Boston-based singer-songwriter/piano-player Anne Heaton will release her thoughtful and delicate new collection of music, Blazing Red, this coming March 3rd, 2009. The critically acclaimed artist returned to the studio after years of touring to put together her third album with co-producer Gary Maurer (of HEM). Recorded mostly live-in-the-studio, Heaton’s new record maps personal themes with organic vocals, pop melodies and piano-led arrangements. Heaton expresses feelings of loss and connection, from the desire to, one day, be a good mom, to letting go of past relationships. The music is at times lush and whimsical -- Heaton is often backed by a string quartet- and alternately intimate, she sings and plays piano only. What is created is a soulful record that gently urges the listener to both take risks and take comfort.

Heaton grew up in Chicago, lived in New York and now lives in Somerville, MA, the home of Q Division Studios, which -- only a bike ride away from her home -- is where she now records most of her music including her sophomore release “Give In” produced by Mike Denneen (Aimee Mann and Fountains of Wayne). Both “Give In” (released on Q Division Records) and Heaton’s independent debut album “Black Notebook” received national critical acclaim. Performing Songwriter Magazine chose “Black Notebook” as a Top DIY Pick describing the album as “lush, sweet, funny and sorrowful” while The Washington Post  called “Give In” “tender, amusing, barbed, and spiritual.”

Also known for the infectious energy of her live performances -- “a natural performer [with] a rich, soaring voice” (The Seattle Times), Heaton toured behind both of these releases from 2001-2006 playing acoustic venues, coffeehouses, outdoor theaters, rock clubs, and festivals throughout the US. In 2005, Anne won Soul City Cafe, a national competition of live performances and online voting to choose Jewel’s opener for her West Coast Tour. In addition to Jewel’s tour, Anne also toured as an opening act for Melissa Ferrick and HEM as well as opened for/performed with Jill Sobule, The Pernice Brothers, Jennifer Kimball, Jonatha Brooke, and Edie Carey.

At the beginning of 2007, having played over 800 shows in 80 major US cities and college towns, Anne decided to take a break from the road. “I wanted to take my time with the writing of this record even though the recording itself we did in just a few weeks over the summer. The bass, drums, piano and vocals were recorded live as a trio in just a few days. Later the string quartet played and special guest vocalists such as Chris Trapper, Rose Polenzani and Rachel McCartney added beautiful harmonies. I am a big HEM fan and since these songs are very emotional, Gary seemed the perfect fit. I wanted each song to be like a snowflake, elaborate if you look closely, but overall simple and beautiful.”

“The title ‘Blazing Red’ comes from the very first song I wrote for the album. The idea that ultimately, you are your soul and not the roles you play and therefore when you want to make changes in your life, you can connect to this power. The image of a setting sun came to mind. Like your soul, the sun is always there, constant, whether it’s nighttime or cloudy, it is there and you can connect to its power for strength.”

Anne began her musical journey as a child learning to play classical piano. While in college at the University of Notre Dame, she studied Philosophy and Theology. There she sang in a rock band, but did not begin writing songs until after graduation and a move to New York City. In New York, she started going to open mikes and joined a Harlem gospel choir. “I learned a lot of great old spirituals in this choir, such as ‘Motherless Child' among others. John Motley, the choir director, and Cooleridge Taylor-Perkinson, an arranger and composer for the group, introduced me to a lot of early American music. I ended up being invited to tour in Europe as a vocalist with Jazz drummer Max Roach performing gospel, jazz and some of his original compositions.”

“My biggest songwriting heroes, however, were always Peter Gabriel and Tori Amos. The most pivotal moment in music for me was hearing Peter Gabriel’s ‘Us’ for the first time. I think this is when I decided I wanted to make music and write songs. I thought if I could ever touch someone else musically the way Peter did on this record or the way Tori had reached me in so many of her songs, I would have done something worthwhile with my life.”

After writing a batch of songs, Anne performed her first shows as a singer-songwriter during the summer of 1998 at several coffeehouses in New Jersey and New York. In 1999, she made a live tape for fans at shows and in 2001 released her first full length album “Black Notebook” (co-produced by Dave Seitz) which charted on CMJ, received airplay on 33 Triple AAA stations, and includes the fan-favorite “Megan and Kevin,”  a wedding toast for her childhood friend. Soon after the release of “Black Notebook”, Anne joined forces with a group of New York City’s up-and -coming singer-songwriters including Edie Carey, Teddy Goldstein, and Andrew Kerr as “Live From New York.” This in-the-round style show which included humor and poignant songs, met with much success, the group selling out most of the rooms it played on both coasts and in the Midwest.

When not on the road with "Live From New York," Anne toured primarily as a duo with vocalist, guitarist and songwriter Frank Marotta, Jr. in venues such as Club Passim (Cambridge), Schubas Tavern (Chicago), Mississippi Studios (Portland), The Cedar (Minneapolis), The Tractor Tavern (Seattle) and The Living Room (NYC) to name a very few.

Look for Anne Heaton this fall and next winter in support of her new release Blazing Red, a beautiful, simple and mature collection of songs.

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