Anna Tivel - “Animal Poem”
Photo by Matt Kennelly
From Portland, Oregon, indie folk artist Anna Tivel has just released the soothingly nostalgic sounds of “Animal Poem,” the first single and title track from her forthcoming LP.
“AAnimal Poem” is about as close as you can get to completely nailing our niche for the raw and honest production often associated with the genre. As far as folk music is concerned, all of the necessary ingredients are present, with a vintage-tinged rhythm section that wonderfully imbues the arrangement with a thick sheen of 1970s compression.
And the creamy analogue flavor does not end there– even the guitars sound as though they were implanted via two inch tape, with absolutely no evidence of any digital manipulation. In fact, if you were to tell us that “Animal Poem” was being performed live in the next room, it possesses all of the sonic evidence to prove it.
Tivel’s vocal performance adds more weight to the honest and vulnerable nature of the tune, with a delivery that is warmly akin to the work of Adrianne Lenker and Haley Heynderickx. For most of the track’s duration, her voice is soft and elegant, while leaving plenty of room for the genuine edges of her poetic lyrical content.
Sections are separated by upbeat, guitar-led shifts, which wonderfully juxtapose the quiet existence of the intimate verses. About “Animal Poem,” Tivel adds: “This is a meditation on the stories we tell ourselves and each other. We map our understanding in ever changing narrative, both painful and profound, live inside the worlds we spin.”
The record was co-produced by Tivel and fellow Portland-based multi-instrumentalist Sam Weber. The LP will arrive on August 29 via Fluff & Gravy Records (Margo Cilker, Kassi Valazza). Until then, enjoy the hell out of this sweet morsel of authentic American folk music. Connect with Anna Tivel here: Spotify | Soundcloud | YouTube | Bandcamp | Instagram | Facebook | Website
-HD