Vermont's Anais Mitchell write and sings - in English and sometimes Arabic - with redemptive energy, about the challenges of our times. On "Hymns for the Exiled" Mitchell writes from the perspective of an Iraqi woman; an ... more »American child caught between terrifying reality and anti-terrorist rhetoric; of the cynical political use of the survivors of the Quecreek Flood; of the death of an Austin drummer, and her Grandmother's dress. Raised by a novelist and a community organizer in rural New England, Anais Mitchell grew up listening to Dylan and the Dead, Cohen, Velvet Underground, Joni Mitchell, Ani, Dar Williams and Tori Amos. At 18, she moved to Boston, where she did time at open mikes and the Park St. T station. At twenty, she moved to Austin, where she released her debut album, "The Song They Sang When Rome Fell." The Kerrville Folk Festival honored her work with the prestigious New Folk award in 2003. She graduated from Middlebury College in Vermont in 2004 with a degree in political science. Anais has spent extensive time in Latin America, Europe, and the Middle East, studying languages (Spanish, German, and Arabic) and international politics, bringing a worldly depth to her writing - which she presents to her audience with a graceful presence of spirit.« less
Vermont's Anais Mitchell write and sings - in English and sometimes Arabic - with redemptive energy, about the challenges of our times. On "Hymns for the Exiled" Mitchell writes from the perspective of an Iraqi woman; an American child caught between terrifying reality and anti-terrorist rhetoric; of the cynical political use of the survivors of the Quecreek Flood; of the death of an Austin drummer, and her Grandmother's dress. Raised by a novelist and a community organizer in rural New England, Anais Mitchell grew up listening to Dylan and the Dead, Cohen, Velvet Underground, Joni Mitchell, Ani, Dar Williams and Tori Amos. At 18, she moved to Boston, where she did time at open mikes and the Park St. T station. At twenty, she moved to Austin, where she released her debut album, "The Song They Sang When Rome Fell." The Kerrville Folk Festival honored her work with the prestigious New Folk award in 2003. She graduated from Middlebury College in Vermont in 2004 with a degree in political science. Anais has spent extensive time in Latin America, Europe, and the Middle East, studying languages (Spanish, German, and Arabic) and international politics, bringing a worldly depth to her writing - which she presents to her audience with a graceful presence of spirit.
"I cannot stop listening to Anais's music. At first I was going to get the 4 free downloads off her site and stick with just that, but after 2 weeks I was playing them on repeat so often that I broke down and bought it. Now I just play the whole CD on repeat. My favorite song is the first one."
Brilliant new songwriter
Gary A. Martin | Assonet, MA United States | 02/08/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Anäis blew me away when she played her two songs in the Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk competition in 2003. Turns out she blew everyone else away, too. At the age of 23, she was writing songs that can stand up alongside the best. The songs are mostly political in nature, but much more intellectual, cryptic, and subtle than is typical in that genre. Anäis' influences are the folk icons of the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s, but her experiences as a DJ on a college radio folk show and as daughter of 60s folkies give her folk roots that include traditional music that predates the 60s folk boom. I've had her perform twice as an opener in my house concert series and look forward to having her back to headline. Not since Dar Williams in 1994 have I been so impressed with a young singer/songwriter. This Waterbug CD release is simply brilliant."
The Voice of Her that Crieth in the Wilderness
Michael Cessna | 01/21/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Imagine being deathly thirsty, with the heat of Egypt's desert summer sun bearing down upon you...and then being given a large bottle of cold water by a stranger passing by. That's how I felt when I first listened to Anaïs Mitchell's songs "Before The Eyes Of Storytelling Girls" and "1984" on PBS radio a few weeks ago. She had a voice, and a message behind that voice, that was deeply felt. With poetic-melodic-acoustic sounds she captures the heart of issues and interests that are shared by many, but voiced by few."
It may bring you to tears folks-- its that GOOD!
M. Botros | Boston, MA | 09/22/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I saw Anais at a show in Cambridge, MA a week ago and more than one song literally moved me to tears (in the best possible way.) Tears came to my eyes because truth resonates in her lyrics.
This woman has a way of writing lyrics that are so personal, most of us are afraid to confess such feelings in our journals! Yet Anais also comments on current politics with a refreshing perspective.
The music is so delicate, meaningful and personal. The best tracks are 1, 3 & 9.
Track 1, "Before the Eyes of Storytelling Girls" is a song about an Egyptian woman, recalling her childhood and the changing times. It's clever, adapting a line from t.s. eliot's incredible poem, "The Love Song of J.Alfred Prufrock." She insightfully sings "The women come and go, talking on their mobile phones." Anyhow who has been to Egypt or the middle east will understand the depth of this song. She is right on the target in capturing the feeling of the modern middle east.
Track 9 is so beautiful, you will listen to it on repeat. It is the title track "Hymn for the Exiled." It seems to have something to do with God and Adam: "The word came down to him from heaven/ and naked as an animal, he knew / everything of flesh and bone/ he could call it all his own / if he could name it, he could lay claim to it, too."
Anais is an unbelievable live performer. Try to get out and see her show. She is humble and charming and talented all at the same time.
This is a CD to listen to on repeat! You will not regret purchasing it. But you will be amazed that someone with so much insight isn't even 25 year old!"