity. Other songs of note are the feel-good Beyond The Borders and the haunting part cover - part original Wayfaring Stranger / Yea Though I Walk which beautifully combines dark and light to close the album in cinematic fashion.
The Dreamer project first began while Anna was living in London recording with longstanding producer Pawel Zarecki at his home studio in Warsaw, Poland.
Six years previously, Anna first traveled across the globe to work alongside Pawel and other world class musicians in Poland, London and Israel.
A daring move that brought her recording dreams to life with albums Journey On, Bold Brave & Beautiful and Divine, the latter of which earned five weeks in the NZ album charts with a song clocking over 1.5 million views on youtube for its music video filmed in Israel.
After moving back to New Zealand Dreamer was completed with singer-songwriter Luke Thompson producing and Nic Mander’s mixing and recording vocals at Parachute Studios. Four years in the making Dreamer features a talented and eclectic group of musicians from Poland, Israel and New Zealand. While the album is mainly guitar driven it also includes a string orchestra, cello, fiddle, percussion and keys alongside instruments such as the mountain dulcimer, melodica, ukulele and tin whistle with some foot stomping, hand clapping, whistling and atmospheric vocals thrown in for good measure.
Taking a page out of Walt Disney’s ‘Three Rooms’ approach to creativity, Dreamer reminds us the importance of allowing ourselves the freedom to explore ideas without limitations. With its uplifting and soothing qualities this album is for the dreamer in us all.
Accompanied by a three piece band featuring, finger-style guitar, mandolin, fiddle and tin whistle, Anna’s live show promises to move and inspire. Featuring songs from Dreamer alongside folk classics the concert will appeal to fans of Joan Baez, Loreena McKennit, Judy Collins and Civil Wars, Joy Williams.
ANNA HAWKINS - DREAMER - TOUR DATES
FRI MAY 21st - 7pm | RAGLAN - TICKETS
(Support from Parabola West)
SAT MAY 22nd - 7.30pm | MORRINSVILLE - TICKETS
FRI MAY 28th - 7pm | CAMBRIDGE - TICKETS
SAT JUNE 5th - 7pm | TAURANGA - TICKETS