Annie’s CD Release Concert

Annie’s CD Release Concert

Riding the wave of excitement generated by a successfully funded Kickstarter campaign, Chelsea-based singer/songwriter/performer Annie Capps celebrates the release of her ninth recording and first solo album, “How Can I Say This”. The album features 12 original songs written by Annie representing what she calls “a love letter to my younger self” exploring topics of self-discovery, shame, learning, forgiveness, grief, and strength. Proudly featuring a supporting cast of over 40 women musicians spanning the U.S. and into Canada, “How Can I Say This” was recorded, produced, and performed by an impressive batch of A-listers, whose exceptional talents contributed to the sonically lush, emotionally charged arrangements. You can see that complete list and read more about the project at https://howcanisaythis.net In solidarity with the way it was created, for this concert, Annie has assembled an all-women band – some of whom performed on the album and others who are adding their own spin to the songs just for this show! The all-star band features Fay Burns on guitar, Suzie Vinnick on bass, Cheryl Prashker on drums/percussion, Judy Insley on Mandolin, Sara Gibson on cello, and a slew of background singers including Annie Bacon, Robin Lee Berry, Jennifer Buehrer, Kitty Donohoe, Jan Krist, Sharon Tse and more to be announced.

It’s time …

It’s time …

It’s official. I’ve launched my first ever Kickstarter campaign to help fund the album I’ve been laboring over for the past 8 months. Can’t begin to thank my beautiful husband for his support through it all and all my pals and the incredible musicians, not to mention the amazing engineer, Maggie Heeron at La Luna Recording and Sound. Not gonna babble too much here, but you can click through to the “How Can I Say This” area of our website for lots more info or just click the image to go right to the Kickstarter.  Thanks in advance!!

My Folky Valentine

My Folky Valentine

Our annual lovefest returns to The Ark in person this year with us and 3 darling duos who we adore! They are Dave Boutette & Kristi Davis, Dave Keeney & Sophia Hanifi, and Matt & Kim Watroba. As always, we’ll be swapping songs and collaborating on a couple of group numbers. It’s a joyful evening (way less stressful than a football game with a former Detroit Lion).
For those who are still unsure about gathering in public – we totally get it and respect that – this show will be live-streamed simultaneously so you can watch from the safety of your own home.
Visit the Ark’s website at theark.org for ticket info and details. https://theark.org/event/my-folky-valentine-220213/ 
Annie’s Solo Project

Annie’s Solo Project

“How Can I Say This”

A new solo album by Annie Capps

Coming Spring 2022

Just a quick little post to let you know about this exciting new project. A batch of songs that found me playing in a deeper sandbox thanks to a few great songwriting workshops presented by my very talented pal, Jan Krist, and a monthly songwriting group called The Songsmiths where we write to prompts. It’s safe to say I’ve had a lot more time to sit and think. A closer look at the subject matter gave me the idea to make this an all-women project where every musician, recording engineer, artist, consultant etc.. is a woman. Don’t get me wrong. I love men and it’s been really hard not to take full advantage of the very talented one who lives with me, but it feels right to try this on my own. The good news is a growing list of incredible women will be playing or singing on these songs.

I’ll be launching a Kickstarter campaign in January to help me fund the project and that’ll come with a whole lot of reveals. And you don’t have to be a woman to contribute. =)

A spring in our step?

A spring in our step?

 Does it feel like we keep telling you to “stay tuned” for news that’s worthy of your attention? Well, it does to us… I don’t think we’re alone in our feelings that everything takes longer these days. Why is that? We supposedly have more time? I heard this a lot from my Mom and other retirees – “I just don’t know where the time goes?” You know that old saying “if you want something done, give it to a busy person”? I hated that saying. I AM one of those busy persons (typically) and I struggle with the “NO” word. People come to depend on you and you don’t want to let them down. I know I’m not alone. Guess who I got it from. That’s right. Mom. She’s my hero and role model and one of the most thoughtful, selfless humans I know. As a British boarding school-raised child, she embraces the “Keep calm and carry on” mantra in the most literal sense. This is a woman who would drive herself to the emergency room, go through a myriad of tests to rule out a heart attack, and call us on her way home. No, wait, she’d probably go visit a sick friend first. God forbid she should … Well, we’ve given her the what for on that and now she lives with my amazing sister.  We talked yesterday and as I listened to her berate herself for failing to accomplish anything, I recognized the voice in my head. This time, I wanted to be the voice in her head. “Mom, you spent your life, working, raising 5 kids and after Dad left, holding down a full-time job with two more still at home. You accomplished so much…” interrupting, she says “no more than anyone else.” – got that from her too.

Anyway, I’m trying to be kinder to myself and allow for the effort it takes to keep the anxiety and weariness of our isolation at bay. Yes, Rod and I have each other. We’re lucky. But just like everyone else, we used to have friends we’d hang out with on a regular basis. We used to see actual faces in front of us when we performed, we used to think nothing of spontaneously jumping in the car and hitting our favorite restaurants, shops and live music venues. Now that vaccines are soon to be available for everyone, we’re looking forward to a bit less of that isolation, but if you’re paying attention, you know the vaccine isn’t an invitation to go back to “pre-COVID” normal. A lot remains to be seen and though we are extremely hopeful, we know that we’re facing another summer that looks very much like last summer.

Last year we were fortunate to be part of the Ann Arbor Summer Festival’s Tiny TOPS program and though we hope to be on their roster again, it’s probably just one day and we loved the idea so much that we hope to encourage more of you to consider hosting a small gathering of friends and family in your back yard, or other outdoor space where folks can socially distance. Live music provided by The Capps duo, trio or band for a sliding scale that you can recoup by charging admission to the show. FIND OUT MORE HERE.