Annabel Gutherz is a singer-songwriter who recently released her single and music video, Mountain Man. Annabel told us about Mountain Man, her upcoming album Loose Ends, where she hopes to perform one day, and more!
upfrontNY: When did you find your passion for music?
Annabel Gutherz: I discovered my passion for music when I was five years old and took part in a local theatre production of “Annie – The Musical.” Singing on stage immediately felt like home, and cemented my innate love of music, musical theatre and the arts. The rest is history!
upfrontNY: Who are your musical inspirations?
Annabel Gutherz: Some of my musical inspirations include, but are not limited to, Stevie Nicks, Fleetwood Mac, Taylor Swift, Adele, Miley Cyrus, Harry Styles, Alicia Keys, Bonnie Raitt, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Bruno Mars, amongst countless others! I draw inspiration from all of the music I listen to, which is quite varied in terms of genre.
upfrontNY: Can you tell us about your new single Mountain Man?
Annabel Gutherz: Of course! Mountain Man is an acoustic song about my cousin and her then ex-boyfriend. They had dated for several years and I thought they were the perfect couple. I was shocked when I learned they had broken up, and turned to song in an attempt to capture the magic of their love story as I knew it. I’m honestly still hoping they get back together!
upfrontNY: The music video for Mountain Man is out now. What do you love most about the music video?
Annabel Gutherz: One of my favorite parts of the Mountain Man music video is its cinematographic simplicity. The video’s storyline gives us a window into a young couple’s relationship as they create new memories on a romantic getaway. The aesthetic helps communicate the song’s ambiance and general mood.
upfrontNY: Would you choose to spend time in the mountains or the beach?
Annabel Gutherz: I would have to choose the mountains! As much as I adore the beach, the beach does not adore me! 😉 Almost like an allergy, my skin is very sensitive to the heat… My family and I joke that I melt in the sun!
The view alone of towering, majestic mountains helps to ground and give me perspective. They remind me just how small I am in our vast, universal landscape and connect me to all that is truly important.
upfrontNY: Can you tell us about your upcoming debut album Loose Ends?
Annabel Gutherz: Definitely! Loose Ends is a collection of eleven original songs that chronicle my life from the time I was fifteen until present. I named the album “Loose Ends” because each song communicates an instance or experience in my life where I did not find closure. Writing these songs and conveying the thoughts and feelings I seldom expressed was emotionally remedial and enabled me to let go and move on. The album is stylistically eclectic because I did not write with the intention of making a sonically cohesive record, rather I wrote in the throes of my emotions, and these songs were the honest product of that process.
upfrontNY: What has been your favorite part of making this album?
Annabel Gutherz: One of my favorite parts of making this album was witnessing my sonic vision come to fruition! I also had the distinct honor of working alongside and learning from superlative musicians and music professionals, including Dominique Messier, Kaven Girouard, Fabrice Jean, and the rest of the Piccolo Studio Team, who were all conduits and catalysts of my dreams! Without their expertise, guidance, help and talents, the album and the album-making process would not be what it was! I would do it all again tomorrow if it meant working with these musically versatile and brilliant individuals! As we like to say, Piccolo is the way to go! 🙂
upfrontNY: You released your debut single, Legends in 2018. Proceeds from the song were donated to education-based charities in North America. Can you tell us about this and why this was important to you?
Annabel Gutherz: I believe education is at the cornerstone of egalitarianism and peace. Education not only lays a societal foundation where all can prosper, but also helps to diminish the pillars of ignorance, including hatred, xenophobia, racism and prejudice, effectively creating a more united, accepting and loving global community. I want to be a part of that change in any way I can!
upfrontNY: You are a published author of the children’s picture book series, Annie’s Pajammies. Can you tell us about this series and what others can expect from it?
Annabel Gutherz: Absolutely! Annie’s Pajammies is a didactic children’s picture book series that follows young protagonist Annie as she travels the world from the comfort of her magical pajamas! In addition to building intercultural competence through experiential learning, a portion of the proceeds from every book sold is donated to help facilitate access to education in the country Annie explores. The series was inspired by my love of pajamas and wish to learn about our culturally diverse and beautiful world.
upfrontNY: What does it mean to have others supporting you and your music and helping you help others through various charities?
Annabel Gutherz: To be able to make a tangible difference in the lives of others through listeners supporting my art means more to me than I can express. At the center of all my projects and pursuits is the desire to make a positive difference in the world. It’s an ambitious aspiration, but one that acts as a propellant for me in all that I do.
upfrontNY: What is your dream venue, city, or country to one day perform?
Annabel Gutherz: Two venues I dream to one day perform at include the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada, my hometown, as well as the Verona Arena in Verona, Italy. I have long envisioned myself performing on the same stage I watched my musical heroes perform on with awed-admiration. I remember concerts at the Bell Centre and my wanting to be on stage, looking back at the crowd of fans holding their phones, lighting up the arena like stars in the night sky – Sheer magic! I also hope to one day perform at the Verona Arena. I had a most treasured opportunity to attend an opera at the Arena, and experiencing live music outside in an amphitheater with such rich history is uniquely extraordinary and quite surreal.
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