Tip for 2011: Anna Calvi Will Be Taking Us to the Darkside

Ah the beauty of the internet…Last night as I trawled through the world-wide web for something completely unrelated , I stumbled across a very exciting artist that looks set to make big noise in 2011. Anna Calvi is a UK based artist, who is currently grabbing attention with her unique blend of ‘dark atmospheric romantic pop’, and is set to spread her name across Europe as she embarks as the support act on Grinderman’s upcoming tour.

Calvi who is half Italian, but brought up in London, is already drawing the attention of some of the music industry’s elite; Brian Eno has likened her to Patti Smith; Lightspeed Champion have tipped her for success in a recent interview with NME and Ben Lovett of Mumford & Sons has collaborated on her upcoming album. This will not come as a surprise to anyone who has caught a glimpse of Calvi’s mesmerising live performances, during which she displays a stunning mastery of the electric guitar and a compositional confidence that echoes legends such as Jimi Hendrix and Rory Gallagher. Calvi’s song-writing clearly has its roots in classical music but it delivered with a ballsy rock edge.

The debut album is set for release in January 2011, however on October 11th of this year we will be treated to the release of her first single Jezebel / Moulinette. Calvi is currently putting the finishing touches to the album “in a dark underground basement using her trademark Telecaster guitar, vintage harmonium, and layers of choral like vocals and violins.”

As a massive PJ Harvey fan, I am delighted to see a new female artist going the dark route and if Brian Eno is right, and Anna Calvi can really produce music comparable with the likes of Patti Smith, then I for one cannot wait to hear the result.

Patti Smith – Summer Cannibals

Written by Elaine Dowling